Visit Austria’s capital city and be blown away by its exciting mix of history, culture, entertainment and mouth-watering cakes for the whole family. Vienna is the world-famous home of the ‘ballet of the white stallions’ at the Spanish riding school, and a performance by the lipizzaner horses is an experience not to be missed.
Words by Lauren John | Extract taken from July's 2022 Il-Bizzilla Magazine | Read more here
But, what else does this city break destination have to offer? From underground boat rides to modern art, Vienna has it all. Here are some ways to explore this beautiful city.
Different Ways to Explore Vienna
We’ve all seen details of hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours, and they are an option in Vienna, but what about other ways to explore the city. Here are some suggestions:
Hire a beautiful Viennese Fiaker (carriage) for a guided tour of the city centre. Relax and unwind against a backdrop of palatial buildings, museums and churches in the city centre, you can even book a dining carriage ride and enjoy local delicacies along with the sights. There are also tours available of the cemetery to view the graves of famous composers Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven.
Increase the pace with a small group Segway tour of the city, which run in German and English, lasting up to 3 hours. Itineraries include the Johann Strauss Monument, the striking buildings of the University of Economics, and the bike paths alongside the Danube Canal.
See Vienna from a different perspective on board a sightseeing cruise along the Danube Canal. See the best of historic, green, and modern Vienna all in one tour, which can include a delicious lunch on board. Historic and contemporary buildings, street art, and natural Vienna are all on show.
For something truly unique, take a trip to the Seagrotte, a cave system and Europe’s largest underground lake near Hinterbrühl. Uncover the mysteries of Vienna’s mining past, before a memorable boat trip on the lake.
Palatial Buildings
From the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral to modern skyscrapers, Vienna’s innovative architecture has it all, but there’s something truly special about the city’s palatial splendour.
Discover the imperial history of the Habsburgs at the Hofburg Palace. Visitors can tour the imperial apartments, extravagant silver collections, and the Sisi Museum dedicated to rebellious fashion icon, Empress Elisabeth.
The imperial summer residence of Schonbrunn Palace has attractions for all ages. Explore the state rooms and private apartments, take in the fountains, and statues in the landscaped gardens, or delve into the life of a young imperial in the children’s museum.
Continue to the Kunsthistorisches Art History Museum, which has grown from housing the Habsburgs own art collections to a globally important home of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian treasures. This is also where you’ll find 16th-century Venetian art and a 17th-century Flemish art collection.
Coffee and Cake
No visit to Vienna would be complete without indulging in the city’s world-famous coffee shop culture. Follow in the footsteps of musicians, artists, politicians and poets and visit a traditional Viennese coffee house. These include the famous Hotel Sacher, one of the first places to serve the mouth-watering Sachertorte chocolate cake. Every coffee house has a story, and a tempting menu to sample, so why not indulge all your senses. Will your first order be a Viennese potato soup, Schnitzel, apple strudel, curd cheese pancakes, or a famous coffee and cake?
Vienna For Families
Whether you take a trip to an outdoor nature spot, or break for delicious ice cream there's no shortage of activities for all ages in this family-friendly city. Don't miss the Haus Der Musik, a five-floor interactive museum dedicated to music and sound. There are dedicated children’s tours and concerts, and fun installations where you can become a conductor, or make music in a virtual zoo.
The fun continues at Prater, an exciting mix of tradition and adventure, all wrapped up in one amusement park. Attractions include a dark ride rollercoaster, water rides, and the outstanding views from Prater’s famous Ferris Wheel.
Wild boar and deer are just two species that call the Lainzer Tiergarten nature reserve home, and maybe you’ll spot these during a visit. Take a step back to nature and explore the forest and nature trails, children’s play areas, and visitor centre exhibits.
With exhibits in mind the're fascinating collections the whole family will enjoy at the Vienna Theatermuseum. Archives feature precious costumes once worn by leading lights in theatre and dance, marionette puppets, stage models, and advertising.
Whichever side to Vienna’s history, culture, or modern-day creativity you choose to explore, this is a city that will awaken all your senses.
Air Malta operates regular flights to Vienna. More information on www.airmalta.com
Please follow the latest Covid-19 guidelines with regards to travel.
