EnTrip

From Wikitravel

Bratislava[1] is the capital and largest city in Slovakia. It has a population of almost 450,000 and is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country.

Understand

Bratislava (before 1919 known as Prešporok in Slovak, Pressburg in German and English and Pozsony in Hungarian) has a very pleasant medieval inner city with tiny, narrow winding streets, surrounded by the biggest concrete block house complex (called "panelak", with blocks of flats; see Prague chapter for information about panelaks) in Central Europe called Petržalka that stretches on endlessly. So far, this looks no different from Prague. But Bratislava is an exception. It's so close to Vienna, it could practically be a suburb. Move further east and there are plenty of rural places. Farms, vineyards, agricultural land and tiny villages are situated just about 50 kilometers to the east of Bratislava, just like in the case of Vienna or Prague.

Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the second most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, with a per capita GDP of around 129.3% of the EU-25 average (after Prague).

History

After being an independent country till the 9th century, Slovakia was part of Austria-Hungary from the 10th / 11th century onwards until the empire's collapse after the First World War. Since then, it merged with Bohemia and Moravia to create Czechoslovakia from 1918 onwards, a country which Slovaks are widely proud of-- for example, most Czechoslovakian presidents, such as Aleksander Dubček and Gustav Husak, were ethnically Slovak.

During World War II, Slovakia was a formally independent Nazi puppet state, before being liberated by the Soviets to recreate a pro-Soviet Czechoslovakia. Between 1993 and 1998, the country's Prime Minister was the controversial official Vladimir Meciar, who did his country's image no favors.Finally Slovakia elected new officials, and that has made all the difference. The Slovaks are making an effort to be more international.

Bratislava was the capital (1536 - 1784), the coronation city(1563-1830) and the seat of the diet (1536 - 1848) of the Kingdom of Hungary for many years. Since 1960 it has been the capital of the federal state of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia and that country's second-largest and, since 1993, it has been the capital of independent Slovakia.

Although today, Bratislava's population are mostly Slovaks, from the 13th to the early 19th century, the majority ethnic group in the town were the Germans, who remained the largest ethnic group until the First World War. Hungarians formed another important group in the city in the 19th century, but after the First World War, many Germans and Hungarians left for Austria and Hungary respectively and the remaining Germans were evacuated at the end of World War II.

Get In

By plane

Bratislava's M. R. Stefanik International Airport (IATA: BTS) (ICAO: LZIB), has focused on attracting low-cost airlines recently and there are direct flight connections to Bratislava from many major cities around western Europe including London, Manchester, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and Prague (which is now considered by many a major European city). Check out Sky Europe Airlines[2] for the greatest variety of flights from/to Bratislava. Ryanair[3] also has regular flights. Take bus No 61 (or N61 at night) for a direct connection to the Main Train Station (Hlavná stanica) or change at the Trnavské mýto to get to the city center (in order to get to the tram stop, use the underpass and the exit marked "Centrum"; take any tram that does not show the railway station as destination). You can purchase bus tickets in the exchange office in the arrivals terminal but they have only limited working hours. If the tourist office is closed, note that you will need euro coins in order to purchase a ticket in the vending machine. Be aware that the airport shops and kiosks are not very helpful when it comes to changing bills into coins. However, you can change bills into coins by "abusing" the coffee vending machine in the departure building. Insert a bill and press cancel, it will return the amount in coins (my thanks to a local police officer for this tip!). Bus drivers don't sell tickets in Bratislava (see "Get around" below).

Major, non-low cost airlines fly to the nearby Vienna International Airport (IATA: VIE) (ICAO: LOWW), which is at the eastern border of Vienna and approximately 60 kilometers from Bratislava. (There are two exceptions: CSA Czech Airlines [4] has direct flights to Bratislava from Prague and Aeroflot from Moscow) There are two bus lines connecting the airport of Vienna with the Bratislava Coach Terminal and Bratislava Airport. Buses are running almost every hour. Unfortunately, trains from Vienna to Bratislava do not stop at the Vienna airport, so if you wish to use the train, you have to go to Vienna city first (15 minutes) in order to board a train to Bratislava.

By train

The easiest way to get to Bratislava by train is from central Vienna (the Südbahnhof station or less frequently the Westbahnhof station). Trains leave Vienna almost every 30 minutes [5]. It takes 50 minutes to get from the Südbahnhof to Bratislava - Petržalka railway station situated in the southern residential area of the city, and some 70 minutes to get to the Bratislava - Hlavná stanica (main railway station) situated at the northern border of the city center. A return ticket purchased in Vienna costs 14 Euro for an adult or 7 Euro for a child, and also allows you use of all public transportation in Bratislava (as of April 2008). There is no customs since Slovakia is a member of the EU and Schengen.

There are also many train lines from the Czech Republic (e.g. Prague) and some train lines from Poland, Hungary as well as Ukraine and Russia that mostly end at the Hlavná stanica. Many bus and tram lines start here. To get to the Old Town, you can either take a bus or tram (No 13 is currently the best connection), or simply walk - which takes about 10 minutes.

Petržalka station is not a particularly good position for getting around, but generally it is better and quicker to get off at the Petržalka station and use the public transportation system to get to the city center. Take bus No 80 towards Kollárovo námestie from outside the station building. You can also use the underground passageway in the station hall and take any of the numbered buses that leave from the opposite side of the road when you exit. Get off the bus at the first stop after crossing the river for best access to the historic part of town or at the second stop to start you tour at the Presidential Palace. Buses No 91 and No 191 end right below the Nový most bridge and directly in the city center, below Bratislava Castle and St. Martin's Cathedral.

There are several other train stations in Bratislava but international travelers rarely have to get off the train at any of them.

By bus

The Central Coach Terminal is at Mlynské nivy, at the eastern border of the city center. Coach lines connect Bratislava with all of Slovakia, a high number of Czech cities and a number of EU destinations, including Vienna, London and Paris. Daily buses also depart to Budapest. Take bus No 210 to get to the main railway station (Hlavná stanica). If you need to get to city center, take bus No 205 or 202 to Rajská (the terminus is behind the Tesco at Kamenné námestie) or No 50 towards Aupark and get off at Šafárikovo námestie (close to the banks of the river Danube).

The bus station has a left-luggage office where you can store your bags for ca. 1 EUR per item per day. There is also a bakery, a bar/canteen, a newspaper kiosk and several shops on upper floor.

A convenient bus to Vienna Airport (1 hour) and Wien Sudbahnhof runs almost hourly throughout the day and costs 9 EUR (plus 1 EUR per baggage item).

By boat

Regular tourist boat lines operate on the Danube from spring through fall on routes from Vienna and Budapest. You can find routes and schedules here [6].

Since June 2006 you can get to Vienna using a high speed ferry boat [7] as well, yet the rates are higher compared to other means of transport. A one-way ticket from Vienna to Bratislava by Twin City Liner costs about 25-30 EUR (whereas the two-way train ticket is less than 15 EUR). The Twin City Liner's boats travel at 60 kmph and the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Vienna to Bratislava and about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bratislava to Vienna (almost as much as the train). Unlike train, which stops at stations distant from the center (about 2-3 km), the boat stops are in the very centers of both Vienna (Schwedenplatz) and Bratislava (Novy Most).

A good travel option is to continue down the Danube to Budapest by hydrofoil, a trip only moderately more expensive than the train.

By car

Bratislava lies on the border of two other countries and has a rather good road system. The town can be accessed by motorways (i.e. limited access highway) from northern Slovakia and Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary as well as Austria. As a result, you can pass the town without having to leave a motorway.

If you do want to stay, a parking information system is in place to lead you to the next free parking spot in the city. In the center of town you either can use one of the paid underground garages or buy a parking card from vendors in yellow vests and try to find a free spot in the streets. A parking card costs €0.70 and is valid in the center of the city for 60 minutes on weekdays from 7AM to 5PM only. Parking on the streets is free otherwise.

Nonetheless it may be a good idea to leave the car at the Aupark parking lot which also serves as a "Park and Walk" facility for tourists (note that the indoor parking facilities as well as parts of the outdoor parking lot are closed from 11pm to 6am, the rest of the parking space is free to use 24/7). You can leave your car here and walk through the park and across the Danube to the city center, which is a 10 minute stroll, or just use public transportation. It is not recommended to leave the car in residential areas outside of the city center to avoid paid parking, as foreign cars may attract car thieves.

Get around

Generally, Bratislava is a walking city. The center is very small and cozy and you can easily walk from one side to another in several minutes. The city center is a pedestrian area but be aware of cyclists and occasional cars that use to drive rather quickly in between the walking people and outdoor cafes.

Public transportation

If you need to travel outside of the center, use the trams or trolley buses if you need to get from one point to another quickly. Bratislava has a rather good public transportation system although a lot of the vehicles are quite old. Buses tend to be the slowest means of transportation. Stops normally don't need to be requested unless stated otherwise - request stops are marked "zastávka na znamenie" at the bus stop sign as well as on electronic information displays in most buses/trams. Bus doors are opened by the driver; tram and trolleybus doors usually have to be opened by yourself by pushing a green or yellow button at the doors.

As of January 2009, a single-journey ticket costs €0.50. It's valid for 15 minutes and you need to stamp a new ticket everytime you change bus/tram. There also is a transfer ticket available for €0.70, valid for 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on during weekends and holidays, which you can use for any number of travels within the specified time period. If you are staying for a holiday, consider buying one from a choice of longer term tickets valid for 1, 2, 3 and 7 days for €3.50, €6.50, €8 and €12 respectively.

You must validate your ticket in the validation machines on the bus/tram immediately after boarding (via any door). When it comes to proving that you have not exceeded the time stated on your ticket (e.g. 15 minutes on a 15-minute ticket), official schedule times are decisive - not actual travel times (do not give in to unfriendly ticket inspectors claiming the contrary). You can find out the scheduled travel times in the left-most column of the schedules, left of the stop name or via the internet (see below).

Bus and tram drivers in Bratislava do not sell tickets, therefore you need to obtain a ticket prior to entering a bus or a tram. There are ticket vending machines at most stops in the town. No bills or credit cards can be used at the machines (which can be kind of frustrating if you need to buy a longer term ticket). If you purchased a return ticket in Vienna, it also serves as a pass for all public transportation and does not need to be validated.

Besides vending machines, tickets are also sold in many newsstands and - very conveniently for travellers arriving by train, late in the evening or at weekends - in railway stations at the ticket counters (ticket counter 16 at the main railway station). You can also purchase tickets for public transport in every tourist information bureau [8]. Try asking for the Bratislava City Card [9] which combines a 1 to 3-day ticket with various discounts and is available at information bureaus.

There are 3 main interchange points in the close city center where you can get a bus or tram nearly to anywhere else:

• Hodžovo námestie (Presidential palace) for northwest- and east-bound bus connections
• Poštová (down the ped area below Hodzovo namestie) for trams
• Nový most (close to the St. Martin's Cathedral and the Danube banks) for trams and for west-bound buses as well as bus connections to Petržalka.

Main tram, bus and trolley lines operate from 4:30AM to approximately 11:30PM. If you need to travel by bus at night, go to the main railway station which is the main night line interchange point or use the bus stops at the Presidential palace (Hodzovo namestie). All night lines have common departure times from the main railway station at 11.:30PM and then every 60 minutes for every line and outbound direction until 3:30AM. Some lines have an extra outbound departure at midnight. You will need a night ticket for €1.40 in night lines. When travelling by night lines, please remember that every stop needs to be requested. Also note that especially the buses around midnight on Fridays and Saturdays tend to be very crowded on some lines as young people return from clubs.

You can get all relevant information about public transportation in Bratislava including schedules, maps and an online route planner at imhd.sk [10]. Although this is not the site of the transportation company, it always contains official and most up-to-date data.

If necessary, it is also possible to walk to the Petrzalka station from the city (some 25 minutes). The path is clearly marked now but note that Petržalka is just a little more than the biggest block flats housing estate in Central Europe. Head for the bridge with the UFO-like looking tower atop it (Nový most). Once you reach the bridge, you will notice that there is a walkway running along the underside of it, for pedestrians. Once on the other side of Danube river, follow the right hand-side of the bridge with a walkway made of red paving. This will lead you to the station. Alternatively, you can walk through Bratislava's equivalent of the Central Park called Sad Janka Kráľa and visit the Aupark Shopping Mall at the park. Once exiting the Aupark on the other side, turn right and follow the street to get to the pavement mentioned above. The route is very safe during the day, but for typically western-looking tourists, it might be dangerous at night (although not more than in any other European "panelák" (see above) housing estate). Take some guide, when needed. If you want to walk from the station to the city, turn right outside of the station building and follow the path described above in reverse direction.

See

• St. Martin's cathedral (Dóm sv. Martina)
• St Clare's Church (Kostol sv. Kláry) On Klariská Str.
• Church of the Annunciation (Kostol Zvestovania / Františkáni / Františkánsky kostol).
• Church of the Holy Savior (Kostol Najsvätejšieho Spasitel'a)
• Bratislava Castle (Bratislavský hrad) - the castle itself is closed for renovation until 2011 but there is a good view from behind the rampart
• Slavín On the top of the hill behind the castle, overlooking the entire city, this is a monument in memory of Soviet casualties in the liberation battle of Bratislava in WW2. It is actually a cemetery and thus rather quiet with good outlook at the city. On warm nights it's a very romantic place, allowing you to sit in the shadows of the monument and looking at the traffic below.
• Roland Fountain (Rolandova fontána) Built by stonecutter Andreas Luttringer and commissioned by Hungarian king Maximilian in 1527, this was the first fountain in Bratislava.
• Primate's Palace (Primaciálny palác)
• Grassalkovich Palace (Grassalkovičov palác)
• Mirbach Palace (Mirbachov palác)
• Palffy Palace (Pálffyho palác)
• Academia Istropolitana
• Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské národné divadlo)
• Michael's Gate with Tower (Michalská brána)
• Farmaceutické Múzeum (Pharmacological Museum)
• Slovak National Gallery (SNG) [11]
• Bratislava City Gallery (GMB) [12]
• Milan Dobes Museum [13] This small museum features modernist Op-art. It lies in the city center and is recommended to all of you interested in the development of modern art.
• Main Indoor Market (Trznica at Trnavske Myto)
• Obchodná Street
• Slovak National Museum (SNM) [14]
• Bratislava City Museum [15]
• Chatam Sofer Mausoleum and the Jewish Cemetery [16] If you are interested in Jewish life in Bratislava.
• Slovak Radio Building Its main building is a peculiar 60 meter high reversed pyramid from the communist era and a landmark in sharp contrast with the building of the Slovak National Bank just across the street.
• The Presidential Palace In proximity to the old town, a nice palace surrounded by a park. On one of the park's alleys you will see a row of trees planted by famous people such as Juan Carlos I (King of Spain). In front of the palace you will see the Slovak National Guard.
• The Blue Church A must-see. A beautiful Jugendstil church.

Do

Take a stroll through the center of the town. Bratislava has one of the smallest historical centers around but the charm is more concentrated. The streets have been renovated in late 1990's, bringing life back here. Since then a multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants of all kinds have opened here, accompanied by a few souvenir shops and fashion stores. In warm days almost every cafe has an outdoor section in the street, boasting with life and giving the city a unique feeling of cozyness.

When it comes to sightseeing, Bratislava castle generally is a must but the castle itself is closed for renovation until 2011 and though the view from the rampart is nice, you could try visiting the Slavin memorial for some really astounding views of the city. It's a calm and romantic spot but beware, it can get really windy up there. Like the city castle, the City Museum located in the Old Town Hall is also closed for reconstruction until 2010. This prevents visitors from climbing up the steep stairwells of the clock tower or seeing the town's historical dungeons, an exhibition that was quite outdated but still scary in 2008.

In summer, you can also vist the Bratislava ZOO [17], providing a nice walk between the paddocks, the latest addition being some rare white tigers. The facilities of the zoo are being slowly renovated to attract a bigger crowd and the zoo is a favorite for families on sunny days. You can also go to the Botanical Gardens of Comenius University (Botanická 3, take trams No 1, 4, 5, 9 or 12 to stop Botanicka zahrada) for quiet and peacful strolls in the greens.

For a relaxed afternoon in the park, head either to the Sad Janka Kráľa park (on the right hand side bank of the Danube and next to Aupark shopping centre}, one of the oldest parks in central Europe, relax at the embankments on both sides of the river or head to the Horský park (Forest Park) north off Slavin memorial for a civilized stroll through the forest. There's a small café here as well as a pub, the latter mostly populated by students from the nearby campus. For a more outdoorsy experience, hop on bus No 203/213 to Koliba and walk up to Kamzík (takes about 30 minutes uphill) or try the newly renovated facilities of Partizánska lúka and Snežienka, all with extensive picknicking areas and loads of fireplaces for grilling. The area is several kilometers long and you can either walk here from the terminal station of bus No 212 (Vojenska nemocnica) or take a bus to Patronka and use bus No 43 driving up the area and back every 15-30 minutes (depending on time of day/year as well as weather). Only cars with a permit can enter the area but there is a parking lot at the entrance, close to a bus stop. Snezienka's grass fields and the top of Kamzik hill are connected with a chairlift, operating Thursdays through Sundays and on holidays, the price for one ride being approx. €3 as of January 2009.

In December, be sure to indulge in the scents and flavors of the traditional Christmas Market in front of the Old Town Hall. The market - compared to the ones in Prague and Vienna - is smaller but has a friendlier, almost family-like atmosphere and people of Bratislava love to meet here for a drink and a bite.

Culture

Bratislava is home of the world famous Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra [18] so if you love classical music, you should consider visiting one of their concerts in the historic Reduta building. For more cultural indulgence, the Slovak National Theatre [19] offers a wide selection on ballet, opera and theatre performances. Although most of the activities have been moved to a city-district-in-the-making at the banks of the Danube, some performances are still being held in the historical theatre building, which gives them a unique feeling but a higher pricetag as well. The old theatre building is right in the middle of the city at Hviezdoslavovo namestie. The new theatre is accessible by bus No 88 from the Coach Terminal at Mlynske nivy (get off at Landererova) or by buses No 50, 70 and 78 (stop is called Wüstenrot). None of these stop directly at the theatre though so you should count with a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop to the theatre. You cannot miss the building as it is of unmistakably communist megalomaniac design covered in white marmor. The entrance is facing the Danube so you need to walk around the building to get in. Note that the riverside is being developed currently and the whole area is one big - although very clean, hats off - construction site and will stay so at least until end of 2009.

