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Austria

Recommended attractions in Vienna, Budapest and Prague

Budapest
Aquincum, Obuda
The Roman ruins of Aquincum are a brief suburban train ride from Budapest. You can wander the remains of
the Civilian Town and its 15,000-seat amphitheater. It's no Pompeii, but this city of 40,000 flourished during the 2nd and 3rd centuries and much of the city's infrastructure remains. To get there, take the HEV railroad from Batthyany ter to Aquincum.
Phone:  180.4650
Hours:  You can stroll among
the ruins any time

Budapest History Museum (Budapesti Torteneti Muzeum), Part of the Royal Palace Complex
Few buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt as many times as Budapest?s Royal Palace. The first castle was destroyed by the Tartars in 1240. Subsequent buildings were ruined by the Mongols, the Turks, and the Hapsburgs, before being leveled during World War II. This museum, also known as the Castle Museum, contains a fully restored Renaissance Hall, a nice collection of 15th-century Gothic statues, and artifacts documenting the city?s 2,000-year history.
Phone:  1.225.7816
Hours:  10AM to 6PM daily, mid-May through mid-September; 10AM to 6PM Wednesday through Monday, mid-September through October; 10AM to 4PM Wednesday through Monday, November through February, 10AM to 6PM Wednesday through Monday March through mid-May
Email:  torteneti.budapest@museum.hu
Web:   www.btm.hu
Admission:   3.60EUR

Central Market (Kozponti Vasarcsarnok), Vamhaz korut 1-3
The largest of Budapest's magnificent 19th-century markets, Central Market was extensively renovated in 1997. Today, it's well worth a visit to purchase food, wine, or flowers. Or just to see the soaring glass and iron structure.
Phone:  217.6865
Hours:  Monday 6AM to 5PM; Tuesday through Friday 6AM to 6PM; Saturdays 6AM to 2PM

Dohany Synagogue, Dohany u. 2-8
The largest synagogue in Europe, Dohany was designed in the Moorish style by Viennese Architect Ludwig Forster in 1859. It?s vast, beautiful, and has been meticulously restored, thanks in part to the fund raising abilities of actor Tony Curtis, the son of Hungarian Jews. The Monument to the Holocaust Victims in the rear courtyard.
Phone:  1.342.8949
Hours:  Monday through Thursday 10AM to 5PM; Friday and Sunday 10AM to 2PM
Web:   www.greatsynagogue.hu/gbindex.html
Admission   1,000HUF

Fisherman's Bastion (Halaszbastya), On the terrace east of Matthias Church
Completed in 1905, the Fisherman?s Bastion provides unbelievable views of the Danube, the Chain Bridge, and Parliament. It?s worth the small admission fee for unsurpassed photo opportunities.
Admission:   300HUF

Fono Budai ZeneHaz, Sztregova u. 3
One of the most interesting music venues in Budapest. You could hear jazz, blues, or traditional folk music. Plusses include a garden stage and a non-smoking section.
Phone:  206.5300
Hours:  Noon to midnight Monday through Friday; 6PM to midnight on Saturday; closed in July and August
Web:   www.fono.hu
Concerts:   1,000HUF No credit cards.

Funicular (Siklo), Clark Adam ter
This funicular whisks you up Castle Hill in a matter of minutes and provides great views in the process.
Phone:  201.9128
Hours:  7:30AM to 10PM daily; closed on alternate Mondays
Admission up:   600HUF

Gellert Baths, Kelenhegyi ut 4
No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Baths at the Hotel Gellert. There are lots of spas in town, but none can compete with this wonderful example of Art Nouveau. There?s a fantastic, indoor, mixed-sex thermal pool; separate thermal pools for men and women, a huge outdoor pool with a wave machine, and massage and hydrotherapy facilities. A variety of treatments is available. And lolling on one of the outdoor sundecks is a great way to relax.
Phone:  1.166.6166
Hours:  6AM to 7PM daily in the summer; closese at 2PM Saturday and Sunday in winter
Admission:   2,200HUF
Admission to all services:  2,700HUF

Heroes' Square (Hosok tere)
Built for the Millennium Celebration of 1896 at the eastern end of Andrassy ut, Heroes? Square was the scene of parades and military reviews during the city?s Communist period. At the center of the square is the Millennial Column, with six Magyar tribal lords at the base. The colonnade and the back of the square contains statues of 14 Hungarian heroes. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Mucsarnok are also on the Square, which serves as the gateway to City Park.

