Vienna, main attractions

Schönbrunn Palace

The magnificent Schönbrunn Palace was used as the summer residence of the Hapsburgs from the 18th century onwards. Set amongst superb gardens this vast, symmetrical structure is everything you would imagine an imperial palace to be. A tour of the palace offers visitors the chance to view the superb assortment of Baroque and Rococo State Rooms and to admire the famous ceiling frescoes of the Great Gallery and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart once played. The vast gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike, and include a zoo and a maze. Also within the grounds, the Orangery plays host to classical concerts during the summer season.

Address: Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13;
Telephone: (222) 8111 3239;
Website: www.schoenbrunn.at ;
Transport: U4 to Schönbrunn station, trams 10 or 58, bus 10A;
Opening time: Daily 8.30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8.30am to 6pm (July, August); 8.30am to 4.30pm (November to March);
Admission: €11.50 (adults), €6.00 (children 6-15) for the Grand Tour. Various other options available.

Giant Wheel

One of Vienna 's most recognisable attractions, the Giant Wheel is located in a large wooded park and playground known as the Prater. It was built in 1897 by an English engineering firm and is the only one of its era still standing (the ferris wheels in Chicago , London , Blackpool and Paris have long since been destroyed). The wheel with its 15 gondolas takes twenty minutes to manoeuvre around and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.

Address: Prater 90;
Telephone: (01) 729 5430;
Website: www.wienerriesenrad.com ;
Opening time: Daily 9am to midnight (May to September); daily 10am to 10pm (March, April and October); daily 10am to 8pm (November to February);
Admission: €7.50 (adults), children 3-14 €3.00, concessions available

Belvedere

The Belvedere consists of two splendid rococo mansions, designed in the early 18th century, which face each other across formal, sloping grounds which offers excellent views over the city. From the outside it is Vienna 's finest palace complex, built by Prince Eugène of Savoy (1680-1735), the famous general who saved Vienna from the advance of the Ottoman Empire . The museums in the two palaces house some of Vienna 's most renowned art galleries, offering excellent examples of Austrian art from the middle ages to present day. Their displays include an unrivalled collection of paintings by Klimt as well as famous works by Schiele and Kokoschka, Renoir and Monet. The Medieval and Baroque works are presented in the Lower Palace where many rooms have been preserved in their original state.

Address: 27 Prinz Eugen Street ;
Telephone: 79 557-0;
Website: www.belvedere.at ;
Transport: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere or Trams 18 or 0 to Südbahnhof; bus 13A or 69A to Südbahnhof ;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm ;
Admission: €7; includes entry into both parts of the Belvedere

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera performs a repertoire of near-one hundred operas, operettas and ballets every day from September to June. The opera house was founded in the early 18th century (it was rebuilt in 1955 after being all but destroyed in 1945) and makes for a romantic and regal setting in which to enjoy the performances. As seating tickets are not easily available, an alternative is to buy standing-room tickets, which are well priced and can be purchased on the same day (but expect long queues). The State Opera collaborates closely with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and their famous New Year concert requires advance bookings of up to one year. The waiting list for the subscription concerts is 13 years!

Address: Hanuschgasse 3;
Telephone: (01) 5144 42250;
Website: www.wiener-staatsoper.at ;
Opening time: Guided tours are offered most days at 2pm and 3pm. Check dates online or via telephone.;
Admission: 4.50 Euro for adults, guided tour.

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