The Johann Strauss statue
Gilded within a marble arch — Austria's most famous souvenir photograph by a wide margin.
C.Stadler/Bwag — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Flocci Nivis — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paul Korecky — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Paul Korecky — CC BY-SA 2.0
The first public park the city of Vienna opened for its residents, in 1862, after the city walls came down and their line became the Ring. It was laid out in the English manner — curving paths, open lawns, a small lake — rather than the geometric French style used in the imperial palaces. It holds Vienna's densest collection of commemorative statues, the most famous being the gilded Johann Strauss II playing his violin inside a marble arch — the most photographed statue in Austria. Schubert, Bruckner and other figures stand nearby. The small River Wien cuts through the park, and on its bank sits the Kursalon, an Italian Renaissance-style hall where waltz concerts are staged for visitors most evenings. The park itself is free and always open, and works well as a half-hour break between Ring sights.
Gilded within a marble arch — Austria's most famous souvenir photograph by a wide margin.
Paths and stone balustrades along the small river — the park's quietest and least trafficked corner.
A Secession-style station building by Otto Wagner — architecture worth looking at before you descend.
Parkring, Vienna
Monument to Johann Strauss IIA gilded statue of Johann Strauss II, composer of The Blue Danube, playing his v2 minutes walk4.6
MAK – Museum of Applied ArtsThe Museum of Applied Arts: founded in 1863 as continental Europe's first design4 minutes walk4.4
Haus der MusikA museum about sound more than about music: four floors explaining how hearing w7 minutes walk4.7
Mozarthaus ViennaThe only surviving flat among the dozens Mozart moved through in Vienna. He live7 minutes walk4.2
Austrian Literature MuseumA museum of the Austrian National Library, opened in 2015 in a historic building7 minutes walk4.4They are tourist-facing shows at relatively high prices and variable quality. For real Viennese music the Opera or the Musikverein are more authentic — and cheaper with a standing ticket.