Vienna is an eventful city with lots of things to see and visit. We began by taking a two-day hop-on hop-off pass on Vienna tourist bus as that allowed us entry to a lot of places free. This is advisable to avoid queues at venues as these passes have priority acceptance at most landmarks.
Vienna, Austria: Schönbrunn Palace. Img credit- Mr G travels Flickr
No trip is worth it if you have not visited Schönbrunn Palace to name a few of the sights. Together with the zoological garden the Schönbrunn Palace is the most popular tourist target in Vienna. The Palace served as an imperial summer residence. Only a small part of the 1441 rooms are publicly accessible. If you are interested in history, splendor and imperial lifestyles you should not miss the opportunity. One can choose from various tour options available.
The Imperial Tour usually takes at least 30 minutes and the Grand Tour approximately 50 minutes. It is an excellent choice if you have further time and interest. Please make sure you have time to visit the private zoo of the Palace as well.
Vienna Opera House –
Vienna opera house (Staatsoper)
was built-in May 1869 and has 1709 seats and 567 standing-rooms from where the audience can watch daily opera performances, ballet shows and concerts.
One of the most popular events is the Vienna Opera Ball where the dress code (tailcoats for men and evening dresses for women are mandated) and the glamorous opening performed by the young ladies and gentlemen make this ball in Vienna a very important occasion.
For a guided tour, which lasts around an hour, one can buy tickets for 9 Euros. The tickets are sold directly in the foyer or free if you hold a Vienna Sightseeing Pass.
Vienna Parliament building–
Austrian Parliament building Image credit- Filip Maljković
has a splendid Pallas Athene statue at the front. Build between 1874 to 1883. You are unable to go inside if the Parliament is in session.
The Hoff burg Vienna is an impressive building at the Heldenplatz with long history. It is located at Vienna’s splendor boulevard, the Ring Strasse and is reachable from there through the Burgtor gate.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna–
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Image credit- Andrew Bossi
brimming with works by Europe’s painters, sculptors and artisans gives an unforgettable experience of a trip to Vienna.
The Graben Vienna is an exclusive and pulsating shopping street in the heart of the inner city with a plague column. The area is surrounded by popular alleys, streets and places, which stand for the typical flair, elegant tradition and gourmet pleasures of Vienna. It is a pedestrian zone. Wonderful buildings house luxury brands all around the area. With a tax rebate for tourist, one can enjoy some high-end shopping.
The Stephenson Vienna with the famous Pummerin Ball.
Pummerin mit dem alten Klöppel, der am 11. März 2011 ausgetauscht wurde
The Romanesque Church St Stephan in the heart of Vienna was consecrated in the year 1147. The local people use the name Steffel for this impressive Cathedral. As it’s a high tower, one can climb 300 odd steep steps to reach the top but one needs to buy a ticket for 6 euros or free to those holding a Vienna Sightseeing pass.
The entrance of this imposing building is free and the numerous arts, historical and architectural details like the pictures, altars, figures as well as the atmosphere in this cathedral of Vienna are worth visiting. Both towers offer an impressive view over the city center.
No visit is complete if one does not visit the biggest mall in Vienna: Donauzentrum. One can reach it through the metro as well. It has many stores and restaurants with free Wi-Fi available.
Das Wiener Rathaus am Rathausplatz im 1. Wiener Gemeindebezirk, Innere Stadt wurde von 1872 bis 1883 nach Entwürfen des Architekten Friedrich von Schmidt im Stil der Neogotik errichtet. Hier findet von Mitte November bis Ende Dezember der alljährliche Christkindlmarkt statt.
Rathausplatz Vienna– In the summer months you can find a lot of different food stands offering various cuisines. You can also enjoy an open-air cinema or screening, free of charge.
So, have you been to Austria? What are your #favourite attractions in #Austria”?
Salzburg, famous for being the birth town of 18th century classical composer Mozart, is the fourth largest city in Austria and renowned for its baroque architecture. Tourists visiting Salzburg make it a point to tour the historic centre and the scenic Alpine surroundings.
built in 1606, is used for political business. It houses the offices of Salzburg’s mayor and the municipal council. The Mirabel Gardens are a joy to visit. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens in Europe, they are world-famous, thanks in part to being features in the classic movie ‘The Sound of Music’.
Its centrepiece is the Pegasus Fountain, which was installed in 1913. If one plans to visit, please note of its timings…normally open from early morning till dusk. The admission to the Mirabel Gardens is free. Great photo taking opportunity with beautiful gardens as backdrop. It’s huge area to walk around and admire the lush surroundings and expert gardening, with seasonal flowers blooming.
As you walk further, you come across the birthplace of Mozart. The building he grew up in is a museum. One must visit the museum to have a look at the famous composer’s work. Take some time to see the various sections. Entrance is free if you hold Salzburg tourist card.
