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The Gothic cathedral is one of Vienna’s most prominent landmarks, dominating the city centre. From its spire you can enjoy a spectacular view over the rooftops (see pp8–11).

The former imperial palace, with its many wings and courtyards, has always been of historic importance. The interior reflects Austria’s glorious past and is the setting for grand balls (see pp12–17).

This remarkable museum contains a stunning array of paintings, including one of the world’s largest collections of Old Masters (see pp18–21).

The former summer residence of the 17th-century war hero Prince Eugen is a splendid Baroque palace with vast French gardens, and is now home to the Austrian National Gallery. It houses world-famous paintings by Austrian artists, including Gustav Klimt’s Art Nouveau work The Kiss (see pp22–5).

This impressive Baroque church, built in the early 18th century, has two distinguished columns on either side and a large dome overhead. It is a magnificent sight which dominates Karlsplatz (see pp26–7).

The former imperial stables have been converted into a large museum complex, exhibiting, among other things, collections of contemporary and modern art (see pp28–9).

The Vienna State Opera attracts music lovers from all over the world. Its grand entrance hall with majestic staircase is a fine introduction to an evening of classical music (see pp30–31).

The simple white Secession building is a magnificent Art Nouveau edifice that reflects the ideals of the Secessionist movement – purity and functionalism (see pp32–3).

Designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, this unconventional colourful building is characterized by uneven floors, rooftop gardens and unique windows (see pp34–5).

This museum is located in the Archbishop’s Palace and displays a selection of precious religious art, including liturgical objects.

The horse-drawn carriages known as Fiaker are now largely used by tourists, but they were once the taxis of the city. Photos and models document the history of this Viennese institution.

There are several adventure pools in Vienna, but the Diana-Tropicana is the only one that features dinosaurs and pirate ships. A waterslide that also goes upwards is great fun too.

When the medieval bastions around the inner city were knocked down at the end of the 19th century and the Ringstrasse was laid out, Theophil von Hansen constructed a building in the Italian Renaissance style in 1872–6 to house Vienna’s art school. The school, founded by Peter Strudel in 1692, moved here from the Strudelhof building on the academy’s completion. The Academy of Fine Arts became internationally famous for its training of painters, sculptors, architects, graphic artists and stage designers. It also houses a gallery of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, 19th-century Austrian works, and a copper etching collection of more than 60,000 prints and drawings (see p44).

The Augustin Church was built in 1327 in Gothic style. In the course of its history, many imperial weddings took place here, including Marie Louise’s marriage to Napoleon in 1810 and Franz Joseph I and Sisi’s wedding in 1851. But the church is most famous for its Herzerlgruft (hearts’ crypt) containing the hearts of Austria’s emperors.

A long staircase leads down to the Club Fledermaus, named after the bats (Fledermaus ) that would have inhabited Vienna’s cellars in the Middle Ages. Today it is frequented by night owls who invade the red velvet interior as one of the major party spots in town. There are events Wednesday to Sunday.

The Geymüller-Schlössel is a little gem off the beaten track. The entire summer palace, both inside and out, reflects the Biedermeier style. The palace is owned by the Museum for Applied Arts and houses a collection of some 170 clocks, among them an early Viennese flute clock (c.1800) playing music by Haydn.

Vienna is the only capital in the world where wine grapes are grown within the city boundaries – some 1,670 acres of vineyards are found here. The most widely known wine-growing community in the capital is Grinzing. Once a small vintners’ village on the outskirts of the city, it is today the hub of Heurigen , with crowds of both locals and tourists flocking to the wine taverns (see pp74–5). The narrow streets still boast an old-fashioned rural charm.

The stations of the former city railway were constructed by Otto Wagner in the 1890s (see p117).

The Baroque palace in Augarten park is now the Vienna Boys’ Choir school.

The unconventional church was constructed between 1974 and 1976 following designs by the Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba, who died shortly before the work was finished. Situated atop a hill at the edge of the city, it consists of 157 concrete cubes in various sizes that form a harmonious whole. In the spaces between the cubes glass panes flood the interior with daylight.

Constructed at the beginning of the 17th century, the solemn façade of the church contrasts with its rich Baroque interior. Emperor Leopold I commissioned the Italian architect Andrea Pozzo to design the magnificent frescoes and paintings. Pozzo also painted the barrel vaulted ceiling in such a way that the illusion of a dome was created.

This fine Art Nouveau church was designed by Otto Wagner and built from 1905–07 on the grounds of a psychiatric hospital. The square-shaped church with two bell towers is overlooked by a golden dome that was converted to copper in the 1930s but more recently restored to its traditional hues. The colourful window mosaics, designed by Kolo Moser, and a gilt altar canopy with angels dominate the interior.

Vienna’s spectacular Gothic cathedral sits at the heart of the city and dominates the skyline (see pp8–11).

Located on the charming Franziskanerplatz (see p90), the church and the adjacent monastery of the Franciscan Order were constructed between 1603 and 1611 on the site of an older church. Dedicated to St Hieronymus, it is Vienna’s only religious building with a Renaissance façade, but it also bears numerous Gothic as well as Baroque features. These include six side altars in ornate recesses and a fine Baroque High Altar of 1707 by Andrea Pozzo.