Vienna waits for you
Servus in my favorite city! Here you can have the flair of the emperors and take a horse carriage ride with true princess feeling, or party up at the largest free open air festival in Europe!
I. BEZIRKE (DISTRICTS)
Vienna has 23 districts, starting in the City Center with the 1st District and counting in a spiral pattern to the 23rd, which is in the south west outskirts. Good to know: The post code always starts with 1 and ends with 0 and the middle numbers indicate the district! For example 1040 stands for the 4th district, 1220 for the 22nd.
Worth to introduce...
- The Districts 1-9 are the most urban ones, most of it you can walk by foot
- 1st is the inner City with the Stephansdom in the middle, and the famous Ring Street around the district, along which you find further attractions such as Main University, Opera, Karlskirche, Hofburg, Museums, Parks, Danube Canal.
- 2nd is known for Prater (amusement park + huge green park with a forest, meadows, restaurants and 2 horse racing tracks)
- I’m born and based in the 3rd district, where you will find the Belvedere palace and park, Hundertwasserhaus (artist house) and the Danube Canal
- 4th district is famous for Naschmarkt (food and spices market) and many delicious bars, restaurants and art galleries. Many actors and artists are living here.
- 7th is famous for numerous bars and shops (many hipster) and has the biggest shopping street, called Mariahilfer Strasse. The street connects the Museumsquartier (MQ) with Westbahnhof (Western train station).
- 19th is the most fancy district, embedded between the hills and vineyears close to Wienerwald with villas, Heurigen and nice views onto the city.
- And yes, Vienna also has ugly areas! People say that the not-so-good areas are in 10th, 11th and 16th, although they are still safe and secure with beautiful squares and not as bad as people say!!
II. Getting around
Public transport
Public transport is awesome, clean, safe, fast, cheap, well-connected and easy to use! There are very flexible tickets per hours, days, weeks..... Easiest is to download the App "WienMobil" and purchase the ticket electronically. It's connected to google maps, where you find the best connections and time tables. Subways also operate on a 15min interval at weekend nights. During the week, you have night busses.Find more infos about Wiener Linien
Concerning the airport connection, don't fall for the tourist trap, called CAT (City Airport Train). It only takes 7min longer with public transport (Normal S-Bahn line S7) and is 10EUR cheaper!
Biking
Rent a bike at one of the numerous bike stations for 15EUR per day and enjoy the modern biking infrastructure in Vienna! Click here for more info. Bikeways are quite developed in the city and you'll find an overview and navigation support here.
I recommend to start the bike trip in Prater, following the “Prater Hauptallee”, turn left onto “Grünlandgasse” which brings you onto the bridge “Praterbrücke” to cross the Danubem so that you end up either on the Danube Island or Old Danube, depending on what you plan. Mind, that the path at Old Danube is a bit tiny and packed with people during sunny days, which makes biking a bit hard.
Horse carts
Joking... but you can book some horse cart tours through the historical center while the driver will tell you a little about history!
Scooter
As in most other cities, e-scooters are a quite common thing. You'll find brands such as Lime, Voi, Tier all over the City. There are no dedicated parking spots yet, hence you can park them anywhere as long as you make sure that it's not disturbing anyone. Don't drive at the pedestrian ways!
Teslaaaaaaaaaaa!
You always wanted to drive this amazing, innovative, smart and stunning car? No problem in Vienna – there is a Carsharing only with Teslas around large parts of the city! Download the App “ELOOP” and register with your driving license (I recommend 3 days in advance) with the code” MUI6I3SO”
Rent a bike at one of the numerous bike stations for 15EUR per day and enjoy the modern biking infrastructure in Vienna! Click here for more info. Bikeways are quite developed in the city and you'll find an overview and navigation support here.
I recommend to start the bike trip in Prater, following the “Prater Hauptallee”, turn left onto “Grünlandgasse” which brings you onto the bridge “Praterbrücke” to cross the Danubem so that you end up either on the Danube Island or Old Danube, depending on what you plan. Mind, that the path at Old Danube is a bit tiny and packed with people during sunny days, which makes biking a bit hard.
Horse carts
Joking... but you can book some horse cart tours through the historical center while the driver will tell you a little about history!