For museumgoers, Bratislava is the place to go, with some bigger and loads of small museums around town (see a listing here [20]). The most noticeable ones are:

• Natural Science Museum, Vajanského nábrežie 2, phone {+4212}59349122 [21] - echoing the communist era, the natural science exhibitions have an interesting collection of artifacts and is slowly being transformed into a modern era exhibition,
• National Museum at the foot of the Castle Hill, Žižkova 14, phone {+4212} 59207273 [22] - a unique exhibition on ancient Egypt is being held here until end of August 2008, together with permanent archeological collections and more,
• Bratislava Castle, phone {+4212} 54411444 [23] and the Museum of City History in the Old Town Hall, phone {+4212} 59205130 [24] - including the museums of history and music as well as the city dungeon and the exhibition on medieval justice are unfortuately both closed for renovation until 2011 and 2010 respectively,
• Gerulata, Gerulatska ul. [25] - this is an ancient Roman military camp with archeological finidgs on display. If you're into all things Roman, you should also consider a visit to the nearby Carnuntum [26] which has a large archeological site and is only a few minutes by car from Bratislava,
• Museum of Transport, Šancová 1/a, phone {+4212} 52444163 [27] - with a display of historical vehicles, situated in the first railway station in the city, very close to the current Main Railway Station,
• Museum of Trade, Linzbothova 16, phone {+4212} 45243167 [28] - this museum has some remarking pieces of historic advertising plates and other artifacts.

For a taste of visual arts, pay a visit to the National Gallery [29] at the embankment between the Stary most and Novy most with permanent collections of Slovak and European medieval art pieces, although the temporary exhibitions tend to be far more interesting. Bratislava City Gallery [30] is also a good pick to see displays of historical fine arts, painintgs and sculptures along with interesting temporary exhibitions. If you like modern art better, pay a visit to the Danubiana Art Museum [31] on the southern edge of Bratislava but be aware that it is too far for a stroll, with little to none public transport connections and is best reached by car or taxi.

Every year in the weekend around April 24 Bratislava celebrates a festival called "Bratislava for All", giving locals and visitors alike the possibility to visit most of the facilities governed by the city for free or a reduced fee, this including most of the museums and galleries. In May, the city's museums and galleries keep their gates open to visitors until late at night, this being called the "Night of Museums and Galleries".

Learn

Czech and Slovak are the de-facto official languages of Bratislava. Both languages are very similar and mutually intelligible to a wide extent, leading foreigners to assume incorrectly that they are dialects of each other. Both are universally understood, as Czech and Slovaks have historically understood each other without the need of a translator. Russian is also widely understood, and, overall, more people speak Russian as a foreign language than English. However, learning either Czech or Slovak (even if it's just a few phrases) will surely endear the locals.

Work

Slovakia is a member of the European Union, therefore, any citizen of a European Union country can work and live there without restrictions.

Buy

Tourists seeking duty-free goods should be warned to make their purchases before returning to the airport as the duty-free goods available in the departure lounge are roughly double the cost of identical goods purchased in the local supermarkets.

• Shop in the large and expanding shopping malls - Aupark [32], Polus City Center [33], Avion [34], Shopping Palace [35] or Danubia [36].

Eat

Bryndzové halušky (small, spaetzle-like dumplings with sheep's cheese), potent garlic soup (but perhaps not on a date) and Slovak white wine (due to its cooler climate, Slovakia's reds pale in comparison with some of Europe's other offerings). Schnitzels, goulashes and other typically Central European foods. Fresh vegetables are more common here thanks to the large amount of land given over to agriculture.

Drink and eat in one of the many restaurants in Old Town. Try Prašná bašta [37] for tasty meals, Pizza Mizza [38] for the biggest pizza in the town or Paparazzi [39] for classy (and expensive) Italian meals. Paparazzi's customers, by the way and appropriately enough, are under constant surveillance by a statue equipped with a robust camera. San Marten is another restaurant with great food and excellent service at affordable prices. For good and reasonably priced halusky, the unique Slovak national meal, visit the 1st Slovak Pub [40] at Obchodna street. There's a lot of restaurants in Bratislava so there is plenty to pick from.

Interestingly, it is rather hard to find a Slovak restaurant among all those Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian and other eateries so if you're in for a real Slovak meal, go either for the Slovak Pub or the fancy and expensive Slovak Restaurant at Hviezdoslavovo namestie [41], the former being the better pick in terms of pricing and atmosphere, the latter in terms of food. A very new addition is the Presburg restaurant at Michalska [42], completing the Slovak trio with prices in the mid-range or slightly above.

Of course, junk food can be found in Bratislava, too. Check Bratislava's special junk food - richman which is a big bread roll filled with cabbage and cheese and/or meat with mayonnaise. A Richman stand is for example on Kamenné námestie, in front of the Tesco. You can also try a sub sandwich from one of the many cafeterias in the city, a good one is on Šafárikovo namestie or in the Stará tržnica hall. Another excellent cafeteria is on Zelená Ulica between Ventúrska Ulica and Hlavné námestie. A big sandwich, a bageta (from the French baguette) with cheese, ham and eggs would cost you the equivalent of 1.50 euros.

Another specialty in Bratislava (but also available in other regions of Slovakia) is treska. It is a cold salad made of Codfish with mayonnaise. There are vegetables like onions, carrots and other in the salad too. It has a very typical taste, somewhere between sour and bitter - you should try it! You can buy it fresh in most "Lahôdky" shops, which means somewhat like "delicacies", but generally stands for old fashioned fast food shops - they sell rather salads, soups, etc instead of hamburgers of French fries. Treska tastes very good with rolls. If you like the taste of Treska, you can buy it also packed and take home.

If you're low on cash and want to self-cater, there's a huge Tesco supermarket on Kamenné námestie (at the junction of Štúrova and Špitálska) directly in the city. You could easily have lunch consisting of a couple of bread rolls, ham, cheese, fruit and maybe a cake or two, for the equivalent of three or four Euros. New American-type shopping malls with big cinemas and of course food courts within the reach of the center are the Aupark at the right Danube bank (next to the Sad Janka Kráľa park, some 10 minutes from the St. Martins's Cathedral) and the Polus City Center on the Vajnorská Street to the north of the city (some 10-15 minutes from the city by tram).

For a special dining experience, take a cab to the TV tower on Kamzik and have a lunch at the Veza restaurant [43]. It has a slowly rotating floor enabling you to see a 360 degree view of the city and its surrounding. Be sure to call in first though as the mechanism is very old and often broken. You also get a nice view and can meet some local celebrities at the übercool and very expensive UFO restaurant and disco [44] on top of the Novy most bridge.

In December, don't miss the Christmas market in front of the Old Town Hall. The traditional foods of the Christmas market are roasted beef or chicken sandwich burgers ("ciganska pecienka") with mustard and onions, wheat flour tortillas ("loksa") with various fillings ranging traditionally from plain ones with goose fat, with garlic or goose liver to poppy seed, nut or chocolate. Bread with pork fat and onions is also popular. You can wash down the food with a cup of red or white mulled wine or a small cup of honey wine.

Drink

Try Kofola, Slovak & Czech soft drink having similar color to Coca Cola, but lower on sugar and caffeine. Some places serve "draft Kofola" which indeed is draft from a barrel in a way similar to beer (until recently it has actually been co-produced by a Bratislava brewery). Some Slovaks say draft Kofola is even better than bottled and that it is best enjoyed outside in the sun, for example after a hike or a bike or rollerblade ride. Kofola is a popular alternative to beer if you want to hang out but don't want to drink alocohol. Vinea is another genuine Slovak soft drink made from grapes, offered both in "white" (green grapes) and "red" varieties (red grapes) and even in a rather sweet and maybe not-so-tasty "soft" version without carbon dioxide.

There are quite a few Slovak beer brands, e.g. Zlatý bažant, Šariš, Smädný mních, Topvar. Stein beer is a local variety which until very recently has been brewed practically in the city center.

Best pubs offering Slovak beers in the Old Town: Kristian@Michalska, Bar Parada@Hviezdoslavovo, AeroPressoDepresso@Venturska. All of them are quite cheap (about 1 EUR per half-liter glass of beer).

For cocktails try Camouflage@Venturska (160-190 SKK/drink) - modern ambience [45]. Also for cocktails, check out Grandes Melones, just off Laurinska. Amazing drinks for around 170 SKK, friendly staff, and air conditioning. Don't be put off by the name, you could spend days in this place. Also worth a mention GMT bar, very nice cocktail menu with waitress service if you can find a table. Ensure you wear a shirt at the weekends!

Gay/Lesbian

Although some cafes are considered gay inclusive, there are three bars dedicated to the gay and lesbian crowd in Bratislava, all of them in the city center, close to the Presidential Palace:

• Apollon Gay Club on Panenska ulica (the entrance is in the dooryard of a townhouse), +421 915 480 031, [46].
• Barbaros Cafe on Vysoka 14 (at the crossing behind Tatra Banka and Volksbank), +421 903 461 717,
• 4 Pink's on Hurbanovo namestie (opposite of the Holy Trinity Church). The bar opened early August 2006 and is not really known yet.

Sleep

Budget

• Downtown Backpackers Hostel, Panenská 31 (street), tel. +421 2 5464 1191, [47]. Dorms at 600Sk night per person. Double rooms at 800Sk/night per person. 20 min. walk from station.
• Hostel Blues, Spitalska 2, +421 905 20 40 40, [48], great central location and dorm beds from 380 SKK/person and night in winter and 480 SKK/person and night in summer.
• Patio Hostel, Spitalska 35 (street), tel. +421 2 529 257 97, [49]. Close to the Kamenne namestie and the city center
• City Hostel, Obchodna 38 (street). Very centrally located on a minor shopping street
• Pension Gremium
• Hotel Junior, Drienova 14 (street),(Ruzinov), tel. 4333 8000, fax 4333 8065, Email: recepcia@juniorhotel.sk, [50].
• Hotel Rapid
• Sport
• Hotel Turist Bratislava, Ondavska 5 (street), (Ruzinov), tel. 55 57 27 89 or 55 41 05 09, fax 55 57 31 80, Email: hotel@turist.sk, [51]. Double rooms at 17 Euro per person, triple rooms at 14 Euro per person, near Ice rink (Zimny Stadion), 10 minutes by bus to city center. €28/34/42. (singles/doubles/triples)
• Bernolák Hostel Bernolákova 1, Telephone: 52 49 71 84. This 12-story tall hostel is located near the city center and offers clean, comfortable beds starting at around 130 Sk, or about 5 USD.
• Hostel Juraj, Karpatska 28, Telephone: 421 902 305711, [52]. A small cozy hostel located really close to train station and less than a 15 minute walk from the city center. Juraj, the owner, is a really friendly man who speaks amazing English and will pick you up from the train station, offer to do your laundry, and provide a great atmosphere. Beds 16,50 EUR per night.
• Hostel Possonium, Šancová 20, +421 / 2 / 207 200 07, [53].
• Hotel Družba, Student dormitory Družba, Botanická 25, [54]. Summer only hostel (€7/bed). All year hotel. About 40 minutes walking along river shore from city centre or 10 minutes by tram. Near botanical garden and ZOO.

If all youth hostels are booked up don't hesitate to ask if they know of any alternative accommodation, on arrival in Bratislava we could not find a bed, but the Downtown Backpackers Hostel sorted us out with accommodation which is usually a student flat but was being rented out to backpackers during the summer season for 18 euros a night for a double room.

Mid-range

• Hotel Echo
• Hotel Holiday Inn
• Hotel Kyjev, Rajska 2 (street), Bratislava (Stare Mesto), tel. 59 64 22 11 or 59 64 22 13, fax 52 92 68 20, rezervacia@kyjev-hotel.sk, [55]. Double rooms range between 1800-2200 SK (ca. 60 Euro) with a big breakfast buffet, city center location, just a short walk from the Old town. This was the choice hotel of Soviet dignitaries in the past. It has seen better days, but the Soviet atmosphere and the strange quirks (like the old bulletholes in the door of room 1205) make it well worth a stay, just for the experience.
• Botel Marina, +421 (2) 5464 1804, [56].
• Venturska Residence, [57], Venturska 3 (street), tel. +421 2 54411240, Email: residence@venturskaresidence.com The newly refurbished holiday apartments located in the very heart of the Old Town. Rates starting at EUR 68.-- per night.
• Aston Business Hotel, [58].

Splurge

• Albrecht, Mudronova street 82, 81103 Bratislava, [59]. Five star design hotel with 12 rooms and suites nestled on hill above Bratislava castle and Old Town. The Albrecht features flagship restaurant and lounge bar as well as lavish urban spa - unique of it's kind in Bratislava.
• Arcadia, Františkánska 3, 81101 Bratislava, [60]
• Crowne Plaza (former Forum)
• Danube
• Devín
• Hotel Perugia, near the main square, [61].
• Marroll's, Tobrucka ul.4, 81102 Bratislava 1, Slovakia, tel. +421 2 57784600, [62].
• Radisson SAS Carlton, [63].
• Michalská Brána, in the very city center - no car access, [64].
• Hotel Hradná Brána, Slovanské nábrežie 15, Tel: 00421-2-601 025 11, [65]. First class, newly opened hotel Hradná Brána is located in the unique panoramic surroundings with the view over the vivid omination of the Devín castle. By its own comfort and exclusivity it belongs to one of the highest standard hotels. It provides accommodation, restaurant, congressional and relaxation services on a high level.

Note

Accommodation prices usually does not include city tax. For year 2009 city tax is €1.65/person/night. Students up to 26 and children up to 18 does not pay city tax.

Contact

Telephone

When making international calls, you need to dial 00, then the country code of the country you are calling. The international code of Bratislava is +421 2, the national one is 02. You don't need to use any of these when making local calls. There mostly are cardphones in phone booths, coin phones are located e.g. in front of the telecoms office (T-Centrum) on Namestie SNP (Dunaj department store) or at Kolarska ulica. You can purchase phone cards at most newspaper kiosks and in any of the T-Centers.

Phone numbers beginning with 090, 091 or 094 are mostly mobile numbers. All of Bratislava is covered with a GSM network, the operators being Orange[66], T-Mobile[67] and O2[68]. In parts of Bratislava (mostly up on the hills), mobile phones sometimes switch to Hungarian or Austrian providers, so it is better to check the network name before dialing. For best mobile roaming rates, check [69].

Internet

You can use internet for free at the information bureau in the old town.

There are several internet cafes in the city, most of them hidden. You can try to get to one of the internet access portals in the T-Centrum on Namestie SNP or in the Aupark Shopping Center.

If you have a notebook computer, you can use multiple wireless hotspots throughout the city. Some of them are paid and you need to obtain a user name and password [70] in order to use them. Some hotels, cafes and restaurants provide free wireless internet access to their customers. Besides that, the heart of the city center (Hlavné námestie, Františkánske námestie, Primaciálne námestie) is covered by a small public wireless network provided by the city council and this is free to use. There are also other places with free wireless internet access throughout the city. A full list of these can be found on the website of the Slovak Telecoms Office [71].

Stay safe

Bratislava is generally very safe by European and American standards, safer than most Western European cities, because it is quite small and criminality is low. There is a significant police presence in the city, especially the historical parts, and it is generally not a problem to walk through the city at night. However, walking alone in the suburbs after dark is not recommended.

Cope

Note that prices for train tickets from Austria to Slovakia bought in Austria (ÖBB, Österreichische Bundesbahnen) are considerably higher than the same ticket bought in Bratislava (ZSSK, Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko).

Get out

• The castle Červený kameň [72] is located about 30 km from Bratislava.
• Do like locals and hike in the Small Carpathians mountain range. Bratislava lies on the southeast slopes of these mountains. Hiking routes are well indicated.
• Visit the Small Carpathians Wine Region; on southern slopes of Small Carpathians there are extensive vineyards and typical wine villages and towns like Rača, Pezinok or Modra. If you are more interested in local wines, follow the Little Carpathians Wine Route.
• The Mutěnice Wine Region near the Slovak border in the Czech Republic is well worth a weekend visit. It has some of the best wine in the Czech Republic and many great small cellars to visit. You'll need to take a train to Břeclav and then from there to Hodonín.
• The Carnuntum archaeological park [73] is located 25 km from Bratislava, across Austrian border. The site offers excavations of an ancient Roman city. It is worth a one-day visit.
• Lednice-Valtice is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing one of Europe's largest Palacial parklands

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

From Wikitravel

Vienna [1] (German: Wien) is the capital of the Republic of Austria. It is by far the largest city in Austria (pop.~ 1.7m), as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. As the former home of the Habsburg court and its various empires, the city still has the trappings of the imperial capital it once was, and the historic city centre is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand

The low-lying Danube plain in and around what is now Vienna has had a human population since at least the late Paleolithic: one of the city's most famous artifacts, the 24,000 year old Venus of Willendorf, now in Vienna's Natural History Museum, was found nearby. Vienna's own history began with the Romans, who founded it in the 1st Century CE as Vindobona, one of a line of Roman defensive outposts against Germanic tribes. Vindobona's central garrison was on the site of what is now the Hoher Markt (the "High Market" due to its relative height over the Danube), and you can still see the excavations of its foundations there today.

Vienna hosted the Habsburg court for several centuries, first as the Imperial seat of the Holy Roman Empire, then the capital of the Austrian Empire, and later of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which finally fell in 1918 with the abdication of the last Emperor Karl I. The court tremendously influenced the culture that exists here even today: Vienna's residents are often overly formal, with small doses of courtliness, polite forms of address, and formal dress attire. One of the many paradoxes of the quirky city is that its residents can be equally modern and progressive as they are extremely old-fashioned.

Traditional Vienna is but one of the many façades of this city, the downtown area of which is a UNESCO world heritage site and sometimes begrudgingly compared to an open air museum. But Vienna is also a dynamic young city, famous for its (electronic) music scene with independent labels, cult-status underground record stores, a vibrant club scene, multitudes of street performers, and a government that seems overly obsessed with complicated paperwork. However, people are willing to go out of their way or bend the rules a little if they feel they can do someone a favor.

The Viennese have a singular fascination with death, hence the popularity of the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) as a strolling location and of Schrammelmusik - highly sentimental music with lyrics pertaining to death. Old-fashioned Sterbevereine (funeral insurance societies) provide members with the opportunity to save up for a nice funeral throughout the course of their lives. This service does not exist solely to save their children the hassle and expense - it is considered absolutely mandatory to provide for an adequate burial. Vienna even has the "Bestattungsmuseum", a museum devoted to coffins and mortuary science. The country’s morbid obsession may be correlated with its higher suicide rate when compared with the rest of Europe.

