This snow-white, art nouveau building is the temple of the Secessionists, a group of artists, who changed the face of the city at the turn of the 20th century. Topped by a dome of leaves like a swarm of golden butterflies, it is home to Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze. Based on Beethoven’s Ninth symphony, this exquisite fresco depicts the human struggle and the ultimate peace found in music, rendered in golds, bronzes and shimmering blues.

This is an analogue-only café and concept store, which celebrates the senses, located in a Venetian palazzo. The shop sells wares from local makers, or – as they describe it – “guardians of analogue”, as well as a colossal vintage wooden camera that you can use to create one-off photographs inside the shop. There is also an in-house recording studio where top quality vinyl records are cut. Leave your smartphone at the door and settle down at one of the reclaimed cabinet tables for local cakes and top-quality coffee before perusing the records, stationery, books and other screen-less goods.

These wide lawns, streams and forests were once the exclusive hunting grounds of imperial aristocracy. Nowadays the sweeping green space is a hotbed of runners, cyclists, dog-walkers and picnic parties. At the heart of the park lies the Wurstelprater, an amusement park that is home to the 200ft-tall Riesenrad. Built in 1897, this is one of the world’s oldest working ferris wheels, with astonishing views over the city and its surrounding hills and vineyards.

This is the pin-up of classical concert halls. Its golden hall is one of the most decadent venues on earth, drenched with gold leaf, angelic frescoes and glittering chandeliers. It is famed for its masterful acoustics as well as its year-round calendar of world-famous composers and musicians.

In 1901 the Austrian architect Friedrich Ohmann was commissioned to build an opulent palm house in the gardens of the Hofburg Palace. The art nouveau creation, made up of arched glass and jade-green iron, is arguably the most beautiful in the world. It is also one of Vienna’s most popular restaurants, with classic food and fine wine served underneath soaring glass ceilings and tangles of greenery. Don’t miss the Butterfly House in the building’s north-western wing, which is home to hundreds of tropical creatures.

The previously disused banks of the blue Danube come alive in the summer months when locals gather at its pop-up restaurants, street food stalls and live music venues. The Badeschiff is an open-air swimming pool perfect for cooling off before settling in to Herrmann, an urban beach bar with hammocks, cocktails and great food. Lounge into the evening and head to the iconic Nineties punk club Flex, which now hosts world-class DJs and musicians.

Don’t miss a visit to this an interactive museum dedicated to Vienna’s great musicians both past and present. A team of university institutes, music theorists and sound technicians were called upon to create a collection of immersive experiences, which celebrate classical music in a modern context. The museum is located in the former residence of the composer Otto Nicolai, who founded the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. We have a feeling that he’d be pleased with the current setup.

With its sky-high dome, marble pillars, intricate frescoes and tiled floors, the entrance hall of this major museum goes a little way to preparing you for the collection inside. The emerald, burnt orange and pink walls of its galleries are hung with the work of some of the world’s greatest masters, from Brueghel and Titian to Dürer, Raphael and Holbein.

This peace and quiet offered by this pretty park makes it well worth the excursion. It’s not as popular (and much less touristy) as viewpoints including Karlenberg and Leopoldsberg – so don’t be surprised if you have the place entirely to yourself.

Neighbouring popular Naschmarkt, Brunnenmarkt is one of the biggest food markets in Vienna. Peruse some of the 170 market stalls in search of lunch al fresco or stock up on produce for a home-cooked meal.