Hungarian National Museum (Nemzeti Muzeum), Muzeum krt. 14
In 1802, Ference Szechenyi donated his vast private collection to the state and in 1832, Miklos Jankovich followed suit. The Palatine convinced the Diet to fund a museum, and this symbol of Hungarian Nationalism was born. The steps leading to the museum have been the scene of numerous protests. Highlights of the Museum are the Royal Crown, a Turkish commander?s tent, and some Renaissance church stalls.
Phone:  1.138.2122
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM
Email:  hnm@hnm.hu
Web:   www.hnm.hu
Admission:   600HUF

Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz), Andrassy ut 22
Built in 1884, this is one of the most opulent buildings in Budapest. The gorgeous interior was decorated by Karoly Lotz and Bertalan Szekely. Themes of Hungarian Nationalism abound.
Phone:  1.331.2550
Hours:  Daily tours at 3PM and 4PM
Web:   www.opera.hu
Tours are:   1,500HUF

Inner City Parish Church (Belvarosi Plebaniatemplom), Marcius 15 ter
There?s been a church on this site since a 12th-century Romanesque church was constructed on the ruins of a Roman fortress. The church here today contains Gothic, Baroque, and even Moorish elements.
Phone:  1.118.3108
Hours:  Monday through Saturday 6AM to 7PM; Sundays 8AM to 7PM

Mahart, Belgrad rakpart
Mahart operates Danube cruises from Budapest to Szentendre.
Phone:  1.484.4026
Web:   www.mahartpassnave.hu

Matthias Church (Matyas Templom), Szentharomsag ter 2
The magnificent polychrome geometric ornamentation by Hungarian painters Karoly Lotz and Bertalen Szekely makes this church uniquely Hungarian. Begun in the 13th century, like most things in Budapest, it?s been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Matthias, Hungary?s most popular king, was married here twice. Emperor Franz Joseph was crowned here in 1867. And Liszt performed at the Coronation.
Phone:  1.115.5657
Hours:  9AM to 6PM daily; Summer organ concerts Friday nights at 8PM
Admission   400HUF

Museum of Applied Arts (Iparmuveszeti Múzeum), Ulloi ut 33-37
Designed by Odon Lechner in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition, the Museum of Applied Arts is a must for lovers of Art Nouveau. The building, a conglomeration of Oriental, Islamic, and Persian themes is gorgeous. The roof is covered with Zsolnay ceramic tiles from Pecs and the ceiling is crowned with a stained-glass dome. There?s a good permanent collection of furniture, textiles, metalwork, and ceramics, and the museum hosts traveling exhibits too.
Phone:  1.217.5222
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM
Web:   www.imm.hu
Admission:   600HUF

Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuveszeti Muzeum), In Heroes? Square
Although few of the paintings here are the artists? best work, almost all the great are represented. Consisting largely of the collection of the fabulously wealthy Esterhazy family, there are more than 2,500 paintings on display. There?s work by Rembrandt, Titian, Raphael, Van Dyck, Goya, El Greco, and Manet. Compared to Europe?s other grand art museums, it?s remarkably uncrowded.
Phone:  1.469.7100
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 5:30PM
Web:   www2.szepmuveszeti.hu
Admission Special Exhibits:   900HUF

National Gallery (Nemzeti Galeria), In the Royal Palace Complex
This is one of the most enjoyable museums in Budapest, particularly for art lovers. Showcasing 600 years of Hungarian art, the National Gallery provides the opportunity to see styles of art rarely seen outside the country. Highlights include the collection of 15th- and 16th-century "winged" altarpieces and the collection of Hungarian paintings from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. Of special interest is the work of Hungarian masters Mihaly Munkacsy, Karoly Lotz, Viktr Madarasz, Laszlo Paal, Jozsef Rippl-Ronai, and Tividar Kosztka Csontvary.
Phone:  1.175.7533
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday from 10AM TO 6PM
Web:   www.museum.hu
Admission to the temporary exhibits:   800HUF
Admission to the permanent exhibit:  1,500HUF

New Theater (Uj Szinhaz), Paulay Ede utca 35
This magnificent Hungarian Jugendstil structure was originally opened as the Parisiana Nightclub in 1910. Beautifully restored, the Babylonian interior is worth attending a performance to see.
Phone:  269.6021
Hours:  Open for performances. Tickets: Available from the Box Office at Andrassy ut 18
Web:   www.ujszinhaz.hu

