Stephansplatz (St. Stephen's Square), Vienna
St. Stephen's Square鈥擵ienna鈥檚 beating heart鈥攊s the kind of square that doesn鈥檛 just mark the center of the city, but commands it with flair.
Named after the towering St. Stephen鈥檚 Cathedral, a Gothic powerhouse of stone and spire, this cathedral is not merely Vienna鈥檚 main church鈥攊t鈥檚 one of the tallest in the world. Basically, if you're anywhere nearby and don鈥檛 see it, check your glasses...
Back in the day鈥攂efore the 20th century, that is鈥攖his square and the nearby Stock-im-Eisen-Platz were awkward neighbors separated by a row of buildings. Those were eventually knocked down, and voil脿, a grand unification. Now, St. Stephen's Square graciously includes the whole area, like a generous host absorbing the entire block party.
To the west and south, the scene gets posh with Graben Street (which literally translates as "the Ditch," though it鈥檚 far more champagne than shovel these days) and Carinthian Street, named so after the Carinthia region of Austria, but now better known for shopping that could make your wallet nervous.
And then there鈥檚 Haas Haus, lounging across from St. Stephen鈥檚 Cathedral like the cool, modern cousin at a family reunion. Designed by Hans Hollein and made of glass, steel, and unapologetic modernism, it was once the source of much civic side-eye. Now it鈥檚 celebrated as the poster child for architectural harmony: medieval meets mirror-polished millennium.
While this square may not be the best location for fine dining鈥攗nless your idea of haute cuisine is a schnitzel sandwich鈥攕itting in one of the local caf茅s provides you with the front row for the city鈥檚 greatest spectacle: the people of Vienna. Locals, tourists, street performers, and the occasional opera enthusiast all sweep through under the cathedral鈥檚 watchful gaze.
So pull up a chair, order something strong, and take it all in鈥攂ecause this is more than just a square. It鈥檚 Vienna condensed...
Tip:
Stroll around the cathedral鈥檚 side and you鈥檒l find its miniature version. It鈥檚 like someone said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 make it travel-sized,鈥� and it鈥檚 oddly satisfying. Great for photos, or just for pretending you鈥檙e a giant for a moment.
Named after the towering St. Stephen鈥檚 Cathedral, a Gothic powerhouse of stone and spire, this cathedral is not merely Vienna鈥檚 main church鈥攊t鈥檚 one of the tallest in the world. Basically, if you're anywhere nearby and don鈥檛 see it, check your glasses...
Back in the day鈥攂efore the 20th century, that is鈥攖his square and the nearby Stock-im-Eisen-Platz were awkward neighbors separated by a row of buildings. Those were eventually knocked down, and voil脿, a grand unification. Now, St. Stephen's Square graciously includes the whole area, like a generous host absorbing the entire block party.
To the west and south, the scene gets posh with Graben Street (which literally translates as "the Ditch," though it鈥檚 far more champagne than shovel these days) and Carinthian Street, named so after the Carinthia region of Austria, but now better known for shopping that could make your wallet nervous.
And then there鈥檚 Haas Haus, lounging across from St. Stephen鈥檚 Cathedral like the cool, modern cousin at a family reunion. Designed by Hans Hollein and made of glass, steel, and unapologetic modernism, it was once the source of much civic side-eye. Now it鈥檚 celebrated as the poster child for architectural harmony: medieval meets mirror-polished millennium.
While this square may not be the best location for fine dining鈥攗nless your idea of haute cuisine is a schnitzel sandwich鈥攕itting in one of the local caf茅s provides you with the front row for the city鈥檚 greatest spectacle: the people of Vienna. Locals, tourists, street performers, and the occasional opera enthusiast all sweep through under the cathedral鈥檚 watchful gaze.
So pull up a chair, order something strong, and take it all in鈥攂ecause this is more than just a square. It鈥檚 Vienna condensed...
Tip:
Stroll around the cathedral鈥檚 side and you鈥檒l find its miniature version. It鈥檚 like someone said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 make it travel-sized,鈥� and it鈥檚 oddly satisfying. Great for photos, or just for pretending you鈥檙e a giant for a moment.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Stephansplatz (St. Stephen's Square) on Map
Sight Name: Stephansplatz (St. Stephen's Square)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Vienna
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour I
Among the plethora of other things, the capital of Austria, Vienna, is renowned for its contribution to Art Nouveau 鈥� the popular art movement emerged and flourished at the turn of the 20th century. Stemming from it the Viennese Secession movement, also known as the Austrian Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil (in German), gave rise to a number of architectural marvels.
By far the most colorful of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
By far the most colorful of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Mozart Walking Tour
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent a significant portion of his life in Vienna. Here, he achieved recognition, and the city holds enormous historical and cultural significance for his legacy. Mozart first visited Vienna as a child prodigy in 1762, and in 1781 came here to stay.
The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Old Town Chocolate Stores
Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Johann Strauss Walking Tour
Throughout the entire 19th century, Vienna was a hub of cultural and musical activity, particularly in the realm of classical music, to which Johann Strauss and his father, Johann Strauss Sr., contributed greatly.
Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Klimt Paintings Tour
"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" 鈥� Gustav Klimt.
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour
"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" 鈥� Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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