7 days in Vienna!!!! It sounded way too long, but Contrary to what l was expecting, Vienna turned out to be quite an enlightening experience. We both enjoyed the city thoroughly. Me personally, I consider Vienna a top three position on my list of places that l have been and loved.
We had originally scheduled 3 days in the city, but we ended up extending it to 7 days because neither one of us wanted to leave. Here’s a Vienna guide on how to spend an amazing week in the picturesque city.
A week in Vienna City Guide:
Vienna for me is right up there with Budapest and Porto, two cities that l really took a liking to despite my initial reluctance. That’s saying a lot! Needless to say, I wouldn’t mind living in Vienna. It is a bit of an expensive city, but still way cheaper than Stockholm and Copenhagen, two places that peeled us alive :-).
Getting to Vienna Austria from Prague:
Vienna is the capital of Austria so as expected, it has an international airport with arrivals from just about anywhere in the world. When we travel, we use Skyscanner to find the best fares. This time, because we were already in Prague, we chose to take the train from Prague to Vienna as it was more convenient.
Once again, we researched trains on the website Seat61 which is just chock full of helpful information. The best tip was to check both websites that we were directed to and compare prices.
This was great advice. We ended up buying our tickets from the Czech train site because it was almost $25 cheaper per person than the Austrian site. Go figure! The train left Praha station and arrived at Vienna Central Station in 4 hours. The train was really nice and the scenery was gorgeous. I highly recommend train travel whenever you have the opportunity.
Weather in Vienna: (Best time to visit Vienna)
We visited Vienna in the summertime and the weather was amazing. Fall and Spring are the best times to visit Vienna as the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. Summertime is also enjoyable, but of course, it is very crowded (not like other hot spots in Europe like Prague and Amsterdam though because l think the expensive reputation prevents a lot of people from visiting).
We found the number of tourists like us just right. The prices of hotel rooms, however, skyrocket in summer like every place else. I would advise booking as far in advance as you can to get a better price.
Where to stay in Vienna:
Our Hotel in Vienna:
Since we had decided to stay in Vienna longer than planned, our initial idea to head to Salzburg from Vienna was shelved, we were having too much fun exploring Vienna, so we decided to save that for another time. I headed to my favorite website for finding good hotel deals.
We ended up finding an awesome boutique hotel called Hotel Donalwauzer . This is one of those instances that l wrote about a long time ago on the quest for the best deal. Best to always check! In this case, we saved quite a bit of money compared to staying at a private rental.
It’s a small, family-run hotel and the staff was great! There was a tram stop by the front door and it felt like you were really where the locals lived. Despite the fact that it was less than 15 minutes from the “pretty disinfectant cleanliness” of central Vienna, you really see the real facets of the city.
Shopping was at street market stalls for food, shoes, etc. Thrift stores were also big around there and restaurants were Lebanese, Polish, Turkish, etc. Quite the melting pot and we loved it. We really liked the hotel and also definitely recommend it.
Make sure to read the rules. Some of the rooms don’t have A/C and are cheaper. We never use A/C and were happy with the free fan provided. They offer free cell phones in all rooms which were quite handy. Overall, an excellent deal.
7 Days in Vienna Guide To The Best Of The City:
What to see in Vienna: (Recommended places to visit in Vienna according to us)
- Belvedere Complex
- Hofburg Palace
- Schonbrunn Palace
- Naschmarkt
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Burggarten Park
- Votivkirche Cathedral
- Museum Quarter
- Albertina Museum
If you love castles, you’ll be in heaven in Vienna. The city is full of wonderful castles that are world-class attractions. There are also plenty of museums to discover. We spent quite a bit of time wandering down various castle gardens but did not tour the inside of any. Our favorites were:
Belvedere Complex:
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This is actually an 18th-century combination of 2 Baroque-style palaces, Orangery, and Palace stables. It was the summer residence of the Prince of Savoy named Eugene. The views from the gardens are spectacular because it is on a slightly uphill point.
We really enjoyed these palace grounds. The flowers were in full bloom and the weather was so agreeable, that we spent a lot of time just sitting on the benches and people-watching.
The Baroque architecture is awesome, especially the statues in the Lower Belvedere gardens. The Belvedere museum is here and it houses a wonderful collection by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, of “the kiss” fame. You can just imagine some of the parties and events that must have taken place in the past.
Tips: Eat before you get there. There were a couple of restaurants close by but they were really pricey. We walked a bit to get to more reasonably priced places.
If you have a whole day to explore, your best bet is to get an all-day ticket for €22 (higher in the summer, I think it was €36)which gives you access to everything, otherwise, it’s €12 there, €15 there and it adds up to more than just getting the day pass.