Palatinus Strand, Margaret Island (Margit-sziget)
One of the largest outdoor thermal spas in Hungary, Palatinus Strands has three thermal pools, a huge outdoor swimming pool, a wave pool, and a water slide. Located in the middle of the Danube on Margaret Island, it?s the most popular water park in a city obsessed with water. Packed on weekends and hot, summer days.
Phone:  1.112.3069
Hours:  8AM to 7PM daily, May through September
Admission:   1,400HUF

Post Office Museum (Postamuzeum), Andrassy ut 3
Once the home of the Sexlehner family, the apartment that houses the museum is dazzling. The interior ornamentation, including frescoes and elaborately carved moldings, is wonderful.
Phone:  1.269.6838
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM
Web:   www.postamuzeum.hu
Admission:   200HUF

St. Stephen's Church (Bazilika), Szent Istvan ter 33
This massive church ? known as the "basilica" ? was completed in 1906, after fifty-four years. Crowned with a magnificent dome, which collapsed once during construction, the church contains the mummified right hand of St. Stephen. The dome?s mosaics were designed by Karoly Lotz, and there?s a dedication painting by Gyula Benczur in the South Transept.
Phone:  1.117.2859
Hours:  7AM to 7PM daily; organ concerts Monday evenings at 7PM in summer

Szechenyi Baths, In City Park at Allatkerti ut 11-14
These baths are almost as popular as the Hotel Gellert. There?s a terrific outdoor pool, thermal baths, steam rooms, and sun decks.
Phone:  1.121.0310
Hours:  6AM to 7PM; Pool hours 8AM to 6PM
Admission:   1,700HUF

Szechenyi National Library (Orszagos Szechenyi Konyvtar), In the Royal Palace Complex
There are more than four million documents in this National Library, including everything ever published in Hungary.
Phone:  224.3848
Hours:  9AM to 9PM Tuesday to Friday; 10AM to 8PM Saturday
Web:   www.oszk.hu
Admission:   200HUF Passport required for entrance

Szentendre, Along the Danube
This lovely Baroque village on the Danube is just an hour and 45 minute boat ride from Budapest. There are more than 150 artists and craftsmen working here, so it?s a very pleasant outing.

Vaci Utca
Between Deak Ference ter and Vamhaz korut in the Belvaros Quarter of Pest, the city?s pedestrianized main drag, Vaci Utca, is home to Budapest?s most stylish shops, cafes, and boutiques.

Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park
Built as part of the Millennial Celebration of 1896, the castle was originally a temporary structure. It proved to be so popular, a stone replica was constructed a couple of years of later. Part of a complex designed by architect Ignac Alpar to recreate Hungary?s architectural styles on an artificial island in the park, it incorporates a replica of Jak Cathedral, and Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic buildings. It now houses the Museum of Agriculture.
Hours:  10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Sunday; Saturday from 10AM to 6PM; Closing one hour earlier in winter.
Admission   500HUF

Prague
Alfons Mucha Museum (Muzeum A. Muchy), Panska 7
Opened in 1998, this museum near Wenceslas Square exhibits paintings, drawings, posters, and pastels by the Art Nouveau master as well as photographs and personal effects.
Phone:  02.2145.1333
Hours:  10AM to 6PM daily
Web:   www.mucha.cz
Admission:   120CZK

Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (Kostel panny Marie pred Tynem), Old Town Square, Tynska Stupartska
The black spires of the Tyn Church have dominated Old Town Square since the 14th century. One of the most recognizable buildings in Prague, the church has a beautiful portal on the north side. Inside, there?s a pewter font and a 15th-century Gothic pulpit.
Hours:  The interior is currently under reconstruction
Web:   tynska.farnost.cz

Church of St. Nicholas in Old Town (Kostel sv. Mikulase), Starometska namesti
Not as impressive as its Little Quarter namesake, this St. Nicholas Church has a more interesting history. Highlights inside include the fresco of St. Nicholas? life on the dome, and the crown-shaped chandelier. Concerts are held here in summer.
Hours:  noon to 4PM Monday; 10AM to 4PM Tuesday through Sunday
Admission is free  

Church of St. Nicholas in the Little Quarter (Kostel sv. Mikulase), Malostranske nam.
On the main square in the Little Quarter (Mala Strana), this excellent example of High Baroque was begun in 1703 and not finished until 1761. The interior is covered with frescoes and features an elaborate pulpit and high altar. The beautiful dome, which was not part of the original design, depicts the Celebration of the Holy Trinity. Mozart played the magnificent organ in 1787. Concerts are frequently held here in summer.
Hours:  Monday noon to 4PM, Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 4PM

Golden Lane (Zlata ulicka), Malostranska, Hradcanska
The small, brightly painted cottages here were once the home of 17th-century goldsmiths. Franz Kafka stayed and No. 22 in 1916. Today, the street is one of the most photographed in Prague.

