Austria’s capital was, for more than 400 years, the seat of the Hapsburgs. The reminders of its glorious past are inescapable—the Ringstrasse lined with civic buildings, museums, and parks; the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hapsburgs’ grand summer retreat; and baroque churches with ornate interiors that reflect the wealth of their patrons.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was unique in Europe for its remarkable diversity: Czechs, Germans, Italians, Poles, Slovenians, and many others all lived within its borders. This helped produce the intellectual ferment that marked much of Vienna’s history. Its leading thinkers—including Sigmund Freud, Adolph Loos, Gustav Klimt, and Gustav Mahler—shaped much of modern culture, in everything from architecture to economics, and music to philosophy.
The city is not, however, some museum piece focused on its past glory days. Check any list of the world’s most livable cities and odds are good that Vienna will be represented. What makes it appealing as a place to live also makes it a great travel destination: thriving cultural institutions, lots of green spaces, and, of course, the legendary coffee houses. Every day could be made better with a slice of Sacher torte.
The warm welcome you’ll receive in Vienna is not unlike the one you’ll experience on
Lufthansa, which serves the city from 19 gateways in the United States. With the airline’s flight experience engineered around its passengers, they will get you to Vienna rested and ready to experience all the city offers.