Great Works of Art

Kunsthistorisches Museum There are masterpieces in every room at Vienna’s best museum for works by grand masters.

Leopold Museum A stunning collection of works with a strong focus on Schiele, Kokoschka, Gerstl and other expressionists.

MUMOK The Museum of Modern Art shocks, seduces and repels with a collection covering virtually all 20th- and 21st-century movements.

Schloss Belvedere The ensemble of galleries here focuses on the pantheon of Austrian artists from the Middle Ages to the present, complemented by world-class special exhibitions.

Kunsthalle Showcases local and international artists in changing exhibitions.

Albertina The attractive state apartments are augmented by copies from the graphics collection and the outstanding Batliner Collection.

Reliquiaries & Religious Art Highlights are housed in Stephansdom (St Stephan’s Cathedral) until the Dom- & Diözesanmuseum reopens around 2015.

Classical Music

Musikverein Oft-used by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, this concert hall is among the world’s very best for acoustics.

Staatsoper Vienna’s famous opera venue doesn’t necessarily tear holes in your pocket.

Konzerthaus Top-flight classical concerts are staged here.

Live Music & Clubs

Porgy & Bess Vienna’s most popular jazz club has a velvety vibe.

Arena A former slaughterhouse with outdoor and indoor spaces.

Flex Great local and inter­national DJs on the Danube Canal.

Pratersauna This former sauna has been resurrected as a pool, bistro and club in one.

Getting Active

Donauinsel & Alte Donau Prime recreation areas for activities.

Wienerwald A paradise for walkers and cyclists, with the added attraction of being able to visit Heurigen (wine taverns).

Prater Small but central expanse of forest trails. (Click here)

Flakturm In summer the Flakturm (flak tower) housing the Haus des Meeres has a climbing wall on one side.

Grand Architecture

Hofburg One monument after another is revealed in the Habsburg’s home from 1279 to 1918.

Schloss Belvedere Built for military strategist Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere today doubles as an art gallery.

Ringstrasse An impressive array of 19th-century masterpieces that can be enjoyed from the comfort of a tram.

Schloss Schönbrunn Around 40 of the palace’s 1441 rooms are open to the public, and the Gloriette offers wonderful views.

Churches

Stephansdom Vienna’s landmark Gothic cathedral is one of Europe’s finest.

Karlskirche Brings together baroque magnificence and an ascension 70m into the cupola.

Peterskirche This sublime church invites contemplation beneath a dome fresco by Rottmayr.

Franziskanerkirche The beauty of this church is its deceptive trompe-l’œil dome.

Kapuzinerkirche (Kaisergruft) Contains the bodies – minus their hearts and organs – of the Habsburg family.

The Habsburg Heritage

Kaiserappartements Located in the Hofburg, the former imperial apartments house the Sisi Museum, which tells the story of Empress Elisabeth.

Schloss Schönbrunn Tours take you through this opulent palace and tell you all about the palace rooms and former imperial residents.

Kapuzinerkirche The crypt contains the bodies of almost every royal Habsburg.

Augustinerkirche Before being sealed in a tomb, the Habsburgs were relieved of their hearts, which are stored in urns here.

Markets

Naschmarkt Vienna’s largest and most famous market is a medley of local and exotic fruits and vegetables, gourmet and ethnic foods, and food stands that have grown into fully fledged restaurants.

Brunnenmarkt This fruit, vegetable and foodstuff market reflects its location right in the middle of the Turkish district. Expect strong character and working-class charm.

Karmelitermarkt This food market with a cluster of small restaurants is so genuine that you can still buy delicious spicy horse-meat sausages here. Weeping with local flavour in Leopoldstadt.

Freyung Market A small, fine market with organic produce in the Innere Stadt.

Rochusmarkt A hub of activity in the Landstrasse district.