Vienna International Guide to Lifestyle, Travel, Arts & Culture & More
Find additional ways to spend your time in Vienna: Local Austrian culture, international culture, style, books, fashion, arts, theaters, exhibitions, movies
Wiener Eistraum: 25 Years of Ice Skating at the Rathausplatz
One of the highlights among Vienna's events looks back on a proud quarter of a century and is also equipped for a long future. The "Vienna Ice Dream" has been dressed up for its 25th birthday - City Hall Square, 9,000 m² of ice rink and the worldwide unique "Sky Rink" ice terrace sparkled and shone with a glittering glow on the opening evening.
January 23, 2020
Hedy Lamarr: Most Beautiful Woman in the World and Inventor Returns to Vienna
The Jewish Museum Vienna presents the new exhibition "Lady Bluetooth. Hedy Lamarr". Hedy Lamarr, born in Vienna in 1914, made a career in Hollywood as an actress and was crowned "the most beautiful woman in the world". In addition, the world owes her one of the most far-reaching inventions without which mobile telephony, WLAN or Bluetooth would be unthinkable today.
November 19, 2019
Another Electric Rental Scooter Has Arrived in Vienna
"Emmy", a Berlin-based start-up and electric scooter sharing company is rolling into Austria. The scooters are now also available for short-term rental in Vienna in addition to major German cities. Further Austrian cities are to follow.
November 15, 2019
Upper Austria's Bad Ischl Becomes European Capital of Culture 2024
Together with two other capitals of culture, Tartu in Estonia and Bodo in Norway, Bad Ischl (together with 20 other municipalities of the Salzkammergut) was elected European Capital of Culture 2024.
November 12, 2019
Austria Acquires Extraordinary Estate of Star Photographer Yoichi Okamoto
The Austrian National Library recently scored a special coup by purchasing the personal photographic estate of Yoichi R. Okamoto. The Japanese-American, who was promoted to official photographer of the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson, was head of the American photography service in Austria from 1948 to 1954 and thus had the opportunity to capture post-war Austria directly with his camera.
November 7, 2019
Opening of the 57th Viennale at the Gartenbaukino in Vienna
The largest international film festival in Austria, the Viennale was opened in Vienna's Gartenbaukino in the presence of Federal Chancellor Bierlein. The role of women in society is of the highest relevance.
October 25, 2019
Buy Local - Invest Global: How to Invest Your Money on the Vienna Stock Exchange
Expats in Austria now have access to over 680 internationally sought-after securities from 26 countries at local conditions.
October 25, 2019
What You Always Wanted To Know About Viennese Diplomatic Number Plates
How to find out for which country or international institution a vehicle with an Austrian diplomatic license plate is registered, starting with the initials WD (Wien Diplomat) and a certain number. For example, "WD-1" is the Diplomatic Code for Vatican City.
October 23, 2019
Diplomats in Austria: How the VAT Refund Works
Would you like to know how you can recover your VAT expenses as a diplomat working in Austria or as an expat with diplomatic status working for an international organisation?
October 23, 2019
A New Age for Vienna Tourism
Following the tourism concepts of previous years, the City of Vienna, under the auspices of the Vienna Tourist Board, is for the first time presenting its "Visitor Economy Strategy" until 2025.
October 22, 2019
City of Vienna Battles Airbnb & Co
Shortly before the new European Commission takes up its tasks, the City of Vienna is launching a new Europe-wide offensive to finally achieve clear rules for digital platforms such as Airbnb & Co.
October 22, 2019
How to Marry an Austrian Millionaire?
According to Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Report published today, 4.4 percent or 313,000 of Austrians are dollar millionaires, and each adult Austrian has an average of 247,000 euros ($274,919) in assets.
October 21, 2019
Salzburg Festival: Awarded Festival of the Year by Musical America
The specialist journal "Musical America" has named the Salzburg Festival "Festival of the Year". The Musical America Awards will be presented for the 59th time in December at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
October 17, 2019
Writer Peter Handke Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature 2019

The Swedish Academy has awarded the Austrian writer Peter Handke the Nobel Prize in Literature 2019 "for an influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience". The prestigious award is endowed with more than 800,000 euros.
October 10, 2019
Billionaire Heidi Horten Unveils Her Contemporary Museum Concept
Heidi Goëss-Horten has announced the winning architectural office, which will design the new museum of the Heidi Horten Collection in the Palais Goëss-Horten (Hanuschhof / Stöcklgebäude) until the beginning of 2022.
October 9, 2019
Model European Parliament with 100 Participants in Vienna
Students from ten countries discussed European policy issues in the Great Redouten Hall of the Austrian Parliament.
October 8, 2019
Cooperation between New York's 'Met' and Austrian Museums: Maximilian I - The Last Knight
The exhibition "The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York on the significance of the European armaments trade at the beginning of the Renaissance will be held on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Maximilian I's death. 180 objects from more than 30 private and public collections were collected for this purpose.
