Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School has trained Lipizzaner stallions in classical dressage since the 16th century, taking its name from the Spanish horses originally used to breed the line. Performances and training sessions take place in the Winter Riding School, an opulent white-and-gold Baroque hall built by Fischer von Erlach's son between 1729 and 1735 — a building so beautiful that watching the horses train in it is arguably as much the draw as the equestrian skill itself.

Alongside full gala performances, the school's Morning Exercise sessions let visitors watch horses and riders train, set to classical music, at a more accessible price point and with a more relaxed, informal atmosphere than the formal shows. It's recognised alongside the Cadre Noir in France, Portugal's School of Equestrian Art and Spain's Royal Andalusian School as one of the world's four great classical riding academies.