traveldk.com

Morning

Starting off by admiring the impressive Staatsoper (see pp30–31), cut your way through Operngasse to the Secession Building (see pp32–3). The stunning Beethoven Frieze inside this Art Nouveau building shouldn’t be missed. The Akademie der bildenden Künster (see p109) is just a stone’s throw from Olbrich’s Secessionist masterpiece and is also worth an hour or two, particularly for its fine Rubens paintings.

For a coffee, head for the refurbished Café Museum (see p114), first designed by Adolf Loos in 1899.

Walk towards Naschmarkt (see p109) and roam the market with all its stalls and lively atmosphere, casting a glance over the road to the Theater an der Wien, the Majolika Haus (see p109) and the Wagner Haus.

For lunch choose from one of the cafés or restaurants on Naschmarkt such as the Do An (see p115).

Afternoon

Make your way up to Mariahilfer Strasse and spend the rest of the afternoon leisurely looking around the many shops.

Stay in the area for the evening and either attend a classical opera performance in the Staatsoper or see a musical in the Theater an der Wien. But whichever of the two entertainment venues you choose, make sure you have booked your tickets in advance.

Morning

Start your day at Vienna University (see p97), exploring the marble entrance hall and the courtyard. Then head towards the Votivkirche (see p97), passing through Sigmund Freud Park (see p53).

Walk up Alser Strasse until you reach the former General Hospital. For a break choose one of the many pubs in the large first courtyard, amid crowds of students.

Head to courtyard 13 where the PathologischAnatomisches Museum (see p47) is situated. Cut your way to Strudlhofgasse and stride down Strudlhofstiege where you can already spot Palais Liechtenstein. In Porzellangasse you will find several places for a hearty lunch.

Afternoon

On your way to the Sigmund Freud Museum (see p97) pass by Servitenkirche and get a glimpse of the Baroque interior. Give yourself enough time to have a look around Dr Freud’s apartment and consulting rooms. For a little break and a cup of coffee, Café Berg (see p100) just across the road is a great place to rest your feet. Then visit the collection of 18th-century anatomical wax models in the Josephinum.

You can round the day off with an evening of classical music in the Palais Liechtenstein, but book tickets in advance (01 817 2178).

Morning

To beat the crowds and enjoy the peace, begin your day at the former imperial summer residence Schloss Schönbrunn (see pp36–9). You could easily spend a day in the palace, walking in the park and having a look at all the features of the formal French garden, or visiting the world’s oldest zoo at Schönbrunn park. For a relaxing coffee or tea head towards the far end of the park to the coffeehouse in the Gloriette building. The view of the palace and the city is very rewarding.

Stroll through the park towards the Hietzinger gate of the palace. The Hietzinger Bräu is just around the corner where you could get the taste of a real Tafelspitz (see p70) for lunch.

Afternoon

After lunch, head towards the Kirche am Steinhof (see p123) by Bus No. 48A, but take into account that guided tours through the interior only take place on Saturday afternoons. Nearby Lainzer Tiergarten, part of the Vienna Woods, with the Hermesvilla Palace (see p123) is on the U-Bahn U4 line.

If you favour a more rustic experience head northwest towards Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg with their vineyards and hiking paths. To bring the day to a cosy conclusion, make your way to Grinzing by public transport or taxi to enjoy Viennese vintages in one of the many wine taverns.

Morning

Begin the day at the Stephansdom (see pp8– 11) to catch the morning sun beaming through the medieval windows, and stroll around the cathedral’s Gothic features. It is worth climbing the south tower or taking the elevator up the North Tower for stunning views over the rooftops. For a mid-morning break head to the far end of the square and enjoy a cup of tea in Haas & Haas (see p94).

Wander the narrow streets around the cathedral but arrive on Hoher Markt at noon to watch the historic figures of the Anker Uhr march by.

There are many places to have lunch, but on a sunny day pick Do & Co (see p95) with its terrace overlooking Stephansplatz.

Afternoon

Spend the early afternoon exploring Graben and Kohlmarkt with their antiques shops and galleries, until you reach the Hofburg Palace (see pp12–17). With its various collections, select those that interest you most, but don’t miss the state apartments where Emperor Franz Joseph lived.

Leave the palace through the Michaeler Gate, pass Loos Haus, then treat yourself to a coffee and a piece of Sachertorte at Café Konditorei Demel (see p94).

To round off your day jump onto tram Nos. 1 or 2 to admire the lovely floodlit buildings by night.

Morning

Start your day at Karlsplatz, where you can inspect the Otto Wagner pavilions in Resselpark and then walk on to the Karlskirche (see pp26–7). Left of the church is the Historisches Museum der StadtWien (see p43), where you could easily spend a few hours studying the city’s history. Don’t miss the Klimt and Schiele paintings, as well as Adolf Loos’s original living room from 1903.

Head towards Argentinierstrasse, right of Karlskirche, where you can enjoy a coffee in the Radiocafé (see p120).

Walk east to the Liberation Monument then take Rennweg and pass by Otto Wagner’s Palais Hoyos. For lunch pop into Salm Bräu (see p120).

Afternoon

It is now time to head for the Belvedere (see pp22–5) where you could easily spend the rest of the day. After having a look at the medieval collection in the Lower Belvedere, walk through the formal gardens towards the imposing Upper Belvedere, home to the Austrian National Gallery with many Schiele, Klimt, Gerstl and Attersee paintings. For a little rest you can enjoy the peaceful Alpine Gardens.

If you are not too tired, you should consider attending a concert in the Konzerthaus (see p60) but you need to book the tickets a day in advance.

Morning

Begin your day at the Neues Rathaus (see p103) then leisurely walk along the Ringstrasse towards Parliament. Once you have taken in these political gems, you are then free to explore the city’s wonderful museums.

The highlights are the Kunsthistorisches Museum see pp18–21) and Naturhistorisches Museum (see p103) and you could easily spend a full day in each of the museums, so select your main areas of interest and concentrate on those collections. Have a morning coffee in the museums themselves – the cafés in both venues are excellent and offer a great view of the museums’ lower floors.

Walk across the square to the Museumsquartier (see pp28–9) and stroll around the many courtyards. Before embarking on another museum, have lunch in any of the four restaurants in the complex – all of them offer equally delicious food.

Afternoon

After lunch visit the Museum for Modern Art and the Leopold Museum, before leaving the complex through gates 6 or 7. These lead you straight to the Volkstheater. Make your way up Burggasse and the Spittelberg area spills out to your left, where you can stroll around the shops and galleries.

After dark, return to the Neues Rathaus to see it lit up against the night sky.