Vienna: A Beginner's Guide

Located in the very heart of Europe, Vienna is a city that has something to offer every visitor. Classical music and fascinating history sit side-by-side with trendy architecture and funky nightspots, making Vienna a must-see destination for travellers seeking out a vibrant city with plenty of things to see and do.

Among Vienna's most well-known attractions, the world famous Spanish Riding School stands head and shoulders above the rest. With over 400 years of history, tens of thousands of visitors are enthralled each year by the amazing displays of balance and dexterity put on by the Lipizzaner stallions and their riders.

Elsewhere, the Prater fairground is a wonderful attraction for families, with fun rides and a huge ferris wheel to entertain people of all ages, while the Donauinsel island in the middle of the Danube is a great location for cycling, canoeing or simply strolling in the beautiful parks.

Naturally, culture and history are two of Vienna's biggest selling points. Home to Mozart, Strauss and Haydn, music is to be found on virtually every street. The Vienna Philharmonic performs throughout the year, while the Haus der Musik is a fascinating museum dedicated to Vienna's most famous sons. Furthermore, no trip to the city is complete without seeing a performance from the renowned Vienna Boys' Choir.

For art lovers, the Museumsquartier epitomises Vienna's ability to combine the traditional with the contemporary. Classic 19th century artworks are displayed next to modern pieces, while a selection of bars and cafés play host to trendy DJs throughout the year.

Vienna is also a city of food and drink. Schnitzels and strudels may be well-known outside Austria, but Vienna has plenty of other delicious dishes to explore. Make sure to try some tafelspitz, a tasty beef dish, or spoil yourself with a sweet palatschinken crepe. Modern Viennese cuisine has been influenced by flavours from all over the world, and there are many great restaurants to be found in every quarter of the city.

Dominating the centre of the city is the beautiful River Danube. Many day-trips and sightseeing tours are available along the river, allowing visitors to see the city from a more relaxed point of view. A boat trip along the Danube is a great way of taking you into the stunning Wachau Valley, where you can see picturesque towns, ancient churches and sample the wines and schnapps that are produced in the local vineyards.

Whether marvelling at the grandeur of the Schonbrunn Palace, browsing the artisan crafts in the shops of Neubau, or dancing all night in one of the city's trendy nightclubs, Vienna has something to enchant every one of its visitors.

Thanks to Titan Travel for this article, for more information about their river cruises and holidays to Vienna take a look at their website.