Vienna - What Is It Famous For? Why Should You Visit?
- Helen
- Mar 13, 2019
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 6, 2019
Vienna is my favourite city in the world, a place I feel comfortable, safe and very at home in.
I am always surprised though that people do not know more about this incredible city, what it is famous for and why it is so worthwhile to visit.
Vienna often features lower on bucket lists of European cities people want to see before they die than its neighbours, such as Paris, Barcelona or Rome.
I am not saying that these other European cities are not worth visiting - they are of course all worthy of your time and each offers a great deal, but Vienna just has that little extra that puts it top of my list every time!
Perhaps though I should not encourage more people to visit Vienna, as if I could, I would keep the stunning sights and surroundings in this city from becoming overwhelmed with tourists!
Still, I am told it is good to share, so let me tell you what Vienna is famous for and why it is a city that should be top of your bucket list to visit!
What Is Vienna Famous For and Why Should You Visit?
- Palaces and Imperialism
The fact that Austria was the seat of the Habsburg family for around 700 years, with all the imperialism and splendour that their ruling demanded is still seen throughout the city of Vienna today.
Central Vienna is home to very grand and ornate palaces, such as the Hofburg Palace and the Belvedere Palace, with Schloss Schönbrunn found just a short distance out of the immediate city centre.
The museums, galleries, churches, town hall (Rathaus), opera house and other important buildings in the centre of Vienna all ensure that wherever you turn you feel that you are walking through rich imperial heritage.
If you love imperial surroundings and palaces, alongside gossip worthy stories of a regal family stretching back centuries, Vienna can offer more than you will ever imagine possible!
- Music & Opera
More famous composers have lived in Vienna than any other capital city and today Vienna continues to be the centre of classical music and opera.
Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Brahms... the list of world famous composers with a history in this city goes on.
The Opera House in Vienna is a stunning sight to behold by day or night and has a full programme of operas for adults and children, alongside balls and waltzes.
The Vienna Boys Choir also continue to draw audiences and throughout the city music is in the air!
Alongside opera and classical music, Vienna today also has a thriving jazz, pop and rock scene, so if opera is not your thing there is likely still something that will appeal to you!
- Art
From a cultural point of view, it is not just music and opera that Vienna is famous for.
Any art lovers will also find plenty to enjoy.
Vienna is home to over 100 museums, many of which are art galleries or otherwise house incredible works of art.
Without stepping into a museum or gallery, you will also find stunning art in the architecture or in terms of contemporary street art.
One artist that Vienna is perhaps most famed for is Gustav Klimt whose most famous work, The Kiss, amongst many others is on display at the Belvedere Palace.
Throughout Vienna's other museums you will also find works by world famous artists, including Rubens, Michelangelo, Warhol, Picasso, Rembrandt, Monet, Schilele, Goya.. and the list goes on!
It is also worthy of note that the Albertina art gallery in Vienna is the world's largest collection of graphic art, with collections dating back 600 years.
Another famous Austrian artist and architect is Friedensreich HundertWasser and Vienna is home to the now iconic Hundertwasser Haus - a residential apartment block owned by the City of Vienna that today draws tourists for it's unique creativity, colours and lack of straight lines!
There is also a museum dedicated to the work of Hundertwasser close by for those who enjoy his work to indulge in more!
- Fiaker Rides
In the centre of Vienna you will see tourists being ridden around the sights in horse drawn carriages, or a 'fiaker'.
The image of these rides with Vienna's imperial buildings surrounding you merely adds to the old world feel and romance of the city.
- The Big Wheel!
Made famous by the film, The Third Man, the Big Wheel, or Wiener Riesenrad, stands at the entrance to the Prater (a large amusement park).
The wheel here was first built in 1897 and between 1920 and 1985 it was the world's largest ferris wheel, standing at 64.75 metres high.
Today the wheel is a city icon and well worth the gentle 10 minute ride for the views and experience.
- The Blue Danube
Vienna is also famous for the, 'blue Danube'.. the river that runs from the Black Forest in Germany and through 10 countries to the Black Sea, making it the second longest river in Europe.
The stretch of the Danube that flows through Vienna inspired Strauss to compose the waltz, 'The Blue Danube' in 1866, which has since become the unofficial national anthem of Austria.
The Danube river might not be blue and it does not run through the city centre but lies just a short distance outside, but it is still a strong feature of the city today.
At Vienna's second district, the river splits into two sections, forming the Donauinsel, 'Danube Island' and this is a very popular recreational spot for many of the city's residents.
Donauinsel stretches for 42 km and further to the west of this is another stretch of water called the Alte Donau or 'old Danube'.
Both of these areas offer peaceful beaches, boat hire, water sports, cycling and picnic spots which on a warm day make for a good way to enjoy some leisure time.
As a visitor to Vienna you might also enjoy taking a river cruise along the Danube to enjoy the general Vienna skyline from the water, including the UN buildings and Donauturm (Danube Tower) which is Austria's tallest landmark.
- Trams
Trams have been in operation in Vienna since the 19th century and today it is said to be the 5th largest tram network in the world.
Vienna's red and white trams are an institution of the city. They are frequent and reliable and used by the Viennese daily for their commutes.
