# SCHLOSS SCHÖNBRUNN 8 
This overwhelmingly opulent former summer residence of the Habsburg family in Baroque style was constructed in 1696.
The beautiful vast gardens, as well as forty of the palace's 1441 rooms, are open to the public. Among the highlights of the interior are the private apartments of Franz-Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room, and the Hall of Ceremonies.
Palace 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1996
by Simon Matzinger/ CC BY-SA 3.0
# HISTORIC CENTER 7 
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2001 Vienna's historic pedestrianized center (Innere Stadt), in its unity, is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
From its central point — the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral — Vienna's most famous streets expand in all directions, including Graben and Kärntner Strasse. The outlines are marked by the famous late-19th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings (including the State Opera House, the City Hall, the Austrian Parliament, or the Hofburg Palace).
Historic Area 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2001
by Lumturi1989 / CC BY-SA 3.0
# HOFBURG (Imperial Palace) 7
Today the office of the President of Austria, the immense 13th-century Hofburg palace complex, which until 1918 was inhabited by the imperial Habsburg family, contains numerous sights.
The most interesting from a tourist perspective include the Imperial Apartments (Kaiserappartements) with nineteen authentic equipped rooms as well as the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Silver Collection, and the butterfly house. Furthermore, the baroque Austrian National Library (Nationalbibliothek) with its State Hall (Prunksaal) one of the most beautiful historic libraries in the world.
Palace 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2001
by Bwag / CC BY-SA 3.0
# STAATSOPER (State Opera House) 7
Built between 1861 and 1869, this splendid neo-Renaissance opera house is one of the most famous in the world.
Highlights of a 40-minute guided tour include the main staircase, the Schwind Foyer, and the magnificent auditorium. For many decades, the opera house has been the venue of the internationally highly renowned Vienna Opera Ball.
Opera House 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2001
# Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) 7
Considered one of the great art museums of Europe, Vienna’s Museum of Art History houses the outstanding former private collection of the Imperial family in a splendid purpose-built building lavishly decorated with marble, stucco decorations, and gold leaf.
This is our selection of the ten best artworks of the Kunsthistorisches Museum:
1) The Tower of Babel, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1563)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) Hunters in the Snow, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565)
by Pieter Bruegel the Elder / Public Domain
3) The Artist's Studio (aka Art of Painting or The Allegory of Painting), Johannes Vermeer van Delft (1666-1668)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
4) Salt Cellar sculpture, Benvenuto Cellini (1543)
#3 by Benvenuto Cellini (Jerzy Strzelecki) / CC BY-SA 3.0
5) Jupiter and Io, Correggio (Antonio Allegri) (1489-95)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
6) Madonna in the Meadow, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) (1505-1506)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
7) The Last Judgment, Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1482)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
8) Triptych: The Crucifixion, Rogier van der Weyden (1445)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
9) Portrait of a Venetian, Albrecht Dürer (1505)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
10) The Crowning with Thorns, Caravaggio (c. 1602-1607)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
11) Portrait of Jan de Leeuw, Jan van Eyck (1436)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
12) The Peasant Wedding, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1568-69)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
Art and Archaeological Museum Gallery Space: 14,000 m2 / 150,000 ft2 | Galleries: ca. 120 | Artworks on Display: ca. 4,800 | Established: 1871-1891 | Visitors [2015]: 1,400,000
# STEPHANSDOM (St. Stephen's Cathedral) 7
This majestic Gothic cathedral marks the very heart of Vienna's historic center.
Climb the 343 steps to the top of the South Tower (or use the elevator to reach the lookout terrace at the North Tower) for wonderful views over the whole city.
Cathedral 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2001
by Andrew Bossi / CC BY-SA 2.5
# BELVEDERE PALACE and Österreichische Galerie Belvedere 6 
This splendid palace complex with beautiful interior décor houses an outstanding collection of 19th- and 20th-century Austrian paintings.
At the Upper Belvedere Palace marvel at the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt's paintings including his famous masterpieces "The Kiss" and "Judith and the Head of Holofernes" but also famous works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
Palace and Museum 🌍 World Heritage Site since 2001; Gallery Space: 6,360 m2 [68,458 ft2] | Galleries: ca. 60 | Artworks on Display: ca. 600 | Established: 1903 | Visitors [2017]: 1,427,225
# City Hall and Tower 5 
The stunning Vienna City Hall is the seat of the provincial and city government. Take an elevator to the top of the 98-meter-high observation tower to enjoy panoramic views over Vienna.
by Steve Collis / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Spanische Hofreitschule (Spanish Riding School) 5
In this world-famous riding school, visitors can enjoy unique performances by the Lipizzaner horses.
by Hiroki Ogawa / CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 | Naschmarkt 5
Naschmarkt is a historic market, dating back to the 16th century.
It stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers along Wienzeile street and features around 120 market stands and restaurants.
by Politikaner / CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 | Karlskirche 5
Designed by the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Karlskirche features a grand dome and two flanking columns inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome.
The interior of Karlskirche is adorned with stunning frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, illustrating the life of Saint Charles Borromeo.
by Thomas Ledl / CC BY-SA 4.0
#13 | Donauturm 5
Donauturm, a 252-meter tall tower, completed in 1964, offers visitors revolving restaurants and panoramic city views from its observation deck.
TV Tower Total Height: 252 m | Observation Deck: 169 m | Opened: 1964
by BambooBeast / CC BY-SA 3.0
#14 | Albertina 5
The Albertina in Vienna is renowned for its vast collection of prints and drawings, alongside modern art and temporary exhibitions. The Albertina's collection includes famous works by Dürer, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
by C.Stadler/Bwag / CC BY-SA 4.0
#15 | SCHÖNBRUNN ZOO 5
Schönbrunn Zoo, established in 1752, is the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo. It has has been recognized as one of the very best zoo in Europe for its excellence in animal care and visitor experience.
Museum 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1996 (Part of "Schönbrunn Palace gardens")
by Daniel Zupanc / CC BY-SA 4.0
Bratislava 6
Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, blends medieval charm with vibrant cultural life, dominated by its iconic castle and scenic river views.
City Museum Distance from Vienna: 78 km
by Marc Ryckaert / CC BY-SA 3.0
MELK ABBEY 6
Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey located in Melk, overlooking the Danube River.
The abbey features stunning Baroque architecture, including a magnificent church, a library with medieval manuscripts, and frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr.
City and Abbey 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2000 | Distance from Vienna: 85 km
by Carsten Steger / CC BY-SA 4.0