Hofburg & Ringstraße
The Hofburg
The Hofburg was the residence of the Habsburgs for 600 years—from the 13th century until the end of the monarchy in 1918. Today, it houses the official seat of the Federal President, the Spanish Riding School, the Austrian National Library, and several museums. The complex is enormous: 18 wings, 2,600 rooms, 240,000 m².
- Imperial Apartments & Sisi Museum: The private chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). The Sisi Museum tells her story beyond the kitsch cliché—a smart, restless woman who despaired at court. Admission: €18 (combined ticket with the Silver Collection).
- Spanish Riding School: For 450 years, Lipizzaner stallions have been trained here in the Baroque Winter Riding School. The morning exercise (training, 55 min., from €15) is cheaper and more personal than the gala performance (from €31). A unique experience.
- Austrian National Library (State Hall): One of the most beautiful library halls in the world—80 meters long, Baroque ceiling frescoes, 200,000 historical books. €10 admission, worth every cent.
The Ringstraße
The Ring is Vienna's most famous boulevard—5.3 km long, laid out in 1857 by Emperor Franz Joseph on the site of the demolished city fortifications. It is lined with the most important monumental buildings like pearls on a string:
- Vienna State Opera—opened in 1869, home to Mahler, Strauss, and Karajan. Standing tickets from €4!
- Parliament—Neoclassicism with the Pallas Athena Fountain.
- City Hall—Neo-Gothic, with a Christmas market in December and open-air cinema in summer.
- Burgtheater—The most important German-speaking stage.
- University of Vienna—Founded in 1365, one of the oldest in the world.
You can circle the Ring with the tram lines 1 and 2—a cheap sightseeing tour for €2.40 (single ticket).