No trip to Vienna would be complete without a tram ride.
Travel on the red and white trams throughout the city are all included on the city travel cards you can buy.. see my upcoming separate guide on what you need to know before you go to Vienna for more on the public transport system around Vienna!
If you are short on time in the city and want to see some of the main sights then take a ride on the 'Ring Tram' which is a tram that travels around the 'RingStraße'.
This is the wide boulevard that forms a ring around the inner city and from which you can access the main sights. RingStraße is today an Austrian World Heritage Site.
A full circuit on the Ring Tram (which is yellow, not red and white because it is a special tourist tram) lasts about 25 minutes or you can hop on and hop off.
There is also information in 8 languages on board.
Please note that travel on the Ring Tram is not covered by the usual Vienna transport tickets and a separate ticket is needed.
(Insider's Tip... if you do not want to pay the full RingTram tourist price and you are happy for a tram ride of the RingStraße without the commentary, then you can take Tram 1 from SchwedenPlatz, changing to Tram 2 at BurgRing, finishing again at SchwedenPlatz... This can be done using a normal Vienna travel pass!).
- Sigmund Freud
Aside from the artists and composers, another person Vienna is famous for is Sigmund Freud.
Sigmund Freud moved to Vienna with his family at the age of 5 years old.
As an adult he studied medicine and then psychiatry.
In Vienna, Freud developed his theories on id, ego and super-ego which formed the bases for psycho - analysis practices that continue to be used today.
Freud is arguably the most world renowned psychiatrist of all time.
Today, there is the Sigmund Freud museum in Vienna in the former home of the psychiatrist, where he lived and worked for 47 years.
**please note the original Freud house is currently under some renovations and the museum is temporarily relocated to another site nearby**.
- Coffee Houses
The traditional coffee houses in Vienna cannot be likened to anywhere else in the world today... old fashioned, often splendid coffee rooms with waiters and waitresses in uniform and cakes to select from on display.
The Viennese visit to enjoy their paper and a coffee, such as a 'brauner' (ordinary coffee) or a 'melange' (similar to a cappuccino).
Some of Vienna's finest coffee houses will have queues coming out the door but there are many in the city and it is worth finding the unique coffee houses that the locals still enjoy.
- Sacher Torte
While we are on the theme of coffee houses and cake, Vienna is world famous for the Sacher Hotel, where the Sacher Torte (a rich chocolate cake) was first invented and the only place you can still get a true Sacher Torte (as the original recipe has never been revealed!).
Don't miss a visit to the cafe at the Sacher Hotel for a unique experience of enjoying some Sacher Torte, with cream and a good Viennese coffee (see above!).
- Schnitzel!
Wiener Schnitzel is a dish that Vienna is also famed for....
In fact, schnitzel is so popular here you will even find fast food shops dedicated to schnitzel right next door to McDonalds.
Traditionally schnitzel was made from veal, coated in breadcrumbs and fried and often served with a potato salad or similar.
Today you will find variations with pork or chicken instead of the veal.
- Wine & Heurigen...
Another fact about Vienna that few appreciate is that Vienna has over 700 hectares of vineyards within the wider city limits.
If you appreciate good wine then Vienna is a good choice for you!
The long tradition of wine growing in Vienna ensures that the wine growers are experts in their field. Approximately 80 % of the wines produced here are white wines, particularly Grüner Veltlinger and Riesling.
Visiting Vienna provides the opportunity to visit the wineries found on the edge of the city (check out the areas of Ottakring, Grinzing and Sievering amongst others) and appreciate the many Heurigen (or wine taverns) that are an Austrian speciality!
The Heurigen in Vienna offer a rustic, truly Austrian and entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening.
The wines served will be Viennese and food is usually offered in buffet style and is also of a certain rustic charm!
If you are lucky then traditional live music might also accompany your visit.
The Heurigen are a truly Austrian experience to be enjoyed.
- Würstelstand Or Sausage Kiosks In Vienna
The Würstelstand or sausage stands in Vienna are considered another important feature of the city and key to Vienna's identity!
Wherever you go in Vienna you will find these small and unassuming sausage selling stands going about their business. Rarely will you see a stand without customers as they are used by locals, visitors, tourists, rich and poor alike.
Serving traditional 'Frankfurter' (known to the rest of the world as a Wiener Wurst) or BratWurst, you might purchase your snack in bread in a 'hotdog' fashion, or just have it sliced on a plate in a more traditional Viennese style with mustards and gherkins.
As you wander the city you will not fail to notice people enjoying their Wurst delights, no matter the weather!
- The United Nations
Vienna is home to one of the four headquarters of the United Nations.
Vienna International Centre, more commonly known as UNO City is a building complex in Vienna that houses over 4,000 employees from over 110 countries.
A number of different UN departments work from the buildings here, including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
It is possible to take guided tours of the UN buildings to learn more of the work they do and get a glimpse of the inside!
See their website for more.
So, that completes my list for what Vienna is famous for and why it is a city very worth visiting...
What have I missed?
I know there is so much more - any thoughts or experiences you want to add?
Do let me know!
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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