The capital of Austria,
Vienna stands on the on the banks of the River Danube.
It was at the heart of the Hapsburg Empire for hundreds
of years until the early twentieth century. The city
retains much of the impressive architecture from that
period in its palaces and fine houses and many of
its attractions can be found within the pedestrianised
inner city.
Vienna is famous for its musical heritage being the
place where famous classical composers such as Beethoven,
Brahms, Mozart and Haydn lived and worked. This heritage
continues in Vienna with the State Opera House and
orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic giving
more classical performances each year than any other
city in the world. Other tourist attractions include
the Museum of Fine Arts, the Spanish Riding School,
the Schonbrunn Palace and the Prater amusement park.
The best way to explore Vienna as a tourist is using
the excellent public transport network. The underground
is the fastest means of travel around the city and
the railway is the best way to travel to and from
the airport. The tram system is one of the largest
in the world and is a good way to see much of the
city. Buses are a good choice in the center of the
city, where the trams don't run. Valid for three days,
the Vienna card can be used to travel on public transport,
excluding night buses, and includes discounts at a
range of tourist attractions, restaurants and shops.
Although widely available and reliable, taxis have
a number of surcharges and are expensive.
