Vienna is one of our favorite cities, not just in Europe, but in the world. Between the architecture and old city streets, the cafes, and the emphasis on the arts, it is an enchanting city. The last time we were able to visit we took a more relaxed approach to seeing the city. While we did see some of the classic tourist sites, we also just wandered around the inner city, popping into cafes and shops that looked interesting rather than having a firm itinerary. Below are some of the things we did for a kind of sample itinerary. We have included links to longer posts we have written on some of the things we list.

One of the primary reasons for our visit was to attend the Genuss Festival, a three day event in early May in the Wiener Stadtpark that offers visitors a chance to try foods, drinks, and other edible goods from different regions in Austria. There are often free samples, as well as plenty of things to buy, both to eat there and to take home. One of the most interesting parts of the festival were booths that featured a few entrees from different regions of Austria, allowing visitors to try and compare, for example, food from the Alps and food from the city of Vienna. While the festival draws a mostly Austrian crowd, it can be a really fun way to sample a wealth of Austrian cuisine.

Although we had visited the Hofburg and Schönbrunn palaces during previous visits, we decided to return. We bought a combined ticket, along with a ticket to the Hofmobiliendepot, for a discounted price, visiting one of the attractions on three different days. First, we went to the Hofmobiliendepot, the royal furniture depository. This was a lovely museum, featuring some of the royal accoutrements, along with rooms devoted to different pieces of furniture. For example, there was a room filled with a sampling of the chairs used by the Habsburgs. The Schönbrunn Palace is located outside the city center as it was the Habsburg summer palace. Although we went on a rainy day, the palace’s exterior and interior were both beautiful. The tour was worth going on a second time to reacquaint ourselves with the lavish palace. The same could be said for the Hofburg Palace, the winter palace located inside the city center. The Hofburg includes an exhibit on the china and serving ware of the royal family, which is quite interesting. The palace itself is opulent and lovely to visit.

 

We decided on our trip to attend a performance at the Wiener Staatsoper. This was one of the highlights of our trip. The opera house is stunning and is worth a visit in its own right. However, the opera itself was outstanding. We saw a comedy, Don Pasquale, and were treated to an excellent show. Because Vienna is known for its arts scene, we encourage you to see some sort of performance during a visit. Even if you have a small budget, there are often free or cheap concerts around town, especially in churches. If you are able though, a performance at the opera house is a great way to experience the rich cultural heritage of Vienna.

Along with the opera we also participated in Vienna’s art scene by going to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the city. The building itself is a piece of art, so you might catch your eyes wandering upward to stare at the ceiling, even with beautiful pieces of art in front of you. We went later in the day and decided to slowly walk the whole museum rather than take our time in one or two rooms. This was a good decision. We were able to see much of the museum and still felt like we saw things well. It was a wonderful evening.

Much of our time in Vienna was spent in cafes. Vienna is known for its coffeehouse culture, where patrons are able to sit and relax in peace and quiet, reading a newspaper, sipping coffee, and perhaps eating a piece of Viennese cake. There are numerous cafes scattered around the city. We visited six: Cafe Sacher, Cafe Prückel, Café de l’Europe, Aida Café Konditorei, Cafe Tirolerhof, and Cafe Mozart. Cafe Sacher is the best place to go for Vienna’s famous Sacher Torte; Café de l’Europe and Aida Café Konditorei are both in the shadow of the Stephansdom for a scenic location, and Cafe Tirolerhof and Cafe Mozart are both near the opera house if you’re interested in kaffee and kuchen to discuss the opera performance you just saw. Even if you don’t visit one of these cafes, going to at least one Viennese coffeehouse is a must. Make sure to get a coffee and try a cake (or maybe two!).

Finally, one of our favorite things that we did was simply wander the streets of Vienna’s city center. The inner city is small, so it’s difficult to get lost. Around every corner is another beautiful building or a cute eatery. Because we walked around we found a lovely little bakery where we got breakfast and fresh bread each day. We also happened to go into the Stephansdom just before mass was to begin, so we attended and had a nice experience. Walking allows you to be immersed in and surrounded by the grandeur that is Vienna. The inner city is meant for walking, so get out and enjoy one of the world’s great and beautiful cities!