Austria’s clean, well-organized capital pulls off being sophisticated without being snobby. The city has a whole section called the “Museum’s Quarter”, and the well-dressed citizens are quietly friendly. Naturally, most articles titled “The Best Vienna Travel Guide” will include very detailed information on museums, composers’ homes, and Vienna’s famous Ball schedule.
But hiking and exploring are our thing, so of course that was our angle when visiting Vienna. We were pleasantly surprised. First, Vienna is an excellent spot for wandering around neighborhoods and beautiful plazas. And it turns out, the city is the spot of or very close to several of Austria’s best hikes.
Big To-Dos
Museumsquartier
Cafes, museums and cultural curiosities comprise this 90,000-square meter plaza. The Leopold and Mumok museums are the biggest attractions, focusing on classical and modern art, respectively. Leopold’s collections include work by Gustav Klimt.
We actually didn’t go to the museums but simply walked around the huge plaza.
Tip: take the elevator to the roof of Leopold Museum. The views of the city were stunning and there is a bar with shaded seating. Highly recommend!
Vienna State Opera
This is one of the busiest and most famous opera houses in the world. But if you aren’t into opera (like us), there are other shows, and a tour of the Neo-Renaissance-style building is a popular choice.
Tip: Standing-room only tickets are sold 80 minutes before performances and only cost EUR 10.
Schonbrunn Palace
The Hapsburg’s opulent, borderline ostentatious summer palace demands at least a half-day’s visit. The rooms are so uniquely ornamented that I found a striking resemblance to cake icing. You can spend hours exploring (at no charge) the gardens and fountains.
Buy tickets to see the baroque architecture or an opera at Schonbrunn ahead of time. We didn’t do this, and our options were limited to the smallest tour, the State Apartments.
Tip: Try the cafe or restaurant! We arrived on a rainy morning and snagged the cafe’s one open table before our tour. The Mozart cake and quiche were especially good.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
As a general guide, the more concentrated the streets are with tourists, the closer you are to St. Stephen’s. Crowds mingle, take photos and dance around vendors and classy-looking (but normal-scented) horse-drawn carriages. The Cathedral itself is quieter but not less crowded.
You can spend hours marveling at the towers, glass-stained windows, altars, and catacombs. Construction for the Cathedral started in 1137, but didn’t finish for over four centuries. So each section is from a different era, providing its own history lesson.
Entrance is free. You have to pay to go upstairs (this is Vienna’s tallest building) or to see the catacombs.
Also Check Out
Beethovengang
This tranquil, tree-lined neighborhood is full of streets with a truly Medieval feel. Go here for breather from the packed historic center and check out Beethoven’s house, too!
The neighborhood is at or near the end of multiple tram lines. It’s also where Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 (see below) begins.
Vienna City Hiking Trail 1
Vienna’s metamorphosis from busy city to forested trail is so quick it’s almost unbelievable.
The 6.8-mile hike is a loop, heading to the hilltop wineries before sloping back to town. Butterflies, traditional Austrian homes, and apiaries surround you during the walk uphill. The chirping of insects and birds provides a pleasant melody as you walk aside a forest with a low-flowing creek. The descent will give you splendid views of Vienna and the river.
Bring water and cash, and of course wear comfy shoes.
Find out more about hiking in Austria in our article “The Best 8 Hikes in the Austrian Alps“.
Wander
Vienna is a safe, walkable city full of classical curiosities. So take time to wander in the historic center. While doing so, we came across the Judenplatz (Jewish Plaza) and its very moving monument to the victims of the Holocaust.
What to Eat
Vienna is a crash course in Austrian food. It’s tough to find international options (unless you count Italian), but not impossible. In fact, we found both a Thai and a Syrian spot close to our hotel. Vegetarian food isn’t the city’s strength, but hey, it’s Central Europe. They do meat and potatoes, and they do it spectacularly well.
Coffee! First and foremost, this is a coffee city. People drink coffee all day. And I REALLY mean all day. Try a Viennese coffee for the local (better?) version of a caffe mocha.
You’re always close to a cafe, but one we returned to was Cafe Pruekel. This is an elegant location with lots of outdoor seating.
Goulash: The beef soup is light years better than the name sounds.
Italian food: Austria shares a border, and culinary influence, with Italy. Our personal recommendation is Pizzeria Riva. Riva has two locations; one is on the riverfront and only opens in warmer months.
Pork Schnitzel: In Vienna, Schnitzel is advertised more than Mozart. If you’re a meat eater, here’s the OG meat-and-potatoes dish. Do it with a beer.
Radler: Especially after a hike or for the heat! Light Austrian beer is topped off with homemade lemonade for a refreshing buzz.
Spatzle: An Austrian comfort food made of egg noodles and cheese.
Spritz: Aka Aperol Spritz. The perfect pre-dinner cocktail is available almost everywhere.
Strudel: The people of Vienna love their desserts. We found the strudels to be not too heavy or too sweet and excellent with a black coffee.
Prices of Food in Vienna
You can spend a lot more on a fancy dinner. But we paid these prices for basic street food, lunches, and drinks:
Bratwurst: EUR 4.50
Pork Schnitzel: EUR 18.00
Radler Beer: EUR 4.50
Shwarma: EUR 6.00
Viennese Coffee: EUR 4.00
*A 5-10% tip is expected in restaurants and cafes*
Essential Information
Getting Around
Depending on your point of origin, you’ll get to Vienna by plane or train. Once in the city, walking can be your main mode of transportation. You’ll likely use the efficient public transportation system, too; probably the tram (trolley) and U-bahn (subway).
You can buy one-trip (EUR 2.40) or multiday tickets in subway stations and on the tram. A 24-hour ticket costs EUR 8.00. The Flexible Weekly Ticket is the best deal at EUR 17.10. They are only available online.
Train tickets to other parts of the country vary by price according to level of service. It’s also best to purchase ahead of time for sleeper trains or longer routes (ie, to Innsbruck).
When to Visit Vienna
There’s no bad time to visit Vienna. Particularly popular months are December (Vienna’s majestic during Christmastime!) and July/August. Those are also the priciest months to visit. Vienna’s Ball season starts on November 11 and ends in February.
Where to Stay
Again, there is no real “dangerous” neighborhood in Vienna. The closer you are to St. Stephens Cathedral or the Museumsquartier, the closer you are to the action. For a quieter spot try a neighborhood further out, like Beethovengang.
We stayed at Roosevelplatz (Roosevelt Plaza). The plaza has a park and church (see photo above) and is a nice walk from the Historic Center.
Pensions vs Hotels
Pensions and hotels are the main types of lodging in Vienna. Pensions are usually smaller, family-run guesthouses. They tend to be cheaper and sometimes more basic but can be an excellent bargain!
The Best Vienna Travel Guide: Conclusion
Vienna is a great getaway not just for culture and classical music lovers but for anyone who appreciates a beautiful city. There are enough museums, cafes, and composers’ home to keep one busy for weeks. Actually, Vienna’s streets and architecture are art museums in themselves. Each plaza holds a unique story or something of cultural importance.
Vienna is a well-balanced city, too. As we discovered on the Vienna City Hiking Trail, there is even something for people who enjoy being outdoors! So check out the Austrian capital for both the culture and the opportunities to just wander.