Scooter
As in most other cities, e-scooters are a quite common thing. You'll find brands such as Lime, Voi, Tier all over the City. There are no dedicated parking spots yet, hence you can park them anywhere as long as you make sure that it's not disturbing anyone. Don't drive at the pedestrian ways!
III. Food...
- Donatella. Small Italian delicatesse place with a true family feeling. They only have 2 dishes for lunch and some antipasti plates in the evening. Make sure to pass my greetings!
- Bacco. Genius secret Italian spot with a 6 course menu for very good value (in September '22 it was 45 EUR). Very cozy and authentic, where you may meet some Austrian artists and actors. Make sure to book a table around 2 weeks in advance for dinner!
- Waldviertler Hof. One of my favorite places for traditional Austrian food in an authentic environment with woody interior and traditional Dirndl dresses and not too touristic - in my view the much better alternative to the mainstream Schnitzel places, such as Plachutta or Figlmüller. The food is delicious and not overpriced!
- Gasthaus Stern. Best place to eat Austrian style meat from regional, organic production, including innards. The restaurant is a bit far from the center, but therefore not touristy at all. They won several prices and have a cozy traditional atmosphere as well as. Quite pricy.
- That's Amore. One of the best Neapolitan Pizza in Vienna in my opinion. Inside it’s not very stylish, but they have a nice terrace. Since it’s close to my home, I ALWAYS go there when I’m in town. I can recommend the Pizza Buffalina ;)
- Mayer am Pfarrplatz. Upscale Heurige (traditional wine tavern with self produced wine) with a nice terrasse and stylish interior between modern and traditional. Around 6pm some Musicians will play old Viennese songs. My absolute favourite Wine is Fräulein Rose!! A bit pricy.
- Mayer am Nussberg. Panoramic place in the middle of the vineyards with lounge chairs, self produced wine and snacks. Perfect to include on your wine hiking route!! (Only open during summer)
- Schweizerhaus. Most famous beer garden in the Prater with a large garden, always nice atmosphere and traditional food. Definitely try the Stelze (for 2 persons)
- Öfferl. Luxury handcraft bakery with delicious regional producfts. Try the Cinnamon Cruffin!
- Klee am Hanslteich. If you do a hiking trip in Wienerwald, this is a beautiful modern wooden restaurant on a little lake. Delicious food and cozy atmosphere! Bit far.
- Waldschenke Staar. Top Secret tip in the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) with a huge fire place, where they grill the best chicken you have ever tried! Cozy vintage wood flair inside and romantic garden outside. I recommend combining the trip with a walk through the forest. Unfortunately you’ll need a car – but Teslas are available all over Vienna ;) see below. (Don't trust the google rating, it's a big mystery. And only open during Summer!)
- Ströck Feierabend. My favorite breakfast place! Although I do not like the Ströck bakery chain, this breakfast place is super stylish and beautiful and has delicious regional and organic breakfast offers. After 12, they even serve some warm meals.
IV. ... and Drinks
- Café Central. Most beautiful, imperial old coffee place in a historic palais. It was visited by philosophers, poets and the famous psychoanalyst Freud. They serve food, but also delicious cakes and sweets. Be prepared to queue at the entrance and target 5pm, when a piano player will start playing!
- Café Hawelka, Café Sperl, Café Landtmann, Café Ritter - All of them are traditional Coffee places (Altwiener Kaffeehäuser), where philosophers, artists and scientists used to gather
- Grüner Kakadu. Relaxed cocktail bar with cozy sofas outside and REALLY fancy cocktails! The fire ball is served with a mega bubble, others in smoking glass and most of them with glitter. Funny combinations like chili pear. Cocktails are around 13 EUR, however, they are all served with a mini snack and they will bring you regularly some free shots inbetween.
- First American Bar. Cozy, tiny old-fashioned cocktail bar with delicious and exciting mixes in the City center.
- The Loft at Sofitel. Rooftop bar at Sofitel Hotel with spectacular sky view! The painting of the ceiling is mirrored into the sky, colouring it in fancy pattern. The bar itself is a bit elitist and expensive (there might be a dresscode!)
- The Golden Harp. Irish Pub around the corner with cozy and stylish interior, good vibes, tasty burgers and sometimes live music.
V. Vienna Walks
My favorite Vineyard Hike
Hiking through the vineyeards with nice views to the city and the Danube and delicious wine and food places!
