Travel to Vienna

About Vienna

Vienna is a city renowned for not only its musical and intellectual communities, but also for its extensive coffee culture and famous wiener schnitzel. Travelers exploring the Austrian capital will encounter grand imperial palaces and marvel at walking the same streets as luminaries like Mozart, Beethoven, Klimt and Freud. While Vienna is a relatively small city that can be easily navigated on foot, travelers can also make use of the vintage ring tram to explore neighborhoods outside of the city center.

Quick Guide to Vienna

• Must Know: Vienna has a great public transport network, trams and buses will get visitors to anywhere in the city.
• Must See: The Ringstraße is the road that surrounds the center of Vienna and is lined with many impressive buildings.
• Must Do: Vienna is known for its good coffee and is full of places to try it. Relax in a few of the coffee shops after a day of sightseeing.
• Did You Know: Vienna is known as both the City of Dreams and the City of Music.

Walking Around in Vienna

Taking a leisurely walk in a beautiful spot is so relaxing, and Vienna city is a perfect place to explore on foot. You can start the city walk at Kaertnerstrasse. This is a beautiful area that is well worth strolling through and enjoy the atmosphere. There are plenty of places to shop in this historic area. The street dates back to the 13th century. You will also find several museums not too far from Kaertnerstrasse. The Austrian Theater Museum has been around since the late 17th century. Beethoven is known to have performed in this theater, and it is now known as the Beethoven and Stifter museum. It has more than one million exhibits. From here, you can head to Donaupark, where you can find the magnificent Danube Tower, which is 800 feet tall. In Donaupark, you will also find two revolving restaurants which provide fantastic views of the city. More strolling can be enjoyed at the smaller Herderpark in Vienna's 11th district. This park features a garden of rose and lilac plants, as well as a wide arbor fruit trees.

Coffee Shops in Vienna

While most people associate Vienna with its historical landmarks, when you visit this great city the multitude of coffee shops will amaze you. There is a thriving coffee scene that manifests itself on the streets of Vienna. Although traditional coffee roasters such as Café Frauenhuber exist, third-wave innovative coffee newcomers are joining the party. Contemporary Viennese coffee houses such as the Balthasar, Kaffeefabbrik, Waldemar, Café Espresso, and the Sussmund Kaffeebar spot sophisticated interiors on top of the artisanal coffee they offer. These coffee houses are known for their 'sit-down' policy. Once you make a purchase, you are welcome to take as much time as you wish in the coffee house. A favorite among locals and visitors is Café Frauenhuber. It offers a fantastic vintage Viennese atmosphere. In case the great atmosphere doesn't cheer you up, then the delicious 'Wiener Melange' surely will. With an architecture portraying romantic historicism, Café Central is a must-visit coffee house. Enjoy their coffee with homemade cakes, pastries, and also ambient piano music in the background. Located in the backstreet of the tourist-filled Hietzing, Waldemar exudes a modern touch. Neon lights litter the interior light and their coffee served with whipped cream leaves lasting memories.

Eating in Vienna

Vienna is one of Europe's leading food and wine capitals. The city's flourishing food scene features hearty traditional Austrian dishes, the most beloved being the schnitzel. Traditional Austrian eateries have long embraced international delicacies, such as sausages and cake, by making them part of their cuisine. These eateries include Figlmuller restaurant which is known for its extensive schnitzel menu, Sacher hotel famed for having the most delicious Sachertorte, Puerstner and café Mozart for their scrumptious goulash, Café Aida known for its mouthwatering apple strudel, Restaurant and Bar Motto for its tasty tafelspitz, and the Schick hotel known for its plum jam turnovers. A rising trend of modern restaurants in Vienna has paved the way for more versatile food menus, bringing a whole new wave of culinary tourism to the city. Such restaurants include Neni which serves the best Middle Eastern food in Vienna, the Palmenhaus celebrated for its Mediterranean menu and extensive wine list, O Boufes known for savory dishes, and Ulrich known to be the best brunch spot in the city. Tian Bistro and Erich serve some of Vienna's finest vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food. The most popular Austrian street food is the Wiener Wurstel (Viennese sausages) made from pork or beef and served with fresh vegetables or the Austrian potato salad.

Best Time to Visit Vienna

Known for its rich artistic and intellectual heritage, Vienna is never short of activities and events for travelers. The city has countless concert halls and museums that hold the works of renowned residents such as Mozart and Egon Schiele, making it worth a visit regardless of the time of year. Summer (June to August) is the most popular season, as thousands make their way to Vienna to indulge in sightseeing as they soak in some sun. This season is graced by popular summer events, including the Danube Island Festival, the Vienna Festival, and the colorful Rainbow Parade. Travelers on a budget will find chilly Springtime (April to May) in Vienna an ideal season to visit. This shoulder season offers hustle-free access to the Sound Frame Festival and attractions such as the gothic St. Stephan's Cathedral. Despite the low temperatures, Fall (September to October) in Vienna is exciting as the city holds the Vienna Fashion Week and the Vienna Film Festival during this time. The cold winter (November to March) season draws thousands of local and international travelers to Vienna to enjoy breathtaking views at the Vienna Christmas Market, Vienna Ball Season and the New Year's Day Concert as the snow-blanketed city shines with millions of beautiful Christmas lights.