Schönbrunn Palace:
Another imperial summer residence. Boy, those people knew how to live didn’t they? This Baroque-style palace has 1,441 rooms! It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Schonbrunn means “beautiful spring” as there used to be an artisan well that supplied the water for the palace.
I have to be honest, I thought this palace was kind of meh! I am usually drawn to Baroque-style buildings, but this one? maybe it was the colors, maybe it was the absurd length of the main building. I don’t know. It just seemed so lackluster to me. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Vienna, so what do l know? :-). I did enjoy walking the grounds though. You can find information about the different prices here.
The Hofburg:
The Hofburg was the former principal palace of the then-reigning Habsburg dynasty. Its central location makes it a very popular destination. Dating back to the 13th century, it consists of a few different sections including the imperial chapel, library, and the Spanish Riding School. You definitely don’t want to miss a visit here.
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Spanish Riding School:
This is the official residence and office of the President of Austria. It is located in the center of Vienna. This place was originally the imperial winter residence. Over the years, it has been enlarged to include the Burgtheater, The Albertina museum, and the Spanish Riding School among others.
This place is ginormous. We spent a couple of days meandering the grounds. A must-visit in Vienna in my humble opinion. If you want to see them riding, you have to book way in advance. From what I’ve heard, it is phenomenal.
Burgtheater in the Hofburg Complex:
This is considered the most important German-language theater and also one of the top theaters in the whole world. Impressive from the outside, never mind the inside.
Vienna City Hall:
Absolutely gorgeous grounds that we had hoped to tour. Alas, On our scheduled day to visit and after arriving promptly at the designated spot, we were told that some high-level thing was going on and the tour was canceled. We visited the bookstore and the courtyard along with the other disappointed 9 people.
Vienna State Opera:
Another place we would have loved to see a performance in, but yet again disappointment reigned. We went to the box office and were gobsmacked to discover that ticket prices for the shows were in the neighborhood of €300 and up, and most shows were sold out. No thank you!
Tip: They do sell standing-room-only tickets which nobody tells you about, but l do my research. If you’re willing to stand for the performances, you can get tickets for €6 only! You do have to arrive several hours before the performance and bring a scarf or jacket with you.
Basically, when the doors are finally open to the hordes of people, you have to walk quickly and save your spot by tying the scarf or jacket or whatever on the balustrade. It’s an honor system, you can then come back at concert time. If you’re able, it is a great way to see top shows for cheap, and also see the interior without a tour. We thought we would come back to see something but never did.
You might enjoy Vivaldi perhaps. I can never get enough of The Four Seasons. If Mozart is more to your liking, you can enjoy that too.
Museums Quarter Vienna:
Another beautiful setting. We saw so many couples having their wedding shoots done on the grounds. Cafes, restaurants, spectacular landscapes, and of course museums. Originally built in the 18th century as the imperial stables, it has certainly evolved.
Albertina:
A 20th-century museum with over a million prints, photos, and architectural drawings. It was heavily damaged during WWII and completely refurbished afterwards. They often have temporary exhibitions with important world-renowned artists such as Monet.
Naschmarkt:
A giant flea market is what this is. Everything from vintage attire to jewelry, furniture, and food. Open daily except on Sundays, it’s a nice place to wander about and people-watch. It really reminds you of the Rose Bowl monthly flea market in Pasadena, California.
St Stephen’s Cathedral:
An icon and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. We did see the inside but did not climb up. It’s okay l guess but l have definitely seen better. However, nothing beats sitting across from it in one of the outside cafes, sipping a drink, and watching the horse carriages, some of the most gorgeous and beautifully dressed horses and drivers. Another way to see the old city is with one of these fantastic vintage car tours.
We both actually preferred the Neo-Gothic Votivkirche Cathedral in Rooseveltplatz. Definitely visit that one if you can only do just one out of the two. Simply stupendous.
Votivkirche Cathedral:
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Burggarten Park: Must visit in Vienna
We loved the parks in Vienna. On a couple of afternoons, we simply bought sandwiches from one of the numerous grocery stores, sat on benches, and just enjoyed the city. Fresh air and great weather made for an awesome combination. We saw the final resting places of native sons such as Mozart by simply walking.
If you prefer a guided tour of places in Vienna, we recommend using the folks at Getyourguide. We’ve used them personally on our travels and we would appreciate your using our affiliate link to the book. It won’t cost you any more money and we make a tiny commission.
Day Trips from Vienna:
There are many choices as far as the best day trips from Vienna. Visiting Salzburg on a day trip is an option. Budapest or Prague also make for great mini-breaks from Vienna. We opted for a Heuriger adventure in Grinzing close to the city.