Vienna is also famous for its coffee culture. "Let's have a coffee" is a very commonly heard phrase, because despite incursions by Starbucks and Italian-style espresso bars, the Kaffeehauskultur is still the traditional way to drink a cup of coffee, read the newspaper, meet friends, or fall in love.

Orientation

To the traveler, the city has a very convenient layout: The 'old town', or city center, is the first district, with the Stephansdom and Stephansplatz at the centre of a bullseye. It is encircled by the Ringstraße (Ring Road), a grand boulevard constructed along the old city walls, which were torn down at the end of the 19th century. Along the Ringstraße are many famous and grand buildings, including the Rathaus [City Hall], the Austrian Parliament, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum), and the State Opera House.

Districts 2-9 are mostly gathered within the Gürtel ('belt') Road, which runs parallel to and encircles the Ringstraße like an outer belt. In these districts you can find the Prater (amusement) park and the other, hip quarters of the Second District (close to Schwedenplatz) as well as the Jewish quarter, Südbahnhof (southern Rail Station) and Westbahnhof (Western Railstation) - a major national and international railway terminus, currently undergoing massive renovation (see travel) - from which the major shopping street Mariahilfer Straße leads eastwards toward the inner city, the Hundertwasserhaus and Hundertwasser Kunsthaus in the 3rd, and the Belvedere Palace.

Outside the "belt" road, among other sites are the Danube Tower (Donauturm) and notably Schönbrunn Palace, which is one of the most visited tourist attractions and deservedly so. It was placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1996.

The Vienna Tourist Board [2] operates information and booking booths at the airport Arrival Hall, 7AM-11PM and in town at Vienna 1, Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse.

Climate

Summer in Vienna is usually warm. Weather in June and July is moderate and sunny with a light summer windy breeze. In August, there are some hot and humid days where it reaches 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit), but overall, summer in Vienna is pleasant.

Autumn starts around September and it gets colder as it approaches November. A main disadvantage of the Viennese climate is that it is rather windy and usually overcast during these months.

Get in or out

By plane

Vienna International Airport [3] (IATA: VIE; ICAO: LOWW) is located ca. 18 km (11 miles) south-east of the Austrian capital near to the town of Schwechat, after which the airport is named. The airport "Wien-Schwechat" is the home base of the flag-carrier Austrian [4] and the budget airlines Fly Niki [5] and Sky Europe [6]. Most European airlines and a significant number of international airlines have direct connections to Vienna from their respective hubs.

There are a number of smaller airports within a two hour commute of Vienna which are served by so-called budget airlines; it is therefore often cheaper to fly to a nearby city and connect by train or bus. Ryanair [7] flies to Linz (1 1/2 - 2 hours by train), Graz (2 1/2 hours by train) and Brno (IATA: BRQ) and Sky Europe [8] flies to Bratislava (1 1/2 hours by bus).

There are three options by public transport to travel to/from the city centre of Vienna.

• Taxi to and from the Airport

As a point of reference, a taxi ride between the airport and the western part of the city centre (District 7) costs around €40 (including extras and tip). A taxi from the Rennweg S-Bahn station (where the S-Bahn to the airport departs) to the airport costs around €25. Taxi prices are negotiable before you climb in! If your destination is north or west of the city centre a pre-booked taxi might be much cheaper. For example, Airport Service Wien [9] offers a flat rate of €27 (max. 3 persons in car) to/from any destination address within Vienna.

• Hotel shuttle

Some Vienna hotels offer guests shuttle service to and from the airport, usually for a fee that's cheaper than a taxi, though sometimes you will share the shuttle with guests from your own or nearby hotels.

• City Airport Train to the Wien-Mitte Railway Station

The City Airport Train (CAT) [10] takes you directly from the Vienna International Airport to the Wien-Mitte Railway Station in 16 minutes. The return ticket costs €16 or €9 one way. The CAT is used mainly by business travellers (or those lured by advertising into believing that there are no alternatives) and is useful if you are in a great hurry. The CAT is owned by the Airport (not by the Austrian Federal Railways) and is heavily advertised in Austrian Airlines cabin announcements upon landing, in terminal transfer buses, and in the airport building itself.

When you leave Vienna by plane, and if you use Star Alliance Flights, Air Berlin, or Fly Niki, your baggage can be checked in at the City Air Terminal at the Wien-Mitte Railway Station, which leaves you baggage-free and more time in Vienna; the price is still high for saving 11 minutes. [Note: If you are flying to the United States, due to extra security measures, you cannot check-in your luggage at the City Air Terminal.]

• S-Bahn (local commuter train) to and from the Airport

Although no longer advertised by the airport management (which prefers to ignore the S-Bahn and promote its more expensive CAT instead), the normal S-Bahn (Schnellbahn) (fast regional train) S7 (or S2) is also direct, merely 10 minutes slower than the CAT and costs just a third: €6.80 return (or €3.40 one way) if bought in advance (and only €3.40 if you have the Wien card), stopping at Wien Mitte, Wien Nord, and Wien Handelskai among others. If you already have a U-Bahn day pass, you only need to add a “Aussenzonen” (outer zone) ticket for €1.70 (has to be bought in advance). Do stamp the ticket to validate it before getting on the S-Bahn, as punching machines are not installed inside the train. Note that you will need to buy a 2-zone ticket (or two 1-zone tickets) to total €3.40 each way to and from the airport.

To reach the S-Bahn station at the Vienna Internatonal Airport, follow the CAT signs for all but the final 50 meters: the S-Bahn and the CAT leave from the same underground railway station, but from different platforms. For more information, check out Vienna's main website[11].

Once you have your 2-zone ticket, you can travel from the airport to any Viennese destination (free transfer for one hour; you don't need to buy further tickets for Viennese bus, subway, or tram lines).

• Bus (Vienna Airport Lines) to and from the city center

There are two direct Vienna Airport bus lines [12] going every 30 minutes between the Vienna International Airport and Vienna's city center.

1. One bus line goes to "Morzinplatz" next to "Schwedenplatz" very close to the center of the city. At Schwedenplatz, you have two subway lines (U4 and U1), as well as buses and trams. In about a five minute walk, you are at St. Stephan´s Cathedral, the very center of Vienna. The trip costs €6 and takes about 20 minutes.

2. The other bus line goes to the two main railway stations near the city center. The bus trip to Südbahnhof (Southern Rail Station) or Westbahnhof (Western Rail Station) costs €6 and takes about half an hour. Usually a bus leaves the airport or the stations every 30 minutes (every 20 minutes in the summer). Costs: Single ride - €6; Round trip - €11. You buy the ticket from the bus driver.

By train

Vienna is a railroad hub, easily accessible from other major European cities. Overnight trains arrive from places like Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Bucharest, Sofia, Belgrade, Berlin, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Moscow, Minsk, Kiev, Milan, Warsaw, Cracow, Prague, Rijeka, Koper, Split, Zurich, Bregenz, Rome, and Venice. The day trains from Prague take less than four and a half hours, the night train takes a little under nine hours. From Budapest, the train ride is roughly 3 hours.

Vienna's three main stations, Wien Südbahnhof (Southern Railstation), Wien Westbahnhof (Western Railstation), and Wien Landstrasse/Mitte are all undergoing serious expansion and renovation works, with Südbahnhof close to and Landstrasse currently being torn down, and the main thoroughfare of Westbahnhof presently closed until 2011. It is advised to take extra time when departing from these stations as the temporary provisions are not always easy to navigate.

Trains from multiple countries can all be arranged via the Austrian ÖBB train system [13].

There are several cheap train offers to and from Vienna, mainly to destinations in Germany and Italy, but also Strasbourg and some other destinations. These all cost €29 for a one-way seater, €39 for a couchette, or €59 for a sleeper. You have to book quite a bit in advance (to Berlin and Hamburg about two months in advance, especially in summer), but it is definitely worth the effort as it takes you right to the center of the city early in the morning (unlike taking the plane). If you have an ÖBB Vorteilscard which costs less than €20 for people under 26 years and €100 for older people there are plenty of cheap train offers whithout limitation. So you can go to Strasbourg or Venice for €19 in coach and €39 in couchette, but you need not book weeks in advance.

There is a special discounted round-trip ticket you can buy if traveling from Budapest called a "kirandulójegy" or excursion ticket in English. For €29 you can buy a round trip ticket between Budapest and Vienna good for four days that will also cover all your local transportation within Vienna's Zone 100. Since a 3-day transport pass usually costs €12 you're basically getting a round trip ticket for €17! This is an excellent deal, especially if you're planning on going back to Budapest. One way tickets to Budapest can be bought in advance for 19€ but these places are limited.

NOTE: As stated above, Südbahnhof, Westbahnhof, and Landstrasse/Mitte are all currently undergoing enormous expansion and renovation programmes, so be sure to plan in extra time when departing from these station or transferring there. At the moment, Südbahnhof does not connect directly to the metro system (the new station will). The nearest metro station is outside of the station about 400m away, keeping the large road (the Gürtel) on your right, the Belvedere Palace behind you. Look for Südtiroler Platz. Many trains from Germany arrive at Westbahnhof, the main hall of which is closed until Fall 2011. Trains to Bratislava (only an hour away) usually depart from Südbahnhof, but occasionally also from Westbahnhof.

See a scan with the 2008 overview for connections from Vienna to and from Western Europe [14], and a scan from Vienna to South and Eastern Europe [15].

By car

Most Austrian highways ("Autobahn") terminate/originate in Vienna.

Unlike Germany, there is a strictly enforced speed limit of 130 km/h (about 80 mph) on highways. On some highway sections in Vienna, the speed decreases to 80 km/h (about 50 mph). Within towns it is 50 km/h (about 31 mph) and on major roads ("Schnellstraße") it is 100 km/h (about 62 mph).

A Highway Toll Sticker (Vignette) or a GO-Box, depending on vehicle class, is mandatory, and heavy fines are levied for not having either. Usually they can be purchased at petrol (gas) stations.

Drivers in Austria are also required by law to carry certain safety equipment. This includes a reflective vest, first aid kit, and traffic warning triangle.

Parking anywhere within the "Gürtel" (centre-districts 1 - 9) and in specially marked areas is restricted to 120 minutes (between nine and 22 hours, M-F) and subject to a fee of €1.20 per hour unless you have a resident permit. Payment is made by marking the time of arrival on a ticket ("Parkschein"), which can be bought at tobacco shops. Therefore, if you wish to leave your car in the central districts for the period of your stay, you cannot simply park it on the street. You must either book a hotel that offers parking or leave it at a commercial car park (Parkhaus, Parkgarage). These can be very expensive (for instance, €32 per day in the Parkgarage Freyung).

A cheaper alternative is park and ride, normally available at U Bahn stations in the city periphery, for example at U3 Erdberg station (€2.70 per day).

Avoid the A23 Südosttangente at rush hour. Traffic jams are almost guaranteed there.

It should be noted, though, that Vienna is one of the world's cities where it's least necessary for the visitor to have a car.

By bus

Eurolines [16] is a relatively cheap way to reach Vienna from major European cities, however it is unlikely to be cheaper than a discount airline for longer distances, such as London. Buses usually stop at the subway station Erdberg (line U3).

By boat

Riverboats on the Danube include connections with Linz, Bratislava and Budapest, but it's of little value, unless you just love going on (slow and relatively expensive) riverboats. There is a fast catamaran service to Bratislava [17] for €28 and for €30 on weekends (one way). There is also a fast hydrofoil service to Bratislava [18] for €33 return and €21 one way (€28 and €16 if you go from Bratislava to Vienna and back) and a fast hydrofoil service to Budapest [19] for €109 round trip and €89 one way. The Hungarian hydrofoil also carries passengers between Vienna and Bratislava for €39 round trip and €29 one way.

Get around

Vienna has a good public transport system [20], which includes commuter rail, underground, trams (trolleys), and buses. The subway system is very efficient and will take you to within a few minutes walk of anywhere you are likely to want to visit.

Within Vienna itself, you can get a single trip ticket for any of these for €1.70 (€0.9 for children and dogs), a 24-hour ticket for €5.70, or a three-day pass for €13.60. A 48-hour version is available for €10. A one-person Wochenkarte (a week ticket covering all means of transport) stands at €14 for lines within zone 100 (all of Vienna), but is fixed for the Monday to Sunday period. A one month pass is €49.50 and is valid from the first day of the month through the second day of the following month.

Note that children up to 14 years need not buy a ticket on Sundays, holidays and during Austrian school vacations. Children between 15 and 19 years of age need not buy a ticket on Sundays, holidays and during Austrian school breakss as long as they attend an Austrian school.

You can buy all kinds of tickets at machines or from counters in or near S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations and in the small shops selling tobacco and newspapers (Tabak). Ticket machines accept Visa/Mastercard credit and debit cards, as well as cash. In trams and buses, you can only buy single tickets, which are more expensive (€2.20 full fare, €1.10 for children). Stamp your ticket at the start of its first use (there are stamping machines on the buses and trams and near the entrances to the stations). You can use one ticket to go in one direction on as many lines as you like, for as long as it takes you to get there. You have to buy another ticket if you stop and get out or if you want to go back in the direction from which you came. Payment is by the honour system. Normally, you don't have to show the ticket or stamp it again when you board, but occasionally inspectors check for valid tickets. If you don't have one, its an instant €60 fine (plus the fare you were supposed to have paid).

If you're staying for a few days and hope to do lots of sightseeing or shopping, the Vienna Card (Wien Karte) [21] is a good deal. It costs €18.50 and is good for 72 hours of unlimited public transit within Vienna. The card also gets you discounts (typically €1 or €2 at the major museums and art galleries) to many attractions and shops. You can buy it at the airport, hotels, and underground stops. Other options for longer stays or multiple parties include weekly and monthly passes, and the eight person day card (i.e. good for one person for eight days, two people for four days, or four people for two days).

The eight person day card (8-Tage-Karte) for €27.20 gives eight non-consecutive days of unlimited travel on U-Bahn and trams until 1AM (just after midnight). There are eight blank lines on the Karte (ticket). Fold the ticket to the desired blank line starting with blank line numbered one. The ticket can be shared by people traveling together. Punch one line per person per day. Trams have a punch machine inside. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn have a punch machine at the entrance. You can travel to the Flughafen (airport) on the S-Bahn using this ticket with an additional €1.70 Außenzonen (outer zone) ticket.

Rail trips to the outskirts of Vienna may require additional fare. For example, a trip to or from the airport on the S7 line is a two-zone ride, requiring either a €3.40 advance purchase or a single zone (€1.70) ticket supplement to one of the timed-use Vienna tickets.

Because Vienna is one of those cities that never sleeps, a dense network of night buses is available for those who have a rather nocturnal approach to tourism. Since 2002, regular tickets may be used on these buses. Most terminate at "Kärntner Ring, Oper", which allows for easy interchange. Intervals are usually 30 minutes, with some busier lines (especially on Friday and Saturday night) going every 15 minutes. On summer nights, you can also use the S-Bahn between Flughafen Wien and Floridsdorf, which has a 60 minute interval.

U-Bahn

There are five U-Bahn (subway) lines – U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6. Contrary to popular belief, the U-Bahn lines are not numbered sequentially with a missing U5. The number refers to the district that the line originates from.

U1 (south – north direction)

Reumannplatz - Keplerplatz - Südtirolerplatz - Taubstummengasse - Karlsplatz - Stephansplatz - Schwedenplatz - Nestroyplatz - Praterstern - Vorgartenstraße - Donauinsel - Kaisermühlen (Vienna International Centre) - Alte Donau - Kagran - Kagraner Platz - Rennbahnweg - Aderklaaer Straße - Großfeldsiedlung - Leopoldau

U2 (south – north direction)

Karlsplatz - Museumsquartier - Volkstheater - Rathaus - Schottentor - Schottenring - Taborstraße - Praterstern - Messe Prater - Krieau - Stadion

U3 (west – east direction)

Ottakring - Kendlerstraße - Hütteldorfer Straße - Johnstraße - Schweglerstraße - Westbahnhof - Zieglergasse - Neubaugasse - Volkstheater - Herrengasse - Stephansplatz - Stubentor - Landstraße (Wien Mitte) - Rochusgasse - Kardinal-Nagl-Platz - Schlachthausgasse - Erdberg - Gasometer - Zippererstraße - Enkplatz - Simmering

U4 (southwest – north direction)

Hütteldorf - Ober Sankt Veit - Unter Sankt Veit - Braunschweiggasse - Hietzing (Tierpark) - Schönbrunn - Meidling Hauptstraße - Längenfeldgasse - Margaretengürtel - Pilgramgasse - Kettenbrückengasse - Karlsplatz - Stadtpark - Landstraße (Wien Mitte) - Schwedenplatz - Schottenring - Roßauer Lände - Friedensbrücke - Spittelau - Heiligenstadt

U6 (south – north direction)

Siebenhirten - Perfektastraße - Erlaaer Straße - Alterlaa - Am Schöpfwerk - Tscherttegasse - Philadelphiabrücke (Bhf. Meidling) - Niederhofstraße - Längenfeldgasse - Gumpendorfer Straße - Westbahnhof - Burgasse–Stadthalle - Thaliastraße - Josefstädter Straße - Alser Straße - Michelbeuern–Allg. Krankenhaus - Währinger Straße–Volksoper - Nußdorfer Straße - Spittelau - Jägerstraße - Dresdner Straße - Handelskai - Neue Donau - Floridsdorf 77.119.65.196 15:43, 3 December 2008 (EST)

By car

Avoid driving a car within the central ring if possible. While cars are allowed on many of the streets there, the streets are narrow and mostly one-way. They can be confusing for a visitor and parking is extremely limited (and restricted during the day). Due to the comprehensiveness of the transit system, you most likely will not need a car within Vienna, except for excursions elsewhere.

Furthermore, it might be a good idea to leave your car at home during rush hours. Vienna's streets can become a little clogged in the mornings and early evenings and the drivers are not really known for being especially polite and friendly.

