Your Complete City Guide to Vienna
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VIENNA CITY GUIDE
Why should I visit Vienna?
What is there to see and do in Vienna?
How do i get to Vienna?
What is the best time to go to Vienna?
Where to stay in Vienna?
What's a good itinerary for Vienna?
Tips and facts for Vienna
Events and Festivals for Vienna
I'm looking for somewhere different to go to,
WHY SHOULD I VISIT VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
Vienna is not only the capital city of Austria, it is the cultural capital and one of the most visited cities in Europe. And for good reason!
There is just so much to see and do in Vienna! From Palaces and Museums to Art and of course classical Music, there is something for every "culture vulture".
Come for the culture, stay for the cuisine! Bring your appetite for Wiener Schnitzel and Sacher Torte! Some of Austria's best food can be found in Vienna,
a long with beer, of course! Beer halls, bars and beer gardens abound. Contact Sloveniaforyou for advice today!
Welcome to Vienna!
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
Top Sights and Attractions
SCHONBRUNN PALACE
Situated in the outer south-west of the city, the Schonbrunn Palace has to be one of Europe's finest jewels.
It is the most visited site in Vienna is also one of the most grandest palaces anywhere in the world.
This baroque masterpiece is a sight to behold.
The size will blow you away as you tour some of the rooms open to the public.
The inside is impressive,
and the history of its tenants even more so. Relive the days of the Hapsburg rulers.
But wait, there’s more! This sprawling complex has it own zoo, maze and the most amazing gardens.
You can virtually spend the whole day here and many do!
STEPHANSDOM (ST STEPHENS CATHEDRAL)
Arriving in the centre at Stephansplatz you are confronted with the massive sight that is Stephansdom or St Stephen's Cathedral.
This colossal Romanesque/Gothic centrepiece
is jaw dropping from the outside and especially from the inside. The ceiling height, the detail, the sheer size!
Take a trip up to the top of the north or south towers
for spectacular views of the city. The catacombs underneath also await those who ae looking for something a little more macabre!
PRATER
From March to October (although the famous Wheel is open year round), the Prater amusement park opens its doors to the young and young at heart.
If the kids are tired of the museums and gardens, this will be a fantastic treat for them (and for Mum and Dad too!).
There are about 250 amusement rides and attractions at the Prater ranging from the latest space age rides to old favourites like the old Viennese grotto train.
The whole family will have a great time and of course you must take a ride on the famous Giant Ferris Wheel to get a breathtaking view of surrounding parklands and Vienna.
Madame Tassauds also makes for an interesting Diversion! What a great day.
BELVEDERE PALACE AND GARDENS
This is yet another beautiful palace in the heart of Vienna. Tour the baroque palace which also contains the Austrian Gallery and restaurants for refreshments.
It is complimented by stunning gardens that contain plant species from all over the world
plus numerous statues and fountains! The Belvedere comprising of the Palace Gardens, Alpine Garden and Botanic Gardens is an oasis of plants from around the world.
Also surrounding most of the stunning Baroque Palaces and buildings around Vienna, there are usually matching gardens beyond your wildest imaginations in both size and beauty.
The StadtPark, Burggarten, Rathauspark and the
Volksgarten are beautiful green spaces to be enjoyed within the centre.
MUSEUMS
Wow, there are too many to mention and all of them are fantastic no matter what your tastes. The Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches), Kunsthaus, Natural History Museum, Belvedere Museum, Modern Art, Leopold and the Albertina to name just a few.
One that you may want to add to the list is the The Third Man Museum which takes you on a journey regarding the film from 1948 and highlights everything else that was going on around that time in Vienna. Quite brilliant.
THE OPERA
As well as art, Vienna could be regarded as the opera centre of the world. Take a guided tour or book yourself a ticket during the Opera Season which is September to June.
The Staatsoper (state opera house) is the most popular venue for tourists, and ticket sales typically start as soon as the season previews are out.
But locals often snap up the cheap tickets for redistribution to their private operatic circle of friends.
However, even if a Staatsoper performance seems sold out, you can try the ticket offices on the day in case of returns.
MARKETS
If you don’t mind the crowds, Naschmarkt is Viennas biggest open air market and is a great place to spend a few hours browsing stall after stall of all types of food.
