Vienna has one of the most vibrant arts and cultural scenes in the world and is very much a city for the young and the young at heart. Creativity has long run through Vienna, from the music of Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss to the jazz and house clubs of today.

Vienna, for all its stunning architecture is also one of Europe’s greenest cities, which makes it a pleasure to visit at any time of the year. Crunch through the autumn leaves on the banks of the Danube or gaze at the picture postcard snowfall in the Vienna Woods in winter and you will find yourself falling in love with the Austrian capital.

From the grandeur of the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Vienna State Opera House to the trendy MuseumsQuartier, Vienna has effortlessly transformed itself from one of the most important cities of the 19th century to one of the most vibrant of the 20th century.

See

As befitting a city of Vienna’s historic significance there are museums everywhere and the main problem will be where to go first. We suggest a trip to the Museumsquartier, which hosts a number of museums including the wonderful Leopold Museum and MUMOK, the museum of modern art. The whole area has something of a celebratory feel particularly in the evenings when couples of all ages wander around the minimalist sculptures.

Probably Vienna’s most famous attraction is the Schloss Schonbrunn, a stunning palace and gardens which features the world’s oldest zoo and the over-the-top architecture of an empire at its peak. Expertly preserved there are daily tours, although many prefer to spend the day wandering around the grounds and marveling at the incredible Gloriette that overlooks the palace.

Another palace worth visiting is Hofburg Palace, which consists of a number of buildings of differing ages and scale. There are museums on the grounds too, as well as palace stables, a library and the residential and state apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph I.

Equally impressive is Stephansdom on Stephansplatz in the heart of the city. Built in 1433, the cathedral is a wonderful example of gothic architecture as well as elements of Baroque style. There are guided tours of the cathedral and the underground catacombs where the remains of previous bishops lie. A fascinating glimpse into Vienna’s past.

If you need to get away from it all, make your way to TheStadtpark which has acres of gardens, woods and manicured lawns as well as sculptures of some of Vienna’s most famous artists. The summer and autumn months are delightful here and it’s very easy to while away an entire day doing absolutely nothing!

Another slice of nature that cuts through Vienna is the Danube River. Take a sunset walk by the banks of the river or stop for a coffee at the Uranio Café which offers the superb views of the river.

A fascinating and worthwhile trip is a visit to the Vienna Boy’s Choir in WienerSängerknaben. Founded in 1498, the choir performs outside the Imperial Chapel in order to raise money to keep the choir going. Ask your concierge to check for performance times and don’t forget to give generously!

One of the most exquisite pieces of interior decoration in Vienna is theVienna State Opera House on Opernring 2. Built in 1869, the grand staircase that leads towards the roof rivals anything Italy has to offer.

Stay

Wonderfully located on the Stephansplatz, the DO & CO (Book here) is a remarkably designed 43-room hotel that has wowed critics since it opened. Huge windows offer stunning views of the surrounding architecture while state-of-the-art technology ensures a modern twist. Room rates start from $240.

The Palais Coburg (Book here) is one of the most opulent hotels in Europe, a 19th century neoclassical palace that has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel. With only 35 rooms, this is as exclusive as it gets in Vienna as the price tag illustrates. Room rates start at $750.

The Hotel Imperial (Book here) has a history nearly as impressive as Vienna’s. Opened in 1873, it can count Wagner as one of its former guests. Very little has changed since those days and the interiors are delightful. The façade lights up at night and makes the Imperial one of the most romantic in the city. Room rates start from $400.

One of the most popular hotels in Vienna is the Sacher Wien (Book here) and it’s not hard to see why: three staff for each guest, classic interiors and a café serving some of the city’s most delicious confectionaries have seen the Sacher win over its guests. Room rates start from $300.

Eat

One of the most challenging things about a trip to Vienna is the cuisine. Not because it isn’t delicious (it is), but because the menus are almost never in English. Some restaurants will provide an English menu if you ask, but it usually easier to point at a fellow diner’s meal and ask for the same. Portions are big, so hold off on desert until you make it through your main course!

The Naschmarkt area has a host of mid-range restaurants serving up the traditional Austrian specialties: sausage, schnitzel and bread. The restaurants are cheap and cheerful and a great way to experience traditional Austrian fare.

One of the most popular restaurants in Vienna is Plachutta on Wollzeile 38, which specializes in locally produced beef. It also serves some of the best soup in Austria and consequently the place is always packed, so ask your concierge to ring ahead for a reservation.

If you are with children, head to the Palmenhaus on Burggarten1, which serves lighter fare and has plenty of comfortable couches and a relaxing ambience that has turned this into a local favourite. Ask for a mezzanine table for beautiful parkland views.

Shop

Vienna has a huge range of retail options, most of which are not in malls but in various districts that are lined with everything from high-end boutiques to flea markets. If you want to splash out, head to Mariahilferstraße, which is the longest shopping avenue in Vienna. All the major luxury brands have boutiques here and have prices to match.

Slightly more diverse is the Wiedenerhaupt Straße, which has small boutique shops and second-hand stores selling antiques and stamps. For an obscure souvenir of your stay in the city, this is the street to head to.

Schleifmühlgasse is a beautiful cobbled street in the Fourth District that is home to myriad art galleries selling contemporary Austrian art. There are also plenty of quaint coffee shops in which to rest those weary feet.

If you must visit a mall, why not visit Europe’s biggest? The Shopping City Süd attracts more visitors than any other mall in Europe, and while you won’t find anything out of the ordinary, it’s a great place to people watch.

If you want something completely different, head to the Naschmarkt with Flea Market in Linke Wienzeile, which is open every Saturday from 6am to 4pm. Everything from kebabs to Soviet-era war medals are on sale and the market is the perfect place to pick up something unique.

Red Tape

Money
The currency of Austria is the Euro. As of the 1st of April, the exchange rate was $1 to 0.75 Euro (EUR). Foreign exchange services are available at the airport, and ATMs and exchange facilities are freely available at all major International hotel chains. 

Telephone
The country dialling code is +20. 

Visas
GCC residents will need to obtain a visa through their nearest Austrian consulate. They will need a filled out application form, two passport photos and a hotel booking confirmation. 

Transport
Vienna has an impressive public transport system that encompasses rail, trams and an underground metro. The metro is extremely efficient and is the easiest way of getting around the city, particularly during rush hour. There are stations close to all the major landmarks and city centre hotels.