Start at the final tram stop “Nussdorf” of tram line D. Walk via Eroicagasse, Feldweg and Eichelhofweg until the little Wine bar “Mayr am Nussberg”. Hiking up will take between 45-60min. Take some rest, enjoy the delivious wine, especially “Fräulein Rose”. For return, walk down the viewful road “Kahlenberger Straße” until “Friedhof Nußdorf”or walk towards Grinzing. Here you can decide if you want to have dinner either at “Mayr am Pfarrplatz” (a bit more fancy, with musicians playing all Viennese songs in the evening) or to “Heuriger Kierlinger”, which is smaller and more relaxed.
Old Danube Tour
Enjoying a little side arm of the large Danube with a view to the skyline of the UN towers, little sailing boats, swans and a good swim!
You can also rent a boat at “Bootsvermietung EPPEL” and enjoy the afternoon on the boat.
Prater's Best
Hiking or biking or horse riding through the large green areas of Prater, where the empress Sissi used to go horse riding already!
Stroll randomly around the woods, have a “Weisser Spritzer” or some coffee and cake (White Wine mixed with spartkling water) at the Lusthaus in the end of Prater Hauptallee. The old emperial horse racing track Freudenau is unfortunately private and not publicly accessible – except if you take a horse ride with my friend Clara who is breeding Arabian horses (see Sports section below). On the way back, pass by the “Trabrennbahn Krieau” (another horse racing track for trotting). The city has developed a new urban quarter around this racing track, which I personally find very inspiring. On Sundays you may even be able to see some horse races from the public space. Best spot is behind the restaurant “Das Glashaus”. In summer there are pop and rock concerts at the racing track!
Cross the modern University of Economics with its award winning futuristic spaceship-like library (where I did my Masters!) and end your little city hike in the amusement park. There you should especially take a ride on “Praterturm”, the highest chain carrousel of the world, giving you a stunning view on the city with a lot of adrenaline! And afterwards, do not miss Vienna’s most famous beer garden “Schweizerhaus”, right in front of the carousel and order a “Stelze” together!
Sightseeing City Tour
You’ll need around one day to see all major attractions in the city center, from historic buildings to markets and street art.
Start at Karlsplatz with beautiful Karlskirche, pass by the Vienna State Opera, right behind you see Hotel and Café Sacher, walk along Kärntnerstrasse towards Stephansdom (St. Stephan Cathedral), turn left onto the street “Graben” and left again on “Kohlmarkt”, where you will find the luxury shopping mile in Vienna. At the end of Kohlmarkt, you will find yourself in front of the “Michaelerplatz”, the beginning of Hofburg and close to the stables of the Vienna Imperial Riding School.
Hence, go 100m left on “Reitschulgasse” until the little tunnel. On the left side you can see inside the stables and the famous white horses!. Of course you can book tours, where they bring you even inside. Go back to Michaelerplatz and pass through the arch, following the street “In der Burg” into the Hofburg – the imperial winter castle. Cross the court and the second Arch until you reach “Heldenplatz”. From here, you can see various attractions: The impressive National Library right in front of you, the Natural Historic Museum on the other side of the ring street and the City Mall (Rathaus) which looks a bit like a Disney Castle on the other side, as well as the Burgtheater opposite the City Hall.
From here, I recommend to cross the park towards the City Hall, where you find various culinaric events throughout the year. In summer, there is the international food festival with free of charge open air opera live streams in the evening. In spring, there is the Styrian festival, whereas in December one of the most beautiful Christmas markets takes place and in the beginning of the year, a huge ice skating area is installed, the “Vienna Ice Dream”.
Afterwards, I suggest popping by MQ (Museums Quarter) with a hip young atmosphere in the courtyard of the modern buildings and the two historic twin museums for Historical Arts and Natural Sciences in front.
From here, it is not far anymore to visit Naschmarkt, a historic food and spice market with an exotic and vivid atmosphere. You can spend hours to shop delicious food or sit in the numerous bars and restaurants around.
