Vienna holiday guide

Vienna has claimed the coveted 'world's most livable city' title once again in 2022 and it is easy to see why. A city of rich culture, steeped in history and architecture. It is a very accessible city with great public transport links via tram, subway and bus throughout the city. Despite being a city it also boasts over 2000 parks so you are never far from nature. There really is something for everyone here from the worldfamous Viennese Coffee Houses to a cruise along the Danube. There are plenty of exhibitions to see and from November to December the Christmas Markets are a must-visit.

Photograph by Victor Malyushev, Unsplash

Photograph by Eric Hong, Unsplash

MUST SEE

There is so much choice here in Vienna it’s difficult to pick just one! Schönbrunn palace is one of Vienna’s top visitor attractions and children and adults will love the amazing zoo there, along with a whole host of things to see and do including a maze and a children’s museum. Another great place to visit is the Hofburg. It was home to the Hapsburgs, the ruling sovereign family from the 13th Century until the end of the monarchy in 1918. Within this beautiful complex with it's sprawling wings and courtyards you can also find the famous Sisi museum, the silver collection and the imperial apartments.

WHAT TO DO

With over one hundred museums and galleries to choose from there really are a huge amount of things for you to do and see in Vienna. From astronomy to zoology, the choice is yours!

CRUISE ALONG THE DANUBE An evening sightseeing cruise along the Danube is not to be missed, you can combine it with music and dinner for an unforgettable evening.

PRATER PARK Take in Prater Park and everything it has to offer, from eateries to amusements and fairground rides. Enjoy a ride on Vienna’s ferris wheel or a scare-fest on the ghost train. There is also a calendar full of events throughout the year, ending in the ‘Prater Rocks’ Wintermarket where you can warm up with a hot punch and enjoy the live acts performing in the evenings from 7 pm. This runs from mid-November until 8th January.

GUIDED TOURS Take a guided tour of Vienna which offers up great knowledge about Vienna and its culture and history. A wide range of tours are available and are highly recommended. From pastry and dessert food tours to spooky ghost tours there will be a great tour for you to join.

WHERE TO EAT

The food is Austria is varied and delicious. Viennese food is the only food in the world named after the city. There are plenty of places to eat and drink from fine dining restaurants to the totally Viennese Heuriger, which is a Wine Tavern that is unique to Austria. There are many specialities to try from a Schnitzel, Apple strudel, or the world-famous sachertorte a delicious chocolate and apricot cake. APRON Vienna also has its fair share of fine dining restaurants and one of the best is Apron. A Michelin star restaurant offering a gastronomic journey with its many courses on offer, paired with a great selection of wines. Fine dining at its best. CAFÉ SACHER VIENNA The best place to sample the atmospheric coffee house alongside the original, much loved, sachertorte is at Café Sacher Vienna. Directly opposite the Vienna opera house in the Sacher hotel, it is accessible and easy to get to. Book ahead to avoid queues!

Photography © Hotel Sacher Photography © Redtenbacher Schweizerhaus

SCHWEIZERHAUS You can not go to Vienna and not have a Wiener schnitzel and there is no shortage of places to enjoy one, we recommend Schweizerhaus. Conveniently located in Prater, it's an ideal venue to enjoy some authentic Viennese cuisine and all that Prater park has to offer. The Karl Kolarik family have been running the business for over one hundred years, so it has retained it's authentic, traditional feel. Particularly famous are the “Original Schweizerhaus Stelze” and the “Original Budweiser Budvar” beer, which is still drawn by hand in three stages the way it was always traditionally done in earlier times.

Photography So Vienna Hotel © Rafaela Proellot

WHERE TO STAY

The city is full of wide-ranging hotels and there will be a perfect place for you to stay. From traditional to modern. THE STEIGENBERGER HOTEL Situated in the heart of the old city and close to the Hofburg is the Steigenberger Hotel. It mixes traditional and modern well offering a great base to go and explore.

THE SO VIENNA HOTEL The So Vienna hotel, designed by famous French Architect Jean Nouvel, is situated in one of Vienna’s most up and coming, hip districts but is also close to the city centre attractions. The hotel is a masterpiece in modern design.

MOOONS VIENNA One of the city's best boutique hotels to try is MOOONS Vienna. It is ideally located near to an underground stop, but also within easy walking distance of the vibrant city centre. The hotel is unique in its design and offers great amenities. It is the perfect place to return to after a busy day sightseeing. Photography © MOOONS Hotel