Pedestrians have the right of way in crossing all roads at a crosswalk where there is no pedestrian signal present. If there is such a pedestrian crossing on an otherwise straight section of the road, there will be a warning sign – you are required to yield to any pedestrian on this crossing! Austrians accustomed to experienced local drivers will step out with little thought and force you to stop, so slow down here and be careful! When driving in a neighborhood this "right of way to pedestrians" is an understood rule at every intersection, although pedestrians will be more careful before they step out. Again, be on the lookout for this – if you see a pedestrian waiting to cross, you should stop at the intersection for him or her.

By bicycle

Cycling is another option for travelling within Vienna. Vienna's compact size makes cycling attractive. On a bicycle you can reach most places of interest within half an hour. There are many bicycle paths and lanes along major streets, in parks, and by the rivers. However, it can be complicated to cross town because the lanes follow illogical routes.

If your destination is in the outer suburbs, you may consider taking your bike on the U-Bahn (except in rush hour when it's forbidden!) or suburban trains (S-Bahn, regional trains), for your bike you need to buy a children's ticket. A company called PedalPower offers guided bicycle tours, or bicycle rental deliveries to your hotel (or you can pick them up at the Prater for a discount).

• CityBike [22]: The city also offers free or low-cost short-term "CityBike" rentals at various fixed locations near the central city. You need a credit card to rent a bike or get a Touristcard for €2 a day. You can sign up to the CityBike service at any CityBike station or more conveniently online. The first hour is free, the second one costs €1. Registration costs €1, but counts as credit for the first payment you have to make. If you interrupt your trip for longer than 15 minutes, the following rental will be counted as a new first hour.

On foot

Walking can also be very pleasant. The inner ring is quite compact with lots of pleasant cobblestoned and paved streets. It can be crossed in about 20 minutes.

Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes as this is the most common way of getting around.

Talk

Viennese speak Austrian German, though there is a special Viennese accent all its own. Standard (Northern) German however, the version usually studied by English speakers, will everywhere be readily understood. People in jobs dealing with foreign visitors usually are fluent in English, though English is not as universally spoken as in northern European countries, and signs (including descriptive signs in museums) don't as often include English translations as in some other European countries, so those who don't speak German may find a traveler's phrase book or billingual dictionary useful.

See

Museums

• Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) [23], €10 (students €7.50 / map €0.50) – Picture Gallery daily except Monday 10AM–6PM, Thursday 10AM–9PM, U2: Babenbergerstrasse; U3: Volkstheater; tram D, J, 1, 2, bus 57A: Burgring Maria-Theresien-Platz (entrance), phone 525 24 0. One of the world's greatest art museums and in a palace that's a work of art itself. Like the Louvre, serious art fans may wish to devote more than a day to its treasures. The mother of all Austrian museums – there is no other word to describe the "Kunst" other than mind boggling. It contains a world-class exhibit of the Habsburgs' art collection, including Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bosch, and Brueghel. Its, at the very least, a full day’s worth of sightseeing, if you intend to go through it thoroughly and attempt to ponder the importance of each major work. The better approach here is to break up sections of the museum and visit them over a series of days, or if that’s not an option, pick one section and concentrate on it alone. Beginning with another section of the museum, it’s possible to have a lunch or light dinner in the café and then continue through the Picture Gallery until closing time (especially on Thursdays, because the Picture Gallery is open until 9PM). The Museum has an excellent collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. The coin & medals collection is also exhaustive in its scope. The Museum cafe is a bit pricey, but good, and in a beautiful setting. Like the Louvre, hand-held photography is permitted to help store and recall the numerous mind-boggling beautiful works of art at the Kunst.

• Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury) [24] – Located in the Neue Hofburg, the Schatzkammer (also known as the Secular and Ecclesiastical Treasures) is the best part of the Hofburg and an absolute must on any tour of Vienna. It contains the Habsburgs' collection of jewels, crowns, and other valuables — perhaps the best on the Continent. Second only to a tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum itself, of which the Schatzkammer is officially a part, there are 20 rooms of priceless treasures that give a fairly accurate feel for Habsburg court life over the centuries.

• The New Palace (Neue Hofburg) – The New Palace is the newest and largest section of the Imperial Palace. It contains the Ethnological Museum and three branches of the Museum of Fine Arts. The Ephesus Museum contains classical art from Asia Minor. The Collection of Historical Musical Instruments is self-explanatory, but the jewel of the New Palace is the Collection of Arms. This collection, second largest in the world, houses an immense and exhaustive representation of weaponry from past centuries.

• The Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27 (Take tram D, stop Belvedere), ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 79 557 0 (info@belvedere.at), [25]. Open daily 10AM–6PM. Intended as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere was located outside the city walls. Its two palace segments, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, later became the permanent home of the Austrian Gallery. The Oberes Belvedere (Upper) contains recent Austrian and international art from the past two centuries. Viennese art from the early twentieth century is well-represented in the permanent collection "Vienna around 1900 and the Art of the Classical Modern." The Orangerie houses temporary exhibits and a collection of medieval tapestries is located in the former stables. The tapestry collection in on view from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon, so plan your visit accordingly.  edit

• The Imperial Furniture Collection – Vienna Furniture Museum, Andreasgasse 7, 1070 Wien, phone: +43-1-524 33 57-0. Opening Hours: Tu–Su 10AM–6PM. Wheelchair-accessible. The museum houses the largest furniture collection in the world. It's located just off bustling Mariahilfer Strasse. Take the orange underground line U3 (alight at Zieglergasse, take the Andreasgasse exit). The exhibit displays furniture for all the Austrian emperors since Charles VI (the father of Maria Theresa), furniture by the Thonet Brothers, Jugendstil, and the Viennese Modernist movement. In addition, they show other contemporary Austrian architects and designers, such as E.A. Plischke, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, Luigi Blau, and Franz West. Besides the permanent furniture collection, the museum also hosts two to three temporary special exhibitions on furniture design and photography each year. You can purchase a single ticket or a "Sisi Ticket," which allows you entrance to the Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection in the Hofburg.

• MAK - Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art [26], Stubenring 5, 1st District, phone: +43-1-711 36-0, open: Tu 10AM-midnight (MAK - NITE(c)), W-SU 10AM-6PM. Closed on Monday. Free admission on Saturday. The museum has the MAK Design Shop and a study collection. The museum exhibits contemporary art, design, and architecture. To get there take the Subway U3, Tram 1, 2, bus 1A, 74A to Stubentor, and U4 to Landstrasser Hauptstrasse, City Airport Train from the airport to Bahnhof Wien Mitte. Also part of the MAK is the Depot of Contemporary Art [27] (Gefechtsturm Arenbergpark) in the 3rd district Dannebergplatz/Barmherzigengasse. To get there take bus 74A to Hintzerstrasse or U3 to Rochusgasse. Open every Sunday from May 4 – November 30, 2PM-6PM. Exhibited works include spatial interventions and objects by international artists specifically developed for the MAK. A lovely addition to a visit to MAK is popping over the road for a coffee at the 100-year old Cafe Pruekel.

• KunstHausWien (Vienna House of the Arts) [28], Untere Weißgerberstrasse 13, open daily 10AM–7PM (Every Monday regular admission is half off), Tel: +43-1-712 04 91. To get there, take the street Tram O/N and get off at Radetzkyplatz. Even an avowed hater of modern art can appreciate the KunstHausWien, Hundertwasser's (born Friedrich Stowasser in 1928) major contribution to the Viennese art world. In a time when artists often try to shock the public or merely impress other members of the rarefied gallery subculture, Hundertwasser's manifesto rings out as an utterly reasonable plea: The architecture of KunstHausWien would be a bastion against the dictatorship of the straight line, the ruler and T-square, a bridgehead against the grid system and the chaos of the absurd. Starting with the façade of the building, adapted from its prior life as a furniture factory, there is a Gaudi-in-Barcelona feel to the place. Windows peek out like eyes from curvy, rounded plaster and colorful paint. It's a Disneyland for grownups! Do not miss the Hundertwasserhaus and the shopping village situated about 300m from KunstHausWien.

• Hundertwasserhaus [29] This interesting apartment/office complex is located 5–10 minutes east of the Wien Mitte U-Bahn stop. You can also take tram N, stop Hetzgasse.

• Museumsquartier (The Museum District) [30] is the new cultural district of Vienna since 2001. Though a lot of museums and cultural institutions are situated there, it is not only a place for art. It is also an urban living space and people go there to spend some time, sitting in one of the cafés or perhaps playing boccia. The Leopold Museum [31] and the MUMOK [32] are situated there. If you are interested in visiting a couple of these museums, combination tickets available at the MQ entrance will be cheaper than buying them individually at museum entrances. Note that MUMOK and Leopold has a strict policy of not allowing big bags inside the museum. Even your cameras (unless they can be tucked inside a small carry bag) will have to be deposited outside. MUMOK has a self service locker, which you might want to use when visiting Leopold, since Leopold charges €1 per person for the "cloak room" service. Within MQ you can use the free wireless LAN provided by Quintessenz [33].

• Pathologisch-anatomisches Bundesmuseum Wien (Pathological and Anatomical State Museum) [34] Open Wednesday 3PM–6PM and Thursday 8AM-11AM. On top of restricted hours, the Narrenturm can be hard to find. Housed in a squat tower, which once was an insane asylum (the "Narrenturm" ("Fool's Tower"), this museum contains some of the dustier corners of the annals of medicine. You'll find preserved hydrocephalic infants, wax castings of tertiary syphilis, antique medical devices, and even a laryngeal tuberculous ulcer. The gift shop sells postcards depicting the best of these. Of similar character is the Josephinum [35], take trams 37-38, 40-42.

• Technical Museum [36] – This newly renovated museum near the Schoenbrunn Palace exhibits machines, transportations, electronic equipment, and the like from their first design up to their current form. It also depicts the development of Vienna as a city, on all its technical aspects (recycling, power, sewage, etc). The museum is huge (22,000 square meters) and requires at least two hours to go through. Take trams 10, 52, 58, stop Penzinger Strasse.

• Natural History Museum [37] – This museum was erected as a mirror to its twin museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts). It exhibits various minerals (eg. a collection of meteorites), fossils, stuffed animals, and skeleton reconstructions (among others, dinosaurs' skeletons). It also includes an anthropological section, where you can see the beautiful Venus of Willendorf (which is 25,000 years old!).

• Haus der Musik (The Music House) [38] This relatively new museum is a special museum, in that it attributes great value to interactive learning experience. It covers the history of the Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, the history of Vienna as a centre of music making (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert and others are documented). In addition there are the more experimental sections of futuristic composition (The Brain Opera) and sound experiences. Highly recommended! Look for the happy hour. Take U1, U2, U4, trams 1,2, 62,65, J and D, stop Karlsplatz/Opernring.

• Albertina [39]– Once a palace, it is now the most popular exhibition space in Vienna, mainly for traditional modern art. The building itself is an experience as well. It is home to a valuable drawing collection, including many works of the German Renaissance painter, Dürer.

• Museum am Schottenstift (Museum at the Scottish Monastery) [40]; only in German). A nice, small picture gallery mainly of Baroque Austrian painting. Take U2, trams 1,2,37-38,40-44, D, stop Schottentor.

• Liechtenstein Museum [41]– A private collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, it is exhibited in his once Viennese Residence. The richly decorated picture gallery mainly exhibits Baroque paintings, with a nice portion of Rubens. You can get there either with tram line D, stop Seegasse or about 10 minutes by foot from U2 subway stop Schottentor.

• Gemäldegalerie (Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts) [42]; only in German) – A gallery owned by the Academy of Fine Arts, to which Hitler applied before he decided to change to politics. It offers some paintings of Rubens and Bosch. Most interesting are the Renaissance and medieval exponents.

• Freud Museum, Berggasse 19 (Near the Schottentor subway stop (U2) – 10 minute walk, or take tram D, stop Schlickgasse), ☎ +43 1 319 15 96 (office@freud-museum.at, fax: +43 1 317 02 79), [43]. Daily from 9AM–5PM. This small museum is situated in Freud's historic flat, where he practiced psychoanalysis for almost his whole life. However, the collection is limited mostly to documents of various kinds relating to Freud's life; almost all of the flat's contents, including the famous original couch, went along with Freud to London when he fled the Nazis in 1939 and are now in the Freud Museum there.  edit

• Vienna Museum [44] – A museum documenting Vienna's history. It is split into several branches with its main branch at Karlsplatz.

• Otto Wagner used to be the most prominent Viennese architect at the turn of the 20th Century. Two museums are dedicated to his work. At the Wagner Villa, [45]; only in German) you can see his private lodging in a very eccentric design. The villa is also beautifully located in the woods. In the rooms some paintings of Fuchs are exhibited, a painter who bought the house from the Wagner family. His painting were surprisingly influenced by the style of the villa... You can get there with tram number 49 (last stop). Another museum is the Otto Wagner Museum [46] is located at the post office of his original design. At this museum you can see the more serious aspect of his artistic enterprise, that of public life. At the museum you can see some of the original furniture as well as his plans. Near the Schwedenplatz U1 stop (trams 1,2, 21, N).

• Museum of Military History [47] – A huge museum near the southern railway station featuring weapons and military maps from different periods. You can also see the open-top car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the last Austrian prince, was shot in Sarajevo. His death triggered the World War I and the downfall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the same room as this is the visibly blood-stained jacket he was wearing at the time of the incident. Near the Southern Railway (Suedbahnhof), trams 18, D, O.

• Jewish Museum [48] – A museum documenting Vienna's rich Jewish life including Zweig, Freud, Herzl, Mahler, and Schoenberg. Three sites are available for one combined ticket: two museum sites and the main synagogue. Attached to the museum at Judenplatz are the archeological remains of a medieval synagogue. The Stadttempel, the only historical synagogue in Vienna to have survived World War II, is accessible on through the guided tour. Call ahead for times.

• If you are looking for exhibitions of modern art apart from the MUMOK and MAK there are several other places you could visit: MOYA[49] – The Artists' House [50] – The House of the Arts (see Hundertwasser above) – Atelier Augarten (a branch of the Belvedere) – Kunsthalle (Exhibition Hall) - there are two of them, both branches of the Museum District (MQ) and the Generali Foundation [51] – Essl Collectionin Klosterneuburg (see below).

• Film Museum [52] – Also used as a cinemateque for showing special films. This is an extraordinary related museum is a private museum dedicated to the cult film "The Third Man" shot in Vienna. By the way, this film often plays at the Burgkino at the centre [53].

• Mozart House (Mozarthaus Vienna), Domgasse 5 (Take the U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz. The Mozarthaus is located east of the cathedral), ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 512 17 91 (tickets@mozarthausvienna.at, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 512 17 91-91), [54]. Open daily from 10AM–7PM. This is the Viennese residence of Austria's most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a branch of the Vienna Museum.  edit

• Small Museums – There are plenty of small museums that follow special interests and are operated privately by the districts or societies. They range from a museum on abortion to the world's only museum on heating systems.

Castles and Palaces

• Schloss Schönbrunn – [55] Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, it is not far from the city centre and easy to get to by public transportation: You can take the underground U4 (green line) and get off at Schönbrunn; If you plan on catching a tram, take 10, 58, and detrain at Schönbrunn. Otherwise, take the 10A bus and alight at Schönbrunn. Schönbrunn is the ultimate palace experience in Vienna, because the Habsburg summer palace can be found here. It is comparable in grandeur to Versailles and is definitely a must-see in Vienna. Its gardens and zoo (the oldest in the world, built for Maria Theresa’s husband in 1752) alone are worth a lengthy visit. The palace has also seen its fair share of excitement over the years, including a meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khruschchev at the height of the Cold War. The Palace Park offers a lot of attractions, such as the Privy Garden, a Maze and Labyrinth, and the top-of-the-hill Gloriette with its Panorama Terrace. There are two possible tours available without a guide (though guides are available): the Imperial Tour showing 22 rooms and the Grand Tour showing 40 rooms. The price of admission includes an audio or written guide. The shorter tour of Schönbrunn Palace takes you into the west wing of the palace including the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), as well as the imposing state rooms in the central wing. With the Grand Tour you can visit, in addition to those rooms included on the Imperial Tour, the 18th-century rooms from the time of Maria Theresa. No photos, video taping, or backpacks allowed inside. The palace is wheelchair-accessible and is open all year round:

- Apr 1—Jun 30: 8:30AM–5PM

- Jul 1—Aug 31: 8:30AM–6PM

- Sep 31—Oct 31: 8:30AM–5PM

- Nov 1—Mar 31: 8:30AM–4:30PM

• Hofburg Palace, (To get there, take the underground: the nearest underground station is U3 Herrengasse; tram: Lines 1, 2, D, J, alight at Burgring; bus: Lines 2A or 3A, alight at Hofburg), [56]. This immense palace complex grew into a large, unwieldy series of buildings over the years and was the imperial residence of the Habsburg emperors until 1918. What began as a medieval castle (whose chapel is the only original element of that building to survive) was expanded and redecorated as the Habsburgs’ power increased correspondingly. The Palace Stables and Amalia’s Wing were added in the sixteenth century. The Imperial Chancery Wing, Court Library, and Spanish Riding School was added in the eighteenth. In the last century, St Michael’s Wing was tacked on and around 1900 the New Palace was completed. The contents of each separate building contain so many treasures that the time spent moving from one to another is like opening box after box of fabulous jewels – it's difficult to know when to stop. The Imperial Palace itself now houses the offices of the Austrian President, a convention center, and the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner stallions. The Palace also houses several museums which are open to the public, including the "Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum and Imperial Silver Collection" (Kaiserappartements, Sisi Museum, Silberkammer) where you can visit 22 state rooms (open daily from 9AM-5PM; July-Aug: 9AM-5:30PM. The museums are wheelchair-accessible). These are the residential and state apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph I. and Empress Elisabeth (popularly known as Sisi) and show 19th-century imperial life. The Imperial Silver Collection displays unique items of the glittering world of imperial dining. You can purchase a single ticket for all three museums or purchase the "Sisi Ticket", which entitles you to visit the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg with Audio Guide (Imp. Apartments, Sisi Museum, Imp. Silver Collection), and Imperial Furniture Museum.  edit

Religious buildings

• Karlskirche, Kreuzherrengasse 2, (kontakt@karlskirche.at), [57]. M-F from 09.00-12.30 and 13.00-18.00. Sunday and holidays: 12.00-17.45. Largest Baroque cathedral north of the Alps, designed by the famous architect Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Frescos done by Michael Rottmayr and paintings from the Italian Baroque painters Sebastiano Ricci and Giuseppe Antonio Pellegrini, and the Austrian painter Daniel Gran.  edit

