While at first guidebook glance, Vienna, with its imperial palaces, operatic traditions, renowned works of art and venerable coffee houses, may seem like a destination that is likely to lose the attention span of the under-12 set, this is definitely a misconception.

Vienna has a plenty of interesting, family-friendly attractions, attractions including the Schönbrunn Zoo, Prater amusement park, three planetariums, and also excellent guided children’s tours at both Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg. But not to be overlooked is Minopolis – ‘the children’s city.’

Minopolis is an indoor area of some 6000sqm, conveniently located near central Vienna, that recreates the normal ‘grown-up’ world; it is the first and only ‘city’ in Europe that has been designed especially for children. With its own infrastructure, economy, and even currency, this innovative concept in role-play offers children aged 4-12 the opportunity to try out over 100 adult professions in a cool setting of streets, workplaces, houses and cars. Children are accompanied throughout by qualified child-carers as they visit 25 themed stations.

And, after becoming train drivers, firemen, and doctors, these little grown-ups will assuredly become kids again when it’s time to go home!

Minopolis opening times:
Thursday and Friday 2pm – 7pm;
Saturday, Sunday and school holidays 10am – 7pm.
For more information, visit www.minopolis.at
(website is on German only, however, staff at Minopolis is multi-lingual)
Wheelchair and stroller accessible.