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Food in Vienna: Where to eat in Vienna
- Aida Coffee House
- Zum Betterlstudent
- Heidenkummer
Hearty food is aplenty. We gorged on Schnitzels, meatloaf dishes, and kebabs among other things and we enjoyed them all. We also loved the coffee culture of Vienna. There are loads of coffee shops where you can sit and have inventive coffee concoctions served with gloriously delicious desserts.
Here are just some of the things we had at some of our favorite places which included Zum Betterlstudent – an old-school student bar (what the heck does that mean?), Aida coffee house which seems to be a chain, Mozart coffee house (but of course!), and Heidenkummer (bring cash, no cards! We discovered the neighborhood properly at night searching for an ATM.
They actually said it was okay to come back and pay them the next day, but we found one eventually). We went back again as the food was really good.
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Is Vienna worth visiting?
The answer is definitely yes. There is plenty to see and do for everybody. Culture, green space, food, and a lovely atmosphere. It is not a “cold” city at all. I guess it gives that impression because it is so clean in the touristy areas. We did take the metro a few times and just got lost and we saw some pretty gritty areas.
7 days in Vienna wrap-up:
These are just some of the most awesome things you can do in Vienna. We found it to be an enjoyable, friendly city, one of the best places to visit in Europe, and one we can’t wait to revisit. For how long should you visit Vienna? I would say at a minimum, 3 days to fully enjoy the city.
In my best Arnuld voice, I say “I’ll be back!” :-). Very appropriate is it not? He is Austrian after all! The sad part is that l have seen every movie in this clip several times!!!! He simply cracks me up no matter what a shitty person he is in real life.
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Have you been to Vienna? If yes, how did you like it? If not, is it a city you would like to visit?
Neat lead off to your post Kemkem because my wife felt the same way. She felt it would be OK but on visiting loved the place. I have long been a fan of the Austrian Oak so need to visit the place, and his hometown of Graz, at least once.
I’m glad your wife liked it as much as l did. It’s nice to be pleasantly surprised when one travels as opposed to being disappointed :-). I do like the Austrian Oak too. He cracks me up in the movies, whether it’s a serious role or not. I have been dining in the same place as him a couple of times in real life and l was pissed that he and his friend Sly were allowed to keep puffing on their cigars even though there was and still is a no smoking ban! 🙂
Really good guide! Reading it made it clear to me that we do have to give Vienna another chance. When we went there, we stayed closer to the outskirts, in a more industrial area close to the Prater Amusement Park and only got to see a fraction of the goodies you shared in your article. And since our area was dark and gloomy and grey, we left with the impression that Vienna does not rise up to the hype. But if you put it up there with Budapest (haven’t been to Porto yet), it’s pretty obvious that it deserves another chance. The great photos show that as well!
PS: I also saw all of those movies (and more – some of them way more than once :D).
Yeah, you should give it another chance C. I think it’s worthy and like you said, for it to be in my top 3 is really saying a lot. The conditions you described would have made for a dreary holiday indeed and so l understand why you were not too pleased. I was indeed pleasantly surprised. I thought if nothing else, the prices would drive us far away quickly, but it wasn’t so. Hahaha! I was going to mention that nearly all of those movies, I’ve seen at least over 10 times each and can recite the lines! :-). You gotta love him, especially because he laughs at himself which makes you laugh with him and not at him.
Great photos1 How nice that you had the flexibility to extend your stay in a city that has so much to offer. If you didn’t taste the Sacher Torte, you will have to return!
Thanks Irene. It was really good to be able to change things up at the spur of the moment. Another reason l like train travel :-). I did try the Sacher Torte. Not my cup of tea, but Federico has always loved it so he had more than enough :-).
Super post, Kemkem. I’ve not yet been to Austria, but Vienna is certainly high on my wish list.
Thanks Doreen. It’s back on our list too 🙂 .. I’m actually hoping maybe we can get a flight from here direct and maybe check out a Christmas market or 2 time permitting. I think you would like it with your love for chocolate.
Oh Vienna, how I can’t wait to visit you!! I feel like a dog who has seen a squirrel when I read your post (or Frank’s). I get all set on somewhere, then you (guys) write a post and I’m replanning lol. Vienna has been at the top of my list for a long, long time. I think it’s time to put the check mark next to it. Looks so lovely, I can see why you extended your stay. Oh, and what a great tip for the Opera!!
Haha! Paula! I think it is a good guess that you would really like Vienna.. I had to laugh at your dog and squirrel comparison.. 🙂 . It was more than l expected and l was pleasantly surprised. I especially liked the fact that it was not outrageously priced like l thought. Yeah.. I’m thinking we should have done the Opera, but you wander off..and then forget to come back. The best part is, you don’t even have to stay for the whole thing..your feet hurt and you can leave :-).