• Kapuzinerkirche, 1010 Wien, Tegetthoffstraße 2, ☎ 512. daily 10.00 to 18.00, 1 and 2 November closed. Notable mainly as the site of the Kaisergruft, a mausoleum housing the tombs of generations of Habsburg royalty. Adults €4.00; Families €9.00; Seniors, Students, Groups €3.00; Students under 14 €1.50.  edit

• Jesuitenkirche, 1010 Wien Dr-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 1, ☎ 5125232. 7.00-18.30 daily. Has one of the most elaborate Baroque interiors in Europe.  edit

• Augustinian Friars' Church (Augustinerkirche), Josefsplatz 1. Facing the sculpture in the center of the square, the entrance is small and easy to miss – it's on the left hand wall of the square. Yet another example of the gruesome divide-and-conquer burial strategy of the Habsburg dynasty. It's said that other dynasties waged countless wars to acquire new lands, but "you, happy Austria, marry." Even in death the Habsburgs placated three different churches with the honor of caring for their remains. The best known, the Kapuzinergruft, contain their actual bodies. St Stephens holds their innards (intestines and other parts taken out during the preservation process). But the Augustinerkirche holds, in the Herzgruft (Heart Crypt), all the Habsburgs' hearts. Tours of the Herzgruft are available Monday through Friday at 11AM and 3PM. The tradition began in 1627 with Emperor Ferdinand IV, who wanted to "lay his heart at the feet of the Mother of God" - literally. His heart, and those of his descendants, are preserved in silver jars which are carefully cared for by the Augustinian friars who run the church. When the renovation was underway it was found that the preservative in some of the caskets had evaporated over the years, leaving nothing but a dried-out, mummified heart.  edit

• Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Stephansplatz (U1, U3: Stephansplatz), ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 515 52-3526, [58]. High Mass: Sun and public holidays 10:15AM, in Jul and Aug 9:30AM, Guided tours of the Cathedral in English: Mon-Sat 3:45PM, Catacombs (only with guided tours): Mon-Sat 10AM-11:30AM and 1:30PM-16:30PM; Sun and public holidays 1:30PM - 6:30PM; North Tower (great bell): Nov-Mar 8:30AM-5PM, Apr-Jun and Sep—Oct 9AM-6PM, Jul and Aug 9AM-18:30 p.m. South Tower: daily 9AM-5:30PM. Yet another patchwork of architectural styles, but predominantly Gothic. None of the original construction remains—the oldest extant sections are the thirteenth century Giant Gate (Riesentor) and Towers of the Heathens (Heidentürme), both of which are Romanesque. The 448 ft South Tower (Südturm), often known by its Viennese diminutive Steffl (also a nickname for the entire cathedral), was finished in 1433. This is where the Pummerin, a huge bell cast from melted-down Turkish cannons, hangs. Steffl's intended twin, the North Tower (Nordturm), was never finished. In 1511, building in Gothic style ceased due to being out of fashion. Over fifty years later, in 1579, a Renaissance spire was added to the Nordturm to make it look less like the builders had stormed off the job. The main altar has a Baroque panel showing St. Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr. The organized tour is worth it, since some of the finest works of art in the cathedral can only be seen with a guide, such as Emperor Frederick III's red marble sepulchre and the immense Gothic carved Altar of Wiener Neustadt. The aborted North Tower has an observation deck with an amazing view of downtown Vienna. Nearby is the entrance to the catacombs, where legions of bishops and Habsburg body parts are buried (the intestines, specifically).  edit

• Votivkirche, 1090 Wien, Rooseveltplatz 8 (U2 Schottentor), ☎ 14061192, [59]. One of the most important Neo-Gothic religious architectural sites in the world, constructed between 1856 and 1879. (48°12′55″N,16°21′31″E) edit

• The Wotruba Church — A beautiful cubist church on the top of a hill overlooking the woods. There is also an open air planetarium next to the church. To reach the church, take tram 60 to the Maurer Lange Gasse stop and then follow Maurer Lange Gasse up the hill until you see the green signs which point the way to the church. The walk is about ten minutes.

• Kirche am Steinhof — A special church constructed by the Viennese master architect, Otto Wagner. It is situated in a psychiatric hospital on the hills near the wood overlooking Vienna. Very beautiful! Take bus 48a.

• The Old Synagogue — Underneath the Judenplatz (The Jewish Square), you'll find this underground medieval synagogue excavation. Amazingly, the synagogue was destroyed centuries ago, but its existence was remembered by the area's inhabitants up to the 20th Century. If you are interested in Vienna's Jewish side you can buy a combined ticket with the Jewish Museum and the Stadttempel, a well preserved 19th Century synagogue, which is being used as the main city's synagogue by the current growing Viennese Jewish community.

Other attractions

• Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek), Josefsplatz 1, ☎ 01/53410-348, [60]. Card catalogs may be an anachronism in today’s digitized world, but the Austrian National Library had the first one in existence, invented by the Habsburg court librarian. Unlike the printed library catalogs of the past, bound into book form, the card catalog could be rapidly updated and the library kept up-to-date. This well-ordered reader’s paradise has a collection that outshines many museums, thanks to its long association with the Habsburg imperial family. It gained an impressive collection when Emperor Josef II dissolved all the empire's monasteries – 300 manuscripts, 3,000 printed books, and 5000 diplomata. The library’s collection is approximately six million items strong and is the largest in Austria. It is a pioneer in digitalizing and placing its collection online. The oldest book in the collection is a fifteenth century Holy Gospels manuscript with scenes representing the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) containing the coats of arms of the House of Austria, Styria, Tirol, and Carinthia, then ruled by Albrecht III, the book’s owner.  edit

• Chapel of the Imperial Palace (Burgkapelle) — The original chapel of the Palace, built in Gothic style 1447-1449, was made over in Baroque style. On Sundays and Catholic holidays (of which the Austrians celebrate many), the Court Musicians perform here. This group is made up of members from the Vienna Boys Choir, as well as performers from the orchestra and choir of the Vienna State Opera.

• Parliament — The guided tours in German or English language cost €4 (2€ for students) [61]. Open only when not in use by Parliament.

• Haus des Meeres Aquarium Zoo [62] is a marvelous zoo, with a rain forest glasshouse, tiny apes, aquariums with sharks, and terrariums with reptiles and venomous snakes. It is situated in one of the leftover second world war air raid shelter, a so-called "Flakturm" [63] (check out these links: [64], [65] and [66]). The building carried formerly one of the first radar equipments and is designed to stand a direct bomb hit, an earthquake, and wind speeds up to an overpressure of ten bar. Now there is also a platform on top to allow nice views over the roofs of Vienna. Take U3, stop Neubaugasse.

• Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Pavilion — This city tram stop, designed by Otto Wagner, is located near the Secession Building and Naschmarkt. It is a good example of functional turn of the century architecture – ornate, yet useful. Wagner was one of the most influential architects in Vienna and his style was widely copied.

• Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) [67] — The Opera House is probably the most-beloved symbol of Viennese arts, and one of the first buildings to be rebuilt in the postwar era. It was built from 1861-1869 under the direction of architects Eduard van der Nüll and August von Siccardsburg for then-emperor Franz Josef I. The first performance was Don Giovanni, an opera by Austrian native Mozart, on 25 May 1869. Though now as well-loved as any member of the family, the architecture of the Opera was barely tolerated by the picky Viennese when it opened. Van der Nüll did not take these criticisms of his work lightly and committed suicide. A few weeks later, von Siccardsburg died of a heart attack. Doubly cursed, the Opera building succumbed to bombs less than 100 years later, during WWII. After ten years of Allied control after the end of the war, many cultural institutions reopened to celebrate the birth of the new Austrian state. This time the Opera opened with an adopted son of Vienna's work: Beethoven's Fidelio. The lush curtains and overall elegance contribute to the atmosphere of the Opera (even the nosebleed seats, so steeply pitched and close to the ceiling a nosebleed becomes a distinct possibility). Inexpensive standing room tickets are made available for every performance and sold the day of the performance. The line forms about 2 hours prior to the performance. Post-performance, have some torte at the nearby Sacher Hotel (see entry). Guided tours in a number of languages are offered throughout the desk. The line at the front side door forms about 1/2 hour before the tour.

• * Prater (Park) including the Giant Ferris Wheel,, (U1, tram O, 5, 21: Praterstern, S1-S3, S7, S15: Wien Nord), ☎ 729 54 30, [68]. May-Sep 9AM-midnight. The Prater Park began its life, as so many European parks did, as a carriage-riding area for the nobility. It is still a popular place to spend a weekend afternoon with family. An English engineering firm (Walter Basset) built the Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) from 1896-97. Others of the same era, built for world exhibitions and other parks in Chicago, London, Paris, etc. have long since been torn down. The Riesenrad has become a well-known symbol of Vienna, featured in many movies (most famously The Third Man; also Before Sunrise and Ethan Hawke) and picture postcards. It has 15 gondolas, some of which are incredibly ornate and large enough to host an extended family inside, offering a spectacular panorama of the city. The weirdest attraction in the Prater, though, is the Kugelmugel [69], a spherical house (diameter 7.68m) that, after failing to get a planning permit, declared independence from Austria. Originally built elsewhere, it was forcibly carted off to the Prater by Austrian authorities and now sits uninhabited and fenced off with barbed wire.  edit

• Secession Building [70], Friedrichstraße 12 (U-Bahn U1, U2, U4 (Karlsplatz)), Tel. 587 53 07-0, Tu-Fr 10-18, Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM, Thurs 10AM-8PM, Guided Tours Sat 3PM and Sun 11AM and by appointment. Architect Josef Maria Olbrich built this Jugendstil (German-style Art Nouveau) building 1897-98 as a display space for artists working in the new Secession artistic movement. It is topped by a giant, frothy golden ball, lovingly called "Krauthappel" by the Viennese, but the building was definitely not loved when it first opened. Notice a reactionary Viennese pattern here? The Opera building too was hated at first, but at least it wasn't called a "temple for bullfrogs" or "a bastard begot of temple and warehouse" as the Viennese Secession building was. The entryway features the motto of the Secessionist movement: Der Zeit ihre Kunst, der Kunst ihre Freiheit (To the time, its art, to the art, its freedom). Olbrich's mentor Otto Wagner, and also Gustav Klimt, whose astounding Beethoven Frieze is partially preserved in the basement, inspired the building’s design. The ceremonial front entrance is separate from the functional glass and steel exhibit hall in back. Entrance fee included with entrance to Belvedere Palace.

• The Schmetterlinghaus Hofburg Wien 1010 tel 01/5338570 or 01 5332018 fax 01 5322872 email info@schmetterlinghaus.at April - October : Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 10 - 16.45 Saturday Sunday & all public holidays 10 - 18.15 November - March: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 10 - 15.45 Saturday Sunday & all public holidays 10 - 15:45 Adults €5:50 Seniors €5 Students with ID €4:50 Children 3 - 16 years €3 [71], a tropical greenhouse with an amazing collection of live butterflies, will delight both children and adults.

• Spanish Riding School - Spanische Hofreitschule [72] was first mentioned in a document dated 1572 and is the only equestrian institute in the world which follows a Renaissance model of classical schooling. Eleves, or students, begin their training immediately after completion of Austrian primary education (age 15 or 16), and are expected to be both sporty and clever. The school takes its name from a Spanish breed of horse first mentioned in Roman writings. In 1562, Emperor Maximilian II brought some of these Spanish horses to Austria to found a royal stud farm in Kladrub (Bohemia), housing them for a time in the "Stallburg" (oldest section of the Imperial Palace). The present school location was built in 1572. In 1580, Maximilian's brother, Archduke Karl, founded the stud farm in Lipizza near Trieste (now Slovenia). Interest in elegant riding had been growing for about fifty years at that point. During Renaissance times, powerful gentlemen who had already conquered the worlds of finance and politics looked to the writings of antiquity for new learning and an educated lifestyle to which they could aspire. Horsemanship which followed the ancient models described by Socrates and others became the fashion. Xenophon (430 – 354 BC) wrote "Men who understand the art of horsemanship, in truth, look magnificent." Who wouldn't want that? In the new Winter Riding School (built 1729-35), tournaments, masked balls, and other entertainment was held, but this would soon draw to a close – the royal stud farms at Lipizza were threatened by Napoleon several times and twice the precious stud horses were evacuated to Hungary. No photos or video taping allowed.

• The Ring. The Ringstrasse, or Ring Street, circles the very heart of Vienna. Built on the location of the original city walls, its size is a good indication of how much the city has expanded since medieval times, but more importantly it is the most posh area of downtown. Elegant individuals stroll down the street (there really is no other way to move when walking along the Ring) and play the fashion-do/fashion don’t game under their breath before pausing at one of the innumerable cafes lining the way. A traditional Jause (morning coffee break, around 10AM) and then back to the business at hand, seeing and being seen: Vienna’s favorite pastime.

• Gasometer [73], (Directly at subway station U3 Gasometer, 8 minutes away from town-center and St. Stephens Cathedral). If you are interested in the combination of new modern with old historic architecture, take a trip to the gasometers that has been revitalized from gas-tanks to new multi-functional buildings. The gasometers are four former gas tanks, built as part of the Vienna municipal gas works Gaswerk Simmering in 1896-1899. They are located in the 11th district called Simmering. They were used from 1899 to 1984 as gas storage tanks. After the changeover from town gas to natural gas they were no longer used and were shut down. In the time between 1984 and 1997 the gasometers were used as a film location (James Bond: The Living Daylights) and as the location for raves known as Gazometer-Raves. They were revitalized from 1999 to 2001 by the architects Jean Nouvel, Coop Himmelblau, Manfred Wehdorn, and Wilhelm Holzbauer. Each gasometer was divided into several zones for living, shopping and entertainment. The historic outside wall was conserved. Several other facilities including a music hall, cinema, student accommodation, municipal archive, etc. are located inside the Gasometers. There are special guided tours with experts available for visitors.

• Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery), Simmeringer Hauptstrasse 234, phone 760 41. Graves of honor of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, Schönberg and others. Nov-Feb 8AM-5PM, March, April, Sept, Oct 7AM-6PM, May-Aug 7AM-7PM. Take the U3 to Simmering and then take tram 71 (there's even a Viennese expression "taking the #71 tram" as a euphemism for death) or 6 to get there. The tram stops are named after the cemetery gate next to it, "Zentralfriedhof 1. Tor" is where the old Jewish section is, "Zentralfriedhof 2. Tor" is the main gate. Mozart, Beethoven and other luminaries of the musical world (Schubert, Brahms, Strauss) are buried, or at least memorialized, here. Mozart's body is in a mass grave (as required by the law at that time) in another cemetery – but his memorial is located here with the others. The graves of the composers and other "Ehregräber" (graves of honor) are located in section 32C, near the main road leading from the church. The cemetery has served as a giant park for weekend ramblings since its creation. There are immense monuments shaped like 10ft tall iron canopy beds (within eye shot of the musicians memorial) and other unique shapes. Though it takes some time to get out to the Zentralfriedhof (25 to 30 Minutes total from Stephansplatz), it is worth the trip.

• Lainzer Tiergarten — It's a beautiful natural reserve at Vienna's border with the woods. This reserve used to be the Emperor's private hunting wood with the fancy "Hermesvilla" - the favorite mansion of Empress Sisi in Vienna. Nowadays, the major part of the park is closed in the winter time, but in summer you can see wild pigs, deer, and many Viennese families. For the easiest park entrance take tram 49 to its last stop. Then you need to walk for about 5 minutes until you reach the Nikolaitor. However in Winter or when you want to visit the mansion you have to take tram 60 or 62 to Hermesstrasse station and then change to bus 60B (Note: this bus goes only every half hour during the week). Take the bus to the final stop - just a 5 minute ride - to reach the "Lainzertor" (actually the main gate of Lainzer Tiergarten, which also features a small visitors center). The park is usually open from 8 until dusk (precise opening timetables are posted at each entrance) but all gates - except Lainzertor - are closed for a winter break from mid-November until mid-February.

• Hietzing — A residential area which used to be a village once, but gained importance as the Schönbrunn Palace, was erected nearby. A very beautiful area for a stroll among old villas. Stop - Hietzing (U4, trams 10, 58 and 60), then walk.

• Türkenschanzpark — A very beautiful park commemorating the Austrian victory on the Turks near the city boundary. Nowadays, a tranquil resort in the heart of a nice cluster of villas. Take tram 41 or bus 10A, get off at Türkenschanzpark.

• The Danube Island [74], only in German] — Home to Europe's biggest Rock festival. In Summer, this is a very nice park with a lot of Viennese bathers. There are also floating pubs on the Danube. A nice experience! Take U1, stop Donauinsel.

• Karl Marx' Court is a socialist building complex from the beginning of the 20th Century and is fascinating for people interested in architecture. Take tram D or U4 to Heilgenstadt.

• Soviet Victory Monument — An imposing Soviet style monument near Karlsplatz commemorates the Soviet victory in Vienna over the Nazi army. Take trams 1, 2, 71, D, J stop at Schwarzenbergplatz.

Do

• Wiener Metropol [75] is a beautiful little theatre in the heart of "Hernals", mostly frequented by Viennese themselves.

• The Naschmarkt, right at the U4 subway station "Kettenbrueckengasse", is the biggest of Vienna's 22 market places and provides a unique blend of typical Vienna costumely and oriental flair. Stroll through the market and be part of the amazing ambiance. If you like to cook, you will find all the spices you could possibly want at the Naschmarkt. The side of the Secession tends to be more touristy (and thus more expensive) than the side of the "Kettenbrueckengasse". Remember that it is illegal to export antiquities outside of Austria, even if you legally buy them at a market. A nice part of the Naschmarkt are the small restaurants with fresh Italian, Japanese, Greek, and Turkish food. In the summer, they have nice open-air gardens.

• Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben), [76]. . The Vienna Boys Choir was founded at the pleasure of the Habsburgs. On 20 July 1498, Emperor Maximilian decided to hire six singing boys, the first permanent boys choir attached to the court. He also made arrangements for their education – fringe benefits that are difficult to get from a modern employer. The choir served the monarchy until its demise at the beginning of the first World War. The last Imperial Chaplain, Monsignor Josef Schnitt reestablished the Boys Choir as the "Vienna Boys Choir" in 1924 as a private institution. To earn money, the Choir began to perform outside the Imperial Chapel. Even though they are a not-for-profit organization, the rising costs of educating the choristers from a very young age as well as providing music and all the other variables required made establishing the Verein Wiener Sängerknaben necessary.  edit

• River and Canal tours — In the summer, it's just wonderful to hang out in Museumsquartier in the evenings. The big yard is filled with large fiberglass sofas you can use for free. Optionally, you can buy drinks at the open air bars there. Just ask for a glass you can take away so you can use the sofas. During the day, a visit to Burggarten is highly recommended if you are looking for a more alternative, young crowd. Buy something to eat and drink at a supermarket and join the others on the grass.

