Things to Do in Vienna

The pastel-hued façade of Vienna’s Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) may pale in comparison to the dramatic neo-gothic towers of the modern City Hall, but the former administrative center is still a charming reminder of medieval Vienna. Although first built in the 13th century, the majority of the present-day building stems from its 18th-century baroque redesign, featuring details like the striking Renaissance portico and the monumental Andromeda Fountain by Georg Raphael Donners.

The Old Town Hall housed the magistrate of Vienna until 1885, but today is home to the Museum of the Austrian Resistance Movement, a museum devoted to the Austrian resistance against the Nazis. One of the city’s most intriguing museums, the fascinating exhibitions include photographs, original documents and personal reports, detailing the work of Austrian resistance fighters and the victims of the Nazi regime.

In the Museumquarter, between the Leopold and MUMOK is the Kunsthalle, or Art Hall, a collection of exhibition halls showcasing local and international contemporary art. Its high ceilings, open space and pure functionality have seen the venue rated among the top institutions for exhibitions in Europe. Programs, which run for 3 to 6 months, tend to focus on photography, video, film, installations and new media. 

The concept behind the gallery is to foster new and exciting trends and experiments in contemporary art so expect the unexpected..

For sheer grandness, the Neo-Gothic Rathaus, or Vienna City Hall, steals the Ringstrasse show. Completed in 1883 by Friedrich von Schmidt, it was modeled on Flemish city halls. Its main spire soars to 335 ft (102m) if you include the pennant held by the knight at the top. You're free to wander through the seven inner courtyards but must join a guided tour to see the interior, with its red carpets, gigantic mirrors, and frescoes.

Between the Rathaus and the Ringstrasse is the Rathauspark, with fountains, benches and several statues. It is split in two by Rathausplatz, which is lined with statues of notable people from Vienna's past. Rathausplatz is the sight of some of the city's most frequented events, including the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market), Musikfilm Festival and the Wiener Eistraum.

With a history dating back to 1889 and a permanent collection made up of over 20 million objects, the Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum) is one of the largest and most renowned natural history museums in the world. The counterpart to the Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum), both museums are located on Maria Theresien Platz in central Vienna and rank among the city’s top attractions.

Based on the collected works of Emperor Franz Stefan, husband of Empress Maria Theresia, Rudolph II and Prince Eugène of Savoy, exhibits include a vast assemblage of minerals, rocks, fossils, meteors and flora specimens; a zoological display featuring a series of rare stuffed animals and extinct species; and a Dinosaur Hall, which houses the skeleton of a Diplodocus.

Additional highlights include the world’s biggest collection of human skulls; the largest single topaz, weighting in at 110kg; the 25,000-year old Venus of Willendorf; and the oldest human sculpture, dating back to 32,000 BC.

If you’re looking to sample authentic Viennese cuisine or soak up some local culture, pay a visit to the Naschmarkt, the oldest and most beloved of Vienna’s many markets. Dating back to the 16th century, the Naschmarkt has occupied its present location since 1793, stretching for more than a kilometer along the Wienzeile, just south of Vienna’s historic center. Over 170 stalls take over the vibrant market hall each day between 6am and 6.30pm, selling an array of food produce from around the world.

Visiting foodies will be in heaven here, with stalls heaped with fresh meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables, international wines and artisan cheeses. Most notable is the variety of ethnic cuisines, from an Indian and Middle Eastern section dotted with kebab and falafel huts, to a spread of stalls devoted to Oriental cuisine and a colorful array of exotic spices. Once you’ve stocked up on fresh goods, head to one of the many surrounding cafés, where you can tuck into local pastries or sip some traditional Viennese coffee.

The Naschmarkt is also renowned for its weekly flea market, held every Saturday and selling everything from vintage clothing, books and records, to antique jewelry and Eastern European curiosities.

With its ornate golden-colored façade and grand baroque church towers set against an idyllic backdrop of the Wachau Valley and the Danube River, Melk Abbey looks more like a palace than a monastery. Founded in 1089, the Benedictine abbey underwent a dramatic makeover in the 18th century and is now regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque churches.

The Basics
The town of Melk lies at the western end of Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and full-day tours from Vienna often combine an abbey visit with wine tastings in the valley, a boat cruise along the Danube River, or even a trip to Salzburg or across the Czech border to Cesky Krumlov. The castle is open to visitors with or without a guided tour from April to October.

• A visit to this monastery is a must for history buffs and architecture lovers.
• Guided tours of the abbey last about an hour.
• Melk Abbey tours from Vienna include roundtrip transportation (about a 1.5-hour drive each way).
• A restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms can be found on-site.
• The abbey is accessible for wheelchair users.

How to Get There
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, the Melk Monastery can be reached on foot from the Melk train station (a 10-minute walk) or by a short taxi ride. Most visitors opt to visit on a day trip from Vienna, 50 miles (90 km) east, but it’s equally accessible from Salzburg, 70 miles (115 km) west, or Spitz, 12 miles (20 km) north.

When to Get There
The Melk Abbey is open all year round, but from November through March, visits are only possible by guided tour and must be booked in advance. The abbey can get busy in July and August, so plan an early morning or late afternoon start to avoid the crowds.

The Baroque Gems of Melk Abbey
The abbey is famous for its exquisite baroque architecture, the work of architect Jakob Prandtauer. Highlights include the Marble Hall, with its magnificent ceiling frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr; the opulent library, filled with priceless manuscripts; and the Abbey Church, with its dazzling gold altar.

As the sole female ruler of the Habsburg Empire and one of the most revered of Austria’s royals, it seems only fitting that Empress Maria Theresa should have a public square named in her honor.  Located along the famous Ringstrasse, at the heart of historic Vienna, Maria Theresa Square (Maria Theresien Platz) is surrounded by many of the capital’s most prominent landmarks, with the Museum Quarter to the south and the magnificent Hofburg Palace to the north.

Laid out in the 19th century, the square centers around an enormous statue of Maria Theresa by Kaspar Zumbusch, encircled by a series of formal gardens, dotted with monumental fountains and sculptures. Maria Theresa Square is also home to two of the city’s most notable museums – the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History), whose grand neo-Renaissance facades were created as part of the grand imperial Kaiserforum, the masterwork of German architect Gottfried Semper.

The Museum of Fine Arts, or Kunsthistorisches Museum, houses the fabulous art collection of the Habsburgs, the royal dynasty of Austria for over 600 years. Emperor Franz Joseph I commissioned the building as part of his expansion of Vienna in 1858, and it took 20 years to build, opening in 1891.