Romantic things to do in Vienna

Vienna’s coffee culture is one of the things it is most renowned for, and it should certainly be an experience on your list during your Vienna holidays. There are dozens of coffeehouses in the city; these traditional cafes are some of the cosiest and most stylish places to sip an elegant cup of coffee, along with a dainty pastry or two. It’s not just about the freshly roasted coffee and sumptuous pastries (as great as they are); it’s about the relaxing environment where you can sit back and read the newspapers, or perhaps watch someone on the table next to you pen a novel.

The MuseumsQuartier is rather pleasing on the eye, with its large open space interspersed with a complex of museums, cafes and restaurants. As the name implies, there’s an abundance of museums to check out while you’re here: admire masterpieces at the Leopold Museum, contemporary art at Kunsthalle Wien and all things architecture at Architekturzentrum Wien (or more easily known as Az W). Covering 60,000 square feet, one of the best ways to make the most of the MuseumsQuartier is to take your time, mooching around the museums that take your fancy and pausing for an al-fresco dining or drinking in between.

The glass-covered building that is the Palm House is a beautiful sight to behold, on the inside and out. From the outside, you can admire the curved glass windows, white exterior and green detailing, while inside is a green oasis of its own accord. It’s home to the Butterfly House, where hundreds of tropical butterflies frolic in their natural environment, in between plants, trees and other foliage. This is undoubtedly one of the most romantic things to do in Vienna for couples; pose for photos by the waterfall or on one of the bridges for a picture-perfect memory.

The grandiose Belvedere looks like it could be a setting for the next Disney fairytale; as you gaze across the well-clipped green lawns, the white-washed, green-topped Upper Belvedere rises above the wide stone steps. Inside, you and your partner can take in various works of art, spanning as far back as the Middle Ages. If this Baroque beauty isn’t enough for you, though, then check out the slightly more humble Lower Belvedere with its well-preserved staterooms.

Treat your partner to some of the finest panoramic views in Vienna with a visit to the 252m-high viewing platform at Danube Tower. Once you’ve soaked up the views of the city and the Danube River, you can learn more about the city’s history via the touch screens, before heading back down to ground level where you can enjoy a bite to eat before pounding the pavements again.

Pay a visit to the Austrian National Library to find your own love story – and head straight to the State Hall. Not only is it the largest Baroque library in Europe, but it is decorated with stunning frescoes and features circular windows that allow natural light to flood in and give an ethereal feel to this 18th-century library. There’s over 200,000 volumes of books on display; you may leave feeling inspired to pen your own love story...

The Ringstrasse covers 5.3km of space and is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Vienna, not just for their subjects but for their impressive, 19th-century architecture. All manners of architectural styles can be admired: there’s the Flemish Gothic City Hall, New Baroque Burgtheater, Neo-Renaissance State Opera House, New Gothic Votive Church… and many more! The best way to take it all in? Squish up close to your partner on the Vienna Ring Tram, where you can cover the highlights from the comfort of a yellow streetcar.