Innere Stadt & Stephansdom

Vienna's most iconic landmark, with a south tower rising 136 meters — the tallest church tower in Austria. Construction began in 1137; the current Gothic structure dates mainly from the 14th-15th centuries. The multicolored tile roof (230,000 glazed tiles) displays the Habsburg double-headed eagle and was restored after a devastating fire in April 1945 during the last days of WWII. The catacombs hold the intestines of Habsburg rulers (their hearts went to the Augustinerkirche, bodies to the Kapuzinergruft). Mozart's wedding and funeral service both took place here, in 1782 and 1791.

Climb the 343 steps of the south tower for the best view of Vienna. The catacombs tour (every 30 minutes) shows the bone-filled chambers and the intestinal urns.

Vienna's most elegant pedestrian shopping streets. The Graben follows the line of the old Roman camp's moat (Graben means 'ditch'). The Pestsaule (Plague Column), erected in 1693 by Emperor Leopold I after the 1679 plague killed 76,000 Viennese, is the street's dramatic centerpiece. Kohlmarkt leads from the Graben to the Hofburg and houses Demel, the imperial confectioner since 1786 — their window displays of marzipan creations are art installations. These streets have been the city's commercial heart since the medieval period.

Demel at Kohlmarkt 14 has served pastries to emperors since 1786 — watch the confectioners work through the glass window and try the Sachertorte (they claim theirs is the original, rivaling Hotel Sacher).