Vienna

For those who appreciate architecture, history, classical music, and apple strudel, Vienna should be high on your list of places to visit. Better still, it’s easy to get to from most of Europe and just as easy to get around.

Homework

Lots of websites with similar suggested itineraries, with a few dedicated to the 1949 film noir epic “The Third Man” which can take you round very different locations to the others.

The majority though will take in my hit list below. for up to date information and what’s on in the city: Vienna Now

Getting There – Getting Around

From the UK, there are direct flights from London and many local airports, depending upon the day you wish to travel. We booked with Austrian Airlines from Manchester and we couldn’t fault the service.

From Vienna airport, the easiest way into the city centre is via the CAT, the City Airport Train. Just 16 minutes straight into the Wien Mitte transport hub.

Wien Mitte gives you easy access onto the U-Bahn subway network, S-Bahn trams and busses, to wherever you’re staying. Or it’s a short walk to many of the top central hotels.

Vienna’s public transport system puts many other cities to shame! That definitely includes my home town of Sheffield. In what some may say is typical Germanic efficiency, it runs on time, it goes to where most people want to get to and it’s not expensive.

The city centre is also relatively flat, so walking around is really easy and we found it a safe city as well.

Accommodation

Much depends on how much you want to pay and how far from the centre you want to be. The big name hotels nearest the centre can be pricey, accept a short walk or subway ride and the prices can fall dramatically.

We found a wonderful boutique hotel that’s only a 5 minute U-Bahn ride from the centre and the station is just around the corner from the hotel entrance, Hotel Motto. We would go back there every time, it’s utterly charming, the staff are really friendly, their English vastly better than my German and the glass roofed restaurant is very good too.

The hotel is just off Mariahilfer Strasse and with it a host of shops, bars and restaurants. If you’re feeling energetic, it’s an easy 35 minute stroll along Mariahilfer Strasse into the central Innere Stadt for the tourist hotspots.

What To See/Do

We spent three days in Vienna in late March and admittedly were lucky with the weather. It was also around Easter, so special markets were on in various places, as well as at Schönbrunn Palace. Come ready for cold weather and the city is also amongst the top European locations for Christmas markets (sneak your Bauer or CCM in the luggage as well, they have a few open air ice rinks!)

Schönbrunn Palace: Has to be top of the list. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s impressive to say the least, lots to see, walk around or ride around and the Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker café-restaurant in the Kavalierstrakt serves the best apple strudel ever!

Whilst at Schönbrunn, make sure you visit the Palmenhaus, the large greenhouse and the home to 4500 species of plants. Located in the palace park, there’s a hop on/off road train that stops nearby and also takes you up to The Gloriette.

Prater: This is a large park and attraction area just outside the city centre and hosts the iconic Wiener Risenrad, the large ferris wheel that heads this page. Worth checking if there are events on before your visit.

Belvedere Palace: Not content with one palace, Vienna boasts another, and equally impressive because there’s an upper and a lower palace separated by formal gardens. Definitely somewhere to visit if you like art, with a permanent collection at the Upper Belvedere and special exhibitions held in the Lower Belvedere. as well as a building for Viennese Modernism nearby.

Cafe Culture: The Viennese like to sit and chat, usually over good coffee and a cake. One cake in particular is a thorny subject, Sachertorte, a beautiful chocolate sponge delicacy for the uninitiated. The argument comes from which cafe still sells the “original” version. The best option is try both (of course!) at Hotel Sacher and Demel pastry shops.

If you’re not convinced about the Sachertorte, sample cafe culture at its finest and join the queue (or book ahead) for Cafe Central whilst you make your mind up. Once seated, you may be some time, as once you see their display of sweet treats, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The food and service was first class, while you sit in classical surroundings.

St Stephen’s Cathedral: This impressive cathedral acts like a magnet in the city centre, as people stand and gaze at the spires and the beautifully patterned roof. Book on a tour, and get a view of Vienna from the towers.

Innere Stadt: This is the name for the city centre as a whole, St Stephen’s is located there, along with Cafe Central, Demel and Hotel Sacher, plus a host of other enticing eateries. Most of the big shopping names have a presence, but there’s also a healthy collection of smaller more local stores, all surrounded by some beautifully crafted stonework buildings, ornate courtyards hidden away and accessed via equally vintage alleyways. Just wander and enjoy.

General Info

Vienna is definitely a city that has something for everyone, yes it’s steeped in history, but it’s also a modern vibrant social centre, there’s always something happening. We definitely saw it at it’s best, in sunshine that showed off its architecture. But we’d be more than happy to return with winter woolies for the Christmas Markets (and my old Custom Supremes for the ice rinks).

All photographs taken with Nikon Z fc, and Nikon Z DX 24mm f1.7 or Nikon Z DX 16-50mm 3.5-6.5 VR.