With more than 1.731 million inhabitants Vienna is a perfect getaway for just about anyone, but especially kids. They will love the sights conveniently nestled in the historic center and easily accessible. Any time of the year is perfect for a visit but the best is the beginning of Summer when the days are long and warm. Still, seeing it around Christmas time, despite the cold, has other benefits, as the city’s bright lights, decorations and many events evoke a real fuzzy holiday feel.

An hour or a week

It doesn’t matter if you only have an hour or a week to explore Vienna with kids. You can quickly get a feel for the city, just by walking around its famous center. But if you have a chance, take more than few hours to get to know it.

vienna with kids top sights

• Vienna zoo ( http://www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/visitor-information)  claimed to be the oldest zoo in Europe. We think it is definitely one of the prettiest.

Covering a vast space, in the vicinity of Schonbrunn castle, (also worth a visit), plan to need a full day to truly enjoy it. The three of us loved the penguins, watching the pandas play and got a kick out of rhino and hippopotamus.

The zoo also offers playgrounds and restaurants for everyone to unwind.

If you haven’t brought a stroller along, but realize you need it, the zoo rents big wooden strollers.

Also if you are planning other sights in Vienna check for discounts when buying a ticket. Like we knew we wanted to also go to the Prater and do the Giant Ferris Wheel, so we got a discount for buying tickets for both attractions.

• The Prater (http://www.prater.at/GeneralInformation.php?LI=1) – a giant decadent amusement park in the city. There are great and not so great attractions for young and old.

We loved the Giant Ferris Wheel because it also offers great views of the entire city.

If you are feeling a little romantic you can book one of the wagons for a nice dinner with candles, champagne and a bunch of tourists trying to take a peek.

We also recommend taking a steam train ride around the whole Prater area.

Other than that take a shot with anything that meets your fancy.

• Therme Wien (http://www.thermewien.at/informationen/english) -perfect for relaxing after a busy day.  It has many big and small pools, slides, water splashing but also a possibility for a little quiet time if you are on your own.

• Hause des Meeres (http://www.haus-des-meeres.at/en/start.html) – if your kids are into animals this is also tremendous fun. An aquarium set in the tall concrete building, home for many different spices. You get into the elevator, ride all the way to the top, where the views of the city are fantastic. Then you slowly descend to the bottom.

The best features are a giant tank for sharks and turtles and walking through the rain forest with all the animals on the loose.

It is located in the vicinity of Mariahilfer strasse, busy shop filled street.

Of course there is so much more to see, these are just the things we managed with the time we had and as we grow will hopefully be able to visit again and discover new sights as well.

The perfect hotel to stay in Vienna with kids: