Kahlenberg

The Kahlenberg is the classic viewpoint over Vienna. At 484 metres it rises on the edge of the Vienna Woods in the far north of the city, and from its terrace the whole of Vienna is laid out below: the Danube and its islands, the spire of St. Stephen's, the Riesenrad, the modern towers of the Donau City and, on a clear day, the airport and the Schneeberg mountain far to the south. The hill also has a place in European history: in 1683 the Polish king Jan III Sobieski led the relief army down from these heights to break the Ottoman siege of Vienna.

The main panoramic terrace sits between a café and a restaurant at the top. Just below the bus stop is St. Joseph's, a small Baroque pilgrimage church linked to the events of 1683. At the summit, the Stefaniewarte, a 22-metre observation tower built in 1887 and named after Crown Princess Stefanie, opens between May and October for an even wider view.

Many people make the Kahlenberg part of a half-day outing combined with walking and wine. Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 starts at the Nussdorf terminus of tram D and climbs through vineyards and woodland to the top, which takes around an hour and a half to two hours at a steady pace. From there you can continue along marked trails to the neighbouring Leopoldsberg. Coming back down, the wine villages of Grinzing, Nussdorf and Heiligenstadt have plenty of Heurigen, the wine taverns where local growers serve their own wine with cold and hot buffet food.

The trip suits walkers, photographers and anyone who wants a break from the city centre. The terrace is free and open at all times, but the views are best on clear days in spring and autumn and around sunset. Bring sturdy shoes if you plan to hike, and something warm, as it is often windy at the top.

Without hiking, the easiest way up is bus 38A from Heiligenstadt station, the terminus of the U4. It runs several times an hour, passes through Grinzing on the way and takes under 30 minutes, with more frequent services at weekends and on public holidays.