October 3, 2019
Resident Alien Traces the Contributions of Austrian-American Architects
During his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign and Culture Minister Schallenberg opened the exhibition "Resident Alien: Austrian Architects in America" at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.
September 26, 2019
The Belvedere at Night - An Extraordinary Evening at a Beautiful Baroque Palace
With its unique baroque palace complex and a world-class art collection, the Belvedere Vienna offers an exquisite setting for various events such as weddings and business breakfasts.
September 25, 2019 · Sponsored Content
Expats in Austria Give Host Country Its Worst Ranking Yet
Expats in Austria enjoy a healthy life with great opportunities to travel, however, finding friends or even love can be a struggle. Hence Austria became 3rd from the bottom (56th out of 64 countries) in the Ease of Settling In Index.
September 20, 2019
Comeback of Albrecht Dürer's Young Hare
The Albertina Vienna will present the most comprehensive exhibition of the work of Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) in decades, starting next week. The exhibition presents over 100 drawings, a dozen paintings, personal notes and other rare documents of the Renaissance genius, including the Young Hare, the Praying Hands and the Great Piece of Turf.
September 12, 2019
Cats at the Ronacher - A Musical Legend Returns
The new version of the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece returns after many years to Vienna. Breathtaking dance, legendary costumes, a magical stage design, Grammy-awarded, rousing music and the touching world hit Memory make Cats an memorable experience.
September 12, 2019
Oh Vienna: Austria's Capital Remains the World’s Most Liveable City
Vienna has successfully defended its leading position in the Economist ranking of the most liveable cities in the world. On the index Vienna scores a near-perfect 99.1 out of 100, putting it just ahead of Melbourne.
September 5, 2019
Most Visited Sights Cooperate and Want to Attract More Chinese Tourists Through WeChat
Schönbrunn Palace and Schönbrunn Zoo will focus on China in the coming years. The zoo is now on WeChat and wants to attract more than a billion Chinese users to Vienna.
September 4, 2019
Hope and Despair: Vienna Humanities Festival 2019
The fourth Vienna Humanities Festival is an urban salon with leading figures from the worlds of academia, art and culture. In nearly 40 events participants negotiate the burning questions of our time.
August 29, 2019
How to Register SIM Cards in Austria?
All SIM card users in Austria must register their prepaid cards by September 1, 2019. Severe penalties are imminent. The following hint will allow you to use your card for another year without registering.
August 15, 2019
Elephant Baby Kibali - Schönbrunn Zoo Has a New Star
Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo has just welcomed a baby elephant into the world. The little Kibali was born at Europe’s best zoo. The little elephant measured 90 cm and weighed 90 kg.
August 15, 2019
Sensation: South Gate of Roman Fortress Vindobona Discovered within the City of Vienna
The foundation of the missing main gate Porta Decumana of the Roman legionary camp Vindobona came to light during construction works.
August 12, 2019
Driving a Car in Austria: What Users of a Vehicle with a Foreign Number Plate Need to Know
Persons whose main residence is in Austria and who drive a vehicle with a foreign registration plate must obtain an Austrian registration plate after one month at the latest. If the license plate is used for a longer period of time, administrative and financial criminal proceedings will be initiated.
August 2, 2019
Opening of the Salzburg Festival in the Context of the Climate Crisis
The Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) is the world's most important festival of classical music and the performing arts. The opening speeches in 2019 were dominated by the themes of climate change and environmental protection. The keynote speaker was US director Peter Sellars.
July 30, 2019
8 Reasons why Vienna is an Ideal Destination for Expats
Home to imperial architecture, masterpiece-filled museums and inspiring music, it’s no wonder that Vienna is a desirable destination for tourists and expats alike.
July 26, 2019
Bregenz Festival: Austria's Artistic Showpiece all over the World
On the occasion of the opening of the Bregenz Festival 2019 (Bregenzer Festspiele) Alexander Van der Bellen reminded the audience that many challenges can only be solved together and with great efforts, and Alexander Schallenberg pointed out that the festival is like big multilateral meetings, where people from different backgrounds meet for a few days and exchange ideas.
July 22, 2019
Lipizzaner Offspring Stars Visiting Vienna
The young mare herd from the Lipizzaner stud Piber can be seen in the baroque Winter Riding School of the Vienna Hofburg until the beginning of August.
July 9, 2019
Billionaire Heidi Horten to Become Museum Founder
The billionaire, patron and art collector Heidi Goëss-Horten has acquired a palace for the permanent presentation of her Heidi Horten Collection in downtown Vienna, right next to the State Opera and Albertina. Agnes Husslein-Arco is intended as director. The museum in the Hanuschhof is scheduled to open in early 2022.