Havel's Market (Havelsky trh), Havelska ulice
A block off the main drag from Old Town Square to Wenceslas Square, this is Prague?s best open-air market. Pick up picnic supplies, or have lunch here.
Hours:  8AM to 6PM Monday through Friday; 8AM to 4:30PM Saturdays

Hotel Europa, Vaclavske namesti 25
Right off Wenceslas Square, this is the most beautiful Art Nouveau hotel in Prague. It?s a little worn, but still splendid enough to be worth popping into for a look, a drink in the café, or a meal in the gorgeous dining room.
Phone:  02.2421.5387

Jewish Museum, Josefov
The "Jewish Museum" includes several sights in Josefov, Prague?s Jewish Quarter.
Phone:  02.2231.7191
Hours:  9AM to 6PM daily except Saturday. Closing at 4:30PM in winter
Web:   www.jewishmuseum.cz
Admission:   300CZK

Kampa Island, Under the Charles Bridge, Little Quarter
Created in 1941 by tearing down several palace garden walls, Kampa Island is on the banks of a small Vltava tributary known as the Devil?s Stream. At the base of the Little Quarter south of the Charles Bridge, the park is a nice spot for a drink.

Laterna Magika, Narodni trida 4
The original "black light theater," Laterna Magika combines dance, mime, music, and multi-media effects. Performances are presented on the New Stage at the National Theater, which is itself an attraction.
Phone:  02.2493.1482
Hours:  Box Office is open 10AM to 8PM Monday through Saturday
Web:   www.laterna.cz/
Tickets from:   540CZK

Letna Park
Across the Vltava from the Jewish Quarter, Letna Park has a café and beer garden with great views, plus the Havansky Pavilon, originally constructed for the Paris Wold Exhibition of 1878.

Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova Synagoga), Maiselova 10
Originally built as the private prayer house of Mayor Mordechai Maisel, Maisel Synagogue was rebuilt after the fire of 1869. Today, it contains 16th- to 20th-century treasures from throughout Bohemia and Moravia.
Hours:  9AM to 6PM daily except Saturday. Closing at 4:30PM in winter
Included in the Jewish Museum combination ticket  

Municipal House (Obecni dum), Namesti republicky 5
For our money, this is the most beautiful building in Prague and one of the most beautiful in the world. You?ll need to make arrangements in advance for an English tour, but it?s well worth a phone call or an extra stop by the information office. Constructed between 1905 and 1911 as an articulation of national pride, Municipal House reopened in 1997 following a three-year, mutimillion dollar renovation. Hightlights here include Smetana Hall, the home of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, and the Lord Mayor?s Room, which contains a dozen murals and an incredible dome painted by Alfons Mucha. If you see only one thing in Prague, make it Municipal House.
Phone:  02. 2200.2101 For English tour reservations
Hours:  10AM to 6PM daily; English tours by reservation
Web:   www.obecni-dum.cz
Tours:   150CZK

Museum of Decorative Arts (Umeleckoprumyslove Muzeum), 17 Listopadu 2
Located in Josefov, this museum contains the largest collection of glass in the world, as well as some Gobelin tapestries and Meissen porcelain.
Phone:  02.5109.3111
Hours:  10AM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday; open until 7PM on Tuesday
Web:   www.upm.cz/
Admission:   120CZK

National Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art (Galerie moderniho umeni), Dukelskych hrdinu 47
One of several "National Galleries," this one contains the work of 20th-century Czech and European artists. It is housed in a trade fair hall, extensively remodeled in 1995. The collection is particularly strong in Cubism.
Phone:  02.2430.1024
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM; Thursdays until 9PM
Web:   www.ngprague.cz
Admission:   300CZK

National Theater (Narodni divadlo), Narodni 2
Though tours aren?t always available, if there?s a performance while you?re in town, go. The sky blue roof with its gold stars, the frescoes on the lobby ceiling, and the stage curtain are all highlights. Begun in 1868 and restored in the 1980s, the theater is a symbol of national pride. The New Stage is where Laterna Magika, the original black light theater company, performs.
Phone:  22.1714.1512
Hours:  Tours Saturday and Sunday at 8:30AM and 11AM
Web:   www.narodni-divadlo.cz

