Senin, 23 November 2015

Austria Travel Guide Best Places to Visit in Austria

A visit to Austria provides the opportunity to view stunning mountain vistas, explore beautiful pastoral landscapes, discover world-famous cities and walk in the footsteps of history.

Austria is a destination that has much to offer and like a good wine is a destination to be savored. We recommend that you sample the local cuisine, try Austrian beers and wines, and attend the opera or a symphony to listen to some of the classical music for which this country is so well known (although jazz and other types of music are also popular).

If you have some extra time, consider walking, hiking or bicycling in rural areas to experience the richness of this idyllic country. Read on for our recommendations on the best places to visit in Austria.

Be sure to see our detailed highway map of the best places to visit in Austria. It can be used to calculate routes between the places we recommend, if you are interested in driving the spectacular Austrian countryside. In addition, using the satellite tab, you can see beautiful aerial views of the best places to visit in Austria.

Vienna

Regarded as one of the most interesting and pleasant cities in Europe, tourist Vienna is timeless, romantic and enchanting. Founded by the Romans, Vienna became a capital of the Hapsburg Empire and one of the preeminent European capitals. The Imperial City is such a fascinating destination that we have created a comprehensive, illustrated, multi-page Guide to Vienna that can be found here.
- While we provide several recommendations below on some of the best places to visit in Vienna, we recommend exploring our detailed guide to sample the many wonders of Vienna. We have articles on the best places to visit, the best museums, best churches, Vienna's best shopping ,the best daytrip from Vienna and more.
Below, is the short version of the best places to visit in Vienna for those of you in a hurry.
You should focus the start of your visit on the city's "historic center", the area within the mid-19th century construction known as the Ringstrasse, an important thoroughfare that surrounds Vienna's Old Town. Many of the city's leading attractions are inside of or scattered along the edge of this two and half mile long road, which replaced the city walls and battlements that once protected Vienna's core from the Ottoman Turks and other invaders.
There is much to see and do in Vienna in addition to admiring the city's visual history and architectural treasures.
Be sure to see:

The Hofburg - a stunning castle/palace with sections dating from the 13th century. The Hofburg became the formal palace of the Hapsburgs at the peak of their power and the family endlessly tinkered with the architecture of the building over successive generations. The Hofburg (the Imperial Palace) is extremely impressive and not to be missed.
The beautiful Stephansplatz surrounds the noted Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) that towers over the city The Cathedral has many notable features, but most visitors climb the south tower for an incredible view of the Vienna.
The Karlsplatz sets the stage for theKarlskirche (St. Charles's Church), regarded by many as the finest example of Baroque architecture in Vienna. The two front columns framing the dome of the church make a dramatic and powerful statement.
A visit to Vienna would not be complete with without a stop at the Oper - Vienna's famousOpera House. If you are interested in opera, consider taking a guided tour.
Vienna has numerous palaces, museums and galleries to attract your attention, so be sure to budget your time wisely.
- While you are thinking about what to see, stop at Demel (the city's most famous sweetshop) for a taste treat, as well as to soak-up of some of this pastry shop's incredible ambiance.
The Belvedere Palace (outside the Ring) consists two stunning buildings separated by lovely gardens
- The Palace is now an art museum. Be sure to visit the world famous art collection - Österreichische Galerie Belvedere - at the Belvedere Palace.
The Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) was the summer home of the Hapsburgs and, along with its gardens, is extremely elegant. The Schloss Schönbrunn is one of the most beautiful palaces of Europe.
If these locations have you thinking about a trip to Vienna, be sure to explore our detailedGuide to Vienna that features numerous photos of the Imperial City.