Vienna is Austria’s capital city and also one of its nine states. It lies on the east side of the country on the Danube River.

It is the largest city in the country, holding over 1.8 million residents in an area of 414.65 km2. Vienna has a very rich heritage, culture and history.  It is also known to be one of the most livable and exuberant cities in the whole world. It centralises the cultural of Austria and is also a popular tourist destination, welcoming over 6.8 million visitors every year. It has become the home of many musical legends through the music’s classical time. These luminaries include Mozart and Beethoven, hence, Vienna is known as the City of Music. Other than that,  It holds artistic and intellectual heritage was built by its unique residents that include Mozart, Beethoven and also Sigmund Freud. The city is greatly known for its historical,  Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence.

history of Vienna

Vienna History 

By the beginning of the 20th century, it had been the largest German-speaking city in the whole world, and before the separation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I, the city was occupied by more than 2 million inhabitants.  However, today it is declared to be the second-largest German-speaking city after Berlin and right before Hamburg.

Vienna’s historical roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that changed into a Medieval and Baroque city. The ancestral centre of Vienna is rich in architectural constructions, which include Baroque palaces and gardens, and also the late-19th-century Ringstraße lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks,  all of which tell the history vividly.

Other than that,  Vienna is also a host to many major international organizations, such as the United Nations, OPEC, and the OSCE. The location of the city is in the eastern part of Austria and is near the borders of Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. These three regions work together as a European Centrope border region. Alongside that, Bratislava Vienna creates a metropolitan region with nearly 3 million inhabitants.

Vienna Culture

Vienna Culture

 Art and culture have had a long traditional bonding with Vienna, such as theatre, opera, classical music and fine arts museums. The Burgtheater is considered to be one of the grandest theatres in the German-speaking world alongside its very own branch, the Akademietheater. The Volkstheater Wien and the Theater in der Josefstadt also hold strong reputations. There is also a myriad of smaller theatres, which in several cases devote to less mainstream types of the performing arts, such as modern, experimental sort of plays or even cabaret.

Other than that,  Vienna is of course,  also the home to a great number of opera houses. To include; there the Theater an der Wien, as well as the Staatsoper and the Volksoper, the latter being devoted especially to the typical Viennese operetta. Classical concerts are broadcasted at world-famous venues like Wiener Musikverein- home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra known across the world for the annual hugely performed “New Year’s Day Concert”, other than that,  the Wiener Konzerthaus, home of the internationally reputed Vienna Symphony. Moving on, there are many concert places offering concerts aimed to attract tourists, featuring famously known music such as Viennese music, especially the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Strauss I, and also Johann Strauss II.

 In addition to being given the label as the “City of Music” because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also known to be the “City of Dreams”, because it was also home to the world’s first psychoanalyst, the iconic Sigmund Freud. It is well known for having played a pivotal role as a leading European music centre, from the age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century.

Unfortunately, In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site but in July 2017 it was moved into the list of World Heritage in Danger.

Vienna Tourist Attractions

Vienna Tourist Attractions

Vienna offers one of the most renowned tourist attractions in the world.

  • Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

Stroll through the heavenly gardens and palace of Schönbrunn. The history of this site goes back to the Middle Ages and was renovated during the 19th century. The exotic lush green gardens and exhilarated palace gloriously presenting their history are not to be missed. If you’re keen on history, you can also visit the museum in the palace. Other attractions in Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens include The Sundial House, the Roman Ruins, and the view of the gardens, specifically in Autumn. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens should be on the top of your list the next time you visit Vienna.

  • Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace attracts tourists from all over the world. The palace has two parts, Lower Belvedere (constructed in the 17th century) and Upper Belvedere (constructed in the 18th century). Both, the Upper and Lower Belvedere present the architectural excellence of their times. The gates of Belvedere are made on the traditional architecture of Belvedere. If you’re an art-lover, there’s also an art museum, Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, which boasts extensive art collection from all around the world.

  • Vienna State Opera

History is nothing without art. Vienna has preserved its heritage of arts and the Vienna State Opera is proof of that. The largest and most sumptuous art center in the world, Vienna State Opera has proudly hosted famous composers, dancers, and soloists from all around the world. It caters to the needs of all classes with tickets ranging from hundreds of euros to as low as two euros.

  • Vienna City Hall

The City Hall made of bricks decorated with limestone, featuring five towers including one central tower, is based on Gothic architecture. The Rathausmann statue, installed on the top of the city hall is a true representative of Vienna’s pride and spirit.  The Vienna City Hall features the traditional architectural features and statues that represent the historical heritage of Vienna, spanning over centuries.

  • Danube

Vienna, located alongside the River Danube, the longest river in Europe, shares the river with several other countries. A visit to the majestic Danube river is a must if you love rivers. At night time, restaurants and hotels along the coast of Danube, offer the most beautiful view of the city and Danube itself.

Vienna Food and drinks

Vienna Food and drinks

 The German name for Vienna is known as Wien, likely Austria’s most famous dish is wiener schnitzel, which translates to Viennese schnitzel. The right serving of the dish is breaded meat with a side of parsley potatoes or potato and cucumber salad according to likings.

Other than that the people of Vienna are known by their coffee houses. Austrians spend entire afternoons sitting and sipping coffee. It’s known by history and attracts tourists.

Climate In Vienna

Climate In Vienna

Vienna technically comes in two separate climate zones. It’s situated right at the border of the moderate middle European transitional climate and the drier Pannonian zone. In Vienna, the summers are warm, moderately hot and the winters are cold and relatively dry.

The best time of year to visit Vienna for travel activities is from June to Auguest.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: The July high is around 26 °C
Winter Low: The January low is -3 °C
Rain: Averages 22 inches of rain a year
Snow: Averages 27 inches of snow a year

Vienna City Centre

Vienna Liveability Ranking

 Vienna is known to be the second most livable city in the world after Melbourne, Australia, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s study which ranks 30 factors, ranging from security and education to the infrastructure and quality of healthcare.

Conclusively, Vienna has an empire of intrigue like few other cities. The city is filled with palaces, museums and opera houses, and also the world’s oldest and best zoo, inside the Palace of Schoenbrunn. All this architecture r might make the city seem mesmerizing, very few cities can combine all of each of these qualities just as beautifully as Vienna does, that too by holding the place of being one of the world’s most livable cities. Austrians live in the ease of inhabiting here, from their unique cafes to their perfect lakes and rivers.