Hofburg Imperial Palace - Hofburg is the home of Austria’s rulers since the 13th Century. It is a huge complex of buildings, Each Emperor added on a major part to the Hofburg so that now it sprawls and lacks cohesion. Individually, each added wing is a masterpiece.

One of the best guided tours is the Imperial Apartments Tour (Kaiserappartenements) and you can join this at Michaelerplatz - you’ll see the living rooms of the emperors, including the sparsely decorated sitting room of Franz Joseph, the exercise room of Sissi (who was so particular about her appearance), etc

Amalienburg, the Amalia Palace, can be seen at one end of the Interior Courtyard. This was started by Emperor Maximilian and finished by Emperor Rudolf in 1611. Sissi lived here when she was in Vienna.

In the interior court or square when you face the Amalienburg, Leopold I built the building or wing on the left. That on the right was built in the 19th century by Karl V.

Behind you is The Swiss Gate and this is the oldest of part of the Interior Courtyard. Go through it to the Swiss Square and the Burgkapelle, the Castle Chapel, also built in the 15th Century. This is where the world famous Vienna Boys Choir sing the Mass most months of the year. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies the Choir. The Castle Chapel is small and intimate. Tickets to attend the Mass to hear the Vienna Boys Choir are available from the Burgakapelle or by written application some months previous to your visit.

Visit the Museum of Imperial Treasure to see the stunning Crown jewels, the coronation insignia and robes of the Emperors, Maria Theresa jewels, a nail from the Crucifix brought to Vienna at the time of the Crusades.

Come back out the Swiss Gate and go left through the Archway in the Leopold Wing and you can view the Hofburg from the Heldenplatz (Heroes’ Square). From here you’ll see the magnificent arc of Neue Burg. The plan was to match Neue Burg with a second arc but unfortunately this was never built. Neue Burg has the Congress Centre and several museums in it.

Also part of the Hofburg complex is the famous Spanish Riding School with the white prancing Lipizzaner horses.

1 Tour Schonbrunn Palace – the home of Maria Theresa.
2 Go to the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna and admire the Treasures
3 Visit Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Stephansplatz, the centre of Vienna
4 In the Upper Belvedere and The Lower Belvedere enjoy the views
5 Take a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel in The Prater Park Vienna
6 Look at Hundertwasserhaus – the so popular housing complex
7 Weiner Staatsoper – the State Opera House Vienna
8 Take a Tram to Grinzing and the Taverns in this wine making area
9 Have a Coffee and Apfelstrudel in one of Vienna’s famous Cafés
10 Check out the Anker Clock in Hoher Markt

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