Old Jewish Cemetery (Stary zidovsky hrbitov), U Stareho hrbitova
More than 100,000 Jews, in graves as many as 12 deep, were buried here between 1439 and 1787.
Phone:  02.2481.9456
Hours:  9AM to 6PM Sunday through Friday; closing at 4:30PM off-season
Admission:   300CZK

Old Royal Palace (Kralovsky Palac), Third Courtyard of Prague Castle
The seat of the Bohemian princes for more than 700 years, the Old Royal Palace was the scene of Vaclav Havel?s Inauguration. The Highlight here is Vladislav Hall, large enough to host jousting tournaments. Upstairs, the New Land Rolls are decorated with crests and coats-of-arms dating from 1561.
Hours:  9AM to 5PM daily; Closing one hour earlier off season
Web:   www.hrad.cz
Admission is included in Castle combination ticket   220CZK

Old Town Hall (Staromestska radnice), Staromestske namesti
The views from atop the 230-foot Town Hall tower are worth the climb. The Oriel Chapel Ceiling inside the hall is beautiful. But most people just come here to watch the astronomical clock do its thing. Designed in 1490, the clock performs a morality play on the hour, every hour between 8AM and 8PM.
Phone:  02.2422.8456
Hours:  11AM to 6PM Mondays; 9AM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday; Closing one hour earlier in winter
Tower Admission:   50CZK

Old-New Synagogue (Staronova synagoga), Cervena 2
The oldest house Synagogue in Europe, the Old-New Synagogue was built around 1270. The rib-vaulted Gothic structure contains many Jewish treasures from over the centuries.
Phone:  02.2481.9456
Hours:  9AM to 6PM Sunday through Friday; closing at 4:30PM off-season
Web:   www.jewishmuseum.cz
Combination ticket:   200CZK

Pariz Hotel , U Obecniho domu 1
Lovers of Art Nouveau should duck into the lobby of this beautiful turn-of-the-century hotel. It?s right around the corner from Municipal House.
Phone:  02.2219.5195

Petrin Park
West of Mala Strana, Petrin Park offers great views, a restaurant, a funicular up to an observation tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower, and lots of hiking trails.

Picture Gallery of Prague Castle (Obrazarna Prazskeho hradu), First Courtyard of Prague Castle
Housed in the former castle stables, this gallery contains contains paintings from the 16th through the 18th century. Highlights include work by Titian, Rubens, Veronses, and Tintoretto.
Hours:  9AM to 5PM daily; Closing one hour earlier off season

Pincas Synagogue (Pinkasova Synagoga), Siroka 3
Founded in 1479, this Synagogue has been rebuilt numerous time. It contains a memorial to the Czech Jews imprisoned at the Terezin concentration camp, and drawings done by the children interned there.
Hours:   9AM to 6PM daily except Saturday. Closing at 4:30PM in winter
Included in Combination Ticket  

Powder Gate (Prasna brana), Namesti Republiky
One of 13 original gates in the Old Tower, the Powder Gate is so named because gun powder was stored here in the 17th century. The gate was adjacent to the Royal Palace, which was never used after King Vladislav was forced to flee the city in 1483.

Prague Castle (Prasky Hrad), Hradcany
You could spend a whole day if you tried to see everything contained in the Castle walls. But you?ll hit the highpoints if you see St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George?s Basilica, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at noon.
Phone:  02.2437.3368
Hours:  9AM to 5PM Tuesday through Sunday; Closing one hour earlier off season
Web:   www.hrad.cz
Combination Ticket covering principal sights:   220CZK

Rudolfinum, Namesti Jana Palacha 1
The home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rudolfinum was built between 1876 and 1884 in the Czech neo-Renaissance style. Though it?s not open for touring, it?s a beautiful spot to see a performance and tickets are usually available.
Phone:  02.2705.9346
Hours:  Open only for performances
Web:   www.rudolfinum.cz

South Gardens (Jizni zahrady), South of Prague Castle
Reached by the Bull Staircase, the Paradise Garden and the Gardens on the Ramparts are less crowded than the Royal Gardens. They were refurbished in 1995. There are terrific views of the Mala Strana quarter from the observation terrace.
Hours:  10AM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday

St. George's Basilica (Klaster sv. Jiriho na Prazskem hrade), Prague Castle, Jirske namesti
This branch of the National Gallery displays Czech art from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The structure itself, the oldest Romanesque building in Prague, was built in 973 as a Bohemian convent and reconstructed in the 1960s to house the collection.
Phone:  02.5732.0536
Hours:  10AM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday
Admission included in combination ticket, or:   100CZK

St. Vitus Cathedral (Chram sv. Vita), Third courtyard of Prague Castle
With 21 intricate chapels, St. Vitus is the country?s largest church. The most beautiful of these is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, which lies above his grave. It is encrusted with semi-precious stones and covered with frescoes. Don?t miss the Rose window above the main portal or the stained-glass window by Alfons Mucha. Be sure to walk around the exterior of the church so you can see the 14th-century Venetian mosaic above the Golden Portal, once the main entrance to the church.
Hours:  9AM to 5PM daily; Closing one hour earlier off season
Cathedral is free.   Small charge to climb the tower.