• In July and August, there's an opera film festival on the Rathausplatz. Each day, weather permitting, you can watch an opera on a huge open-air screen. On another part of the Square, there are plenty of food stalls (maybe a little overpriced) who offer Viennese, as well as international food. On pleasant summer evenings, the atmosphere can be quite relaxing.

• There are also a lot of other open-air-film festivals in summer, e.g. at the Augarten, the Vienna Turf Krieau, the Prater, and Schloss Neugebäude.

• In the summer, there is also the ImPulsTanz Festival [77] for contemporary dance & performance. They are also good if you are interested in dance workshops.

• The Lainzer Tiergarten (not Tiergarten at Schönbrunn) has several 2-10 km hiking trails, as well as a variety of wildlife. You can see the animals get fed at 2PM every day. Ask any park attendant where the location is.

• Football has a long and vivid history in Vienna. Until about 40 years ago, Austrian football was dominated by a large number of Viennese clubs. Since then, their strength has faded, reflecting the overall decline of Austrian football compared to other European football. Today, only two Viennese clubs are left in the Austrian top football division: Rapid Vienna and Austria Magna. Rapid have won the Austrian league 31 times, more than any other club. They are known as the people's club, having working class roots and regularly attracting fairly big crowds of around 15,000. Home fixtures are played at the Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion in the 14th district, right next to the subway station "Hütteldorf" (U4). Season usually starts in late July and ends in May, with a break in winter from early December until late February (due to cold weather). Tickets are available at the stadium, at various tobacco shops (Trafik) around town and also on the internet at Skrapid [78] (no English section available!). Ticket prices for league matches range from €18 to €26. Ladies, students, and children will receive considerable discounts. For a schedule of fixtures in English go to Soccerassociation [79], click "Austria" and "Bundesliga".</nowiki>

• ActiLingua Academy, (info@actilingua.com), [80]. . One of the leading schools for German as a foreign language located in the heart of Vienna. ActiLingua Academy offers year-round German courses for adults(16+) and summer school for teens aged 12-17 years. Further information online including free online German lessons for beginners and advanced learners, price calculator, brochure download, etc.  edit

Buy

• Naschmarkt with Flea Market, Linke Wienzeile (U4 stop Kettenbrückengasse). Flea market each Saturday 6AM-4PM, all over the year. Need used lederhosen? How about a doner kebab at the Naschmarkt or an Austrian war bond from the first World War? This is the place to go. It is primarily a flea market, though some stalls sell new items such as handwoven wicker baskets or food. Pick through the detritus of an imperial society - you never know what you'll find hidden under that stack of terrible fuzzy sweaters. Couture gowns, Communist medals from all the former Eastern Bloc countries, tobacco pipes, broken pocket watches: the flea market at the Naschmarkt is worth at least a full afternoon of your time. Flea markets are the best possible blend of high and low culture, and a way to truly get to know a city. Walk all the way from the flea market end of the Naschmarkt through the food stall end to arrive at the Secession building, located on the left close to the Karlsplatz metro stop.

• Mariahilfer Straße — The biggest shopping avenue in Vienna, featuring all kinds of stores, many flagship stores from international brands, etc. Stretches from the Museumsquartier to Westbahnhof and can be reached conveniently by subway through stations (east to west) Museumsquartier (U2), Neubaugasse (U3), Zieglergasse (U3), or Westbahnhof (U3/U6).

• Kärntner Straße and Am Graben — Those major shopping avenues in the Inner City bith start at St. Stephan's Cathedral and go south and west, respectively. The stores and brands are usually more luxurious than on Mariahilfer Straße. Go to Stephansplatz (U1) or Karlsplatz/Oper (U1/U2/U4).

• Kohlmarkt — A small street connecting Graben and Michaelerplatz with almost exclusively high-end luxury stores.

• Dorotheum [81] — The main auction site in Austria. Exhibits all sorts of furniture, art, jewelry, and much more. Highly recommended. There are several locations throughout the city, the main one being at Dorotheergasse 17 in the city center. The surrounding streets in this area offer a great many antique shops, where quality and prices tend both to be very high.

• Schleifmühlgasse — This little cobbled lane on the edge of the Fourth District is home to many excellent contemporary art galleries, as well as some fine restaurants, an English video rental shop, etc. Take any of the U-Bahnen to Karlsplatz and walk.

• Millennium City [82], only in German) — A medium-sized shopping mall near the bank of the Danube. Take the U6 or S-Bahn to Handelskai.

• Shopping City Süd [83], only in German) — One of the biggest shopping malls in Europe (the biggest by number of visitors) just outside of Vienna, housing a very wide range of stores and brands (it's not a factory outlet center though, prices are the same as in Vienna). Take either the Wiener Lokalbahn (also known as Badnerbahn) to Vösendorf-SCS or local bus lines (you need an additional ticket for going beyond city limits). A cheap alternative is the IKEA bus going nonstop from Oper/Karlsplatz to the IKEA store at the SCS every 90 minutes.

• Fresh Food Markets: [84]]] There are several farm markets in Vienna, where local farmers are allowed to sell their crops.

Christmas Markets

Most Viennese Christmas Markets ("Christkindlmarkt", "Adventmarkt" or simply "Weihnachtsmarkt") [40] are not so much for shopping as for drinking. From midday until the late hours of the night, people gather at Christmas markets to drink mulled wine, punch, and chat to one another and the occasional stranger.

• Rathaus - More of a fairground than a Christmas market, this is Vienna's largest and busiest incarnation.

• Spittelberg - Probably the most delightful, though often quite packed Christmas market in Vienna, the Spittelberg market is scattered over a series of lanes lined with picturesque early 19th century Biedermeier houses (many of them former brothels, which is the reason the area was spared early 20th century urban renewal). Some of the stalls are extensions of the shops and bars of this normally rather sleepy area.

• Maria-Theresien-Platz - A relatively new market between the two museums and en route to/from the MuseumsQuartier (MQ). It is easy to maneuver than some and the quality of the goods is better than most.

• Schönbrunn - One of the better markets with higher quality goods and a more festive atmosphere in front of Schönbrunn palace. It is easier to spread out here and the specialties are food, handmade soaps, and candles.

• Belvedere - Another recent addition to the city's Christmas markets, the market in front of the Belvedere palace is spacious and emphasizes the homespun.

• Resselpark/Karlsplatz - A small, alternative and more rambunctious Christmas market in front of Karlskirche.

• Freyung - A fine market in the First District frequented by locals and professionals on their lunch break and downtown shoppers. There are usually few tourists.

Further afield a famous and overly bustling Christmas market may be found at Grafenegg castle [www.grafenegg.at]. Entry is €7, children under the age of 12 are free.

Eat

Viennese restaurant menus offer a bewildering variety of terms for dishes, most of which the visitor will never have heard of and many of which aren't in the brief lists of menu terms included in phrase books. However restaurants that have any foreign patrons at all usually have an English menu, though you may have to ask for it: the phrase "English menu" usually will be understood even by wait staff who don't speak English. A small bilingual dictionary will be useful for trying to decipher menu listings: at least it will enable you usually to determine what sort of food (chicken, beef, potato, etc.) is concerned, even if you can't tell how it's prepared.

Viennese restaurant portions tend to be large. Recently many restaurants are including more vegetarian options. Most restaurants have daily specials listed on a chalk board or sometimes on a printed insert in the regular menu. These are usually the best bet, though they may not be on the English menu, so you may have to ask to have them explained or try to translate them yourself.

Bread in Viennese restaurants is usually charged as an extra; if there is a basket of it on the table, you'll usually be charged by the piece only if you take some.

Tipping customs are similar to those in Europe and America though tips are slightly smaller; ten percent is usually sufficient in restaurants. Traditionally the way to tip a waiter is to mention the amount of the bill plus tip when you pay; for instance, if the bill is Eur. 15.50 you could give the waiter a Eur. 20 note and say "siebzehn (seventeen)," meaning he is to take out Eur 15.50 for the bill, Eur 1.50 for the tip, and so give you only Eur. 3.00 change. In this situation English numbers will usually be understood. Sometimes in less formal restaurants you can alternatively drop the tip into the money pouch the waiter usually carries.

Credit cards aren't quite as commonly used in restaurants in Vienna as in Northern European countries, so ask if it's important to know before hand.

Smoking is ubiquitous in Vienna, and Austria hasn't yet implemented the sort of regulations limiting smoking that are increasingly common in many other countries, so the non-smoker may find it unpleasant to spend much, or any, time in many of Vienna's restaurants, bars, and cafes. Most establishments have outdoor seating in warm weather, but the tables are so close together and smokers so common that even there non-smokers may find themselves getting fumigated. The listings below will attempt to indicate some of the smokiest and most smoke-free establishments.

Budget

The traditional Viennese fast food is sausage in all shapes and sizes. You can buy hot sausages and hot dogs at snack bars called "Würstlstand" all over the town. The famous Wiener Würstel is known as "Frankfurter" in Vienna, but many inhabitants prefer Bosna (with onions and curry), Burenwurst, and Käsekrainer or "Eitrige" (with melted cheese inside).

In addition to this, the local snack culture also includes more Yugoslavian and Turkish varieties of fast food, such as the Döner Kebap, sandwiches of Greek and Turkish origin with roasted meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and yogurt and/or hot sauce. Places that sell kebap often sell take-away slices of pizza too.

Good kebaps can be bought at the Naschmarkt. The lower end of the Naschmarkt (further away from Karlsplatz or city centre) is cheaper than the upper end (closer to Karlsplatz), and the right lane (facing away from the city centre) is reserved for mostly sit-down eateries. Another good place to find snacks (especially while going out) is Schwedenplatz, also on the U4 and U1 line.

By far the cheapest way to get a fast food meal in Austria (and probably the only meal available for just over 1 euro) is buying an Austrian sandwich (sliced brown bread + ham/cheese + gherkin) from a supermarket. Supermarkets with a deli counter (Feinkostabteilung) will prepare sandwiches to take away at no extra charge. You only pay for the ingredients. There is usually a large selection of meat products, cheese, and bread rolls available here, too. You point at the combination you want, can also mention the max total you can pay, and then pay at the cash register. Freshness and quality are normally better than at a sandwich stand on the street.

You can buy excellent ice cream (Eis) at a number of places. Maybe the most popular is the Eissalon am Schwedenplatz [85] where you can choose from a lot of different flavors, but it's always crowded and you often have to stand in a queue for a few minutes. In the same district is the Zanoni & Zanoni Gelateria [86] located Am Lugeck, just down Rotenturmstrasse from Schwedenplatz towards the Stephansdom, popular with Viennese and tourists for its huge €2 cones to go.

A less crowded, but nevertheless excellent Eis address is Perizzolo in Tuchlauben. Another famous place for ice cream is Tichy [87] on the Reumannplatz (10th District), which is famous for its Eismarillenknödel (small dumplings of vanilla ice cream with an apricot core). You should also try Bortolotti [88] at Mariahilfer Straße 22 and 94. (The latter not open during winter!) - ask particularly for the Campari-Orange Icecream or look for other exotic stuff.

• Esterházykeller, Haarhof 1, ☎ 01/533-3482, [89]. Atmospheric old (since 1683) cellar restaurant serving good, cheap, wine, beer, and simple traditional food. Prices budget to moderate. A good place to go if you just want a drink and some grub, but still want to enjoy some local color.  edit

• Vegetasia, Ungargasse 57 and Kaiserstrasse 45, ☎ 01/ 713 8 33 2 and 523 1 091, [90]. Open daily 11:30AM-3PM and 5:30PM-11PM. Chain of vegetarian restaurants. Serves a huge variety of Taiwanese Buddhist vegetarian food (most of it vegan).  edit

• Vego, Neubaugasse 81, ☎ 01/522 59 07. Open daily 11:30AM - 3PM & 6:00PM - 11PM. Indian Vegetarian Restaurant that serves set meals from as low as €5,90. The food is absolutely delicious and you can also have mango lassi.  edit

• Cafe Restaurant Kent (Eat like the locals - eat Turkish!), Brunnengasse 67, A-1160 Wien. At first approach, this looks like a greasy kebab joint strictly for Turks... but struggle past the first room and you will find a large garden and huge restaurant serving moderately priced food with an infinite supply of free Turkish bread! Good for veggies and meat eaters alike. Also try the Turkish breakfast. Expect to pay under 10€.  edit

• Kolar, Laudongasse 8, 1080 Wien., [91]. Nice Pubs/Beisls. They have a tasty "Fladenbrot" and they offer their own beer.  edit

• Maschu Maschu 1, Rabensteig 8, 1010 Wien (close to the Schwedenplatz underground station), ☎ 01/533 29 04, [92]. So-Mi 11:30AM-midnight, Do, Fri, and Sat until 4PM.. Good for veggies and meat eaters alike. Maschu Maschu is an Israeli fast food joint that serves some of the best falafel in the world. A healthy and gut busting falafel and beer should cost around €7 and leave you set up for the day (they also serve a wide range of other Middle Eastern meals).  edit

• Maschu Maschu 2, Neubaugasse 20/Ecke Lindengasse 41, 1070 Wien (close to Neubaugasse undergroundstation), ☎ 01/990 47 13, [93]. 9:30AM-midnight. Much the same as the other Maschu Maschu, Maschu Maschu 2 is a trendy hang out place in the art student area of the city, and so it has a unique vibe of its own.  edit

• Mensa at the NIG, Universitätsstrasse 7, 7ht floor, 1st district, near the University of Vienna (Dr. Karl Lueger Ring 1), [94]. (NIG is the Neues Institutsgebäude - a house of the University of Vienna.) During the summer you can sit outside and enjoy the sun. You have a nice view over the roofs of Vienna. € 4,50.  edit

• Pizzeria Mafioso, 1150 Wien, Reindorfgasse 15.. The cheapest (but really good) pizza in town.  edit

• Tunnel, Florianigasse 39, A-1080 Wien, [95]. Really cheap, student's place. Nice breakfast, live music every day at around 9PM.  edit

• Cheap Sushi — In these really cheap but still decent enough places you can have sushi sets starting at around € 3.- and you can get stuffed for around € 6: Soya, Mariahilfer Straße 81, A-1060 Wien, ☎ +43 1 5860601.  edit, Natsu in the 6th district, Gumpendorfer Straße 45, A-1060 Wien, ☎ +43 1 5812700.  edit and another Natsu in the 7th district, Burggasse 71, A-1070 Wien, ☎ +43 1 5221903.  edit

• Cheap Supermarkets — If you have a very limited budget, the cheapest supermarkets are: Hofer [96] (recommended), Mondo [97], and Lidl [98].

• Chattanooga, Graben 29A, close to Stephansplatz, ☎ 9251185. Fast food versions of local food. Not bad if you are on a budget and do not have much time to spare. Mains at €9.  edit

• Wiener Deewan, 1090 Wien, Liechtensteinstraße 10 (Close to Schottentor subway station), ☎ 533500. Young, urban Pakistani restaurant: "all you can eat, pay as you wish." You can mix your own menu from a variety of curries, meat, rice, salads, and sauces.  edit

• The Highlander, Sobieskiplatz 4, 1090 Wien, [99]. Offers own beer and a nice variety of dishes (including vegetarian dishes) at a small square inside the 9th district. Might not be one of the cheapest in the cheap section, but definitely worth the price.  edit

• Schnitzelwirt Schmidt,, 7th district, Neubaugasse 52, [100]. Listed in nearly every Vienna guidebook and for good reason. The traditional Viennese food is excellent and served in truly prodigious portions, yet fairly cheap by Vienna standards (€5-€15 for a full meal). The Bauernschmaus ("Farmer's Feast"), a nearly incapacitatingly large schnitzel plate, which in combination with any of the wonderful on-tap beers, may necessitate an afternoon nap.  edit

Cheap speciality stores:

• Manner Factory Shops [101] (famous Viennese sweets, especially "Schnitten") 1170 Wien, Wilhelminenstrasse 6.

Mid-range

• Reinthaler 1 Gluckgasse 5, 1010 in the Innerstadt just south of the Kapuzinerkirche. One of the better traditional Beisl restaurants, with old fashioned food priced below comparable places. Daily specials usually include a couple of vegetarian options. Good non-smoking section.

• Pat's Brainfood Plankengasse 4, 1010 Wien, 0664/2038303 Mo-Thurs 11.30AM to 3.30PM, Fr 11.30AM to 3PM, closed weekends and holidays. [102] Tucked away on a little side street of Neuer Markt is this wonderfully creative and fresh soup and salad joint with a weekly rotating menu (see website) and take-away. Standing room only.

• Levante 1010 Wien, Wallnerstrasse 2, Tel. 533 23 26. Part of a world-wide (but small) chain which has several branches in Vienna. The one on Wallnerstrasse is full service and the most conveniently located for most visitors. Authentic Middle-Eastern restaurant serving mostly Turkish and Greek dishes with some Viennese daily specials. Good place for both meat-eaters, for the kebabs, and vegetarians, for the many Middle Eastern salads.

• WOK, Operngasse 20, 1040 Vienna, (just beside the Naschmarkt, directly opposite the Technical University Vienna) +43/1/585 21 02, daily 11AM-2:30PM, 5:30-11PM wok-vienna@aon.at, [103]. A nice and cozy restaurant offering a variety of South-East Asian cuisine. You can get Chinese, Thai, Malay, and Indonesian dishes. Also, you can ask the friendly owner if she would offer you some home-made dishes not available on the standard menu.

• Akakiko Singerstrasse 4, 1010 Wien [104]. Part of a local chain; the branch on Singerstrasse, just off the Graben, is conveniently located for visitors and is non-smoking. Informal and popular place serving authentic, reasonably priced Japanese and Korean dishes. The menu has a vegetarian section. Quick service by efficient waiters.

