{"id":50322,"date":"2022-08-07T19:43:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T18:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=50322"},"modified":"2025-12-04T10:59:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T09:59:10","slug":"walking-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking tour of Vienna"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/manwalking.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/manwalking.jpg\" alt=\"Legs walking\" class=\"wp-image-50323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/manwalking.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/manwalking-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The compact centre makes it easy to walk between the sights in Vienna, but which route should you take? Here my suggestion for your own walking tour, with insider tips along the way and links to detailed descriptions of the sights you pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Route starts at the opera house<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ends at the cathedral<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Includes the top sights in the centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Takes about 90 mins at a decent pace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a 2hr <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">guided walking tour<\/a>* of the city<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/tours-overview\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"59926\">Overview of Vienna tours<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is part 1, which takes you from the opera house to the edge of the central Hofburg palace complex. Then you move on to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-hofburg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50396\">Part 2<\/a> (covers that Hofburg complex)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-ring\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50555\">Part 3<\/a> (a lovely section of the Ring boulevard)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-city-centre\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50618\">Part 4<\/a> (back through the old town to the cathedral)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walking route for the centre<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouropera.jpg\" alt=\"Outside the Vienna opera house\" class=\"wp-image-50325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouropera.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouropera-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The west side of the opera house with its arched colonnade)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We shall begin at the front of the Staatsoper opera house, since you reach this easily from just about anywhere: either on foot from the centre or via trams to Oper\/Karlsplatz (lines 1, 2, D, 62 and 71) or subway to Karlsplatz (U1, U2 and U4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, if you&#8217;d prefer to tour the city from the comfort of a seat, then the opera house is also a main stop for Vienna&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/sightseeing-bus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3789\">hop on hop off bus services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Route map<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Part 1 of the walk covers the orange markers in the overview map below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1qJGBKILfYAdnZwGiooPsLG39Jjf_C6U&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The opera house<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/staatsoperday.jpg\" alt=\"State Opera House by day\" class=\"wp-image-43278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/staatsoperday.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/staatsoperday-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The back of the opera house)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opened in 1869, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/staatsoper\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1071\">the Staatsoper<\/a> counts as one of the world&#8217;s top opera venues and also provides a home to the state ballet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Performances change each night thanks to an experienced ensemble and an orchestra drawn from the expert ranks of the Wiener Philharmoniker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the uniformly historical look, what you see of the building is only partly original: the rest is an accurate reconstruction after WWII bombing damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Casual visitors can view little of the interior. However, the opera house kindly hosts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/staatsoper-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17051\">guided tours<\/a> so you can walk around the insides without attending an actual performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a budget, they also sell inexpensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/cheap-tickets\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"881\">standing tickets<\/a>. These allow you to enjoy world-class opera for the price of coffee and cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"exp205287,exp205280\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_CityWalk\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As you face the front of the Staatsoper, walk along to the left and take the road on your right (down the lovely colonnade that funnels you past the stage door).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is Operngasse and leads into the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">Tip: I've enjoyed coffee and strudel at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/gerstner-palais-todesco\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"81841\">Gerstner location<\/a> in nearby Palais Todesco. A pre-performance drink there seems like a refined way to start an evening at the opera.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Albertina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you emerge from the Staatsoper colonnade, look across to the other side of the road; you see a wall fountain and, above it, an equestrian statue with the Albertina palais and art museum behind:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouralbertina.jpg\" alt=\"The Albertina and statue\" class=\"wp-image-50330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouralbertina.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouralbertina-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The chap on the horse is Archduke Albrecht)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cross over the road to walk past the Albertina on your left, but not before you take everything in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2995\">Albertina<\/a> itself dates back to the 1740s. Once a home to various archdukes, it now houses an extraordinary collection of art that famously includes Albrecht D\u00fcrer&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/durer-hare\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7083\">Young Hare<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A visit includes a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina-art\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2999\">permanent exhibition<\/a> featuring the likes of Picasso, a self-guided <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina-staterooms\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2997\">stateroom tour<\/a>, and a changing repertoire of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina\/#ticket-and-visitor-tips\">special exhibitions<\/a> that cover everything from Renaissance art to contemporary sculpture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">Tip: go up to the terrace in front of the Albertina for excellent photos of the Staatsoper on one side and views across to the Burggarten park and Neue Burg (which you pass later on this walking tour) on the other.<\/pre>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/albertinaacrosstostaatsoper.jpg\" alt=\"View from the Albertina across to the Staatsoper\" class=\"wp-image-47290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/albertinaacrosstostaatsoper.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/albertinaacrosstostaatsoper-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(View of the opera house from the Albertina terrace)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1899 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/archduke-albrecht-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"39990\">equestrian statue<\/a> is Archduke Albrecht (1817-1895), one-time owner of the Albertina and Habsburg military personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1869 roadside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/albrechtsbrunnen-danubiusbrunnen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32741\">Albrechtsbrunnen<\/a> wall fountain has a river theme, with the personification of the Danube at its centre. His arm rests around Vindobona, who represents Vienna. The other figures all represent tributaries of the Danube.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourbitzinger.jpg\" alt=\"Bitzinger sausage stand\" class=\"wp-image-50332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourbitzinger.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourbitzinger-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Bitzinger sausage stand)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two contrasting culinary treats sit nearby:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bitzinger booth in front of the fountain might be Vienna&#8217;s most famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/sausages\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1200\">sausage stand<\/a> and often has queues (Mick Jagger popped in on a recent Rolling Stones tour). The rooftop hare hints at the Albertina&#8217;s most notable artwork<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One of Vienna&#8217;s traditional coffee houses lives opposite the Albertina. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-mozart\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"23684\">Caf\u00e9 Mozart<\/a> has a long history that includes becoming a favoured haunt of the cast and crew of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/songsfilms\/third-man-locations\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31222\">The Third Man<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourmonumentfascism.jpg\" alt=\"Monument against war and fascism\" class=\"wp-image-50335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourmonumentfascism.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourmonumentfascism-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Part of the monument against war and fascism)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An entranceway just behind the Bitzinger booth and opposite the Albertina offers another chance to experience modern and contemporary art: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/heidi-horten-collection\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"47637\">Heidi Horten Collection<\/a> at Hanuschgasse 3 (home to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/heidi-horten-collection\/#tickets\">exhibitions<\/a> drawing on that prestigious archive).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you continue walking down past the Albertina, look back to see the museum steps with their artful stair painting and across to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/wwii-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"69411\">monument against war and fascism<\/a> by Alfred Hrdlicka (erected in 1988, which feels a little belated given the topic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Augustinerkirche<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouraugustinerstrasse.jpg\" alt=\"View down Augustinerstrasse\" class=\"wp-image-50337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouraugustinerstrasse.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtouraugustinerstrasse-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Augustinerstra\u00dfe)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should now be following the pavement and road a little to the left down Augustinerstra\u00dfe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you leave the open square area, though, look right to spot the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/theatermuseum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26023\">Theatermusuem<\/a> in the 17th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/palais-lobkowitz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26020\">Palais Lobkowitz<\/a>. The building hosted the first performances of Beethoven&#8217;s 3rd and 4th symphonies (the owner was a major sponsor of the composer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your route now takes you down the side of the 14th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/augustinerkirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17061\">Augustinerkirche<\/a>, former long-serving court church to the Habsburgs.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"382\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Elisabethsisi1853.jpg\" alt=\"Empress Elisabeth in 1853\" class=\"wp-image-65401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Elisabethsisi1853.jpg 382w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Elisabethsisi1853-255x300.jpg 255w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 382px) 100vw, 382px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Empress Elisabeth married in the Augustinerkirche in 1854. Here she&#8217;s pictured one year earlier by Franz Seraph Hanfst\u00e4ngl; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 82831; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The location presided, for example, over weddings for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/franz-joseph\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26307\">Emperor Franz Joseph<\/a> (to the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/sisi\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34621\">Sisi<\/a>), Empress Maria Theresa, Napoleon Bonaparte, and King Louis XVI of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those last two events took place in the absence of the grooms, which I didn&#8217;t realise was an option for weddings and would have saved me some dry cleaning costs.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/jansobieskiplaque.jpg\" alt=\"Jan Sobieski plaque\" class=\"wp-image-45994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/jansobieskiplaque.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/jansobieskiplaque-300x222.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Sobieski plaque)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The road continues past Dorotheergasse on your right, which houses, for example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/jewish-museum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1591\">Jewish Museum<\/a>&#8216;s main site and the local cultural icon that is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-hawelka\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"9388\">Hawelka coffee house<\/a> (I recommend you try the Buchtel pastries).