Sternberk Palace Art Museum (Sternbersky palac), Hradcanske nam. 15
Also known as the European Art Collection, this is probably the best of the National Galleries. Work by Brueghel, El Greco, Durer, Cranach, and Rousseau is exhibited. The collection is particularly strong on 19th- and 20th-century French, German, and Austrian art.
Phone:  02.3309.0570
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM
Admission:   150CZK

Ta Fantastika, Karlova 8
This first-rate production is the best of Prague?s Black Light theater experiences.
Phone:  02.2222.1366
Hours:  Box office is open 11AM to 9:30PM daily
Web:   www.tafantastika.cz/en/

The Estates Theater (Stavovske divadlo), Ovocny trh
The Estates Theater staged the premiere of Mozart?s Don Giovanni in 1787. Mozart, himself, conducted the orchestra. The theater was restored in 1991 and was featured in Czech director Milos Forman?s Oscar-winning film Amadeus. Tours aren?t available, but tickets are usually available for performances. If you get the chance, go.
Phone:  02.2421.5001

The Royal Garden (Kralovska zahrada), On the north side of the Prague Castle walls
Created in 1535 by Ferdinand I, the Royal Garden contains some fine 16th-century garden architecture, including the sgraffito covered Ball Game Hall and Belvedere.
Hours:  10AM to 6PM daily

Vysehrad, Sobeslavova 1
The legendary seat of the ancient Czech kings, Vysehrad offers the most beautiful view of the city. A great place for a picnic, it towers over the Vltava south of Nove Mesto. Within the park is the 11th-century Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The 19th-century cemetery contains the graves of Bartok, Smetana, and Mucha. To get there, take the No 17 or No. 3 tram to Vyton. Or take the C Metro Line to Vysehrad station.
Phone:  02.296.651

Vienna
Academy of Fine Arts (Akademie der bildenden Kunste), Schillerplatz 3
Built during the mid-19th century, the Academy displays old Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as Rubens, Botticelli, and Guardi. The highlight here is Hieronymus Bosch?s Last Judgement.
Phone:  588.16.225
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM
Admission:   7EUR

Belvedere Palace, Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27
Designed as the palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, Belvedere, which actually consists of an upper and a lower palace, is one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in the world. The chief attraction here is the Austrian Gallery of 19th- and 20th-Century Art in the Upper Belvedere. With the largest collection of Gustav Klimts in the world, and many paintings by Egon Schiele, this museum is a must for lovers of the Jugendstil and Vienna Secession. The Lower Belvedere houses the Museum of Medieval and Baroque Art.
Phone:  795.57.134
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday from 10AM to 6PM
Web:   www.belvedere.at
Admission:   9EUR

Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof), Simmeringer Hauptstrasse 234
Beethoven, Brahms, Strauss, and Schubert are buried here, along with two-and-one-half million others.
Phone:  760.41
Hours:  7AM to 7PM in summer; 7AM to 6PM in spring and fall; 8AM to 5PM in winter

DDSG, Blue Danube Shipping Company, Handelskai 265
Offers Danube cruises several times daily, as well as hydrofoil service between Vienna and Budapest.
Phone:  01.588.80
Fax:  01.5888.0440
Web:   www.verkehrsbuero.at/ddsg/ddsg_ewien.htm

Hofburg Palace Complex, Michaelerplatz 1, Burgring
Begun in the 13th century, this 2,600 room complex served as the Hapsburgs? winter residence for 600 years. Today, many of Vienna most popular attractions ? including the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna Boy?s Choir ? are here. Highlights include the Imperial Apartments and the Schatzkammer or Imperial Treasury.
Phone:  533.75.70
Hours:  9AM to 5PM daily
Web:   www.hofburg-wien.at
Admission:   8.90EUR

