QUICK CITY GUIDE - VIENNA
Vienna is Austria’s capital and the biggest city in the country. It is home to many international organizations, its historical center is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and in the past years it has been voted over and over again as the most livable city in the world. city guide Vienna
Vienna has a long history dating back to pre-Christian times when Roman emperors established here a military camp. With the rise of the Hapsburg dynasty, Vienna was known as the Imperial capital full of palaces and baroque buildings. It’s also called the City of Music, because of the steady stream of composers, like Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, who lived in the city throughout the 19th century. Vienna
Today’s Vienna can be characterized as simply classy. Beautiful monumental architecture is present on every corner, horses with fancy carriages are browsing the streets, colorful gardens are decorated with tiered fountains and baroque statues, streets are lined with coffee houses and wine terraces where people can enjoy their piece of cake and delicious coffee. If you are planning a trip to Europe, don’t miss a stop in Vienna. I am sure you will be delighted! And this city guide is here to help you to get ready.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Euro
German, but you should be able to communicate in English.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted anywhere in Vienna and there’s typically no service charge. If you need to exchange Euros, I would recommend using an ATM rather than currency exchange agency. ATMs are on every corner, not only in Vienna but in any Austrian city.
Vienna is a year-round destination enjoyable in any season. The busiest months are June, July and August when the weather is hot and sunny and all the gardens are in bloom, however, you have to expect bigger amounts of tourists everywhere. Winters can be quite chilly with some snow or rain, but Viennese Christmas Markets should make up for it, as they belong to one of the most beautiful ones in Europe.
If you are already in Europe, you can get to Vienna easily by train. The Eurail pass gives you unlimited train travel for particular amount of time around Europe. The main train station Hauptbahnhof is very close to the city center which is very convenient. Other option is to fly to the Vienna International Airport that connects most of the world, or you can try a river cruise on Danube to arrive to the city with style!
Getting around Vienna is very easy and efficient, as the city is well connected by metro, trams, buses and trains. The system is inexpensive and used regularly by tourists and locals. The center of Vienna isn’t very big which makes it easy to walk from one place to another. Other option is hiring a bike for the day. There are bike lines everywhere in the city center so it is very safe.
Type F with standard voltage 230 V.
Vienna is a very safe city, but you should be always aware of your belongings. Petty crimes and theft can happen anywhere, especially in crowded places.
BEST PLACES TO SEE
Former principal imperial palace of the Hapsburg Dynasty. It’s majestic from the outside, but I would also recommend a guided tour of the interiors to peak into the lavish lifestyle of monarchs.
Baroque palace complex surrounded by beautiful gardens with decorative tiered fountains and baroque sculptures.
Vienna Town Hall built in neo-gothic style. It’s located on Rathausplatz square, where Christmas markets take place every year.
High-tech, interactive museum of sound and music, the first of its kind in Austria.
Majestic Gothic cathedral in the city center. This church is the “mother” of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Vienna and over the centuries it has hosted weddings and funerals of many important figures in European history.
Art museum with significant Impressionist collection, located in the former palace of the Hapsburg dynasty.
Colorful apartment building in Vienna built according to ideas of famous Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Both museums are opposite each other in very similar buildings of former palaces. It’s a perfect way to spend a rainy day in Vienna. The Museum of Natural History has really impressive collection of well-preserved skeletons of dinosaurs.
Not far from St. Stephans Cathedral, this places used to be Mozart’s only Viennese residence where he lived during his life in Vienna.
A massive, yet delicate greenhouse full of exotic flowers and plants with a café inside. Right next to it is Schmetterlinghaus, an art nouveau building which is home to hundreds of butterflies.
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Take a day trip to Schonbrunn Palace outside of Vienna city center. The palace is former summer residence of the Empress Elizabeth and it features beautiful gardens and a small ZOO.
- Find your inner child in Prater amusement park.
- Treat yourself to a cake in Demel – graceful and delicate 18th century salon and café, where the Empress Elizabeth (known as Sisi) used to love to come for a piece of Sacher tart.
- Sample some Austrian delicacies at Naschmarkt markets. Its history dates back to 16th century and apart from fresh produce and cheese you can buy here some souvenirs and enjoy the busy market vibe.
- Relax in the 19th century Stadtpark garden with statues, ponds and a river.
- Climb up Kahlenberg, a forested hill with the views over the city.
- Go shopping on Mariahilferstrasse Street full of shops, boutiques and cafes.
WHERE TO STAY
Vienna is home to some stylish youth hostels, high quality mid-range accommodations as well as many high-end hotels. Any type of traveler will find here something suitable for themselves.
- Gratzl Hotel – for couples
- Hostel Ruthensteiner – family run small hostel
- Wombats City Hostel – for solo travelers
- Hotel Beethoven
- Hotel Topazz
- Hotel Lamee
- Hotel Imperial
- Do & Co
- Hotel Sacher Wien
FOOD & DRINKS
Local Food
Wiener Schnitzel – the most significant national dish of Austria, often served with typical Austrian potato salad (unlike other potato salads, this one is not made with mayonnaise).
Wiener Wurstel – Austrian sausages, simple yet renowned for their flavour. They are traditionally made with both pork and beef.
Tafelspitz – beef or veal boiled in broth with vegetables.
Powidltascherl – delicate potato dough pastries filled with plum jam and topped with butter, breadcrumbs and cinnamon.
Sachertorte – famous chocolate cake that originated in Vienna.
Apple strudel – another typical Austrian delicacy that gained popularity all around the world.
Cockail Bars
- D-Bar at the Ritz-Carlton
- Das Loft Bar and Lounge – located on the 18th floor of Sofitel Vienna
- Bar Onyx
- Loos American Bar
Restaurants
- Paramerl and the Wolf – Michelin star restaurant
- Figlmuller – famous for its crunchy yet juicy Wiener schnitzel
- Café Central – one of the Vienna’s grandest cafes, this is a piece of living history
- Café Restaurant Leto – local and international cuisine
EXTRA TIPS
- Tipping in restaurants is not mandatory, but it is generally expected to tip 10% of the final bill.
- Most of the shops as well as many restaurants are closed on Sunday, so if you are planning to do some shopping, better come some other day.
- If you would like to visit famous opera in Vienna, I would recommend booking your tickets about one month in advance. Formal dress code is not mandatory, but you will stick out less as a tourist in more elegant attire.
SOUVENIRS TO BUY
- Mozartkugel – chocolate Mozart balls are the most popular souvenir to bring with you home from Vienna
- Handcrafted porcelain and glassware
- Snow globe – this may not seem as the most original idea but did you know that snow globes were originally invented in Vienna?
- Swarovski and Freywille jewellery – both brands are originally from Austria
Vienna is an amazing city that will mesmerize you. Every time I am home in Slovakia, I go to Vienna for a day, but you can definitely spend there at least two nights and three full days.
If you are planning a trip to Central Europe and would like to visit Vienna, don’t miss out also on Prague and Budapest. All these cities are quite close to each other and you can just take a train to visit them all even in short period of time.
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