Vienna as short break destination with older children?

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Anyone got any thoughts on the above? My children will be 14 and 11 by the time we go. They are not really into looking at galleries and not massively into museums unless they are particularly engaging, but they are quite up for visiting interesting buildings/locations/historical places or going on tours that show you the sights. I am quite attracted to visiting somewhere German speaking as I prefer to go somewhere where I can get by in the language. Although my German is now quite rusty, I should still be able to get by! My son is learning German at school and is quite into it. Berlin would be one obvious destination, but my son is going to Berlin separately on a school trip, so I wanted somewhere different.

If you would recommend Vienna, any thoughts on where to stay would be appreciated. We would prefer self-catering. OK with paying a bit more (within reason) to be somewhere central rather than having to "commute in" to the centre.

TIA

Unless there is something in Vienna you are desperate to visit how about Hamburg or Munich instead?

The centre of Vienna is quite compact so I would advise staying somewhere central because you can walk everywhere. I loved Vienna and would go back tomorrow.

The Hundertwasserhaus is interesting, and the children would enjoy visiting the Prater

I wouldn't rule out any art and culture though because there are so many beautiful buildings. The Kunsthistorisches museum is just fabulous.

And of course you must visit the Sacher hotel to eat Sachertorte.

Vienna is IMO unmissable.

Thanks both. The DC seem to quite like the idea of visiting Vienna, but I have also considered Munich. I have been to both Munich and Hamburg but a long time ago. Noramum, were there any sights/attractions in particular that you were thinking of for those Hamburg/Munich? We would probably be flying from Manchester. Not sure which airport we would fly to for Hamburg?

I spent a couple of days in Vienna with my DCs (then aged 14 and nearly 10) a couple of years ago, as a stop-off on an inter railing trip around Europe.

DS really, really hates art galleries, unfortunately, so we only went to one showing an exhibition I really wanted to see, but there is some amazing art if you can work on their enthusiasm for it.

DD (roller coaster fan) loved the Prater, they both enjoyed the Sachertorte, and DS was interested in the WWII/cold war history of the place. We didn't do the Spanish Riding School (which DD would probably have enjoyed but not DS), or one of the Cold War Vienna walking tours (which DS would have liked, but not DD - this is a constant issue as a single parent of two DCs with a biggish age gap and widely differing interests…).

To be honest I think they both enjoyed Berlin more (another stop on the same holiday) - the trip to Vienna was mainly for my benefit, as I spent quite a lot of time there a few decades ago. But obviously if one of them is already going to Berlin then it makes less sense. Having said that, DS went back to Berlin on a school trip a few months after we went, and enjoyed both trips - there is plenty to see so you could avoid some duplication.

Oh yes, hotels - we stayed at the Suite Novotel a few subway stops out of the centre, not far from the Prater (good sized family rooms, but not really self catering - I think there might have been a microwave), but if I were to go back with DCs I would probably try for something like one of the Meininger hotels/hostels. We stayed in the branch in Salzburg, and it was a relaxed sort of place with family rooms as well as singles & dormitories, a big lounge area, buffet breakfast, and a communal kitchen and laundry room.

Just back from Austria including 4 days in Vienna. We stayed in a hostel called Ruthensteiner I think? Basic, clean with guest kitchen.
We used a JUFA hotel in the mountains which was excellent and I think there is also one in Vienna.
It is quite a small city so easy to get around.
Loved the Hunderwasser houses and museum. The zoo at the castle just outside the city, sorry struggling with names tonight! , was really good as we're the walks in the gardens.
I read on trip advisor about a place where you have to solve clues to get out of a bunker in a certain time, s bit dear but looked fun.
I didn't go to the Spanish riding school but read that seeing the rehearsals is cheaper than the actual performance.
The city itself was very clean, with lots of very interesting buildings.
I wouldn't worry too much about not staying centrally as the metro and trams are really good. Buy a 24,48,72 hour ticket. Just stamp it once and use on all transport.

I wouldn't go to the Spanish Riding School unless you are passionate abut horses. We queued for ages to watch them rehearsing and found it rather dull and uninteresting. We talked to another couple about it later and they pointed out that we clearly knew nothing abut horses because the few (boring) moves that they did were apparently quite clever.

Thanks all, much appreciated. Exexpat, the WWII/cold war history aspect is something that I think would definitely interest my DS too. Was there anywhere in particular that you visited that you would recommend from that perspective?

We didn't visit any specifically WWII/Cold War related sites in Vienna (unless you count the Prater, as featured in The Third Man, which must be the ultimate post-war/cold war film), but I talked DS through some of the history as we travelled round.

You can now go on themed tours including a visit to the Third Man museum - Cold War Vienna tours which would be right up DS's street. There is also a museum of military history, which covers WWI/II, but we didn't have time for that one.

Berlin (again) has a lot more on that subject - holocaust related sites and memorials, the Checkpoint Charlie museum, the Stasi museum etc etc, and of course all the remaining bits of the wall.

Also, if you're thinking of visiting Vienna, this BBC programme is worth watching: Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds (only a few days left on iPlayer).

We had a lovely couple of days in Vienna last summer when our children were also 14 and 11 and all really enjoyed it. It's a great city just to wander around and stop for snacks, even if you don't do any particular sights. We did Prater, Spanish riding school rehearsal and the museum opposite which I can't remember the name of,, National Library and numerous churches. Highly recommended and we'd go back in an instant!

Thanks both.

The schoenbrunn zoo is set in lovely grounds and my dcs enjoyed visiting there. Even though your dcs are not interested in galleries I recommend the upper belvedere which houses many Klimt paintings including the kiss and many of his landscapes. The hundertwasser buildings are also fab.
I have stayed at the ibis near the west station. Easy access to the metro, clean rooms and not expensive.

Thank you! Vienna definitely looks a good destination to me!

The cake etc at Demel was very good & I think it is supposed to be a more authentic experience.