Hundertwasser Haus, At the corner of Kegelgasse and Lowengasse
This public housing project completed by the modern artist in 1986 is colorful, controversial, and unlike anything else. There?s a bike rental place near the entrance.
Phone:  713.6093
Web:   www.hundertwasserhaus.at

Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft) inside the Capuchin Church, Kapuzinerkirche, Neuer Markt
Once you?ve seen the Hapsburg lifestyle, you can get a closer look at their after-lifestyle here. The partial remains of 138 Hapsburg rulers are here, including Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph. Some of the tombs are spectacular.
Phone:  512.68.53.12
Hours:  9:30AM to 4PM daily
Admission:   4EUR

Jazzland, Franz-Josefs-Kai 29
Mostly traditional jazz in a club on Schwedenplatz. No credit cards.
Phone:  533.2575
Hours:  Monday through Saturday 7PM to 2AM; Music starts around 9PM
Web:   www.jazzland.at/e_index.htm
Admission from:   11EUR

Karntnerstrasse, Radiating from Stephansplatz
This pedestrianized boulevard offers some of the best shopping in Vienna. There are many interesting buildings along the street, including the old church of the Knights of Malta at Number 37.

Kunthistorische Museum (Museum of the History of Art), Maria-Theresien-Platz
This museum showcases 600 years of Hapsburg art collecting. In addition to the world?s largest collection of Brueghels, there are works by virtually all European masters including Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Vermeer, Durer, van Eyck, van Dyck, and Velasquez.
Phone:  525.24.0
Hours:  10AM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday; Thursdays until 9PM;
Web:   www.khm.at
Admission:   10EUR

Lipizzaner Museum, Reitschulgasse 2
If the Spanish Riding School is closed while you?re in Vienna, you can get a hit at this museum documenting the 400+ year history of the School. There?s a 45-minute video showing the horses in action, and you will probably be able to see the horses inside their stables.
Phone:  525.24.583
Hours:  From 9AM to 6PM daily
Web:   www.lipizzaner.at
Admission:   5EUR

Lower Danube Cycle Trail
Rent bikes at train stations or the bike rental shops near the Danube Canal and cycle this well maintained path that goes from Vienna all the way to Naarn.

Miles Smiles, Langegasse 51
This tiny bar hops during JazzFest and has other acts throughout the year. Check the local papers for listings. No credit cards.
Phone:  405.9517
Hours:  8PM to 2AM Sunday through Thursday; Until 4AM on Fridays and Saturdays
Admission from:   11EUR

Museum of Applied Arts (Osterreichisches Museum fur Angewandte Kunst), Stubenring 5
This is one of our favorite museums in Vienna. With several hundred thousands objects, including glassware, paper, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork, there?s something to appeal to everyone. Of particular interest are the Beidermeier furniture, the Weiner Werkstatte Collection, and the work by Gustav Klimt.
Phone:  711.36.0
Hours:  Wednesday through Sunday 10AM to 6PM; Tuesdays 10AM to midnight
Web:   www.MAK.at
Admission:   7.90EUR

Nachsmarkt, Linke und Rechte Wienzeile
With everything from soup to nuts, this is Vienna?s best open-air market. It?s also a great place to eat, wander, and people watch. Fruit, vegetables, seafood, butcher shops, wine, flowers, kebabs.
Hours:  From 6AM to 5PM daily except Sundays

Pedal Power, Austellungstrasse 3
If you want to explore Vienna by bicycle, Pedal Power rents bikes and provides maps and self-guided tour information.
Phone:  1729.72.34
Web:   www.pedalpower.co.at
1/2 day bike rental   17EUR
Full-day rental with delivery and pick up  32EUR

Prater (Praterverband), Prater 9
Once the private hunting preserve of the Hapsburg, Prater was opened to the public in 1766 by Emperor Joseph II. Today, there?s a little bit of everything here ? amusement park, beer garden, swimming pools, and a race track.
Phone:  218.05.16
Hours:  10AM to 1AM daily March through October
Web:   www.wiener-prater.at/
Admission is free.  

Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury), Hofburg, Schweizerhof
This is one of the greatest collections of jewels in the world. The Imperial Crown, which was taken by Hitler during World War II and returned at the end of the war, Charlemagne's sabre, and Napoleon's son's Throne Cradle are among the priceless treasures here.
Phone:  01.525.240
Hours:  Wednesday through Monday from 10AM to 6PM
Web:   www.khm.at/system2.html?/static/page27.html
Admission:   8EUR

Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloss-Strasse
Built between 1696 and 1712 for Emperor Leopold I, this 1,400-room palace was the summer residence of the Hapsburgs. It was extensively remodeled by Maria Theresa in the 1740s. Highlights include the Round Chinese Cabinet, the Vieux-Laque Room, and the Great Gallery. Only Versailles rivals Schonbrunn in its splendor, consequently, it?s packed. To avoid some of the lines, book ahead on-line for a reservation, and pick up your tickets at the palace.
Phone:  01.8111.3239
Hours:  Hours: 8:30AM to 6PM daily in summer; Closing at 5PM in spring and fall; the park is open daily from dawn until dusk
Web:   www.schoenbrunn.at/
Grand Tour Cost:   11.50EUR

Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule), Michaelerplatz 1, Hofburg
The magnificently trained Lippizaner Stallions have been performing basically the same routine for over 400 years. Nowadays, the performance takes place in a Baroque ballroom in the Hofburg complex. The Stallions perform on Sundays and every other Saturday roughly from March through June and then again from September through mid-December. You can order tickets on-line or fax 43.1.533.90.32.40 for tickets as far in advance as possible. Public Training Sessions are held Tuesday through Saturday mornings from mid-February to June and from the end of August to the middle of December. You don?t need to purchase tickets in advance, but people start queuing early for the 10AM show.
Phone:  43.1.53.39.03.10
Fax:  43.1.533.90.32.40
Email:  tickets@srs.at
Web:   www.spanische-reitschule.com/
Morning Excercise from:   12EUR
Performances starting from:  25EUR

Staatsoper, Opernring 2
Originally opened in the 1860s, this is one of the most important opera houses in the world. The best way to see it is to attend a performance. But if you don't do that, at least take a tour.
Phone:  431.5144.42250
Hours:  During summer, tours are given on the hour between 10AM and 4PM except at noon.
Web:   www.wiener-staatsoper.at/

Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Stephansplatz 1
Built on the site of a 13th-century Romanesque church, this 14th- and 15th-century Gothic church is the spiritual heart of the city. The tiled roof is made up of more than 250,000 glazed tiles. Highlights inside include the stone pulpit carved by Anton Pilgrim and the beautiful wooden Wiener Neustadt altarpiece. You can ascend the north or south tower. The north has an elevator, but from the south, you'll have views that include the Vienna Woods. You can also tour the Catacombs.
Phone:  01.5155.2563
Hours:  6AM to 10PM daily; frequent church and catacomb tours; towers are open separate hours.
Church admission is free  
Tours:  4EUR

Vienna Boy's Choir (Hofmusikkapelle Wien), Chapel of the Imperial Palace (Die Buergkapelle), the Hofburg
The Vienna Boys? Choir performs in the Chapel on Sunday mornings and some Friday afternoons, see the website for dates. For tickets, fax at least eight weeks in advance. If you don?t have tickets, there?s standing room only space for the first 60 who line up prior to a performance.
Phone:  533.99.27
Fax:  533.99.27.75
Web:   www.wsk.at/english/main.asp
Admission from:   28EUR

Vienna Secession Building, Friedrichstrasse 12
This lovely example of Viennese Jugendstil is a must-see for lovers of Art Nouveau. The gold-leaf filigree dome and exquisite ornamentation on the exterior of the building are incredible. But the real treasure is inside: Gustav Klimt?s Beethoven Frieze.
Phone:  587.5.307.21
Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday from 10AM to 6PM; open until 8PM on Thursdays
Web:   www.secession.at
Admission   6EUR

Vienna Tourist Board
Web:   www.info.wien.at/index_e.html

Vienna Tourist Information Office, Albertinaplatz, next to the Albertina Museum
You can pick up a map, a guide, the Wien Monatsprogramm which lists all the performances in town, and the Vienna Card - a pass that includes discounts at 200 attractions and free public transportation for 16.90EUR.
Phone:  01.211.140
Hours:  9AM to 7PM daily
Web:   www.info.wien.at/

Vienna Woods (Weinerwald)
Covering 483 square miles, the Vienna Woods offers boundless opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. To get there, take the U4 subway to Heiligenstadt, and then take the 38A bus up to Kahlengerg. There?s a nice three-hour stroll from the summit through vienyards and forests to the village of Nussdorf.

Volksgarten, Burgring 1
Check the papers to see who?s playing at this lively venue. It could be anything from hip-hop, to techno, to acid jazz.
Phone:  01.532.4241
Hours:  10PM to 5AM Thursday through Sunday from May through September
Web:   www.volksgarten.at
Admission from:   5EUR