Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria, was the seat of the Habsburg empire and remains one of Europe’s great cities of music, art and imperial grandeur. Its coffee-house culture, classical concerts and grand Ringstrasse boulevard define the experience.
The headline sights are the vast Schonbrunn Palace and its gardens, the sprawling Hofburg palace complex, the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral at the city’s heart, and the Belvedere, home to Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss.
The best time to visit is April to May or September to October for mild weather and manageable crowds, while mid-November to late December brings magical Christmas markets. Book Schonbrunn and major museums online in advance, as they sell out in peak summer, and consider the Vienna City Card for transport and discounts.