Destination Vienna: A World of Masterpieces
Here are things to do in Vienna, Austria.
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is a beautiful masterpiece. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces – all the while hearing captivating, and soul-stirring strings or orchestral music being played. And yes, it's a place where you can really enjoy the simple yet finest things in life– music, arts and food. It is indeed one of my favorite cities in the world.
Dining in Vienna has been a pleasure. Elegant coffee houses with the smell of fresh coffee, and rich flavor of Sachertorte, are inviting. And not to mention the hearty portions of Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz (prime boiled beef) and goulash from lovely local restaurants around the city… Here’s an observation: Viennese do the things they are known for very well, and I mean they do it very well.
FUN FACT:
Vienna has the BEST tap water I have ever tasted. My cab driver from the airport educated me about their tap water. Apparently, the city is supplied with fresh spring water every day from two mountain spring pipelines directly from the Alps! They don’t need to pump it. Gravity does its thing. And it’s very safe, very high quality, no pesticide residues, low nitrogen, and it tastes so good. Nope, you don’t need to be buying bottled water. Just drink it up from the tap!
WHERE I STAYED:
HOTEL: Hotel Saint Shermin, a charming bed and breakfast type of hotel. Good location, near Karlsplatz and short walk to the Opera House.
WEBSITE: http://www.shermin.at/en/hotel/das-saint-shermin/
ADDRESS: Rilkeplatz 7, Vienna 1040, Austria
PH: 011 43 1 58661830
RATES: Anywhere from $225-$430/night depending on the room and season
TIP: Book in advance through their website to avoid costly rates.
HERE ARE THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN VIENNA:
Palaces & Gardens:
Schönbrunn Palace. This beautiful Baroque palace is the most visited tourist attraction in Austria. The palace is huge, and stunning. I'd recommend purchasing their grand tour to check out the rooms. The rooms are fascinating. Take note however, that you’re not allowed to take photos inside. My favorite part was seeing the Schonbrunner Gardens – stunning gardens with a maze.
Hofburg. Another major attraction in Vienna, a former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Beautiful building in Baroque architecture. Lots of things to do – museums, restaurants, shops.
Belvedere Palace. This palace used to be the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. It is considered as one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks. This palace and its extensive garden is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vienna State Opera House
An entertainment jewel in Vienna, this historic opera house is full of musical heritage offering about 300 performances every year. You'll see locals watching from the outside through a giant screen on the side of the building.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
This Romanesque, Gothic cathedral is the crowning jewel of Austria, and considered the most important building in Vienna. This church is also considered one of the tallest churches in the world. It is located right at the center, surrounded by shops and restaurants. It could get VERY crowded with so many tourists, and salesmen trying to sell you tickets for opera performances.
Stephansplatz
This is the center of the city. It is named after the most prominent architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral. While it gets very crowded, I recommend checking it out to explore different shops, coffee shops and restaurants. You'll be amazed by the architectures.
Sacher-Torte
There's one thing you need to experience while you're in Vienna – you must have a slice of the Sacher-Torte, a chocolate cake or torte invented by Austrian Franz Sacher, and is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties. The best place to treat yourself to a cup of the finest coffee, and a slice of original Sacher-Torte is at a Sacher Cafe, which is located at Hotel Sacher. There was literally a line of customers waiting to be seated to get a taste of the Sacher-Torte. The cafe also offers outdoor seating but it’s very limited. They offer dining upstairs as well. The cafe and the restaurant upstairs look so elegant. The torte is simply delicious. It melts in your mouth, so rich, but not overwhelming. It is the perfect balance of chocolatey goodness. Very good coffee as well. What more could you ask for, sitting outside enjoying coffee and the best chocolate cake as you people-watch and admire baroque architecture surrounding the city.
Click here to learn more about Scahertorte.
There are plenty to see in Vienna including museums, the House of Music, Rathaus, Augarten, Prater, and a lot more. I would recommend doing the HOHO (hop-on, hop-off) Vienna tour for you to see as much as you can. I would also recommend taking Blue Danube cruises to enjoy the views along the Austrian river that inspired Strauss to write one of the world’s most famous and beloved waltzes, The Blue Danube.
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Hi, I'm Shar! I started the outbounder as a place to share my adventures as I explore different places around the world, my love for different kinds of food, and a passion to capture a moment in time through photography.