What a great introduction to Vienna. I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time, so I really appreciate your sharing all your first-time experiences and impressions. Thanks for all your money-saving tips as well!
Thanks for reading Pamela. I hope you get to visit soon. It really is a lovely city, and one that we both can’t wait to go back to. I’m glad the post will be helpful when you visit :-).
I haven’t been to Vienna yet. It’s on my bucket list, and is on the short list. Loved your pictures and now I really want to go. The history is so rich.
Glad it’s on your short list as it is worth it in my humble opinion. Thanks for the compliment and for reading :-).
Cool!
Thanks 🙂
Okay, I just have to say how much I love reading your posts! Honestly, it seems as though you and I are sipping a wine together (or coffee) and just visiting about travel. Doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, I simply love reading about it. And Vienna is on our list. . .one of these days!
Oh what a lovely thing to say. Thanks so much :-). I prefer the wine by the way while reminiscing….haha! Loosens the lips a bit more. Hope you get to Vienna soon! It’s worth it for sure.
I’ve been to Vienna twice, but I can’t really say I saw it…YOU saw it. WOW, there are so many beautiful churches, museums and gardens. Thank you for convincing me to go back and spend more time in this city!
Vienna really is a gorgeous place and it blew me away which was perfect for the way l was feeling (disappointed with Prague so l didn’t really think it would be awesome) but it turned out to be super duper good for lack of a better way to explain it :-). I hope you do get to go back with an open eye and have a wonderful time.
We are in Innsbruck now. Salzburg tomorrow. Hopefully, we can get to Vienna!
I hope you’re having an amazing time in Innsbruck and I am hoping you get to do the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. I want to do that so much :-).
I’ll admit that we didn’t feel the same love for Vienna. The Churches, palaces, opera house and the architecture in general is beautiful. But for us it was too prim and proper, the colours the same white/grey, and we just felt it lacked the life of other Central European cities like Budapest (yes we agree!) and Prague.
Great photos, food looks good. Prices don’t though 🙂
It’s always fun to see what ticks for one person and not for the other. I had no expectations whatsoever for Vienna and was pleasantly surprised. I know you love Prague but l can definitely not say the same, yet we both love Budapest…haha! Just goes to show you 🙂 :-).
Fabulous Photography with awesome info. Austria is really dreamy to visit especially for the holiday traveler who are looking for the great place to visit in this season.
Thanks Eric. Much appreciated. Austria is absolutely gorgeous and l am sorry it took us this long to finally get there. It won’t be our last visit :-).
Wishing for your best Kemkem. Good Luck!
All I can say is, “Yes, please!” as I add Vienna and Austria to my ever growing list. Great travel tips that I’ll be referring to when I plan a trip. I can see why you extended your time there and I’m sure you left feeling like you’d missed a lot. A lovely city always leaves you with the feeling of wanting to return someday! Anita
And return, we shall. I was so pleasantly surprised. To think l had the chance to visit years ago when my aunt worked at the embassy! I also had a friend from there who just talked it down so much despite what my aunt said. I should have gone! :-). It’s not at all cold and sterile as l was led to believe. Loved it…grit and all.
This share really has the worth in it with outstanding and describing photo shots and impressive way of writing destinations accordingly. Thanks
What a lovely comment to wake up to in the new year. Thank you so much for reading and for the comment. Much appreciated. 🙂 Happy New Year!
you keep making my list longer.
Hahhhhaaaaaa! My mission is accomplished. This is part of my cunning plan… :-).
Kem, I wholeheartedly agree that Vienna is on par with Budapest and Porto. We spent two full days there hitting the highlights and longed for more. Our ‘return to’ list keeps growing. Seat 61 is the best!
I am so glad you think so Suzanne! Hahaha… my list keeps growing longer too. It’s insane as it seems we won’t even get to the first round, never mind return visits. It is such an amazing place.
What a great tour and those castles and breathtaking Cathedrals…WOW! Thanks for taking me along!
Thanks for reading Martha! Glad l found your comment, not sure why it went to the spam folder :-). Vienna is truly amazing.
Perfect timing. We’re heading to Vienna (along with Prague and Budapest) in April and were like you. Maybe 3 or 4 days. Might have to rethink our itinerary. Thanks for all the information.
Hi Peter, you’re going to have a great time in Vienna. You must have read about our mutual love for Budapest hopefully, and maybe our differing opinions about Prague. Yes, a rethink is best l think, and thanks for reading :-). Enjoy your trip!