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  4. I only had 48 hours in Vienna but I'm still thinking about these 7 places that impressed me, from fairytale palaces to jaw-dropping sights

I only had 48 hours in Vienna but I'm still thinking about these 7 places that impressed me, from fairytale palaces to jaw-dropping sights

I only had 48 hours in Vienna but I'm still thinking about these 7 places that impressed me, from fairytale palaces to jaw-dropping sights
Insider's reporter visited Vienna for the first time and found royal palaces, colorful buildings, and miles of street art.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently spent two days in Vienna, the capital of Austria, during a train trip through Europe.
  • The city impressed me with baroque royal palaces alongside modern buildings and street art.

On a recent two-week train trip through four European countries, I spent 48 hours in Vienna, Austria, for the first time.

On a recent two-week train trip through four European countries, I spent 48 hours in Vienna, Austria, for the first time.
The author visits Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Located in northeast Austria, Vienna has been the country's capital since Austria became its own country in 1955, according to World Atlas. But the city has been around since the Old Stone Age, Britannica reports.

Located in northeast Austria, Vienna has been the country
Vienna is located in northeast Austria.      Google Maps

I traveled to Vienna on an overnight train from Berlin. Even though I was exhausted, I was excited to explore the historic city.

I traveled to Vienna on an overnight train from Berlin. Even though I was exhausted, I was excited to explore the historic city.
The author arrives in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Before visiting Vienna, I knew the city had a long history of royal families and palaces, according to USA Today.

Before visiting Vienna, I knew the city had a long history of royal families and palaces, according to USA Today.
A palace in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: USA Today

I also found many colorful, unique, modern buildings, as well, alongside impressive street art and lush greenery. Here's a closer look at the places that impressed me the most.

I also found many colorful, unique, modern buildings, as well, alongside impressive street art and lush greenery. Here
An apartment building in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The first was Belvedere Palace, built in the 15th century to house Prince Eugene of Savoy, according to the Vienna Tourist Board. I thought the architecture was impressive, a baroque style that gained traction in Vienna in the 17th century, according to Vienna Unwrapped.

The first was Belvedere Palace, built in the 15th century to house Prince Eugene of Savoy, according to the Vienna Tourist Board. I thought the architecture was impressive, a baroque style that gained traction in Vienna in the 17th century, according to Vienna Unwrapped.
The gardens in front of the Belvedere Palace.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Today, the palace is a museum housing Austrian works of art from the middle ages to modern times, according to the same source.

Today, the palace is a museum housing Austrian works of art from the middle ages to modern times, according to the same source.
The Belvedere Palace at sunset.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the palace, I admired vast, intricately landscaped gardens with lush flower beds and hedged bushes. This is another element of the baroque art style, according to the Vienna Tourist Board.

At the palace, I admired vast, intricately landscaped gardens with lush flower beds and hedged bushes. This is another element of the baroque art style, according to the Vienna Tourist Board.
The Belvedere Palace gardens.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Amidst the gardens was a pool reflecting the palace and surrounding buildings. I thought the reflections made the garden feel even more magical.

Amidst the gardens was a pool reflecting the palace and surrounding buildings. I thought the reflections made the garden feel even more magical.
The pool in front of the palace.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Past the gardens and pool, from the lower section of Belvedere Palace, I saw views of the skyline of Vienna, which excited me to see more of the city.

Past the gardens and pool, from the lower section of Belvedere Palace, I saw views of the skyline of Vienna, which excited me to see more of the city.
A view of the Lower Belvedere Palace and surrounding buildings behind a fountain.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Another royal residence that impressed me was Schönbrunn Palace, the former 17th-century summer home of Emperor Ferdinand II, which is now a World UNESCO Heritage site, according to the Vienna Tourist Board.

Another royal residence that impressed me was Schönbrunn Palace, the former 17th-century summer home of Emperor Ferdinand II, which is now a World UNESCO Heritage site, according to the Vienna Tourist Board.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

This palace was another highlight. It's surrounded by a park with a zoo and baroque gardens. Thought I didn't visit the zoo, I found the park and gardens to be more interesting than the building itself.

This palace was another highlight. It
The grounds surrounding the palace.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The garden had hedge mazes, which I'd never seen before. Wandering through them made me feel like a kid again.

The garden had hedge mazes, which I
Inside a hedge maze at the Schönbrunn Palace.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While strolling the Schönbrunn Palace grounds, I came across the Palm House, a dome-like building made of glass and iron. The structure is a greenhouse, according to Schönbrunn Palace.

While strolling the Schönbrunn Palace grounds, I came across the Palm House, a dome-like building made of glass and iron. The structure is a greenhouse, according to Schönbrunn Palace.
The Palm House at the Schönbrunn Palace.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside, I was impressed by the wide variety of plants, from palm trees to flowers and vines.

Inside, I was impressed by the wide variety of plants, from palm trees to flowers and vines.
A look inside the Palm House.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the Palm House was peaceful and fascinating, and an unexpected surprise since I was initially there to see the palace.