• Brezl-Gwölb, Ledererhof 9, 1010 Wien, (close to Am Hof and Judenplatz, between Färbergasse and Drahtgasse, a bit hidden) +43/1/533 88 11, info@brezl.at [105]. Daily 11:30AM-1AM. A very nice restaurant with a cellar dating back to the 17th century and the furniture consists of parts from three centuries. A place that deserves the label "gemütlich". They play classical music and serve some really unique dishes.

• Figlmüller, Wollzeile 5, 512 61 77, [106]. Daily 11AM-10:30PM. Famous for Wienerschnitzel. They claim to have the biggest schnitzel in the world. If you are not really hungry, one may easily be enough for two people (just ask for a second plate). Traditionally, you would want a potato salad with that.

• Le Bol, Neuer Markt 14, 0699 / 1030 1899 [107]. Fine French Provencal-style fare with a communal table at the center and a smoking section only at the back, goat cheese salad is highly recommended (€6,90).

• Kuishimbo, im Majolkahaus, U4 Kettenbrückengasse, Linke Wienzeile 40, A-1060 Wien, Mobile: 0699/1194.06.73. The smallest Japanese restaurant in town. All the dishes are home made. Owners claim that they pay attention to a proper balance of ingredients. Being full can also be healthy! The place is so small that there is no bathroom inside. You have to use the one on the Nashmarkt. The Japanese soups "Udon" are excellent. Drink included you will pay around €11.

• Mythos, Mariahilferstr. 111/Webgasse 45, ☎ +43 1 96 90 2111. Open daily 11AM-midnight. A nice family-run Greek restaurant open on Sundays and holidays, with a good variety of items to choose from. €5-20 per dish.  edit

• Supermarkets — Compared to America, for instance, most supermarkets are just medium-sized. But especially in Vienna you can find one at almost every corner (except for the first district where there are only a few, most prominently the large Julius Meinl on the Graben, see next section). These markets have regular prices: Billa, Zielpunkt, Spar. If you are looking for a more American-sized store try Merkur, especially the one at Mariahilferstraße/Kirchengasse. Most of these regular priced stores will prepare you sandwiches of your choice solely for the cost of their ingredients.

Splurge

• Hollmann Salon [108] Grashofgasse 3 / Heiligenkreuzerhof, 1st District. Phone +43 1 961196040 - essen@hollmann-salon.at Modern Austrian Cuisine in one of Vienna's most beautiful courtyards from the baroque period.

• Dukai in the Grand Hotel [109] Kärntnerring 9. On Saturday and Sunday they have a buffet of impressive standards where you will leave satisfied..

• Daihachi in the Hotel de France [110] Schottenring 3, 31 368. Sushi bar popular with business travellers. Serves fresh and tasty fish that comes at a high price.

• Procacci [111] - Göttweihergasse 2, 1010 Wien, 512 22 11, Bar: Mon-Sat 11.30 - 01 h; Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11.30 - midnight, closed Sunday Excellent northern Italian fare with a range of fine specialties. Slightly small portions but an extensive wine list to drown this particular sorrow in. Reservations recommended.

• Artner [112] - There are two incarnations of this famous winery's restaurants, one in the 4th district, Wieden, in Florgasse 6 (503 50 33, Mo - Fr: noon to midnight, Sa, Sun and holidays: 6PM to midnight) and a newer, slightly chicer one on Franziskanerplatz downtown (Franziskanerplatz 5, 503 50 34, Mo - Sun: 10AM-2AM), just opposite the Kleines Cafe. Both offer creative, fresh fare that tends to be on the lighter side than most Austrian cuisine. Excellent wine cellar, reservations recommended.

• Fabios [113] — Tuchlauben 6, 1010 Wien, Tel: +43 1 532 2222, fabios@fabios.at. Italian fish restaurant combined with bar/lounge for Vienna's glitterati. Quality is excellent, but prices are steep, with main courses around €30-35. Bar open Mon-Sat 10.00-01.00, restaurant 12.00-23.30. Closed Sun.

• Plachutta [114] — Wollzeile 38 is a very nice restaurant that specializes in beef. Try the Tafelspitz, it comes in a copper pan and still is in the soup it was cooked (the soup alone is worth a trip to Vienna). The chef claims that they prepare more than 100 kg of beef each day. Probably 3 to 5 waiters will be at your disposal. Reservation is recommended.

• Tenmaya [115] Krugerstrasse 3, 512 73 97, Open daily 11:30AM-2:30PM and 5PM-11PM. Traditional Japanese restaurant and setting that serves everything from kaiseki to teppanyaki. Reservations are recommended for this popular restaurant.

• Expensive Markets — If you feel the urgent need to buy delicacies, you can visit Meinl am Graben [116], a legendary store in the first district (1010 Wien, Graben 19). It is still worth a visit even if you don't intend to buy anything, because you will find things you probably never heard of! The store holds just about every kind of wine you can think of, has a great selection of pastas, chocolate, and cheese. Also Meinl am Graben has some of the best coffee around. The store has two stories of unexpected surprises.

• Why not go to the Danube Tower Restaurant on a sunny day and have a look over Vienna from the rotating restaurant. Take the U1 subway and get off at VIC / Kaisermühlen. Change to the bus line 20B and get off at the Danube Tower (you have to pay for the elevator first: €5.90 for adults).

Drink

Wine

New wine is usually enjoyed at a Heurigen (wine bar licensed to sell the new vintage). Austria in general, but especially the area around Vienna, produces quite a large amount of wine each year. It's not often exported and white is more common than red. Grüner Veltliner is a common white wine served almost everywhere. Officially the new wine season begins on November 11 (St Martin's Day), but as early as September, some partially-fermented new wine (called Sturm which is cloudy, because it has not been strained) is available around town in 2L green bottles (try the Naschmarkt – sometimes the vendors will have samples, it is less strong than wine, about 4 percent alcohol ). Taverns can call themselves Heurigens whether the wine they serve is their own or not – for genuine in-house product look for a Buschenschank. This is a particularly Viennese Heuriger which can only be open 300 days per year or until their supply of house-made wine runs out. Heurigen can be found e.g. in Grinzing, Sievering (19th district) and Mauer & Rodaun (23rd district) areas, but also in almost every suburban area in Vienna. Even in the center, there are some Stadtheurigen. While the Heurigen of Grinzing are bigger and more famous with tourists, they are often a rip-off. If any of the year’s vintage lasts until next year, it officially becomes Alte (old) wine on the next Saint Martin's Day. The Heurigen in the South of Vienna or in Perchtoldsdorf are much cheaper and serve the same quality as the Heurigen in Grinzing. Also in the Northern suburbs, you can find cheap and somewhat authentic Heurigen. Try the towns of Stammersdorf or Hagenbrunn, for example Karl Matzka [117], hard to reach by public transport.

After a long day, the perfect place to relax among Viennese are the Heurigen in the suburbs. Somewhat akin to a beer garden, except with wine, these tiny treasures are the only places authorized to serve new wine. New wine is made from the first pressing of the grape and can appear a little cloudy. Be careful, it's stronger than you might think! This is why it's served in very small glasses, .25L and up. Some Heurigen serve food, either elaborate Viennese specialties or very simple bread and cheese platters. No matter which one you choose, you're guaranteed to enjoy yourself. Just hop on a convenient outbound tram line, take it to the very last stop, and look for buildings with large, evergreen foliage hung over the doors. Each one is unique, but all are a good bargain. Locals invariably have a favorite: ask around.

Cafés

If you come to Vienna and don't try some coffee, you've missed one of the great reasons to come here. Vienna has a reputation for having an excellent coffee culture. You should at least visit one of the countless traditional 19th century coffee houses where you can sit down, relax, and have some coffee. But please, never just order "coffee", for you could deeply offend the Herr Ober, the "senior waiter" of the coffee house. Vienna prides itself of its dozens of varieties of different coffees: Order a "Kleiner Schwarzer" if you want black espresso, a "Kleiner Brauner" if you want espresso with a little milk, a "Melange" if you prefer a cappuccino-style mix of coffee and milk and a "Kaffee Verkehrt" (or in the more modern places a "Kaffee Latte") if you like latte macchiato-style coffee with lots of milk. Most cafés in addition to coffee serve beer and wine and sometimes liqueurs. Many serve meals, especially at lunch, and these are often cheaper than in restaurants.

Important: Unless you are at a takeaway coffe shop like Starbucks, never order coffee to go. All you'll probably get is a bewildered reaction by the staff. In Vienna, coffee definitely is slow food.

In the Innenstadt:

• Café Hawelka, Dorotheergasse 6 1010 Vienelephone: +43 (1) 512 82 30 Fax +43 (1) 32 815 31, open 8AM to 2AM Sun and hol 10AM-2AM, closed Thu [118]. Just 100 m from the Stephansdom, hidden in a side street, is one of the most famous "intellectual" cafes in Vienna. Established in 1939, it's surprisingly cheap for its location and its fame and can get quite cozy. Josephine Hawelka (former owner, deceased 2005) was proud of the marriages she caused by placing random people together at tables. Try the "Buchteln". Usually quite smoky.

• Café Landtmann, Dr. Karl Lueger-Ring 4 (near the Rathaus), +43/1/24 100 - 0, [119]. Open daily 7:30AM-12PM. Old café, used to be frequented by Sigmund Freud. Delicious food and desserts. Menu of the day for around €11.

• Tirolerhof, (established in 1900) 1010 Wien, Führichgasse 8, just behind the opera and near the Albertina you will find this quaint, traditional café with art deco accents.

• Café Prückel, [120] (established in 1903) 1010 Wien, Stubenring 24 (Luegerplatz). Quite the hang-out in the evening, during the day this cafe is a bit more laissez-faire. Live piano music every Mon, Wed, and Fri from 7PM-10PM.

• Demel Kohlmarkt 14 A-1010 Tel: +43/1/535 17 17-0 Fax: +43/1/535 17 17-26 wien@demel.at. Good pastries are ubiquitous in Vienna, but Demel is considered by many to have the best of all and indeed was once the pastry caterer to the Imperial household. As a result of this it is usually jammed with tourists, thought their amusing marzipan display window can be admired even from the street. Outdoor seating in warm weather, but the inside is more atmospheric. Partly smoke-free. Open daily from 10AM–7PM.

• Kleines Café, ("small cafe") 1010 Wien, Franziskanerplatz 3. As the name suggests, this café is rather small. It was created by architect Hermann Czech during the 1970s for notable Austrian actor Hanno Pöschl, who still owns it. It's a popular meeting place for artists and actors (or would-be variants) and enjoys an excellent location in a quiet square inside the city. The few seats are often occupied but hang around and they are vacated regularly. Seating on the square in fine weather, a bit smoky at peak times.

• Cafe-Museum Operngasse 7 1010 Vienna Phone/Fax: +43 1 586 52 02 [121]. This cafe was designed by famous architect Adolf Loos, however the interior has been entirely refitted (now even from its rather cooler 80s atmosphere). Serves food as well as coffee, teas, and other drinks. Casual, quiet atmosphere; good non-smoking section.

• Cafe Central Corner Herrengasse/Strauchgasse [122]. One of most famous Vienna coffee houses, recently authentically restored. Beautiful premises inside the Palais Ferstel, it is a bit more expensive but worth it. There is an occasional pianist that is delightful to hear, and a good non-smoking section.

See also Alt Wien under Bars and Beerhouses.

Outside the Innere Stadt:

• Das Möbel [123] 1070 Wien, Burggasse 10. Hip café in Vienna's trendy 7th district. Take a close look at the tables, chairs, and lamps: Every piece of furniture is unique and for sale.

• Espresso [124] Burggasse 57, Mon-Sat 8AM-1AM. Further up the road from "Das Möbel" is a very cool little 50s style cafe with good tunes and an eclectic crowd. Owned by the nearby bar "Wirr".

• Cafe Europa, Zollergasse 8, 1070, 5263383. The scenester meeting place in recent years, the cafe is often bursting at the seams. But good tunes, decent service prevail. Good people watching and decor.

Bars and Beerhouses

• Alt Wien, Bäckerstrasse 9, tel 01/512-5222. This cafe/restaurant/bar is on a very medieval-looking lane in the central district and is a time warp of another kind: its folky-bohemian atmosphere could convince you you're in North Beach or Greenwich Village, circa 1967. Liveliest late.

• The American Bar (sometimes called the Loos American Bar or Loos Bar), Kärntner Durchgang 10 1010 Wien tel: 01/5123283 e-mail: office@loosbar.at, open Thu - Sat 12PM-5AM, Sun - Wed 12PM-4PM [125]. This bar will delight fans of Art Deco. Famous for its architecture and interior decoration by architect Adolf Loos, it's a time warp of Vienna from 1908 when it opened. Drinks are expensive, but very good and the price is worth the experience. This is a quiet, sophisticated bar, where boisterous behavior or very casual dress will not be appropriate. Usually smoky due to small size. There's outdoor seating in warm weather but there's not much point in using it since the what justifies the prices is the interior. Note that groups and sight-seers are not admitted.

• Chelsea, [126] Lerchenfelderguertel, U-Bahnboegen 29-31 (between the U6 underground stations Thaliastrasse and Josefstaedterstrasse), 407 93 09 chelsea@sil.at. Daily 6PM-4AM, Su 4PM-3AM. A wide range of international beers, often full house and dense. Prices okay, 1/2L of beer is €3.1.

• Flex [127] Donaukanal, (U2 or U4 Schottenring, Abgang Augartenbrücke), 533 75 25 office@flex.at. You haven't been to Vienna if you haven't been to the Flex - particularly if you are younger than thirty. Situated next to the "Donaukanal", a part of the Danube, it's the meeting point of the off-mainstream, bohemian, artsy people. During the summer nights when it's warm, there are always a lot of people sitting on benches outside the club. It's easy to socialise and make new friends. Inside the club you can enjoy bands and DJs. At the bar you can ask for free soda water.

• Siebensternbräu (7-Stars-Brewery) [128], Siebensterngasse 19. An excellent Biergarten a few blocks East of Mariahilferstr. They serve their own brews, which are all excellent. There is the usual assortment of bar food, friendly staff, and outdoor seating underneath an old Linden tree in the middle of a hidden courtyard. Move indoors well before 11PM, because a local noise ordinance requires the bar to shut down the patio and the interior tables fill up quickly (even more so than usual).

• Schweizerhaus [129], Prater 116, 7280152 13, Mar 15-Oct 31 11AM-11PM. Large beer garden in the Prater, some say they have the best beer in Vienna andthey also offer traditional Austrian dishes at moderate prices. The Schweizerhaus is also well-known for its excellent "Stelze" (knuckle of pork).

• Shiraz [130], Stadtbahnbogen 168, 1090 Vienna. Phone: +43.664.3355555, info@shiraz.at. This is a small and pretty comfortable, rustic-style bar in the "city railway bows". You can smoke water pipes and listen to "chill out" music. The owner, a Persian, socialises with all his customers. Everything is worth its price and you really feel that this bar is something special. Its a good place to relax.

• Stiegl´s Ambulanz [131], Altes AKH Hof 1 Alserstraße 4, 1090 (subway station U6, Alserstraße) +43.1.40211500, ambulanz@stiegl.at. The Stieglambulanz is a good bar run by the Stiegl brewery where you can enjoy Stiegl's beers. Stiegl is one of Austria's best common beers. The Ambulanz is popular for students with its modern furnishings and relaxed atmosphere. Try the "Paracelsus", which you only get in Stiegl breweries.

• Europa, Zollergasse 8 (near U3 Neubaugasse). One of Vienna's most popular meeting points, Europa is an ideal place to relax with a fine drink after a tiring day. €3.5 for a big beer.  edit

Nightlife

Vienna doesn't have the reputation of being a huge European party city, the denizens of the fair city of music rather preferring so-called "Sitz-clubbings" (seated clubbings where you pay entry and drink sitting down with very little dancing) to actual clubbings. Still, when night falls, the Viennese let go of some of their inhibitions. If you're walking around the center of town, you're bound to run into touts passing out vouchers for free drinks or waiving door fees. During the summer, restaurants stay open late into the night, so even if you're not looking for a club scene there is likely to be something for you. If you are looking for something a little less gemütlich, see below.

• Flex [132] - This probably main club venue of Vienna is down on the Wien Kanal, a feed of the Danube. Take the U2/U4 to Schottenring, taking the Schottenring exit, then walk, keeping the river on your right, until you get to a bridge. There take the stairs down: the club is on the canal itself). There are loads of tables in front of and on top of the club in summer and an enclosed bar in the colder months with the club next door.

• Fluc [133] - Fluc and its downstairs sister Fluc Wanne (meaning "tub"), where the real dancing happens, are a bit cheaper and good alternative to Flex. Take the U1/U2 to Praterstern, head upstairs and from there head towards the ferris wheel ("Riesenrad"). It's on the roundabout but a little difficult to find because most of the club is underground.

Also check out Roxy at Operngasse 24 on the corner of Faulmangasse in the 4th District (take U-bahn to Karlsplatz and walk). This is also a bit hidden and has more mainstream nights designated to hip-hop and so on. It's very small so show up on the early side. Camera Club is a good alternative for a night out as well (take U3 to Neubaugasse and it's just up the corner from Mariahilfer Straße and Neubaugasse). For extra posh go to Passage, in an old and refitted underground passageway at Burgring 1 just outside the Burggarten gates. For a more Latin-flavored night, try Club Habana at Mahlerstraße 11 in the First District.

A major gay bar in town is Why Not in the First District at Tiefer Graben 22. Friday night is 70s night, Saturday is more main stream music, but they don't do house music which can, at times, be a godsend. It's for a younger crowd and only for "oldies" (meaning over 26) who really are in the mood to dance. Camera Club is more of a meat market, Saturday night is gay night (see above).

Sleep

Vienna offers a complete range of hotels, concentrated in the central district (Vienna 1010) where most people want to stay, since from there you can walk to most of Vienna's attractions, and you have easy public transit access to the rest. If you're considering a hotel outside the central area, check a map to see how far it is to the attractions of the center and whether the hotel is conveniently located to public transit. The quality of Vienna's hotels is generally good, and prices, while not cheap, tend to be lower than farther north in Europe.

As is the case with restaurants, Vienna's hotels have not yet responded to the same extent as have hotels in many other countries to the increased number of guests nowadays who want non-smoking accommodations. Non-smoking rooms are in limited supply, and hotels with non-smoking floors are rare, so even if you have a non-smoking room you may find that the public areas of the hotel, including sometimes the corridor outside your room, are heavy with tobacco smoke.

