Sightseeing information
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a fascinating mix of imperial splendor, cultural wealth and modern lifestyle. Here is some basic tourist information:
Vienna is known for its rich cultural scene with classical music (especially by Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss), art galleries, museums and theaters.
Viennese cuisine is famous for dishes such as schnitzel, Sachertorte, apple strudel and Viennese coffee houses.
From luxury boutiques to traditional markets, Vienna offers a variety of shopping opportunities for every taste.
Despite its urban surroundings, Vienna also has many green spaces and parks, including the Vienna Prater and Schönbrunn Palace Park.
This information gives a brief overview of Vienna, but there is much more to discover and experience in this fascinating city.
Official website of Vienna Tourism: www.wien.info
A special sightseeing programme is organized for accompanying persons! You can find it at NEW LINK
iVie-App
The iVie app is the city guide app for Vienna, offering exciting stories about attractions, walks, and insider tips.
This app is continually updated with new tips and routes around Vienna. Usage is free of charge.
Belvedere – Palace and Museum
The Belvedere is not only a magnificent Baroque palace. As a museum it also houses one of Austria's most valuable art collections – with key works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), successful general and art connoisseur, had Belvedere garden palace built by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt as his summer residence – at the time it was still outside the gates of the city.
This baroque architectural jewel consists of two palaces (Upper and Lower Belvedere), which today house Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Upper Belvedere - World's biggest Klimt collection and "The Kiss"
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The heart of the Belvedere collection is formed by the 24 paintings of Gustav Klimt with his golden images "The Kiss" and "Judith". Klimt's "The Kiss" in particular is world-famous. The 180 x 180 cm painting was created in 1908/09 and shows Klimt and his muse Emilie Flöge as a couple in love. "The Kiss" is probably Austria's most famous work of art. Klimt's portraits of women also impress and be marveled at in the Upper Belvedere.
The permanent exhibition was completely redesigned at the beginning of 2023: "Picture this! The Belvedere Collection from Cranach to EXPORT" extends throughout the entire palace in the wonderful Baroque ambience, and shows the highlights of the collection together with new additions and works from the holdings. On show is Austrian art in the context of the creative work of international artists of their time. It includes Austrian highlights from the Middle Ages and Baroque, while the icons of Vienna Modernism meet greats like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Auguste Rodin. Around 400 works recount 800 years of art history. The show collection also looks in depth at the interactions between art and society.
Lower Belvedere and Baroque garden
While the Upper Belvedere was all about representation, the Lower Belvedere acted as the residential palace of Prince Eugene. The lavish splendor of the owner is reflected in the Groteskensaal (Hall of the Grotesque), the Marble Gallery and the Golden Room. Special exhibitions are held in the Lower Belvedere and the Orangery. Nowadays, medieval art can be marveled at in the sables where the prince's horses once stood.
The gardens of the Belvedere are a highlight of Baroque landscape architecture. A reflecting pool was created in front of the place, in which the building's façade is reflected. The large terraces with ponds connect the Upper to the Lower Belvedere. The Kammergarten was originally reserved only for the man of the house and his closest associates. The Alpine Garden in the palace park is the oldest in Europe.
Perfect for families: Since 2023, you can chase the so-called "Fantastic Palastics" in the park. Use this augmented reality game to find the animals that inhabited the Belvedere back then when Prince Eugene lived here. All you need is your smartphone. For everyone eight years and older.
Here’s a tip for families: 2023 saw the launch of the “Fantastic Palastics” game in the Palace Park. This augmented reality game involves hunting around for animals that inhabited the grounds of the Belvedere during Prince Eugen’s lifetime. The only thing you need to play the game is a smartphone. For children aged 8 and above.
