Looking for fun and interesting facts about Vienna, Austria? Here’s our list of 20 unique things about Austria’s largest city.
Vienna is known for its imperial architecture, famous composers, and coffee house culture. But there’s so much more to this city with over 2 million residents.
In this post, we’ve compiled 20 fascinating facts about Vienna, covering everything from culinary delights to famous Viennese landmarks. Some of these facts will help you put things into their historical context, while others will make you want to pack your bags and visit straight away.
We hope these random facts will help you see a different side of Vienna and inspire you to add it to your travel list this year.
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20 Interesting & Fun Facts about Vienna That Will Surprise You
1. Vienna has the oldest zoo in the world.
Schönbrunn Zoo is located within the imperial summer residence of Schönbrunn Palace. Established in 1752 by Emperor Franz I (husband of Maria Theresia), it’s the world’s oldest zoo.
Also known as Vienna’s Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the zoo has been named Europe’s best zoo six times in a row.
2. Vienna played a crucial role in the invention of the croissant.
The famous French pastry originated in Austria with the Kipferl, which dates back to the 13th century. Kipferl can be plain or filled with nuts.
In the early 1800s, Viennese baker August Zang opened “Boulangerie Viennoise” in Paris, bringing Viennese pastries, including the Austrian Kipferl, to France.
Zang’s version used a laminated dough technique, similar to puff pastry, which resulted in a lighter, flakier texture. This innovation is what we now associate with the modern croissant.
Despite the popular myth that Marie Antoinette (Austrian by birth) introduced her favourite pastry, the Kipferl, to France when she married King Louis XVI, historical evidence does not support this claim.
3. Vienna is known as the “City of Dreams”.
Vienna’s nickname, “City of Dreams”, stems from two main reasons. First, it was the home of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, whose work explored the world of dreams.
Secondly, Vienna’s rich cultural heritage, with its grand palaces, musical legacy, and elegant coffee houses, creates an atmosphere of beauty and inspiration that feels dreamlike for many visitors.
If you want to learn more about Sigmund Freud during your trip to Vienna, visit the Sigmund Freud Museum.
4. The city is the birthplace of the snow globe.
Vienna invented the snow globe by accident in 1900. Erwin Perzy, an Austrian surgical instrument maker, was trying to create a brighter light bulb for surgical use. He added various substances to a water-filled glass globe to reflect the light and increase its brightness.
When he added semolina (a soft common wheat) to the globe, it reminded him of snowfall. And that’s how the first snow globe was born.
The original Vienna snow globes make great souvenirs!
5. Vienna’s coffee house culture is UNESCO-listed.
Many of Vienna’s coffee houses date back to the 17th century and have long been social hubs where writers, artists, and thinkers gathered to exchange ideas.
The ambience in Viennese coffee houses typically includes marble-topped tables, elegant interiors, and a leisurely atmosphere that encourages visitors to linger over their coffee. UNESCO recognises Vienna’s coffee house culture as an intangible cultural heritage.
When you visit Vienna, make sure to check out Café Central. The historic coffee house was once a meeting place for intellectuals and artists like Franz Schubert and Gustav Klimt.
6. The city holds over 450 Viennese balls annually.
These balls aren’t spread throughout the year. The Viennese Ball season runs from November to February, with its peak in January and February.
One of the most famous balls held during Vienna’s Ball Season is the Vienna Philharmonic Ball, known for its formality and elegance. Guests dress in their finest attire, often including tiaras and tails.
Another famous ball is the Blumenball, which is renowned for its beautiful flower arrangements with more than 100,000 colourful flowers.
7. The Wiener Riesenrad is the oldest Ferris wheel.
Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel holds the title of the oldest Ferris wheel in the world that’s still in operation. Known as the Wiener Riesenrad in German, it’s 65 metres (212 feet) tall.
Originally built to celebrate the golden jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1897, the Ferris wheel was almost scrapped due to its initial high costs. Thankfully, the public adored it, ensuring its preservation.
Today, it remains a beloved attraction in the Prater amusement park.
8. Vienna is the “City of Vines”.
Unlike most major capitals, Vienna boasts over 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of vineyards within its city limits. This makes it the only world capital that produces significant quantities of wine right inside the city.
As a result, Vienna has a unique wine tavern culture called “Heuriger”. These family-run taverns serve wine produced from their own grapes.
The most common serving size at a Heuriger is “ein Achtel” (one-eighth of a litre). This allows wine drinkers to sample different varieties without overdoing it.
9. Vienna is the world’s most liveable city.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EUID) annual Global Liveability Index, the Austrian capital secured the top spot as the most liveable city in 2024, followed by Copenhagen, Melbourne, Sydney, and Vancouver.
This marks Vienna’s third year at the top of the rankings, solidifying its reputation as the best city for a high-quality life.
10. The entire historic centre of Vienna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vienna’s historic centre, the “Innere Stadt” (Inner City), encompasses approximately 16 square kilometres (16 square miles) and earned the city the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2001.
It recognises Vienna’s exceptional urban planning and architectural heritage, which spans several centuries and includes diverse styles from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
The UNESCO-listed part of Vienna includes iconic landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, the Spanish Riding School, and the Ringstrasse (Ring Road) with its grand boulevard and monumental buildings.
11. The city is home to one of the four headquarters of the UN.
The Vienna International Centre (VIC) is a huge complex where diplomats work towards global peace and cooperation. It’s one of the four major offices of the United Nations (UN), along with New York City (United States of America), Geneva (Switzerland), and Nairobi (Kenya).