If you’re not tired yet, take the U4 from “Kettenbrückengasse” at Naschmarkt to “Schwedenplatz” and spend the evening at Danube Canal. I recommend strolling around the riverside towards the 2nd district , where you will find many riverside bars, and enjoy a vivid atmosphere with musicians, sport groups, graphitics etc on warm evenings. If you just sit at the promenade, usually private sellers will come and sell you beer for around 2EUR or even wine. Across the river, at Bermuda Triangle some nightlife bars are located in case you want to continue the night (rather touristy, teeny and low standards I would say though).
Further Walking Routes
- The City of Vienna created some City Hiking Routes, which you can find here
- In addition, there are nice street art tours to be found here
- Or discover the secret City under the surface, following Orsen Welles and his famouse 3rd man unto the canalization here
VI. Other Activities
Culture
Albertina Museum
Natural Historic Museum
World Museum
Belvedere (Gustav Klimt) Museum
Kammerspiele Theater (funny!!)
State Opera (Operas and Ballets)
Volksoper (Operetts, Operas)
Burgtheater (usually very modern pieces)
Concert House (Konzerthaus)
Musikverein (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra House)
Ball season
Let the princess life revive! Dancing all night long in a long robe or toxedo in historical castles to the Strauss music plaid live by a philharmonic orchestra? Sounds like a dream from ancient times, but this is usual Vienna life during Ball Season!!
Having even UNESCO world cultural heritage status, from January until carnival and some special summer balls thousands of people are dancing in the imperial castles with live orchestras and ball robes, following some traditional opening ceremonies. There are balls for all kinds of professions or unions, such as the coffee maker ball, the hunters ball, the ball of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the ball of the doctors, pharmacists, cake makers, flowers, science, Technical University, refugees, technicians, United Nations, OECD, Bank Austria,......
In ancient times balls were used as ritual to introduce the young ladies and gentlemen into the society and get them married. Hence, each opening ceremony follows a strict ritual. The young ladies have to wear white dresses (not allowed to guests though!!), hence it always looks like some kind of mass wedding :D They are showcasing some easy but effective choreography, welcome the honored guests and in between you imght have some other show acts, before the ball will be officially opened with the infamous words "Alles Walzer"!
Don't miss the public quadrille, traditionally happening at midnight. All guests will dance together this traditional dance under the instructions of the master of ceremony - and 80% will get completely lost , but that's all the fun about the dance!
If you plan to visit a ball, here is an overview, and don't hesitate to ask me for some advices, I know all of them like my living room (of course, since I'm the princess of Austria, right??)
Danube Island Festival
... Europe’s largest free-of.-charge open air festival! a weekend full of concerts on various stages, with different types of music and some known artists. during summer time, free of charge
Summer Night Concert
...of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the park of Schönbrunn, free of charge, in June/July
--> more info here
Old Danube Festival
...with fireworks in summer and nice food and cocktail bars, at the border of old Danube.
--> more info here
Christmas Markets
at the City Hall, Karlsplatz, Schönbrunn, Muesums Quarter, Spittelberg, Freyung
--> more info here
City Hall & Film Festivals
food festival in summer, Styrian festival in spring, wine festivals inbetween, Christmas Market in December, Ice skating in the beginning of the year
Austrian Music
To get into the right mood, you might want to listen to some local radio stations:
- Ö3 for contemporary Pop, Rock
- FM4 for alternative music and english/french programs
- Superfly for Soul and Jazz
- Ö1 for classical music with culmixed with modern musica and tips for current events in the city
- Bilderbuch
- Wanda
- Pizzera & Jaus
- Seiler und Speer
- Hubert von Goisern
- Falco
- Rainhard Fendrich
- Wolfgang Ambros
- Voodoo Jürgens
- Georg Danzer
- S.T.S
- Johann Strauss
VII. Trips around Vienna
Wachau
Bratislava
Did you know that Vienna and Bratislava are the two closes capitals in the world by distance? It is just a one hour train ride, or you can take the speed boat directly from Vienna City Center – or even bike there! A historic city center, nice walks along the Danube, delicious food, affordable drinks and enjoyable nightlife is waiting for you!
Neusiedlersee
The sea of Austria! It is a huge lake at the border to Hungary, where even the Surf Worldcup takes place. It is located in a Wine area, hence you will find many delicious Wine places.
VIII. Useful Links
City of Vienna Touris Information: https://www.wien.info/en
Bars and Nightlife: https://goodnight.at/
1000 things to do: https://www.1000things.at/
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