Things to do in Innere Stadt, Vienna

Vienna's massive Gothic cathedral, whose colorful tiled roof was rebuilt with civic donations after World War II damage. Inside are a Gothic nave with a baroque overlay, a masterful sandstone pulpit with Anton Pilgram's self-portrait, and the Madonna with the Protective Mantle.

"Vienna's massive Gothic cathedral, whose colorful tiled roof was rebuilt with civic donations after "

The Habsburgs' sprawling main palace, which grew from the 13th century to just before World War I. Its lavish Imperial Apartments show Franz Joseph's audience room and iron bed, along with exhibits on Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).

"The Habsburgs' sprawling main palace, which grew from the 13th century to just before World War I. I"

Vienna's venerable opera house, a highlight for many visitors, though it has no performances in July and August.

"Vienna's venerable opera house, a highlight for many visitors, though it has no performances in July"

A traditional Viennese coffee house, suggested as a place to sit down, relax and enjoy the city's coffee culture.

"A traditional Viennese coffee house, suggested as a place to sit down, relax and enjoy the city's co"

Neo-Gothic city hall on the Ringstrasse, recalling the age when local merchants ran the government.

"Neo-Gothic city hall on the Ringstrasse, recalling the age when local merchants ran the government."

Housed in a spectacular building with sweeping staircases and huge rooms, it holds art from around the world. Look up to see the paintings on the ceilings and the dome.

"Housed in a spectacular building with sweeping staircases and huge rooms, it holds art from around t"

Its collection includes precious stones, minerals, fossils and animal skeletons, and a digital planetarium makes it a good family day out. It is a few minutes' walk from the MuseumsQuartier.

"Its collection includes precious stones, minerals, fossils and animal skeletons, and a digital plane"

Long-standing institution near the shopping streets, famous for cheap and charming finger sandwiches such as herring with onion and chicken liver. They're traditionally paired with a tiny beer called a Pfiff.

"Long-standing institution near the shopping streets, famous for cheap and charming finger sandwiches"

Famous classical riding institution housed in the Hofburg palace complex.

"Famous classical riding institution housed in the Hofburg palace complex."

Twenty rooms of Habsburg treasures, including a 500-year-old 'unicorn horn' and the 10th-century crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. It also displays the 11th-century Imperial Cross said to hold a piece of the True Cross.

"Twenty rooms of Habsburg treasures, including a 500-year-old 'unicorn horn' and the 10th-century cro"

Hot, humid tropical butterfly house at the Hofburg that is open year-round. Visitors can watch butterflies feeding on trays of fermenting fruit.

"Hot, humid tropical butterfly house at the Hofburg that is open year-round. Visitors can watch butte"

Vienna's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering about three square kilometres that largely survived WWII bombing. Its pedestrianised streets are full of palaces, classical music venues, coffee houses and grand buildings.

"Vienna's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering about three square kilometres that largel"

A Baroque hall with marble statues, over 200,000 books, a frescoed ceiling and four Venetian globes. The video recommends arriving at opening time to enjoy it in quieter moments.

"A Baroque hall with marble statues, over 200,000 books, a frescoed ceiling and four Venetian globes."

The square in front of City Hall, always buzzing with events such as the Christmas Market and the summer Film Festival.

"The square in front of City Hall, always buzzing with events such as the Christmas Market and the su"

Historic cafe and bakery, once the Emperor's choice, famous for cakes and pastries including a made-to-order Sacher Torte. Customers can watch the bakers work, and its chocolate and marzipan window displays change regularly.

"Historic cafe and bakery, once the Emperor's choice, famous for cakes and pastries including a made-"

Grand boulevard built in the 1860s on the line of the old city wall, arcing nearly three miles around the old center. It is lined with neo-style landmarks and can be toured cheaply by riding tram number 1 around the loop.

"Grand boulevard built in the 1860s on the line of the old city wall, arcing nearly three miles aroun"

Neoclassical parliament building on the Ringstrasse, styled after ancient Greece as the birthplace of democracy.

"Neoclassical parliament building on the Ringstrasse, styled after ancient Greece as the birthplace o"

Vienna's Court Theatre on the Ringstrasse, built in neo-baroque style to evoke the age when opera and theatre flourished.

