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This picturesque area of cobbled streets makes a lovely stroll year-round, but perhaps the best time is the run up to Christmas, when handicrafts and mulled wine are sold at the market. Fireworks are held here on New Year’s Eve, and an Easter Egg Market takes place the week before Easter (see p104).

The Danube formed an extensive landscape of small islands before it was regulated into a man-made bed in 1870 to prevent flooding. One of the former tributaries, the Alte Donau (Old Danube), now has 11 Strand-bäder (island beach resorts), including Gänsehäufel, the largest outdoor swimming area in Europe.

The river that runs around the edge of the city centre is not the actual Danube, but one of its many arms, the Danube Canal. Along the promenade, popular with walkers, cyclists and in-line skaters, there is a lively pub and restaurant scene.

When a large canal, known as the New Danube, was constructed in 1975 to further prevent flooding, the city fathers created a huge recreational island, and in summer the Viennese flock here to make use of cycle paths, and barbeque and swimming areas. The Copa Cagrana, around the U-Bahn stop, offers an abundance of cafés and restaurants.

The former imperial hunting grounds are today an expansive park, opened to the public in 1766. Within the park is a pleasure pavilion, two race courses, and the Wurstelprater amusement park with its famous ferris wheel, the Riesenrad (see p66).

This huge area on the western fringe of Vienna contains more than 80 km (50 miles) of walking paths, meadows and playgrounds. The imperial family used the land as hunting grounds from 1557, and the park opened to the public in 1919. Wild boar and deer roam free here.

The most popular walk in the city centre is the Kärnter Strasse and Graben area, but you’ll be surprised to find quiet squares and peaceful courtyards just off the main route.

Kahlenberg and neighbouring Leopoldsberg, with wonderful views of the city, are popular for Sunday excursions. From Kahlenberg’s 425-m (1,395-ft) mountain peak you can even spot the Carpathian Mountains on a clear day (see p124).

Part of the Vienna Woods, Wilhelminenberg is a huge green area with many hiking paths, including one with signs explaining the local flora and fauna. On top of the hill is Schloss Wilhelminenberg, now a hotel. There is also an observatory here.

The city’s main shopping street is always bustling, but the wide pavements (sidewalks) offer lots of space and there are many cafés where you can stop to rest your feet (see p110).