Things to do in Vienna!

[atomicnotsoblonde]

I have a cheeky weekend away with DP at the beginning of March in Vienna

What shall we do and where is great to eat? We've never been before and are not quite sure where to start.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks

Brunch at Sacher. Book cocktails at Das Loft. Go for lunch at Mochi. Late night drinks at Josef Cocktail bar. There are sooo many places to eat and drink - you will be spoilt for choice.

The Prater is fab, though we went in the summer when it was proper Beer garden weather. We did the Third Man tour which was fascinating. It visited a lot of filming locations, but also talked a lot about the history of the time so even my teenager liked it. A horse and carriage ride was really nice, though not cheap.

If you want to see some art go to the Belvedere for Klimt’s famous ‘Kiss’ painting. The Naschmarkt is great for traditional street food, including authentic, delicious doner kebabs in amazing Turkish bread. For the traditional cafe experience - and apple strudel - visit Cafe Diglas, Cafe Museum, Cafe Central or Cafe Schwarzenplatz. Cafe Hawelka for evening drinks. Tram ride round the ring road. Schonbrunn Palace for big house & garden experience. 19th District for Heuriger - vineyard restaurants for their Gruner Veltliner white wine and traditional snacks.

Thank you I'll check them out. Really excited but it's hard to plan what to do!

Thermen Oberlaa if it is open. Lovely saunas and steam rooms.

I am so not into art, but I shall remember seeing Klimt’s “The Kiss” forever. It’s about the only thing I really remember from the trip. It’s a lovely city to just wander around.

We went on our mini-honeymoon and it was fabulous. Recommend the open top bus tours, one takes you to the zoo and we didn't realise it was world famous and had giant pandas!

Also we went at the wrong time to see the Spanish riding school (I think the horses were on holiday) so I'd love to go back

These are great suggestions. Any other must do sights to see or places to eat? Also pretty into a cocktail bar! Loved the earlier suggestions - thanks all

@Zodlebud is so right that it is a great city to just walk around, especially all of the 1st District. We used to have a great walking tours book which would take you on various routes, pointing out things you would never notice.

If you’re there on a Sunday, and enjoy music, a visit to the Augustinerkirche church service is well worth a visit for the beautiful concert-worthy sung mass.

Have a wander around the 6. Bezirk, lots of independent shops, bars & cafes around that area (I lived around the corner on Maria Hilfer Straße and I miss it sooooo much).

@atomicnotsoblonde

These are great suggestions. Any other must do sights to see or places to eat? Also pretty into a cocktail bar! Loved the earlier suggestions - thanks all

The Loos Bar (aka American Bar) in Kärtner Strasse is one of the most iconic cocktail bars in the world. It's a hundred years old but still fabulous. If you love a cocktail bar this is one of the best...

We loved-
Blau Bar for cocktails at Hotel Sacher (need to book);
Demel Cafe for Kaiserschmarrn (pancakes)(
Albertina Museum - Monet, Matisse, Warhol, Munch, Emin…all under one roof;
Bitzinger - famous hotdogs as featured on BBC’s Remarkable Places to Eat;
Classical concert in Annaskirche;

I went to the Spanish riding school, I'd wanted to go since I was a little kid Did the tour of the stables rather than watch a performance or rehearsal, loved it.

Also the Freud museum is fantastic (if you're into that kind of thing).

Ooooh placemarking. Sounds fabulous. Planning a honeymoon later this year and Vienna is a possibility 😊

Vienna is lovely. Don't bother going to the Spanish riding school unless you really like horses. DH and I queued for ages to watch them practice and it was so dull. Talking to another couple that we were sharing a taxi back to the airport we were told that what they were doing was technically very difficult. All we saw were horses wandering about and stopping now and again. Very underwhelming.

If you enjoy anything quirky you must visit the Hundertwasserhaus and the area it is in. It is reminiscent of Gaudi architecture
Then there is the Kunsthistorisches museum. The building itself is utterly beautiful. Anything to do with Mozart of course, and just wander around the the centre inside the Ringstrasse.

We were there in 1992 so I don't think I can recommend anywhere to eat, but we did eat cake in the Sacher hotel.

@Ilikegherkins

Ooooh placemarking. Sounds fabulous. Planning a honeymoon later this year and Vienna is a possibility 😊

It's the most beautiful city I've ever been to and not that expensive IMO for eating and drinking. Very easy to get around despite its size and the Viennese people are lovely. Can be very hot though, I went mid-September and temperatures were 30c during the day 🥵

Ahh Thankyou. It’s on the list - thinking of a European city tour - taking in a few cities. Love this thread 😃

Figlmuller for a wiener schnitzel! Cafe central was amazing too.

I lived in Vienna about 15 years ago so not up on places to eat and drink now, but just to say in early March check the weather forecast and prepare yourself for snow. Potentially lots of it!

I loved a tour of the crypt and tower in Stefansdom. Schoenbrunn is also well worth a visit. You must go to one of the posh cafés (like Café Central) for strudel. Enjoy!

We did an amazing 'With Locals' food walk. The guide took us to around 8 different places over 4 or 5 hours, patisseries, a market, cocktail bar etc. He was a local chef, it was fabulous.
We went to a Mozart concert, with a full orchestra and dancers. I think these can be a bit of a tourist rip off but we chatted to a local musician we met in restaurant, and he recommended a less well known concert hall.
I think Vienna is the most romantic city I have ever visited.

@Crunched

We did an amazing 'With Locals' food walk. The guide took us to around 8 different places over 4 or 5 hours, patisseries, a market, cocktail bar etc. He was a local chef, it was fabulous. We went to a Mozart concert, with a full orchestra and dancers. I think these can be a bit of a tourist rip off but we chatted to a local musician we met in restaurant, and he recommended a less well known concert hall. I think Vienna is the most romantic city I have ever visited.

A concert sounds perfect. Do you remember where you went to? I was also concerned they seemed a bit tourist trap, but I'd love one. I've seen them at St Stephen's?

@Anonzymouth76

We loved- Blau Bar for cocktails at Hotel Sacher (need to book); Demel Cafe for Kaiserschmarrn (pancakes)( Albertina Museum - Monet, Matisse, Warhol, Munch, Emin…all under one roof; Bitzinger - famous hotdogs as featured on BBC’s Remarkable Places to Eat; Classical concert in Annaskirche;

All added to the list! Thank you

[quote wonderwooman]@Zodlebud is so right that it is a great city to just walk around, especially all of the 1st District. We used to have a great walking tours book which would take you on various routes, pointing out things you would never notice.

If you’re there on a Sunday, and enjoy music, a visit to the Augustinerkirche church service is well worth a visit for the beautiful concert-worthy sung mass.[/quote]
Like this idea too. I need a route abs plan with pit stops so it doesn't become aimless!!

I know this is an old thread but we're off to Vienna soon - any up to date recs @atomicnotsoblonde ?

And ps thank you to those on here already - v helpful!