In Vienna's best-known district, pedestrian boulevards Kärntner Strasse and Graben connect you with landmarks such as the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), Vienna’s iconic Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) and the vast compound of Hofburg, the Habsburgs’ former Imperial Palace. Peek down side streets such as Annagasse and Weihburggasse, and Graben’s Seilergasse and Habsburggasse, to get a feel for the centre. The Imperial Apartments and the refreshingly demystifying Sissi Museum are must-dos at Hofburg. Spacious squares such as Am Hof and Freyung often host beautiful seasonal and antiques markets.

Welcome to one of Vienna’s trendiest quarters. The second district has witnessed a turbulent ride, from medieval swamp to vibrant Jewish quarter, from pleasure ground for the noble and humble to current hip residence and workplace of Vienna’s creative crowd. Cross the Danube Canal from the city centre and take in life on Taborstrasse with its mix of old townhouses, churches, theatres, discount shops and ethnic restaurants. Head for Augarten via Karmelitermarkt, Leopoldstadt’s trendy marketplace. Baroque Augarten itself hosts a bizarre mix of manicured hedges and flowerbeds in front of a colossal World War II defense tower, the publicly accessible 300-year-old Augarten porcelain manufactory, the palatial boarding school and funky concert hall of the Vienna Boys Choir, and the modern art museum TBA21. At its opposite corner, The Prater not only houses the Giant Ferris Wheel but blends a bustling amusement park with lush woodland, perfect for a bike tour. Further east is the old derby racing ground of Krieau.

Vienna’s art district, Neubau buzzes with galleries, arts and crafts, trendy restaurants, avant-garde shops, and cafés. Neubau’s Spittelberg quarter with cobblestoned Spittelberggasse and Gutenberggasse make for a perfect stroll alongside Biedermeier houses and art shops. Don’t miss the historic courtyard at Amerlinghaus with its typical Pawlatschen galleries, a perfect hangout on a warm summer evening. Museumsquartier is Neubau’s undisputed highlight: the former Imperial stables house various top museums of 19th to 21st century art. If you love interiors, head for the Imperial Furniture museum (Hofmobiliendepot), one of the world’s largest furniture collections. Find your favorites among a dazzling array of Baroque, Biedermeier, Art Nouveau and Modernist chairs, sofas, cupboards, coat hangers, foot stools and wash basins. No weekend visit would be complete without stopping by a local café on a weekend morning for brunch.

Vienna’s sixth district hosts high street shopping heaven and pedestrian area Mariahilfer Strasse. The weirdest local building is probably the city aquarium Haus des Meeres, housed in one of Vienna’s six remaining World War II defense towers, and topped with a rooftop bar that offers stunning views over Vienna and the centre. One of the most historic sites in the area is the passageway of 18th century Raimundhof with its small shops and cafés. It leads from Mariahilfer Strasse to Windmühlgasse. For a glimpse into the world of early 19th century theater, visit Semperdepot, the former depository for theatre decoration, which now hosts art exhibitions and fairs.