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2) Mozart Platz Square
In the heart of the old town of Salzburg holds the statue of Mozart and the area is well-connected with horse-drawn carriages for tourist to enjoy a refreshing ride. You will find some historic buildings all around this area including the residence of Mozart, now turned into a museum.
3) Further walking along, one comes by The Grand Cathedral, which is truly awe-inspiring. Rebuilt in 1181, with its three huge domes and paintings all over, the area above the entrance of the Cathedral has four large sculpted figures of Saint Rupert holding a salt barrel, Saint Vigilius holding a church, Saint Peter holding keys and Saint Paul holding a sword.
Image credit Sage Ross, Flickr
The Getreidegasse near the Cathedral is Salzburg’s busiest lane: one super-expensive boutique next to another! The area has quite a few alleyways where you can find some exclusive shops and restaurants all decked up. What we noticed is people eat early, by 6pm, most of the restaurants were full.
Hohensalzburg Castle (German: Festung Hohensalzburg, literally “High Salzburg Fortress”) is a castle in the Austrian city of Salzburg, atop the Festungsberg mountain. Erected at the behest of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, it today with a length of 250 m (820 ft) and a width of 150 m (490 ft), is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Img credit- Rene Rivers
4) The next day we visited Hohensalzburg Fortress, which is the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe. This emblem of Salzburg is one of the most famous landmarks in the ‘City of Mozart’. Discovering more than 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress is truly an amazing feat of Salzburg’s medieval history.
The castle hosts many events during the year and it also has a major concert hall. Inside the castle there is a permanent Fortress museum that can be visited anytime of the year. The visit to the castle costs approximately 9 euros per person but they have various packages to suit a larger family. If you hold a Salzburg tourist card entrance is free. The opening hours are from 0930-1800, but this can change if they have an event, details of which can be obtained when buying your ticket at the Funicular railway desk.
There’s something awfully familiar about Europe, even to those who haven’t been there yet. The continent has been a muse for many and a dream for most. Its famous buildings and romantic waterways have had the world coming to it since time unknown. But, it is not defined by just the metallic opulence of Paris and the architectural genius in Rome. It is defined by the small unknown stops that are missed when rushing from one must-see to the other. The tiny, reclusive places that don’t end up on most lists.
So, if you feel that the Eiffel Tower is nothing more than a pretentious pile of scrap and the Big Ben is a waste of time, then I think you might like my alternative guide to experiencing Europe.
We love lakeside towns. There’s something hopelessly alluring about them. Right from the calm waters to the vibrant sunrises. The sleepy Lithuanian town of Trakai is all that and more. Squeezed between two lakes and an easy drive from the capital, Vilnius, this cluster of castles and wooden huts is an easy city getaway for the locals. The region comes under the protected status of the Trakai Historical National Park and is one of the few places to catch glimpses of the Karaite culture.
The Trakai Castle in Lake Galve, a 14th-century Gothic construction with traces of Renaissance influences, is the major draw in this area. Follow that up with a visit to the Trakai History Museum before heading to the bespoke camping areas at Slėnje, 5 km out of the town.
Czech Republic’s second-largest city, Brno is everything Prague doesn’t want to be. A city that has mastered the art of balancing the old and the new; the young and the old. At first glance, you might think of this University town as another city racing towards modernity with its glassy facades and new-age designs, but stay a while longer and you’ll start noticing the subtle undertones. A lazy pullback into the Moravian way of life. The city’s history will slowly start showing itself in its castles and cathedrals.
Spend time at the Špilberk castle and the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul before experiencing the Functionalist architecture at Villa Tugendhat. The estuary under St. James Church is another draw for piqued minds. After a day of landmark-hopping, visit Náměstí Svobody, the city’s nerve center and revel in the city vibe with a glass of wine.
Lying on the tourist-trodden trail between Interlaken and Jungfrau, this fairy-tale town deserves more than an impatient stopover. Lauterbrunnen is one of Switzerland’s largest conservation areas, scattered with expansive trough valleys and thunderous waterfalls. It is also a favorable spot for mountain biking and hiking. Picture chancing upon lonely mountain inns around unexpected hilly bends.
We recommend gaping at the spectacle that is the Trummelbach Falls, our favorite out of the 72 falls in the region.
4. Roskilde, Denmark
Steeped in Viking culture, Roskilde, 35 km from Copenhagen, is a highly decorated ancient town situated in one of Denmark’s most scenic areas, the island of Zealand. It is one of Denmark’s oldest cities and served as an important Viking trading post, and the seat of the Danish crown for a long time.
