Vienna is the capital of Austria and the country’s largest city. The former home of the Habsburg court, it serves as the cultural, political, and economic center of Austria. It’s a dynamic young city amidst baroque buildings and a 300-year old coffee culture, a city where artistic geniuses such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Gustav Klimt flourished, and is home to the world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir.
The historic city center is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and many of the historic buildings and museums are worth visiting, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), Albertina Museum, and the Schloss Schönbrunn Palace. The city is facing a revival with the introduction of many new luxury hotels, new and renovated museums, and local artists.
Vienna’s culture is one of relaxation so visiting the city encourages you to slow down and fully take in your surroundings. Sipping coffee in lavish and incredibly ornate buildings with the locals is a must when visiting. What began as an accident when Turkish invaders left sacks of coffee beans behind after being forced to flee the city has turned into one of the city’s most cherished traditions. In fact, coffee is so intrinsic in Vienna’s culture, that it is on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