Plenty of places to grab a snack as well. The city’s wonderful markets offer a typically Viennese shopping experience. This is where Vienna lives up to its legendary reputation as a melting pot of nations:
Visit the markets at Karmelitermarkt, Brunnenmarkt and Rochusmarkt.
From the middle of November until Christmas, don’t forget to visit at Christmas for the famous and traditional Christmas markets around the city and out at Schonbrunn.
Vienna's prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking and hot punch sets the mood in the run-up to Christmas.
DRINKING AND DINING IN VIENNA
If all that sightseeing has made you hungry, then Vienna won’t disappoint. Famous for the Weiner Schnitzel, it is also home to copious amounts of sauerkraut and sausage plus influences from right around the globe.
Sweet tooths and caffeine lovers
will be in heaven as coffee and cake are national rituals here. Vienna has some of the best coffeehouses around, famous for their elegance, style and of course coffee and cake. The most famous cakes are the Strudel and the Sacher Torte
(whose recipe remanins a secret!). Enjoy!
THE DANUBE AND PARKLAND
As mentioned earlier, Vienna has some of the most magnificent gardens and parklands you can imagine. It is easy to find a quiet spot away from the madness in one of any parks surrouding the inner stadt and also further away.
The banks of the Danube are often missed by tourists but it is great to spend a day riding along the banks, visiting a riverside café or restaurant and sunbathing on the “Vienna Beach” if the weather is warm enough.
You can also hire a boat. The kiddies will love the Gänsehäufel area which has stretches of beach, cafes, playgrounds and pools to enjoy.
CENTRAL CEMETERY (ZENTRALFRIEDHOF)
Some people love to spend hours exploring cemeteries. If that’s you, then Vienna has Europe’s 2nd biggest one and of course it has to include some of history’s most famous names like Beethoven, Brahms and Strauss.
It also has sections arranged by religion. Bring a hat and water on hot days as this place is huge!
HOW DO I GET TO/FROM VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
From Vienna to/from Ljubljana
DISTANCE: 400km, TIME TAKEN TO CENTRE: 5 hours
SHARED TRANSFER: To reach Ljubljana centre from Vienna or Vienna Airport click our GoOpti link for the best rates.
PRIVATE TRANSFER: To reach Ljubljana centre from Vienna or Vienna Airport, contact us by email for a private transfer quote here
CAR HIRE: To hire a one-way car rental from Vienna then view our one way page and email for a quote!
TRAIN: Trains go daily in both directions taking about 6 hours - see details about timetable/prices HERE
From Vienna to/from Split
DISTANCE: 800km, TIME TAKEN TO CENTRE: 9 hours
TRANSFER: To reach Split centre from Vienna, contact us by email for a quote here
CAR HIRE: To hire a one-way car rental from Vienna then view our one way page and email for a quote!
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
JULY-AUGUST - Peak time, can be very hot with clear skies and humidity.
APRIL,MAY,JUNE - Not a bad time with Spring blossoming but weather can be unpredictable.
SEPTEMBER - The best month in our opinion, still warm and kids go back to school.
OCTOBER-NOV - Getting colder and cloudier with rain but the autumn colours are beautiful.
DEC-JAN-FEB-MARCH - The least likely time to visit as winter brings the cold but at least there are few tourists.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
There are lots of choices in all categories in and around Vienna.
Peruse the options listed below and pick one that suits your needs, all bookings help keep the website going!
Here are our top picks, book using our links and enjoy your stay!
"Everything was sparkling clean. Realy good spot on the map. Lots of restaurant, food markets arround. Metro station is close too. Apartments were realy cozy and comfortable. Has all amenities that you might need.”
Boutique Hotel das Tyrol, Vienna
"The hotel’s location is very central and the view from the room couldn’t be more beautiful. It is located in an old Palace and the rooms are very specious. The shower is amazing and the bed very comfortable.
I couldn’t recommend this place more. Great value for your money!"
"This place is close to perfection. The best part is the attention to detail that all staff had; this is the sign of a true five star hotel."
WHAT'S A GOOD ITINERARY FOR VIENNA, AUSTRIA?
Vienna is a large city spread over two sides of the Danube. Most of the action is centred around the centre or Inner Stadt.