July 5, 2019 · Updated: July 5, 2019; 15:17
Paternity Leave Entitlement Decided by Parliament
Members of the Austrian National Council passed a resolution on the legal entitlement to Paternity Leave (Papamonat). Fathers now have the right to be granted time off. Changes have also been made to child benefit legislation.
July 5, 2019
Don't Smoke - Austria to Finally Ban Smoking in Bars and Restaurants
Over 1 year after the smoking ban in gastronomy should have come into force, the parliament has once again voted in favour and is to come into force on 1 November 2019. The ban will also apply to shishas and e-cigarettes, with the exception of guest gardens. Through the smoking ban alone, there should be 1,000 fewer deaths per year from passive smoking.
July 4, 2019 · Updated: July 4, 2019; 20:44
Beach Volleyball - Vienna Major 2019 on the Danube Island
This summer Vienna will once again become the centre of the international beach volleyball scene. At the second Vienna Major, the world's best beach volleyball players will play exciting games on the Danube Island from 31 July to 4 August.
July 4, 2019
Uber Ridesharing Threatens to Retreat from Austria
The US transportation network company Uber wants to mobilise against the taxi and rental car reform in Austria with a petition. The new law would be a setback for Austria in several respects. If the new law is passed on 3 July, we will no longer be able to offer services such as UberX, according to a statement by Uber.
June 27, 2019
Marathon Under Two Hours - World Record Holder Kipchoge Wants to Break Barrier in Vienna
The marathon Olympic champion and world record holder, the Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, wants to run the marathon in less than 2 hours in Vienna in October, thus cutting his current record of 2:01:39 hours by an impossible 2 minutes.
June 27, 2019
Maria Lassnig - Sleeping with a Tiger
Maria Lassnig stands alongside Louise Bourgeois, Joan Mitchell, and Agnes Martin as one of the most important women artists of the 20th century. Body Awareness. It was early on that she made her own body the central focus of her art, long before body-consciousness, and the relations between women and men became central themes of the international avant-garde.
June 7, 2019
Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019
More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.
May 29, 2019
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Greta Thunberg at the Vienna Climate Summit
The 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger are campaigning in the Vienna Hofburg for a stronger commitment against the climate crisis.
May 28, 2019
Song Duet with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Andreas Gabalier
The Styrian-American film star Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Styrian singer Andreas Gabalier have recorded together the motivation song "Pump it Up", a mixture of English rap singing performances. The song is about motivation and achieving your goals. The video also shows the two Styrians at sports.
May 28, 2019
European Elections - Who Stands for Election and How Can a Non-Austrian EU Citizen Vote in Austria?
After the political earthquake in Austria and the end of the turquoise-blue government, the EU election on Sunday is eagerly awaited. A decision will be made on 18 EU mandates from Austria. In European elections, EU citizens are entitled to vote in Austria as long as they are registered in the European electoral register.
May 24, 2019
New Chinese Panda Bear Arrived in Vienna
During his visit to Vienna, Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians, brought a panda male with him and handed him over to Schönbrunn Zoo.
May 24, 2019
Africa! Africa! - The Continent of Amazement Returns to Vienna
André Heller's new production of his tour comes back to Vienna. Africa! Africa! inspired more than 180.000 spectators last year. This year's tour features spectacular new numbers and award-winning artists.
May 15, 2019 · Sponsored Content
The Vienna Festival 2019 is Opened
The Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival) were opened and started with a mainly female stage. The Vienna Festival is a cultural festival in Vienna that takes place every year for five weeks in May and June. The Wiener Festwochen show theatre, opera and dance productions from all parts of the world and also perform as producers of international productions.
May 10, 2019
Hermann Nitsch - Rooms Made of Colour
On the occasion of the 80th birthday of the Austrian painter and action artist Hermann Nitsch, his works can be seen and experienced in the Albertina as monumental colour spaces and rubble installations. The exhibition "NITSCH. Räume aus Farbe" shows Nitsch's pictures for the first time as painting for themselves: it bursts the dimensions of the panel painting, conquers the wall across the entire surface and intervenes in the room as a comprehensive installation.
May 10, 2019
The Lipizzaners - What Links Austria and Slovenia Together
The Lipizzan horses are to become cultural heritage. After decades of dispute, Slovenia and Austria submit the Lipizzaner breed to UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. This was declared by Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and her Slovenian colleague Miro Cerar after signing a joint declaration in Going in Tyrol. The application should be submitted by March 2020 with the aim of enrolment by 2021.
May 7, 2019
UNESCO - Austria Awarded Two More World Heritage Sites
In addition to the currently troubled "Historical Centre of Vienna", which is to be preserved as a World Heritage Site, two other Austrian sites will be added to the World Heritage List at the next UNESCO meeting in Baku at the end of June. The "Danubian Limes" (Donaulimes), part of the former border of the Roman Empire, and the "Grossglockner High Alpine Road", the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. Thus Austria will have 12 World Heritage Sites starting in summer 2019.
May 6, 2019
