20 Things to See and Do in Vienna

Classical music, grand palaces and an endless amount of museums will fulfill all your cultural desires in the Austrian capital. You can spend one day retracing the steps of Mozart and the next immersing yourself in the paintings of Picasso. Once you've had your fill of artistic masterpieces, stop by a cozy coffee-house, eat at a world-renowned restaurant or wander through the exciting street markets. As one of Europe's most intriguing capitals, you'll never run out of things to do.

You'll want to curb your hunger after exploring the city, and what better way than having some filling Wiener Schnitzel. The prominent dish is traditionally made of a thin, breaded pan-fried veal cutlet and is one of the national dishes of Austria.

Not just a city made for museum aficionados and classical music lovers, Vienna caters to the masses with a burgeoning beer scene. The city has always housed prominent makers of weissbier and marzenbier (wheat and lager), but in recent years has been trending towards growing their craft beer market. You can grab a half liter of "Salzburg Stiegl," or experiment with an innovative "banana-stout." Either way, Vienna has a beer for everyone.

An architectural icon housing artistic masterpieces, the Belvedere is one of the world's most stunning baroque palaces. It holds one of Austria's most recognizable paintings-"The Kiss" by Gustaf Klimt-as well as other universally loved artistic works.

Fitting for its name, the museum quarter is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world. The cluster of museums is joined together around a public square with a variety of exhibition spaces, shops and restaurants. It's almost too easy to spend the whole afternoon here.

Located inside the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School of Vienna delights with exciting horse trainings and sold-out shows. Despite its name, the school is 100 percent Austrian and the name relates to the Iberian horses being trained. Visit during the "Tribute to Vienna," when the horse show is combined with classical music and a summer ball, to be completely transported to another time.

Being the largest library in Austria, the National Library located in Hofburg Palace will wake the bookworm in everyone. It boasts a huge treasure trove of arctifacts and ancient texts, as well as a captivating baroque interior. The Globe Museum, containing an impressive display of globes and astronomical instruments, is also a part of the national library.

Coffee houses have played a significant role in Viennese history, acting as important meeting places for important writers, artists, musicians and philophers. In recent years, the tradition has received a makeover with young people looking for a more upbeat vibe. Regardless of your taste, classical or progressive, visiting a coffeehouse will be worth your time.

Being Vienna's most visited landmark, Schonbrunn Palace is the epitome of Austria elegance. There are over 1400 rooms and apartments, which have been used by emperors and monarchs past. On a sunny day, stroll along seemingly endless gravel pathways through a beautiful park setting. Climb the hill to the monument Gloriette for some breathtaking views of the city.

Previously a humble trading ground selling only fruit and vegetables, the Naschmarkt has grown to become one of the most vibrant and excitingly diverse places in Vienna. Today, you'll find 400 stalls of vendors selling food, drink and goods from all around the world. Munch on some traditional Austrian cheese or try your tastes with worldly cuisine ranging from Korean Kimchi to Donner Kebabs.

Situated in the heart of Vienna, all the great names of modern art are represented in this magnificent museum. You can find permanent works by Monet and Picasso, as well as a variety of high-quality everchanging exhibitions. The Albertina's extensive art collection is a must for all modernist fans.

It's no secret that Vienna loves Mozart. The musical prodigy spent most of his creative and successful years in Vienna and fans can follow in his footsteps. Visit places he's played like Schonbrunn Palace and St Stephen's Cathedral, or see what his living accommodations were like in the immersive Mozart Apartment Museum.

St. Stephens Cathedral is Vienna's most significant church and sits in the heart of the historic center, where the church has stood since the 12th century. Outside, the first thing that will catch your eye is the colorfully tiled rooftop. Inside, you'll find magnificent gothic sculptures. Make sure you climb the 300 steps to the tower lookout for one of the best views of the city.

The enormous National History Museum houses millions of historical artifacts, features a planetarium and is a nature lover's perfect historical playground. The National History Museum is most known for its large collection of dinosaur bones and the world's largest exhibit of meteorites. Whether you're revisiting prehistoric history or dreaming of space travel, this is a great place to spend an afternoon.

The City Hall, called Rathaus, is an impressive Gothic building serving as the city's administrative center. The center courtyard is a great spot to find local concerts, and you can take a tour to see the impressive inside. Highlights of the tour are the City Senate Chamber and the Mayor's Reception Room, both known for their beautifully decorated vaulted ceilings.

One of the world's largest and most renowned theatres, the Vienna State Opera House has played host to some of history's famous composers and continues to do so today. The grand Opera House can hold over 2000 people and over 100 musicians. Operas and Ballets are performed 300 times a year, so you'll definitely find some entertainment during your stay.

Don't just eat tasty Appel Strudel, learn how to make the original Viennese desert. Attend the Apple Strudel Show at Cafe Residenz and watch a pastry chef walk through the baking steps right in front of your eyes. Don't worry, you'll get to sample some of that homebaked goodness after the show.

Any meal comprising of shredded pancakes with powdered sugar, apple sauce and berry jam is a perfect afternoon treat. The tasty meal takes its name from Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, whom legend says came upon the dish while traveling through the Alps at the house of a local farmer.

The Hofburg Palace has been the official residence of an Austrian ruler since 1275 and is perhaps the most significant of Vienna's many palaces. The palace is built as a part complex consisting of numerous buildings and museums. Make sure to see the Imperial Apartments, the Ephesos Museum and the Hofburg Treasure, where you'll find the Royal Crown Jewels.

Once a royal hunting ground, take a trip to Prater Amusement Park and enjoy the rides in one of Vienna's largest green spaces. Inside Prater, you'll find the iconic red "Riesenrad" Ferris Wheel. The wheel rotates quite slowly, showing a great view of the city!

Part of the imperial residence of Schonbrunn, and with many of its original Baroque buildings intact, the Vienna Zoo is one of the most pleasant in Europe. It was founded in the 18th century and is recognized as the world's oldest zoo. Stop by the giant panda exhibit, the aquarium and the interactive Rainforest House for some of the zoo's best exhibits.