In two days you could also use one day each to explore both sides of the city.
If using Vienna as a base then of course you could base yourself here for 3-7 days and explore the city further and take day trips as noted above.
Here are some suggested itineraries and ideas:
Vienna in one day -
Get your bearings by exploring the inner stadt.
Of course start at Stephansplatz and Stephensdom where you can climb the north and south towers for stunning views.
Head west and explore the Rathaus and Burg Theatre before heading south-east and taking in the
Weiner Minoritenkirche, Michaelskirche and the beautiful Hofburg Palace.
Nearby is the Imperial Trasury and the National Library.
Past the Schmetterlinghaus you reach the Albertina and then the State Opera House.
Relax in the beautiful adjoining gardens of Burggarten, Heldenplatz and Volksgarten.
Beyond the gardens are a multitude of museums including the Natural History, Kunsthistorisches,
Leopold and the Childrens Museum.
With all this exploring find somewhere nice for lunch like Figlmuller and afternoon sacher torte!
Bierhof is often a good choice for dinner!
Vienna in two days -
Day one
As above.
Day two
Head to Schonbrunn Palace and discover this amazing palace and gardens.
In the evening head to the Prater for some theme park fun!
Have drinks besides the Danube.
Vienna in 3-7 days -
Visit any one of the museums and galleries that interest you.
Visit Belvedere Castle.
Attend an opera or concert on one night.
Tour the Opera House.
Visit one of Vienna's famous markets like Naschmarkt.
Take a boat ride to visit Bratislava.
Cycle along the Danube
Drink more coffee at Vienna's famous coffee houses
Visit Zentralfriedhof cemetery.
DID YOU KNOW? FUN FACTS FOR VIENNA, AUSTRIA
1. Vienna consistently rates as one of the most livable cities on the planet.
2. Vienna’s Central Cemetery or Zentralfriedhof has over 2.5 million graves including those of Beethoven, Brahms, Gluck, Schubert, Schoenberg and Strauss
3. Sausages that are "Frankfurters“ in Vienna are called "Wieners“ in Frankfurt! Perhaps because a native Frankfurt butcher moved to Vienna and "invented“ this kind of sausage, hence the confusion.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA
There is always something happening in Vienna all year round.
Here is a calendar of the major events.
You may want to plan your holiday to coicide with these events!
Like Salzburg, Vienna is all about music, music, music!
There are plenty of concerts and balls plus a multitude of non-musical things to do!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY - Wiener Eistraum
The Wiender Eistraum, or the Vienna Ice Dream, is a skating rink right in front the Vienna City Hall.
Open from morning through into the evening you can borrow skates so you don't have to worry about bringing your own!
FEBRUARY - Balls
Vienna in February if famous for it's Balls! If you're into waltzing, this is the month for you! The Vienna Opera Ball is the most glitzy with socialites and celebrities from all over the world in attendance!
APRIL - Easter Markets
Vienna is home to some great Easter Markets. From decorated Easter Eggs to fabulous Austrian delicacies, visit the markets at Schonnbrun Palace, and Frejung in the city centre. Admissions are free!
MAY - Wienissimo Food Festival
Who wants to sit at a 60 metre long table and be served some of Vienna's delicious culinary delights? We know that you will once we tell you that the best of Vienna's pubs, cafes and bakeries will be there! Bring your appetite!
JULY - The Vienna Jazz Festival
For two weeks every summer, the Vienna Jazz festival brings international artists to various locations across the city. Previous stars have included the likes of Natalie Cole, George Benson and Brian Ferry.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER - Wiener Wiesnfest
The Wiener Wiesnfest is Vienna's answer to Oktoberfest! If you feel like a beer or six, this is the festival for you! There will be food, folk music and dance, lederhosen and more beer!
With three party tents to choose from, your chances of a good time are a pretty safe bet!
DECEMBER - Christmas Markets
How magical Vienna is at Christmas time! And what would Christmas be without Christmas Markets? Well, Vienna has a plethora of Christmas Markets to choose from!
Locations include in front of City Hall, at Schonnbrun Palace and the Alt Wiener Weihnachtmarkt at Freyung. Be prepared to have your senses assaulted by all things Christmas from roasted chestnuts to mulled wine.
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