A river cutting through the city, subways and trains running above it, an artificial island, and even a giant tower with a panoramic view of downtown. Vienna, Austria, visited on the 15th (local time), had many similarities to Seoul.
Vienna's Donau River looked similar to Seoul's Han River. It is one of the attractions frequently visited by local residents as well as tourists. An artificial island built along the river's course at the center features sports facilities and parks. There are also areas for river cruises and swimming. In the middle of the Danube is an artificial island stretching for dozens of kilometers. The island was reportedly created to prevent flooding on the fast-flowing Danube. An artificial island was built to disperse the current and slow the flow.
What sets the Danube apart from the Han River is that it is used as a logistics route. The Danube is a transcontinental inland waterway that runs through 10 European countries. It is connected from the Black Sea to Rotterdam in the Netherlands and on to the North Sea.
The Donauturm, which offers a panoramic view of central Vienna, is also a landmark. Unlike Namsan Tower on Namsan, the Donauturm stands on flat ground. Opened in 1964, the tower rises 252 meters, making it the tallest building in Austria. The observation deck sits at 150 meters, and the elevator ride takes about 37 seconds. It is a Vienna landmark popular with both locals and tourists. The tower's top floor houses a restaurant. Because it rotates continuously, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the city center.
Vienna is also a city with well-developed public transportation. Officials said public transit is accessible within a five-minute walk from anywhere downtown. Statistics show that 73% of commuters in Vienna use public transportation. Fares are affordable. By paying €480 a year, riders can use public transportation unlimited for the entire year. Until last year it cost €365, effectively €1 a day, but the price was raised this year.
The main public transportation modes are the subway and trams. In most cases, riders must open the doors manually when alighting. Pressing the round button or pulling the handle on the door opens it. Cars without passengers getting off do not open their doors.
Vienna has abundant parks and green space. Of its total area of 414.9 square kilometers, about half is made up of parks and green areas. In other words, parks and green spaces are within reach anywhere. Parks are equipped with playgrounds where children can run freely, and there are said to be about 800 farms within the city. This contrasts with the dense forest of high-rises in central Seoul.
Thanks to these urban characteristics, Vienna ranks near the top of the world's most livable cities. In the livability rankings of major cities worldwide published by global consulting firm Mercer, it held the No. 1 spot for nearly a decade. In a similar survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), it also ranked No. 1 for three consecutive years through 2024.