Vienna's Top 10 things to see
The Vienna Tourist Board provides the media (people like me) with statistics on the most popular (paid) attractions in the city. According to their numbers, the top 10 sights are:
1. Schönbrunn Palace
The palace, the park and associated attractions pull in over 2.5 million visitors a year. The centerpiece is the palace itself, former home to the Imperial family and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Find photos, interactive maps and guides to the area here.
2. Vienna Zoo
Many of those 2.5 million visitors find their way into what is the world's oldest working zoo, given its location in the grounds of the palace. Much improved in recent years, its biggest pull is probably the giant panda enclosure. Learn more about the zoo and its animals.
Copyright: Wiener Riesenrad
3. The Albertina Museum
The museum has one of the world's finest graphic art collections, including works by Michelangelo, Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Manet, Cézanne, Klimt and Warhol. (Website)
4. The giant ferris wheel (Riesenrad)
Vienna's iconic ferris wheel is a star of the silver screen, featuring in such classics as the Third Man and Before Sunrise. Photos and history here.
5. The Hofburg and associated sights
The Imperial apartments, Sisi Museum and Imperial Silver Collection are all located in the same area of the Hofburg, the winter pendant to Schönbrunn Palace. (Website)
6. Kunsthistorisches Museum
Another art museum, featuring regular exhibitions and permanent collections covering the antiquities through to Renaissance and Baroque art. More info on the museum here.
7. Belvedere
The former summer residence of Prince Eugene, it's now a venue for exhibitions and boasts its own art collection (including the world's biggest Klimt collection). (Website)
8. Donauturm / Danube tower
The 150m tower has an observation deck and restaurant. (Website)
9. KunstHausWien
And another art museum and home to the works of Hundertwasser. (Website)
10. Naturhistorisches Museum
Vienna's Natural History Museum, where there is much debate as to whether the collections or the building itself are deserving of most priase. Learn more.