Population: 1.7 million (est. 2012)

Why you should travel here: Love arts? Have a refined sweet-tooth? Vienna, Austria is the place to be! Vienna is such an interesting city: it’s multicultural, architecturally rich and offers an interesting mix of past and present.

Interesting Fact: Vienna is divided into 23 districts. The city center in Vienna is a World Heritage Site.

My Experience: 

• Liked: Overall, Vienna is a city of the arts. After all, it seems that every classical music genius lived and worked in Vienna; Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, and Haydn all came to Vienna at some point in their lives. Nonetheless, Vienna offers the modern shopping, dining, and nightlife of any cosmopolitan city—clubs cluster under the brick train track archways, and small cocktail bars craft drinks as an art form. Walk through Belvedere and see modern art sculptures or to drink wine overlooking vineyards and the Danube—the old and the new, the city and the country—all of it is within reach.
• Not so much: Calorie overload! Vienna is the place to be for eating yummy food and awesome desserts.  From meat dishes to desserts, you will want to try everything.  I tried some of the traditional dishes such as Wiener Schnitzels, Apfelstrudels and  Tortes (cakes) – and gaining a few pounds while in Vienna is not that hard to do.

Travel tip:  Vienna really is the city of classical music (Strauss, Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schönberg and Mahler – all lived or made music in Vienna), so make sure you take one night to experience a world-class recital by the Vienna Philharmonic in the stately Wiener Konzerthaus.

What to see:

1. Historic Centre – The historic centre of Vienna is rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque castles and gardens. Souvenir shopping, cafes and cozy restaurants can all be found here.
2. Schlosspark Schoenbrunn and Schonbrunn Palace –Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) is a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo-style summer residence. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country,cthe palace has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna since the 1960s. Entry to the grounds of this amazing palace is free, but be prepared to walk! Climb to the top of the gardens for a view of the entire city of Vienna and the palace below.
3. Kunsthistorisches Museum  – One of the best art museums in the world. Make sure to reserve 3-4 hours at least to visit the whole building.
4. State opera house – There are two ways to see the world famous opera house. One way is to participate in the tours organised by professional guides inside the Opera and see the building, listen the history, go up on the stage and visit the main hall. The other way, of course, is to get yourself a ticket and attend an evening performance (September-June)
5. Ringstrasse – This is a street that circles the old part of the town. It’s really nice to walk around, both during the day and at night  – it will look totally different. If you are not in the mood to walk, you can take a tram, tourist bus or horse and carriage.
6. St. Stephen’s Cathedral ad Stephanplatz – St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) is located at Stephansplatz and is the most important Catholic Church in Vienna. It has a multi-colored tile roof with a diamond pattern and two tall towers which are the most recognizable symbols of the city. It is the Number 1 tourist attraction of Vienna.  When you are at St. Stephens, take the tour of the catacombs underneath the church.  It’s not expensive and tours leave regularly.  
7. Vienna Philharmonic – Even if (you think) you are not a fan of the orchestra, you must see this one – one of the best in world. The members of the orchestra are chosen from the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. This process is a long one, with each musician having to prove his or her capability for a minimum of three years’ playing for the opera and ballet. 
8. City Hall (Rathaus) –  one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, particularly at night when the facade is illuminated with floodlights. 
9. Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schonbrunn) – Zoo Vienna, the oldest existing zoo in the world founded in 1752. Schönbrunn Zoo was voted Europe’s best in 2008 and 2010.

Rathaus Vienna (City Hall)

Schonbrunn Palace

Street in Vienna