Things to see in Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace
As imposing as it is beautiful, one of the former homes of the Habsburgs, the Shönbrun Palace is an amazing place to visit. A weekend in Vienna wouldn’t be complete without exploring this Baroque-style palace, which has over 1,400 rooms, and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. 40 of the Palace’s rooms are open to the public, and are authentically furnished in the same way they originally would have been.
The Palace’s gardens are an attraction in themselves, and along with the beautiful collection of plants, they are home to a maze and a labyrinth.
Art
Vienna has a great selection of museums and art galleries for you to explore during your break. One of the best galleries to visit is the Museum Moderner Kunst, otherwise known as MUMOK.
The gallery has a collection of over 9,000 works that are regularly rotated.
You will be able to see work by many famous artists including Picasso, Magritte and Giacometti.
The gallery also has its own cinema which regularly shows video art, as well as documentaries about the gallery’s extensive collection.
If you’re in need of a break after seeing all that art you can head to the gallery’s restaurant. There is a great selection of light lunches and snacks, or even some cupcakes, which are a speciality.
Bike tour
An excellent way to make sure you don’t miss any of the city’s many sights during your weekend in Vienna is to book yourself on a cycling tour. The tours include bike hire and are run by professional guides who will take you through the streets and give you personal insight into the attractions you pedal past. You get the chance to see the Vienna Opera House, which is built in a neo-Renaissance style, as well as Heldenplatz (Heroes Square).
If you would prefer a tour of the city that requires a little less pedal power there are also city tours that can be enjoyed from the top of a bus. The tours are run in a hop-on, hop-off style and have 15 stops dotted around the city.
Typical food and gastronomy
Austrian cuisine, which is rather hearty, has a blend of German and Hungarian influences. Goulash, Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese escalope), Knödel (dumpling-like balls), Tafelspitz (boiled beef) or even Guglhupf (cake) are often on the menu. But above all, during your short stay in Vienna, don’t turn down the essential Viennese coffees!
Viennese cafes are a real way of life. Comfortably settled, you can eat and drink at all times of the day. Newspapers are free to read, and you can stay there all afternoon without being forced to order several times: ideal for a cheap Vienna City break!
In some areas, the cafes are overrun by tourists. At Sperl Café (Gumperdorfer Strasse), frequented by Freud, students come by regularly to play pool. Prices are not excessive, the welcome is warm and the cuisine is delicious.
For the late-night munchies:
Head to the Naschmarkt area where you’ll be spoiled for choice. Because a night out on a Vienna City Break can go on and on…
