An alternative guide to Vienna

The capital of Austria is one of the richest and most impressive in Europe, home to almost 2 million inhabitants. In 2001 Vienna’s historic centre was inscribed into UNESCO’s world heritage list. This fact alone tells its visitors that they are stepping into a real open-air museum, a city where a simple stroll through its streets represents a unique experience. The rich history of Vienna can be seen at every step, especially on the glittering gold and white facades of the large buildings located at the heart of the city. For this reason, millions of tourists from all over the world choose to spend a few of days getting acquainted with the history, culture, art, nightlife and cuisine of the capital of this erstwhile great imperial power.

Air Serbia operates daily departures to the Austrian capital. The planes fly from Belgrade and Kraljevo, and the flight itself takes an hour and 20 minutes. Tickets for one of Air Serbia's most popular destinations can be easily and safely purchased on the website. By subscribing to the Newsletter you can stay informed about discounted ticket prices and the new departures that Air Serbia regularly introduces to the most popular European cities.

As the former centre of the imperial monarchy, the Vienna of today depicts the wealth and power of one of the greatest dynasties in European history - the Habsburgs. The largest castle from the time of the Habsburg Monarchy is Schönbrunn the historical centre of Austria and the most visited tourist attraction in Vienna. The Schönbrunn Castle complex includes pristinely landscaped parks in its "backyard", as well as a zoo that can be fun for families with children.

Another important historical complex is the Hofburg, a Habsburg residence from the 13th century, which was the capital of the Habsburg monarchy until the beginning of the First World War. Today it houses the residence of the President of the State, the National Library, numerous museums, the Treasure Chamber, the Imperial Apartments and one of the nation’s most historically significant items - the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

One of the most famous buildings in Vienna is the Cathedral of St. Stephen. Located in the very centre of the city, it functions as the seat of the Viennese Archdiocese. Its Gothic steeple dominates the panorama of Vienna. It is also known for its Pummerin bell, the third largest church bell in Europe. The original bell weighed 20 tons and was cast from the remains of Turkish cannons that took part in the siege of Vienna. Today's bell matches the dimensions and weight of the original. It was made from the remains of the old bell, with the addition of metal taken from Turkish cannons that can be found in Vienna's historical museums.

A visit to Vienna would be unthinkable without a walk along the 5 km long Ringstraße. This traffic artery encircles the city centre, circulating its lifeblood. Situated along it are some of the most important state and cultural institutions, such as the Parliament Building, the City Hall, the University, the Stock Exchange, the Viennese State Opera, and several museums. The building of the Vienna State Opera House is particularly impressive. During its construction the level of the entire street was raised by one meter. The famous Opera Ball is held at the opera, and it is the venue in which the works of the great Austrian composers are traditionally performed. Thanks to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Haydn, Vienna is a world capital of music. On the Ringstraße you will also find large, landscaped parks where you scan spend a pleasant afternoon. In addition to rest, a walk through these parks takes you past monuments to Goethe and Strauss. Just a few steps from this street is Karlsplatz (Charles Square), the city's main traffic hub. Perched at one end is the Karlskirche (Charles Church), built in the baroque style. It is considered the most beautiful building in Vienna.

Tourists often call Vienna the city of a thousand museums. The Austrian capital owes this nickname to its rich museum culture that offers something to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Vienna's museum district includes the Leopold Museum and Belvedere Castle which follow the development of modern art and have a permanent exhibition of works by Oscar Kokoška, Klimt and Schiele, Albertina, the Museum of Drawing and Graphics, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Art History. The Museum of Art History. houses exhibits from the period of the Habsburg Monarchy and the most valuable works of Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Rubens. It represents one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. Together with its counterpart the Natural History Museum, they circumscribe the Maria Theresa Square. The exhibits that attract visitor’s attention the most attention are the collections of precious stones and fossils, as well as the world's largest collection of meteors.

One museum that entices its visitors with its interesting exterior appearance and abundance of greenery is the Hundertwasser House. Hundertwasser was a versatile artist who worked in the late 1960s, mostly dealing with architecture, painting, sculpture and clothing design. Most notable about his work is the abundant inclusion of natural flora and fauna in his design. In accordance with its unique style, the facade of this house-museum is colourful, intersected by irregular lines and plants that conquer the stone. The Museum of Applied Arts is often home to exhibitions of the world's greatest contemporary artists and is located on the Ringstraße.

Besides giving its visitors the opportunity to learn about its rich history, Vienna invites them to indulge in new experiences and take home unforgettable memories. One such experience is the Prater. Prater is a public park, once the site of 1873 World Exhibition, and is now home to an artificial lake. This earned it the nickname "Venice in Vienna". In this park there is a large Ferris wheel, at who’s top you’ll find a view of the city that takes your breath away. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit one of the adrenaline-fueled attractions like the roller coaster or the narrow-gauge railway. The Vienna Planetarium and the Prater Museum are also located in this park.

Another tradition of this city is the Spanish Riding School, which has over time become an somewhat peculiar tourist attraction. This traditional Lipizzaner riding school is located in the courtyard of the Hofburg Castle and is on the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In the section surrounding the Hofburg castle, named the "Winter Riding School", tourists can see the training sessions and performances of the most beautiful Lipizzaners and their experienced trainers.

One of the most visited attractions in Vienna is the Concrete Needle or Danube Tower. You’ll find it in the Danube Park, in the modern part of the city. This tower is visited by over half a million people a year, and it offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city. The observation platform is located at a height of 150 meters and can be reached in just 35 seconds, with the help of super-fast elevators. Ten meters higher still you can visit either the café or the restaurant. Just ten meters away, the two rotate around the tower, offering their visitors a unique atmosphere in motion.

Austrian cuisine is full of rich flavours and interesting combinations of ingredients. In Viennese restaurants you can try authentic culinary specialties, but also their more modern counterparts. A singular dish to be found on almost every menu in the city is the famous Viennese steak. According to locals, the best ones are to be had at Reinthaler’s Beisl restaurant. Also, tourists should try the Frankfurter sausage, served with a mug of cold strong beer. In addition to meat specialties, you can also try sweet delicacies in Vienna, such as sugar cake, Mozart balls, apple strudel or one of the countless flavours of ice cream. The latter is a legacy of Italian immigrants from the early 19th century. Vienna has staked out its place on the culinary map of the world thanks to two- and three-Michelin-starred restaurants and world-famous chefs. Tourists can try the famous Austrian cakes and authentic coffee in almost every cafe in the city. In 2013, the first vegan ice cream parlour was opened in the capital of Austria - "Veganista".