The capital city of Austria, the UEFA EURO 2008TM host country, is also one of the nine federal provinces, meaning that the mayor of the city of 1.8 million people also exercises the function of provincial governor.
These days Vienna is a truly cosmopolitan city and, as it was for so long the capital of a multinational state (until 1918), this is a continuation of a centuries-old tradition. The economic boom of the 1970s and 80s attracted many Turkish people to Vienna and during the wars in the former Yugoslavia many refugees came to Vienna and found a new home here. These people all give texture to the life of the city through their rich cultural traditions, past and present, which are reflected in its businesses, restaurants and town squares. They make up a third of the city's population.
Art and Culture
Also well worth a visit are the estates at the Schloss Belvedere and the Schloss Schönbrunn, with its extensive grounds and world-famous Tiergarten (Zoo).
It is in the Old enclosed by the magnificent buildings of the Ring, that Vienna reveals itself in all the glory that international visitors have come to expect.
Venerable old buildings like Stephansdom cathedral, the Staatsoper, the Rathaus, the university, and many others, have had years of work carried out on them to remove thick layers of dirt and restore their past lustre.
Vienna Sightseeing Tours offer a wide range of ways to see the most important landmarks of the city on comprehensive tours with their unique Hop-on/Hop-off timetable of 14 stops, foreign language guides and Vienna-by-night tours.
The Wien-Karte (Vienna ticket) offers discounted tickets to a total of 210 museums, shops and sights, etc. and is valid for three days from the date of issue. Journeys on public transport are also included. It costs EUR 18.50.
Vienna, which is also known as the city of music, was not only once the home to great musicians such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Maria Theresia von Paradis, but more recently it has also been putting on a fantastic cultural programme for present-day townspeople and visitors. The Neujahrskonzert (New Year's concert) here is broadcast throughout the world and the stars of jazz, rock and other genres rarely forget to stop by in Vienna during their world tours. All year round there are events of all sizes, be it opera, concerts, world music, theatre or cabaret.
From the point of view of food visitors to Vienna are very well catered for: alongside traditional Viennese cuisine, which preserves marked elements of Bohemian cooking from the time of the monarchy, there is a huge selection of eateries offering international cuisine from every continent.
Shopping
For those who are reluctant to leave Vienna without making a purchase, here are a few select shopping tips for the Old City area. Those looking to buy more and spend less should head to one of the shopping centres, such as the new Stadion Centre. Vienna's shopping streets are ideal for a casual stroll and a browse in the shops. For an overview of the area and description of items on offer click here.
For Fans
Those who want to combine the pleasures of shopping with more practical objectives should head for the Fan Embassy. It is>stationed in the Mariahilferstrasse, which runs between the Museums Quartier (Museums District) and the Westbahnhof and happens to be one of the main shopping streets in Vienna.
Green spaces
Of the total surface area of 415 square kilometres, 62 percent is taken up by green spaces. The air quality in Vienna is therefore pretty good despite industry and the traffic. The biggest green area in Vienna is the 6 square kilometres of the Prater, which was opened to the public in the 18th century by the Habsburgs. It is made up of the Wurstelprater, which is where the Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) is located, and vast areas of woodland and meadowland that enable you to relax right in the heart of the city. There are bicycle and boat hires, countless playgrounds, a bmx biking area and a big open-air swimming pool (the Stadionbad) – though the latter will remain closed during the football European Championship due to its proximity to the stadium, and an emergency sick bay will be based there.
During the tournament a fan camp with 3,000 beds, fan-oriented services and a branch of the fan embassy will operate in the Prater.
Another large recreation area now regarded as an important part of the city – after initial protests before construction work was begun – is the Donauinsel (Danube Island). The island offers opportunities for many different sports and establishes a beach culture right in the middle of the city with restaurant, dance and chill-out areas.
The annual, 3 day Donauinsel-fest, with its schedule of high profile concerts attracting millions of people every year, will be held in September this year for the first time in its history.
Safety
Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world and women can walk through the streets at night quite safely. Nonetheless, you should not, as a rule, walk around parks and other parts of town that do not have adequate street lighting.
The following basic safety measures should be observed:
Cash, documents and credit cards should be kept close to the body or kept in inside pockets. Particular care should be taken in large crowds.
A reasonable amount of caution should be observed whilst visiting large entertainment venues like the Prater, and at U-bahn stations, in parks or down quiet side streets.
Alcohol
The town authorities are very strict when it comes to the observance and enforcement of the law.
Drinking alcohol on public streets is permitted provided that child safety regulations are observed! Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to purchase or consume alcohol.