Roskilde is a cultural fiesta for anyone interested in the legendary Viking traditions. Start with the Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the burial-place for many Danish Kings and Queens. The Viking Ship Museum and the Roskilde Museum are good stops for getting all the info. you might possibly need about the area’s traditions. If you are visiting during late June or early July, then head to the infamous Roskilde Festival for some legendary antics and a Rock n’ Roll overdose.
5. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt
Considered to be the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe, Hallstatt lies in a picturesque setting surrounded by the Dachstein mountains and the shores of the Hallstatt See. The village was a hotbed for salt production back in the day and you can catch glimpses of its salt-production days by visiting the world’s oldest salt mines. Also, visit the Beinhaus for an intriguing display of decorated skulls exhumed from the village graveyard.
Hallstatt is also the world’s first cloned village with a full-scale replica in Huizhou, Guangdong in China.
6. Brest, Belarus
The eastern European nation of Belarus isn’t on most travelers’ radar owing to its stressed political environment, and long and complex history, but trust us when we say it’s probably the most surprising travel destination in all of the Europe. While Minsk, the capital, might be the most heard of city in the country, the border town of Brest offers an exquisite mixture of history, architecture and nature.
St. Nicholas Church in Belarus
Established by the Slavs, Brest went through several invasions during the course of its history and was under the Soviet Union till as late as 1991 before it finally fell under Belarus’s territory. The Brest Fortress, a World War II memorial, is the most important attraction in the city. Just walk the grounds and spend some time at the museum to try to understand this memorial’s complicated history. Brest is also home to some interesting museums like the Museum of Confiscated Arts and the Museum of Railway Technology. After the cultural and historical initiation spends time wandering around Nabierežnaja and Hohaia St. and enjoy the town’s laid back vibe.
7. Kosice, Slovakia
Tucked away in the valley of River Hornad, Košice is Slovakia’s second-largest city and served as the European Capital of Culture in 2013. The city is close to the Hungarian, Ukrainian and Polish borders and is easily accessible by a good network of roads and rail. It is also an artistic hotbed with several theatres holding performances all through the year.
St Michal’s chapel and st Elisabeth cathedral south view
Košice has the highest number of palaces in Slovakia and is a cultural cauldron in terms of architecture with a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau. The main attractions are the Gothic St. Elisabeth Cathedral and Immaculata Statue, both examples of Baroque architecture. Most of the town’s sites are present around the well-preserved historical center and the main street (Hlavná ulica) and can be leisurely covered on foot in a day.
8. Oulu, Finland
If there’s one reason to visit Oulu, apart from the spectacular beach and the enticing walkways, it’s the locals. The Finns are a warm and enthusiastic lot and they’ll welcome you into their homes just like they welcome the first speck of summer sunlight. The city, named after the river Oulujoki, lies on Finland’s western banks, opening up into the Gulf of Bothnia.
Oulu hydro energy
Summer is the best time to visit as the city collectively breathes a sigh of relief and prepares to let the sunny warmth enter their lives. The waterfront Kauppatori (marketplace) springs into action with several food stalls and restaurants dishing out the eclectic fare. Follow up an afternoon spent ambling around the market with an easy jaunt to Pikisaari, a former industrial region transformed into a close-knit artistic community. We recommend a short visit to the Sailor’s Home Museum, Oslo’s oldest house, to get a glimpse of life in the 18th century. Spend the next morning admiring the restrained flamboyance of Oulu Tuomiokirkko (the main church) and then dive into the many museums describing Oulu’s every facet from being a shipping town to the modern, high-tech metropolis that it is now.
9. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Give the term ‘on the road’ a miss for this one. Giethoorn, 120 km from Amsterdam, is a village with no roads. Arguably the most famous spot on our list, there is something about this tiny village, also called the Dutch Venice, that kept floating around in our heads. With over 150 wooden bridges, 4 miles of canals, and some spectacular farmhouses, this town merits a halt during your trip through Holland. All tourist go to Amsterdam, Giethoorn can turn out to be best travel destinations in Europe.
Founded in AD 1230 by fugitives from the Mediterranean, Giethoorn became famous after being used as a setting in Bert Haanstra’s 1958 comedy, Fanfare. The summers bring in a throng of tourists in boats and gondolas, changing this hamlet, home to 3000 people, into a thriving circus affair. Although the thought of rowing along the canals on a warm summer afternoon is very enticing, we recommend visiting Giethoorn in the winter, when the canals are frozen over. Ice skate your way through the village, stopping only to enjoy the outstanding views.
10. Leiria, Portugal
Leiria e Castelo
Cradled between Castle hill and Rio Lis and surrounded by Portugal’s biggest cities (Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra) Leiria is a medieval town flirting with modernity. The Leiria castle towers over the town’s red-roofed town center.
Have you been to these best travel destinations in Europe?
