ViennaTravel Guide

Innere Stadt, or the Old Town of Vienna, is a major tourist attraction and location of many important historical sites and landmarks such as the Vienna Opera House, Parliament and the City Hall.

With its eye-catching roof tiles and steeples, the Gothic splendour of St Stephen’s Cathedral is also here, in the heart of the city, in Stefansplazt Square. We dare you to climb the south tower and tour the catacombs. Let’s just say, this is not for the faint-hearted!

No trip to Vienna would be complete without a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. With 1,142 rooms, this historic building is bigger than Versailles in Paris. Plus, you’ll find one of the world’s top 10 mazes to explore in its beautiful gardens.

Belvedere Palace is another magnificent building to add to your must-see list. Short on time? Focus on Upper Belvedere, which houses Austria’s most valuable art collection. Tip: This is where you’ll find the painting “Judith” by Viennese Art Nouveau artist Gustav Klimt.

Venna plays host to several festivals throughout the year. There are May Day celebrations at the Prater, then the famous Vienna Festival takes to the stage mid-May to mid-June, welcoming thousands of visitors, followed by the Viennale film festival in October, to name just a few. But there are many more!

And don’t miss out on seeing the Lipizzaner dancing horses at the Spanish Riding School or a world-class performance at the Vienna State Opera. Just be sure to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Had your fill of palaces and historical sites? Then it’s time for some thrills at the Prater amusement park. The entrance is near the iconic giant ferris wheel (the Wiener Riesenrad). Do the pay-as-you-ride, tuck into a hot dog or an ice cream in between or recover in the beer garden with a cold one.

You may be surprised to discover that Vienna is big on water activities, especially along the Danube River. On a hot day, rent a rowboat at Alte Donau (Old Danube), swim or hang out on one of the public “beaches” in Vienna on the river banks. Don’t fancy getting wet? Then opt for a cruise along the Danube Canal.

When it comes to fine dining, Vienna’s not shy. Some of the best restaurants can be found in the inner city. Celebrating something special? Silvio Nickol offers the perfect romantic setting. Tucked in the Palais Coleburg, be prepared to be dazzled by a 5-, 7-, or 9-course menu paired with wine from its famous cellar.

Another winner is Steirereck in the leafy surrounds of the Stadtpark. Specialising in Austrian cuisine, expect the unexpected, served with a flourish. Their signature dish is a char fish cooked at the table in beeswax.

For the ultimate Viennese experience, settle in at the gorgeously opulent Cafe Central. Order a melange (the local cappuccino) and some apple strudel, then read a book or catch up on emails, as one does in Vienna.

Rated as one of the most beautiful coffeehouses in the city, Palmenhaus offers an experience that’s on a whole other level. Sip your mocha java among giant palm fronds in the massive, ornate “greenhouse” while you contemplate the menu.

So you’ve heard about Vienna’s legendary chocolate cake, the Sacher torte? Well, there’s really only one place to sample it − the Hotel Sacher with its old-world charm and its Sacher Eck (corner), actually two levels dedicated primarily to coffee, cake and dessert.

You can’t leave Vienna without having tucked into a schnitzel! You can find the crispy, crumbed veal and pork fillets throughout the city, but the best − and biggest − is at Figlmüller. Heads up that if you go there, you’ll probably have to queue.

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to markets. The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most well-known, featuring hundreds of stalls to tempt you with the freshest produce, including bread, cheeses, olives and jams.

Karmelitermarkt is a smaller market, established way back in 1671. Here you can shop for organic produce, fresh herbs, wine and baked goodies. The market is surrounded by many good cafés and restaurants offering global cuisine – ideal for an after-shopping cuppa or meal.

Perhaps the most common street food you’ll find in Vienna is the sausage! Sausage booths like that of Bitzinger Sausages & Co. are on almost every street corner, where you can enjoy a hot dog or one of the Viennese favourites, the käserkrainer (smoked pork and cheese sausage). Vienna also offers other street food like pizza slices, the Turkish Döner kebab, while in winter, the maroni stands pop up with their braziers roasting chestnuts. A portion gets scooped into newspaper cones for you to be enjoyed on a park bench or on the steps of a fountain.

For the ultimate shopping spree, make a beeline to Kohlmarkt, Graben and Kärtnerstrasse. These glitzy pedestrian streets in the heart of the 1st district are lined with the top fashion houses like Dior, Channel and Gucci. It’s also where you’ll find the exquisite watches and jewellery of Cartier, Hermès and Omega.

Fancy a pair of Jimmy Choos, a designer bag from Louis Vuitton, or an evening gown from Saint Laurent? Then head to the Goldenes Quartier, which is around three minutes’ walk from the Stephansplatz Square.

If malls are your thing, see what all the fuss is about at Wien Mitte, the largest mall in the inner city. Alternatively, you can hang with the fashionistas at Donau Zentrum, housing all the typical stores that you find in a mall, from health and beauty, sports and books to jewellery and toys.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to haute couture, head to the famous Mariahilferstrasse in the 6th district, the longest and largest shopping street in the city. This is where the locals like to shop. Looking for sneakers or a sweater? So easy with brands like Nike and Puma – and everyone’s favourite, H&M – all here.

Looking for souvenirs or something unusual? The Kettenbrückengasse flea market at Naschmarkt is said to be one of the best flea markets in Europe. A treasure trove for bargain hunters, it’s open on Saturday mornings. Further away, in the 12th district, you’ll come across another large flea market called Riesenflohmarkt, which features loads of vintage, antique and second-hand items.