"Vienna's Court Theatre on the Ringstrasse, built in neo-baroque style to evoke the age when opera an"

Renowned boys' choir based in the Hofburg; like other musical institutions, it is mostly on vacation in July and August.

"Renowned boys' choir based in the Hofburg; like other musical institutions, it is mostly on vacation"

Crypt where about 150 Habsburgs are buried, including the ornate double coffin of Maria Theresa and Franz I. It also holds Franz Joseph's austere military tomb and Empress Elisabeth's flower-covered tomb.

"Crypt where about 150 Habsburgs are buried, including the ornate double coffin of Maria Theresa and "

Concert hall in the Stadtpark where the 'Waltz King' Johann Strauss directed concerts. Strauss and waltz concerts are still held here for music lovers.

"Concert hall in the Stadtpark where the 'Waltz King' Johann Strauss directed concerts. Strauss and w"

This 19th-century seat of the Austrian Supreme Court has a grand atrium with an ornate staircase and a statue of Lady Justice. It is open on weekdays and admission is free.

"This 19th-century seat of the Austrian Supreme Court has a grand atrium with an ornate staircase and"

A historic square at the gateway to the Hofburg, marked by the turquoise dome over the entrance. It is best seen early, before the crowds arrive.

"A historic square at the gateway to the Hofburg, marked by the turquoise dome over the entrance. It "

A museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth inside the Hofburg, included in the palace ticket along with the Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection.

"A museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth inside the Hofburg, included in the palace ticket along with"

A wing of the Hofburg complex that houses parts of the Austrian National Library and several museums.

"A wing of the Hofburg complex that houses parts of the Austrian National Library and several museums"

A lush garden beside the Hofburg, dotted with statues of Austrian luminaries such as Mozart and Franz Joseph, and with plenty of benches for a rest.

"A lush garden beside the Hofburg, dotted with statues of Austrian luminaries such as Mozart and Fran"

A burger restaurant on Rotenturmstrasse with an extensive menu of meat and veggie burgers plus many sides, at around $15–20 per person.

"A burger restaurant on Rotenturmstrasse with an extensive menu of meat and veggie burgers plus many "

A rooftop cocktail bar recommended for its night-time city views.

"A rooftop cocktail bar recommended for its night-time city views."

A glamorous high-rise cocktail bar, with cocktails at around $12–18.

"A glamorous high-rise cocktail bar, with cocktails at around $12–18."

An art museum whose forecourt offers the best view of the State Opera.

"An art museum whose forecourt offers the best view of the State Opera."

A 1914 Art Nouveau clock bridging two parts of the Anker Insurance building, where 12 historical figures rotate past the clock face. All 12 parade to music at noon.

"A 1914 Art Nouveau clock bridging two parts of the Anker Insurance building, where 12 historical fig"

A city park known for its manicured rose gardens.

"A city park known for its manicured rose gardens."

A café inside a glass greenhouse where you drink coffee surrounded by lush greenery.

"A café inside a glass greenhouse where you drink coffee surrounded by lush greenery."

A tiny coffee window on a side street, famous for its Fensterccino, a cappuccino served in a chocolate-coated waffle cone. The video calls it a little expensive but a quirky, memorable experience.

"A tiny coffee window on a side street, famous for its Fensterccino, a cappuccino served in a chocola"

Located at Hotel Sacher, it is the only place to get the original Sachertorte recipe, a chocolate and apricot cake created in 1832. It produces more than 270,000 slices a year.

"Located at Hotel Sacher, it is the only place to get the original Sachertorte recipe, a chocolate an"

A baroque palace recommended by a follower as an architectural hidden gem. It is free to enter and look around.

"A baroque palace recommended by a follower as an architectural hidden gem. It is free to enter and l"

A modern first-district spot that serves tartare made from organic veal and beef without flavor enhancers. Toppings and marinades are creative, including caprese, and passion fruit with caramelized banana.

"A modern first-district spot that serves tartare made from organic veal and beef without flavor enha"

Chef Lukas Mraz's favorite sandwich spot, serving the classic Viennese grilled ham and cheese toast with crunchy cheese edges. The toast comes with a secret-recipe spiced mustard dip.

"Chef Lukas Mraz's favorite sandwich spot, serving the classic Viennese grilled ham and cheese toast "