Budget

• Pilgram Apartments, Bräuhausgasse 20, 1050 Vienna (close to U4 Pilgramgasse), [134], Low budget stays in typical Vienna ambience.

• Pension Esterhazy, Nelkengasse 3 (close to U3 Neubaugasse), 587 51 49 [135]. Clean basic rooms, prices are from €26 (single room, shower, and toilet outside) to €69 (2 bedroom with shower and toilet).

• Apartment Owner Association Vienna, Rechte Wienzeile 9, 1060 Vienna, ☎ +43 1 9455974 (wien@netland.at, fax: + 43 1 969 06 82), [136]. 250 apartments and vacation rentals all over Vienna. Visited, controlled and categorized under the criterias of the Apartment Owner Association of Austria.  edit

• Vienna Center Apartment, Bauernmarkt, ☎ +43 699 108 108 00 (vienna-center-apartment@chello.at, fax: +43 1 9251599), [137]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 10AM. Exclusive, fully equipped three room apartments for vacation or business in a prime location; located within a few minutes walking distance from the first district. Some three room apartments have roof garden or terraces and air-conditioning. depending on number of people, season and duration of stay.  edit

• Wombats Vienna Hostel, Grangasse 6 (a few blocks away from Westbanhof on the U3 line), [138]. It's clean, cheap, and friendly and great for the budget conscious backpacker.  edit

• Actilingua Apartment-Hotel***, Schneidergasse (On the central U3 subway line, the Zippererstrasse subway station is within a five minutes walk), [139]. Friendly budget apartment-hotel with free W-LAN. Spacious rooms and fully equipped kitchens offers an excellent form of independent accommodation.  edit

• Youth Hostel Vienna-Myrthengasse, Myrthengasse 7, ☎ 523 63 16 (hostel@chello.at), [140]. About €18 per night including breakfast and sheets..  edit

• Vienna City Hostel, Dampfgasse 8, ☎ (+43 1) 505 88 43 (office@viennacityhostel.at), [141]. central location and best access to the Südbahnhof (trainstation South) which is within three minute walk. The public transfer facilities, such as underground, buses, and trams are easy to reach.  edit

• Hütteldorf Hacking, Schlossberggasse 8 (Take the U4 to Hütteldorf [over 30 min=15 km] and exit the station on the south side, then follow the signs to the hostel [another 15 min]). Hütteldorf Hacking is one of two HI hostels in Vienna, located in a peaceful neighborhood to the west of the city.  edit

• Happy Hostel, Kurzgasse 2 (Only a three minute walk from the Westbahnhof. Same distance from metro station 'Gumpendorfer Strasse.' Crossing the Wallgasse and near the Wiener Gürtel-Bundesstrasse.), ☎ +43 676 6757 457 (info@happyhostel.at), [142]. A backpackers favorite. Fantastic location, great rooms, very clean. Starting from €17 for dorm bed.  edit

• Apartment 4U, (reservation@apartment4u.at), [143]. Two little flats close to U1 Praterstern - central & quiet location, fully equipped, including W-Lan. Price for two persons: from €60 per night.  edit

Mid-range

• K&T Boardinghouse [144], Mariahilfer Straße 72, A-1070 Vienna, +43-1-5232989, fax: +43-1-5220345 k.t@chello.at. Three rooms with bath in private home near the city center. Prices from €79-119. Located near U3 Neubaugasse.

• Hotel Pension Residenz*** [145], Ebendorferstraße 10, A-1010 Vienna, +43-1-40647860, fax: +43 1 406478650 info@residenz.cc. Three star hotel in the city center of Vienna, next to Rathaus and the Wiener Ringstraße.

• ViennApart [146], Nussdorfer Strasse 27, A-1090 Vienna, bookings@viennapart.at. Recently opened, beautiful and elegant apartments in a charming 19th century building near the city center. Free internet access (WLAN)

• Central Apartments Vienna (CAV) [147], Mühlgasse 6, A-1040 Vienna, +43-1-8777191, fax: +43 1 8777191 apartments.vienna@eunet.at. Four star apartments and vacation rentals in prime location in the city centre of Vienna within walking distance to major tourist attractions.

• Hotel am Schubertring [148], Schubertring 11, A-1010 WIEN. +43-1-71702-0, fax: 7139966 hotel.amschubertring@chello.at. A charming private hotel in the heart of the city. Located directly on the famous Ringstrasse and only a stroll away from the Opera and the pedestrian zone - Kärntnerstrasse and Graben - the most important sights of Vienna can easily be reached by foot. Special guest rate garage parking available. Double room from €128

• Vienna Vacation Apartment, Quellenstrasse 128, A-1100 Vienna, +43 699 11621678 [149]. Newly renovated apartment/vacation flat near the city center of Vienna for up to 5 people.

• Ferienwohnung Wien.at, A-1070 Vienna, info@fewowien.at, tel: +43 1 7131530 [150]. Nicely renovated apartment in historic building for up to five people. Close to Mariahilfer Street, walking distance to inner city attractions like Hofburg, etc.

• Apartment24-Vienna, Grinzing/Hietzing, Phone:+43(1)810 62 04 [151]. Provides family friendly, self-catering business and vacation rentals for short or long-term accommodation in top city location. Rates start at €65/night.

• Hahns Vienna Apartment, Hoher Markt 8. Mobile Phone: +43-676-9166-227, info@hahnsvienna.com [152]. Three bedrooms, 1-7 people. Hahns Vienna Apartment is located on the main street of Vienna (convenient location that is centrally located in the first district). Rates starting from €100 per night.

• Design Apartment Vienna, Private Apartment, mobile phone: +43-650-5928941, fax: +43-1-25330334474, info@designapartment.at[153]. Stylish apartments in the second district (Prater) 10 minutes walk to Vienna's historic city center. Apartments are from €92.

• Hotel Goldener Baer Türkenstraße 27 [154]. This is a modest hotel within walking distance from the city center. Metro stations and tram stops near by. Rooms from €56.

• Austria Classic Hotel Wein [155]. Formerly the Hotel Nordbahn, this is a good, friendly atmosphered hotel. It's also close to center.

• Hotel Tourotel Wien [156]. A nice hotel, between downtown and Schoenbrunn Palace. There are often specials.

• Design Apartment Penzing, Mobile Phone: +43-699-1031-6941, fuxmitx@yahoo.de [157]. Modern apartments near the heart of Vienna's city center and close to Schloss Schönbrunn. Apartments are from €90.

• * Vienna Apartments by Vienna City Flats, Grünangergasse 6, 1010 Vienna, ☎ +43 699 1550 1112 (office@viennacityflats.at), [158]. These are modern apartments in the city center. It's within walking distance to all important tourist attractions. starting €55/night.  edit

• Sofitel Vienna, Am Heumarkt 35-37. Tel: +43 1/716160, [159]. Located near the city centre. The rooms are nice (smallish), but still stylish. Rooms start at €120/night.

• Hotel Stadthalle, Hackengasse 20, A-1150 Vienna, ☎ ++43 (0)1 9824272 (office@hotelstadthalle.at, fax: ++43 (0)1 9824272 56), [160].  edit

Splurge

• Hollmann Beletage, Köllnerhofgasse 6, A-1010 Vienna - Centre of Vienna's Old Town, +43-1-9611960, fax: +43 1 9611960-33 email="hotel@hollmann-beletage.at" [161]. Boutique hotel in the city center of Vienna. Only 25 rooms, contemporay design, gourmet breakfast. From €150.

• Apartments Vienna, Quellenstrasse 128 Top 7, ☎ + 43 699 11621678 (gerald.schoefbeck@chello.at, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 9905302), [162]. Newly renovated apartment in a quiet, central location in Vienna. Near subway line U1 which goes directly to the center to Stephansplatz. from €59/night.  edit

• Vienna Marriott Hotel, Parkring 12a, 1010 Wien (close to Stubentor metro), [163]. The Vienna Marriott Hotel is situated in the heart of Vienna, along the avenue "Ringstrasse", opposite Stadtpark, This elegant hotel offers 313 deluxe rooms and suites, an indoor pool and health club (sauna, solarium, jacuzzi, fitness club), business center and shops. The restaurants and bars of the Vienna Marriott Hotel are popular gathering places in the city.  edit

• The Imperial Riding School Vienna A Renaissance Hotel, Ungargasse 60, 1030 Wien, ☎ + 43 1 711758211 (rhi.viese.reservation@renaissancehotels.com), [164]. This historic hotel, a former imperial riding school in 1850, is set within the diplomatic area of Vienna. This neo-classic building offers a listed lobby, an indoor pool with large sunbathing area and a restaurant with terrace and garden.  edit

• NH Atterseehaus Mariahilfer Strasse 78, A-1070, Tel: +43 1 5245600 Fax: +43 1 524560015. [165] Comfortable, lively and cosy. Great position located directly on Mariahilfer Strasse to begin exploring by foot. NH has another 4 hotels in Vienna if needs be.

• Renaissance Wien Hotel, Linke Wienzeile/Ullmannstrasse 71, 1150 Wien, ☎ + 43 1 891020 (rhi.viehw.reservation@renaissancehotels.com), [166]. Within walking distance to Schoenbrunn Palace and across from the underground station, this Deluxe Vienna hotel offers a great location to enjoy Austrian sights. Panoramamic pool on the roof top floor with a view over Vienna.  edit

• Business Apartments Vienna, Marchettigasse 5, ☎ +43/ (0)664/ 143 84 18 (gerald.schoefbeck@chello.at), [167]. The Business Apartments Vienna have been designed for businesspeople who plan to stay in Vienna for multiple days or weeks. About €95/night.  edit

• Hotel Royal, Singerstrasse 3, ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 515 68 0 (royal@kremslehnerhotels.at, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 513 96 98), [168]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: Noon. Hotel Royal is a clean hotel located at the very center of the city at Stephansplatz. Rooms have TV, WC, A/C and hardwood floors. About €150/night including breakfast.  edit

• Le Méridien Vienna, Opernring 13, ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 588 90 0 (info.vienna@lemeridien.com, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 588 90 9090), [169]. The hotel was opened in late 2003 and is done in a very modern, artsy "Art + Tech" design. All rooms have flat screen TVs and massage showers. Features a breakfast buffet and bar. €163+ per night.  edit

• Hotel Sacher, Philharmonikerstraße 4, ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 514 56 0 (wien@sacher.com, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 514 56 810), [170]. Hotel Sacher is located next to the Opera and at the end of the pedestrianized Kärtner Strasse shopping area. This hotel is best known as the place where Sachertorte (cake) was invented. This delicious dessert is composed of several thin layers of dry, slightly bitter chocolate cake with apricot jam in between, and is best served with a rich, milky cup of Viennese coffee (perhaps a Melange or Sacher Kaffee, the most popular variants). The elegant drawing room is a popular place to gather after a performance at the Opera. The food is quite pricey, but definitely worth the money. The rooms offer old style luxury with heavy carpets. €286+ per night.  edit

• Das Tyrol, Mariahilfer Strasse 15, ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 587 5415 (reception@das-tyrol.at, fax: +43/ (0)1/ 5875 4159), [171]. Das Tyrol is a small and comfortable hotel located near the Museum quartier. €109-€259 per night.  edit

• Hotel Stefanie, Taborstrasse 12, ☎ +43-(1) 211 50-0 (stefanie@schick-hotels.com, fax: +43-(1) 211 50-160), [172]. Around for over 300 years, the Hotel Stefanie combines historical flair and detailing with modern comforts and features. 4 star hotel displaying Vienesse charm.  edit

• Hotel Am Parkring, Am Parkring 12, ☎ +43-(1)- 514 80-0 (fax: +43-(1)- 514 80-40), [173]. Enjoy the finest views at this hotel, which is close to the city centre and with easy access to the main sights and the underground. The staff are courteous and helpful.  edit

• Hotel Capricorno, Schwedenplatz 3-4, ☎ +43-(1)- 533 31 04-0 (fax: +43-(1)- 533 76 71-4), [174]. Small but well equipped hotel that has standards rooms which are clean and comfortable.  edit

• Hotel City Central, Taborstrasse 8, ☎ +43-(1)-211 05-0 (city.central@schick-hotels.com, fax: +43-(1)-211 05-140), [175]. All 58 rooms in this classy hotel have been renovated to provide comfort to all guests. Rooms feature air conditioning, cable and pay TV, and high-speed internet access. The breakfast buffet is highly recommended.  edit

• Hotel Erzherzog Rainer, Wiedner Hauptstr. 27-29, ☎ +43-(1)- 501 11-0 (rainer@schick-hotels.com, fax: +43-(1)- 501 11-350), [176]. Close to the Viennese Start Opera, all 84 rooms showcase Vienesse charm and are tastefully decorated. However, rooms do not have air conditioning so take care during the summer.  edit

• Hotel Vienna-Austria, arnabitengasse 44, ☎ +43-(1)- 302 33-0 (rezeption@hotelviennaaustria.at, fax: +43-(1)- 302 33-2), [177]. While it is a 4.5 star hotel, rooms do not contain air conditioning, so be aware. However, the spacious rooms, free breakasts and internet and amiable staff make up for it.  edit

• Viennart Hotel Vienna, Breite Gasse 9 (Take U-Bahn line U2 or U3 and get off at Volkstheater; walk West about 50 meters along Burggasse and then turn South on Breite Gasse; walk another 50 meters and you'll see the hotel on your right), [178]. An excellent 4-star hotel in the center of Vienna, about 500 meters from the Hoffburg Palace. Quite spacious and clean rooms, friendly staff, free baggage storage room and 2 computers with Internet (totally free for guests). The breakfast was good but you'd expert more (in matters of variety of food) from a high-class 4-star hotel.  edit

Contact

Vienna has a large number of mostly free wireless hotspots in bars, restaurants, and cafés (see drink section). MuseumsQuartier has free wireless internet.

If you're a European student you can make use of the eduroam service[179]. The University of Vienna[180], the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration[181], the Technical University[182], the Medical University of Vienna[183], the University of Applied Arts Vienna[184], the University of Music and Performing Arts[185] as well as the Austrian Academy of Sciences[186] are part of this programme in Vienna.

Stay safe

Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world for its size. There are no slums or districts you should avoid. In general, you can visit any part of the city at any time of the day without taking many risks — just use your common sense. At night, though, it is wise to avoid parks, as well as the area within and around Karlsplatz station and Schwedenplatz station. The drug scene at Karlsplatz hangs out there during the day, but they do not care at all about tourists. Just ignore them and they will ignore you. The Prater (fair grounds/amusement park area) is said by some locals to be less safe at night, though more in reference to pickpockets than anything else. As in any major city, watch out for pickpockets who grab and run when boarding the U-Bahn (subway). There are few racist assaults in Vienna, but its streets and public-transport facilities are littered with racist (anti-black) graffiti. Some areas around the Prater and around the Westbahnhof are spots for prostitutes to ply their trade. Female travellers walking around there alone at night might feel uncomfortable.

Recently there have been some reports of fraud around Karlsplatz and Ressel Park area, also near the ring. The usual scenario is that someone will stop you and ask for directions. A couple of other guys show up claiming to be police, showing a badge (must be fake). They ask if you were getting drugs from the other guy and then will ask for your passport and wallet for verification. When you are busy trying to convince them that your passport is valid, one of them sneaks out some money from your wallet. Best to tell them that you want to go to the police station — there is one at Karlsplatz U-Bahnstation. It's a minor annoyance, but it's better to be careful. In a different case of fraud they try to convince you that your money is counterfeit money and that they have to inspect it. As always use common sense: policemen are ought to approach you in a very distinctive way (you will notice if they do so), the badge must have Polizei (police) and the Austrian coat of arms [187] and/or the Austrian flag located somewhere on it.

Do not walk on the bike lanes and cross them like you would cross any other road. Some bike lanes are hard to recognize (e.g. on the "Ring" in Vienna) and some cyclists drive rather fast. Walking on bike lines is not only considered to be impolite, but it may also happen that you are hit by a cyclist.

Cope

Get out

• Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is only 60 km (50 minutes by train or car) from Vienna. In the past, prices were one-fifth of what they are in Vienna, but now you pay pretty much the same. From the Donaukanal, you can catch the brand new (but rather expensive) ferry. [188] Trains to and from Bratislava leave about every 30 minutes and also every two hours at night. A round trip ticket including public transport in Bratislava (ask for a "EURegion Ticket Bratislava") costs only €14. Most trains depart from Wien Ostbahnhof (Südbahnhof).

• Györ, Hungary, is a gateway city for Vienna, half way between Budapest and Vienna.

• Sopron is a historic town, in the part of Hungary closest to Vienna.

• Gumpoldskirchen is a picturesque wine growing village half an hour's train ride south of Vienna. Its a good destination for wine tasting and hill walking, especially in autumn. To get there take the S-Bahn train at Wien Südtiroler Platz (take U1 to get there) or Wien Meidling (take the U6 to get there), trains are going about every 30 Minutes.

• The Carnuntum archaeological park [189] is located 40 km from Vienna, in the direction of Bratislava. The site offers excavations of an ancient Roman city. It is worth a one-day visit. You can get there by train (S-Bahn Line 7, departing at Wien-Mitte, within walking distance to the city centre or take U3 or U4 to get there), trains leave every 60 minutes, travelling time is 56 minutes.

• Seegrotte [190] — 17 km south of Vienna is the largest underground lake in Europe.

You can hitchhike to Brno: take the tram to Brunner Straße. There is main road from Vienna to Brno, so thumbing there should be very easy. There is also enough space for sleeping.

Places around Vienna

• If you need a regional supplement (Aussenzonen) on your Vienna train card, this map will tell you.

• Klosterneuburg - Town and monastery on the Danube

• Sammlung Essl - Contemporary Art [191] — Sammlung Essl, Kunst der Gegenwart. With its 5,000 artworks, the Essl collection provides an excellent overview of Austrian painting since 1945. This overview is presented in the context of international art. It is a private art collection featured in a newly built museum. How to get there? Take the U4 Subway to 'Heiligenstadt' (the end-station) then an additional 10 minutes by bus or S-Bahn to Klosterneuburg-Kierling.

• Laxenburg castles [192]

• Wachau valley - A beautiful, windy valley of high cliffs, vineyards and romantic, crumbling medieval castles, one of which played prison to Richard I of England [193] (Richard the Lionheart) during the Crusades

• Stift Melk [[194]] - Baroque monastery which is a UNESCO World heritage site in the Wachau valley

• Schloss Hof [195] - The former country seat of Prinz Eugene of Savoy

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!