Are you planning your next trip to Vienna? Good choice! You could not ask for more – the capital of Austria is full of enchanting palaces and peaceful parks, as well as rich history and quality art. Besides, the city was actually named world’s top city for quality of life, and it’s still a treat for every tourist. Schönbrunn, Hofburg and Stephansdom may dominate the city landscape, but there are plenty more things to do in Vienna. Explore all of them and find out why the Austrian capital is the best city to live in.
Your trip to Vienna
You can start your weekend adventure from Wien Mitte, a rail and U-Bahn station close to the city centre. Now, get ready for a lot of walking – but if you already need some rest (accompanied by tasty Viennese delicacies), visit Beim Czaak before you start exploring the city. The restaurant is known not only for traditional Viennese cuisine but also its cosy ambience.
If you’re not that into relaxing at this point (although the Stadtpark is just a few steps away), head to MAK. The building itself is quite impressive – but the unconventional museum inside is pretty great too. If you’re lucky, you may even end up taking part in an evening course or workshop organised there.
Otherwise, you have just reached the Ring Road. It’s one of the most delightful boulevards in the world, being surrounded by many famous sights of Vienna. First of all, it will lead you to Museums Quartier, presumably one of the all-time favourites in the city. It is home to art museums, contemporary exhibition spaces and interesting events, making your visit unique each time.
On your way to the next stop, the Parliament, you should definitely stop at Die Burgermacher. Pretty much everything you can eat there is fresh, homemade and delicious. Plus, not only meat lovers will be satisfied – there’s a variety of exquisite meatless burgers too. Be careful though, as the place gets extremely crowded. But it also offers takeaway so you can continue your stroll around Vienna while enjoying a burger (or two).
Coming back to the building of the Austrian Parliament – get ready to be amazed. It may come as a surprise, but it was actually heavily damaged during World War II. Nonetheless, rumour has it that most of its interior has been restored to its original glory. If that’s not enough – check out the city hall of Vienna (Wiener Rathaus) nearby. Especially if you are planning your trip to Vienna in winter, you should be pleasantly surprised by the square right in front of it. A Christmas market, along with an ice rink, is not to be missed.
Then, within walking distance, you can find the buildings of the University of Vienna (one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world), followed by the impressive Votive Church. Make sure you don’t miss Jonas Reindl café but feel free to explore some great eateries in this area too. For example, Zum schwarzen Schaf offers a nice variety of drinks and tapas even after lunchtime.
More food? No problem. Apart from Museums Quartier, there’s also one more square worth visiting. So-called Pizza Quartier on the Karmalitermarkt has plenty of space to sit and enjoy delicious pizza, especially during summer. And speaking of, you should also check out Kino Wie Noch Nie, a charming outdoor cinema.
Once you have a feeling you know the Ring Road by heart, you should see what is left in the heart of the city. No trip to Vienna would be complete without a visit to Hofburg, the former imperial palace, as well as St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom). Make sure you cross them off your list too.
Ready to go? Watch our short video guide and check out other travel destinations on our blog and Youtube channel. Enjoy your trip to Vienna!