I thought the Palm House was peaceful and fascinating, and an unexpected surprise since I was initially there to see the palace.
Various plants in the Palm House.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After I toured the palaces, I found a whole other side to the city that impressed me with neighborhoods filled with modern architecture, street art, and urban gardening.

After I toured the palaces, I found a whole other side to the city that impressed me with neighborhoods filled with modern architecture, street art, and urban gardening.
Snapshots outside of unique building in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

One of the most striking modern buildings I saw was the Hundertwasser House. Known for his expressionist-style architecture, Friedensreich Hundertwasser built this apartment complex in the 1980s, according to Google Arts & Culture.

One of the most striking modern buildings I saw was the Hundertwasser House. Known for his expressionist-style architecture, Friedensreich Hundertwasser built this apartment complex in the 1980s, according to Google Arts & Culture.
The Hundertwasser House in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I approached the Hundertwasser House, my jaw dropped. I thought its whimsically-painted facade with curved lines and tiny shapes made it look more like a page in a coloring book than any building I'd seen before.

As I approached the Hundertwasser House, my jaw dropped. I thought its whimsically-painted facade with curved lines and tiny shapes made it look more like a page in a coloring book than any building I
The Hundertwasser House's facade.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Beneath it, pillars made of varying materials perched on a hilly cobblestone sidewalk. It reminded me of a child's art project — in a good way.

Beneath it, pillars made of varying materials perched on a hilly cobblestone sidewalk. It reminded me of a child
Pillars beneath the building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The next modern building that intrigued me was the Spittelau waste incineration plant in northern Vienna.

The next modern building that intrigued me was the Spittelau waste incineration plant in northern Vienna.
The Spittelau waste incineration plant in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Hundertwasser also created this building's facade, according to the Vienna Tourist Board. I thought the Spittelau had a quirky look similar to the Hundertwasser House.

Hundertwasser also created this building
The Spittelau waste incineration plant.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Spittelau plays a serious role in the community by taking in household waste and supplying environmentally-friendly heating to more than 60,000 homes a year, according to the company's website.

The Spittelau plays a serious role in the community by taking in household waste and supplying environmentally-friendly heating to more than 60,000 homes a year, according to the company
Snapshots of the Spittelau waste incineration plant.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Wein Energie

As my stay went on, modern architecture continued to wow me, next with the Zentralsparkasse Bank building. Created by architect Günther Domenig, it has a facade made of reflective aluminum panels that appear to melt into the street, Metropolis reported.

As my stay went on, modern architecture continued to wow me, next with the Zentralsparkasse Bank building. Created by architect Günther Domenig, it has a facade made of reflective aluminum panels that appear to melt into the street, Metropolis reported.
The Zentralsparkasse Bank building in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Metropolis

I stepped inside to get a closer look. I was surprised to find that the facade's installation was partially exposed. Looking up, I could see industrial piping.

I stepped inside to get a closer look. I was surprised to find that the facade
A view of the facade's installation from beneath the entrance of the building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After admiring these modern buildings, what surprised me most was that they're all used for what I consider to be mundane aspects of life: apartments, a power plant, and a bank building. To me, it shows how creative the city is.

After admiring these modern buildings, what surprised me most was that they
Domenig's bank building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Beyond royal palaces and modern architecture, street art splashed over concrete walls inspired me as a further display of Vienna's creativity.

Beyond royal palaces and modern architecture, street art splashed over concrete walls inspired me as a further display of Vienna
Graffiti on the canal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Lining the 10.7-mile Danube Canal, I saw a wide variety of artwork, from graffiti and cartoons to detailed pictures.

Lining the 10.7-mile Danube Canal, I saw a wide variety of artwork, from graffiti and cartoons to detailed pictures.
Street art lining the canal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I looked at the paintings, I noticed how some of the walls had layers of different art works on top of each other. This made me think that street canvases are ever changing.

As I looked at the paintings, I noticed how some of the walls had layers of different art works on top of each other. This made me think that street canvases are ever changing.
Layers of art on the concrete walls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My favorite pieces of art along the canal were those that appeared to utilize the environment around them, like these street markings that led my eye towards a portrait of a man on a yellow background.

My favorite pieces of art along the canal were those that appeared to utilize the environment around them, like these street markings that led my eye towards a portrait of a man on a yellow background.
Street art in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Finally, I'm still thinking about pockets of urban gardening I saw. According to the Vienna Tourism Board, these carts lining the entrance of a nightclub serve as the pots for the plants growing out of them.

Finally, I
Plants growing from grocery carts.      Joey Hadden/Insider

With its endless art and DIY planting, the Danube Canal showed me a side of Vienna that felt like a stark contrast to the baroque palaces and modern buildings I visited earlier.

With its endless art and DIY planting, the Danube Canal showed me a side of Vienna that felt like a stark contrast to the baroque palaces and modern buildings I visited earlier.
Street art along the canal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In just 48 hours, Vienna impressed me greatly with its royal grounds full of garden mazes and artsy streets with contemporary buildings. I'll definitely be back to uncover even more.

In just 48 hours, Vienna impressed me greatly with its royal grounds full of garden mazes and artsy streets with contemporary buildings. I
The author in Vienna.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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