Turku to Vienna Flights (TKU-VIE)

HISTORY COMES ALIVE IN VIENNA

A city with over a thousand years of history, Vienna has seen kings and dynasties come and go, has watched the tides of war pass and the blossoming of many eras of progress. With this comes a stunning array of historical and cultural delights that not many cities can match. However, this city is not all about the past; it is a modern and vibrant river city home to over 1.8 million people. Let the Finnair travel guide to Vienna highlight the best the capital of Austria has to offer.

DESTINATION GUIDE TO THE CITY OF CULTURE AND DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE

Vienna is the perfect city for anyone who loves culture — or chocolate. The imperial Habsburg palaces of Hofburg, Belvedereand Schönbrunn are luxurious beyond belief. Art museums such as the Vienna museum of art history (Kunsthistorisches Museum), KunstHausWien and the Leopold Museum are among the best in Europe. It is easy to spend an entire day admiring the many exhibitions at the vast MuseumsQuartier.

European café culture originates in the lovely Viennese Art Nouveau coffee houses, under the arched ceilings of which writers and philosophers gathered in the 19th century. The recipe of the celebrated chocolate cake served at Cafe Sacher has been a closely guarded secret for centuries. Home to Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss, Vienna has a lot to offer for anyone who enjoys classical music: There are three opera houses and two famous concert halls, Musikverein and Konzerthaus, so take your pick!

SIGHTS IN VIENNA

With so much to see, it can be hard to decide where to start, so why not begin with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, and visit Mozarthaus Vienna where you can see the very room in which this classical master lived and composed some of his finest works. Head next to the Stephansdom Church, which was fully rebuilt after the devastation of the Second World War, to take in imposing views of the city. On the western outskirts of town sits the marvellous Schönbrunn Palace, a sprawling 1,441­room Baroque wonder that served as the former imperial summer residence.

Equally magnificent is the former imperial winter residence, the Hofburg Palace, nowadays the official residence and working place for the President of Austria. You can also witness performances of the world-famous Lipizzan horses taught at the Spanish Riding School. Nearby is the Albertina museum, housing one of the largest graphic art collections in the world. Another must-visit spot for Austrian art history is the stunning Belvedere Castle set in a Baroque park landscape. After a day’s exploring, pick a spot along the Danube to soak up the culture in one of Europe’s oldest cities.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO NEAR VIENNA

• Salzburg – Three hours by car — less by train — and you can visit this historic beauty. Renowned for classical music, it’s the birthplace of Mozart.
• Danube cruise – Board one of the many ferry boats plying the waters of the Danube to take a leisurely cruise to see vineyards, valleys and quaint hamlets.
• Bratislava – only an hour’s drive and you’re in another country: this time, Slovakia. On the western edge of the country, what it lacks in size it makes up for in charming old­town alleyways, friendly people and affordable enjoyment.
• Wine tasting – The steep hillsides of the Danube valleys provide the perfect environment for growing grapes. Not surprisingly, there are hundreds of vineyards scattered around Vienna that are easily reached by car.

SHOPPING IN VIENNA

Vienna has a large variety of shopping opportunities for all tastes and budgets. You can find luxury brands, European chains stores, popular fashion outlets and of course a plethora of tourist shops.

• Markets - Vienna loves markets, and you can find them in the many squares that dot the city, especially in the old town. Selling everything from produce to fashion, they offer a wealth of buying opportunities. Not to be missed at Christmas time are the many Christmas markets, which provide a truly magical experience on a snowy night.
• Kärntner Straße – Probably the city’s most well-known shopping street, this is where you stroll to find international brands and lots of people.
• Malls – For an intense shopping experience, you can explore several large malls: Ringstrassen Galerien right in the city centre, the larger Lugner City to the west and the gigantic Shopping City Süd, with 330 stores.
• Kohlmarkt – The domain of high­end brands gives you a taste of luxury (or window shopping).

AUSTRIAN FOOD & DRINK IN VIENNA

• Wiener schnitzel – Bearing the city’s name, this popular dish of crumbed and fried veal steak is a hearty meal on a cold winter’s day.
• Sachertorte – A very rich and tasty cake made from a lot of chocolate and a hint of apricot jam. The Sacher Cafe is said to be the inventor of this renowned treat.
• Coffee – Kaffeehauskultur is huge in Vienna, so do as the locals do and pick a kaffeehaus. Order one of the many speciality grinds and sit down to enjoy the buzz of the locals going about their day. Enjoy a glass of cold water on the side for the true Viennese experience.
• Wine – Surrounded by vineyards, the Austrian capital’s wine offering is very broad. Riesling and Weissburgunder are popular local varieties along with many other types from around the country.

TRANSPORT IN VIENNA

Vienna’s excellent transport system is among the best in the world. Efficient yet cheap, it can easily get you to everywhere you likely want to go. One ticket will get you from one station to another, regardless of the number of transfers needed. Single tickets and multi­day passes are available in railway and transport stations and tobacco shops.

• Metro – The second busiest in the world, the metro is efficient and easy to use with many stations around the city. It is safe and open until late in the evening.
• Bus – Buses criss­cross across town and can take visitors to hard-to-reach areas.
• Trams and trolleys – Mainly found in the inner city, they are useful if you want to quickly get around without going underground.
• Trains – Mostly serving the outer suburbs, the Vienna train network is fast and efficient. It can connect you with the rest of the country and Europe too.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT VIENNA

• Currency – euro
• Electricity – 230 volts, 50 hz, type F plug.
• Tips – adding 5 to 10% on the bill is appreciated but not mandatory.
• Payment/card – Credit cards are widely accepted.
• Time zone – UTC/GMT +1:00
• Water – The tap water is safe and delicious to drink.