A Tour of Vienna from the Ringstrasse

The City of Vienna evokes images of statuesque Baroque architecture, the sounds of Mozart, Strauss and the Vienna Choir Boys; not to mention, the promise of Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sacher Torte, and you can find all of these with a tour of the Ringstrasse.

Colette Bett

Karlskirche, Vienna.

This wonderful City is divided into six central districts (with more beyond). It is worth downloading a Vienna Pass on your mobile, not only does this give you access to central trams, buses, underground and rail, but also the City’s top 10 attractions. At €89 it'll be worth it, with access to many of the sights included. Equip yourself with a City map, find your nearest tram stop and jump on.

Tram outside the Opera House.

Karlsplatz & Nachtmarkt

• First stop, is the grand Vienna Opera House, book a guided tour to see behind the scenes or book well in advance for performances. The Nachtsmarkt to the south is a seemingly endless food market and thriving pop up restaurant scene.

The Opera House, Vienna.

The Museum District & Neubau

• Further along, peppered with the lawned landscapes of the Burggarten and the Volksgarten, lies the incredibly grand Museum Quarter, including the Kunthistoriches Museum with its acquisitions from ancient Rome to Egypt and the Renaissance. Not forgetting the Art Galleries with their vast collections from the Old Masters.

Colette Bett

Kunthistoriches Museum.

• To the southwest is the Neubau district, full of arty design shops, boutiques, vegan cafes and buzzing breakfast bars.

Neubau District

The Innere Stadt and the Hofburg

• Here you'll find the unmistakable Gothic Rathausplatz, Vienna’s Parliament building surrounded by its own Rathauspark which, in winter, becomes an ice rink and site for the renowned Christmas Market. Why not visit the wonderful Café Landtmann, a traditional Viennese coffee house, a must when in Vienna.

Rathausplatz

• Stroll through the winding streets towards the Hofburg Palace which houses the Spanish Riding school and the wonderful Burgkapelle.

Colette Bett

Horse and carriage before the Hofburg Palace.

• Head north past numerous museums to Stephensdom, the incredible gothic masterpiece of St Stephen’s Cathedral, with a spire that rises 137 metres above you. The wow factor of the ornate roof can be seen from the square but the Sky Bar (on the top floor of the Steffl department store on Kärntnerstraße) affords a stunning rooftop view.

Colette Bett

St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Prater and East of the Danube

• The Ringstrasse heads on towards Prater and the Ferris Wheel, this district comes alive in the summer with activity parks, bars and urban beaches beside the Danube.

Schloss Belvedere

• There are some incredible sights which you simply can't leave Vienna without visiting. The Schloss Belvedere, the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy is a masterpiece in the making, with sweeping sculpted gardens rising up towards one of the most awe-inspiring baroque palaces. The views encompass all of Vienna and the interior holds galleries of Medieval and Modern Art including the famous Klimt and works from the Impressionists and Romantics.

Schloss Belvedere

Schloss Schönbrunn

• The remaining iconic building from the Hapsburg Empire which has to be mentioned is the Schloss Schönbrunn which lies to the south-west of the city. This hits another level of opulence and is where Mozart played to a Royal audience in 1762 at the age of six. With endless gilded corridors and fabulous formal gardens, it's a great full stop to your visit to Vienna.

Schloss Schönbrunn

Below, find our recommendations of some of the best places to stay on your tour of the Ringstrasse.

 

Written by Colette Bett

posted Tuesday, 2nd April 2019