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just after the junction with Dorotheergasse, look for a plaque on the outside wall of the Augustinerkirche bearing the name Jan Sobieski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Polish king attended mass in the church on September 13th, 1683, fresh from defeating the Ottoman forces and lifting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/the-1683-siege-of-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"29264\">siege of Vienna<\/a> in a monumental &#8220;sliding doors&#8221; moment for European history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"pro1104328,pro1035177\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_walkingbus\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Josefsplatz<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/josefsplatz2024.jpg\" alt=\"View across Josefsplatz\" class=\"wp-image-71833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/josefsplatz2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/josefsplatz2024-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Josefsplatz with the national library on the left)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You now reach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/josefsplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"30648\">Josefsplatz square<\/a>, which marks an outer boundary of the great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">Hofburg complex<\/a>, one-time home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburgs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12848\">Habsburg imperial dynasty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a moment to enjoy a big helping of historical Vienna on Josefsplatz, since just about every building on it still looks much like it did decades or centuries ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you continue down the road along one side of the square you pass two palais buildings on your right: Palais P\u00e1lffy (reconstructed after WWII) and the 18th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/palais-pallavicini\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31243\">Palais Pallavicini<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/entrancepallavicini.jpg\" alt=\"Palais Pallavicini\" class=\"wp-image-48318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/entrancepallavicini.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/entrancepallavicini-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The entrance caryatids to Palais Pallavicini)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scantily clad statues outside Pallavicini led to some &#8220;excitement&#8221; at the time of construction. More recently, that same portal and palais appeared in <em>The Third Man<\/em> as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/songsfilms\/third-man-locations\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31222\">home<\/a> to Harry Lime, whose &#8220;fatal&#8221; road accident took place outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The square itself has the unassuming entrance to the Augustinerkirche on one side. Nip inside to see the remarkable 1805 Canova memorial for Archduchess Marie Christine , who died in 1798.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The side opposite the road has the entrance to the State Hall of the National Library. I urge you to take a break and have a look at the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/prunksaal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2750\">Prunksaal<\/a> inside.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/prunksaal2.jpg\" alt=\"Inside view of the state hall in Vienna\" class=\"wp-image-71836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/prunksaal2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/prunksaal2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Yeah, not your average municipal library. Good luck trying to borrow one of the books on display, though; press photo \u00a9 \u00d6sterreichische Nationalbibliothek\/Hloch)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of those libraries you see on Instagram: a towering haven of baroque architecture, ceiling frescoes, and books that look like leather-bound grimoires full of dark magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final side of the square is the exterior of the Redoutens\u00e4le rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Habsburg monarchs put those rooms to good use for concerts, banquets, balls and various events intended to entertain and\/or impress in equal measure. They now serve as administrative areas and (commercial) event locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in the centre of the square we have another equestrian statue: this time from 1807 and featuring Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790) himself. (It seems spelling was more flexible back in the day.)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/statuejosephII.jpg\" alt=\"Statue of Joseph II\" class=\"wp-image-48427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/statuejosephII.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/statuejosephII-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The statue mimics the one of Marcus Aurelius that once stood on the Capitoline Hill in Rome)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/monument-emperor-joseph-ii\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"52459\">Joseph statue<\/a> has reliefs on the surrounding pillars that represent events and accomplishments from the monarch&#8217;s reign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walk on past the square while keeping the road to your left and head toward the archways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you reach the exit from the square, though, glance down the road leading away to the right (Br\u00e4unerstra\u00dfe): Tanzschule Elmayer is one of Vienna&#8217;s more notable ballroom dancing schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the home of the Waltz&#8230;cough, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/johann-strauss\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"21524\">Strauss<\/a>, cough&#8230;the city still has a strong ballroom dancing tradition and hundreds of balls each year.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourdanceschool.jpg\" alt=\"Br\u00e4unerstra\u00dfe and Tanzschule Elmayer\" class=\"wp-image-50340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourdanceschool.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourdanceschool-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(You pass Br\u00e4unerstra\u00dfe on your right)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The archways will take you to and past the Renaissance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stallburg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"30886\">Stallburg stables<\/a> used by the stallions of the Spanish Riding school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here we&#8217;re now on the second part of your walking tour: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-hofburg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50396\">Hofburg and Habsburgs<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The compact centre makes it easy to walk between the sights in Vienna, but which route should you take? Here my suggestion for your own walking tour, with insider tips along the way and links to detailed descriptions of the sights you pass. This is part 1, which takes you from the opera house to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50323,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-50322","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-transport","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50322"}],"version-history":[{"count":60,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87334,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50322\/revisions\/87334"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}