This makes Vienna an important city for international diplomacy and global cooperation.
12. Vienna was the centre of the Habsburg Empire for over six centuries.
The Habsburg Empire, a powerful and influential dynasty, ruled over vast territories in Europe from the late Middle Ages until the early 20th century, including Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. The empire had a significant impact on European politics, culture, and history.
The imperial family left a lasting legacy with grand palaces like Schönbrunn (the Habsburg summer residence) and the Hofburg (their winter home).
Top tip: In our opinion, both Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg are breathtaking, but if you only have one day in the capital city of Austria, we recommend seeing Schönbrunn Palace!
13. The iconic Sacher Torte was invented in Vienna.
The rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam is a Viennese legend. It was invented in 1832 by Franz Sacher.
The Sacher Hotel and Demel Bakery both claim to have the original recipe. When you visit Vienna, take a bite of both and decide for yourself who reigns supreme in the “Sacher Torte Wars”!
Read more: Best local foods to try in Vienna
14. Vienna is famous for its Art Nouveau style.
Vienna was a key centre for the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This artistic style is characterised by its use of organic, flowing lines and nature-inspired motifs, such as flowers and plants.
In Vienna, the movement was known as “Jugendstil”, and key figures included artists like Gustav Klimt and architects like Otto Wagner.
The famous Secession Building, with its gold dome, is a prime example of this style and was the headquarters of the Vienna Secession artists.
Read more: Most iconic and famous buildings in Vienna
15. The capital of Austria is known as the “City of Music”.
For centuries, Vienna has been a magnet for talented composers, musicians, and performers. From the 18th to the early 20th century, the city witnessed a golden age of music.
Famous composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss II (the “Waltz king”) all called Vienna home.
The city’s musical heritage is celebrated through its many concert halls and the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
When in Vienna, make sure to visit the Vienna State Opera, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Or catch a classical concert in a historic setting like the Musikverein concert hall.
16. The Ringstrasse encircles Vienna’s historic centre.
The Ringstrasse was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1857. It replaced the old city walls and fortifications to modernise Vienna and showcase its grandeur. It was officially opened in 1865.
The boulevard is lined with different architectural styles, including neo-Renaissance, neo-Gothic, neo-Baroque, and neo-Classical. It features some of Vienna’s most important buildings, such as the Vienna State Opera (opera house) and the Austrian Parliament.
We highly recommend you take a ride on the Vienna Ring Tram, which provides a convenient and informative way to explore the Ringstrasse.
17. Vienna has one of the world’s largest districts for contemporary art and culture.
Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier (MQ) combines historic Baroque buildings from the former court stables with modern structures designed by renowned architects. The complex is located in Vienna’s city centre and covers over 90,000 square metres.
It houses renowned institutions such as the Leopold Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK), Architekturzentrum Wien, and the Kunsthalle Wien.
Throughout the year, MQ comes alive with various festivals, from the renowned Vienna International Film Festival (Viennale) to contemporary dance events like ImPulsTanz.
18. Vienna was once a military camp during the Roman times.
Around 881, the Roman Empire established a military camp called Vindobona on the site of what is now Vienna’s First District. This camp was a crucial border defence point on the Limes, the Roman frontier along the Danube River.
While the Roman Empire eventually fell, the city of Vienna continued to flourish.
The city’s layout still bears traces of its military camp origins. Some central streets follow the lines of the old Roman camp walls.
Top tip: You can learn more about Vienna’s Roman history in the Römermuseum. And if you want to vividly experience Roman history, take a short train ride to nearby Carnuntum, where you can explore a reconstructed Roman city quarter!
19. Vienna has its own distinct dialect of German.
While German is the official language of Vienna, the city has its own distinct dialect. It’s known as “Wienerisch” or Viennese German. It includes unique vocabulary, expressions, and intonations that set it apart from standard German.
The Viennese dialect softens some consonants and uses intonations that sound different from standard German. A trained ear can easily pick out a Viennese speaker!
20. There’s a dedicated day to honour Austria’s most famous dish.
Wiener Schnitzel is considered a national dish of Austria. “Wien” is the German name for Vienna, so “Wiener Schnitzel” refers specifically to the Viennese version of the breaded and fried cutlet.
The dish is a staple on restaurant menus and a beloved comfort food enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
It’s so famous that Austria has a dedicated day to honour and celebrate the iconic dish: the National Wiener Schnitzel Day on the 9th of September.
Read more: Best local foods to try in Vienna (and where to find them!)
Final Thoughts on Vienna
Did you like our fun and interesting facts about Vienna?
The Austrian capital is undeniably one of Europe’s standout cities in our travels. It has easily earned its place among our list of the top 20 European cities to visit once in your lifetime on the continent.
If you’re planning your visit, don’t miss our detailed itineraries to help you make the most of your time. Discover where to stay in Austria’s capital, which buildings to see, and local dishes you shouldn’t miss!
If you’re planning your visit, don’t miss our guides with the most iconic buildings in Vienna, the best areas to stay, and the local dishes you shouldn’t miss!
And if you’ve found Vienna as captivating as we have, consider visiting Prague in the Czech Republic or Budapest in Hungary. All three cities share a rich Habsburg history and boast stunning architecture.
Do you like learning interesting facts about different places? Then check out our fun fact posts on Japan, Gibraltar, Seoul or Poland. You might discover something new and interesting about these unique destinations too!
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