Famend for its pure landscapes, music, literature and artwork, Austria is a superb vacation spot to go to in Europe. Austria was the third nation we visited on our European tour earlier this yr. After touring round Rome and Venice in Italy, we crossed to Austria in Central Europe, which lies within the Jap Alps. Most of us are conversant in some features of Austrian tradition having grown up watching the basic 1965 movie The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews. The actual von Trapp household as soon as lived in Salzburg and the film was filmed primarily in and across the metropolis.
Whereas we didn’t get to go to the filming places of The Sound of Music in Salzburg, we bought a style of it in Vienna. Vienna, the capital of Austria is called the “Metropolis of Music” because it’s the birthplace of many well-known classical composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Strauss. Of all of the European cities we visited, Vienna felt probably the most clear, neat, and arranged. It’s not stunning that classical musicians thrive right here. Every little thing felt so orderly.
Right here’s an inventory of some issues you are able to do in Vienna, Austria (together with free sights) primarily based on the highlights of our journey.
Stroll round Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
As soon as the residence of Habsburg emperors from the 18th century to 1918, Schönbrunn Palace is an architectural masterpiece recognized for housing excellent examples of ornamental artwork unfold inside 1,440 rooms.
This UNESCO World Heritage Website within the coronary heart of Vienna is properly price a go to. You possibly can go on guided excursions inside Schönbrunn Palace with an professional tour information to clarify the historical past, however the sprawling gardens, which function a leisure space and park, are open to the general public without cost all yr spherical.
You possibly can stroll across the sprawling grounds every day from 6:30 am, and it’s a preferred place for locals to jog and revel in nature.
We purchased meals from a close-by grocery and loved picnics within the gardens the 2 days we had been right here. We weren’t in a position to discover the entire park, because it’s big! Be sure you put on comfortable footwear whereas exploring.
Go to St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Austria’s most outstanding nationwide image, this magnificent cathedral is understood for its intricately tiled roof and its practically 500-foot-tall South Tower, which supplies superb views of all the metropolis.
We visited a LOT of church buildings round Europe that almost all have turn into a blur, however this church was one of the crucial exceptional and distinctive ones we visited.
The 137-meter-high spire and richly embellished roof are the town’s most necessary Gothic edifice and symbolize eight centuries of architectural historical past. The cathedral is one other main vacationer spot you possibly can go to without cost in Vienna, although admission charges apply to particular areas inside the church.
Vacationers also can discover the catacombs containing the tombs of Habsburg royals, cardinals, archbishops, and victims of the Nice Plague of Vienna or go on crypt excursions. It’s additionally potential to experience an elevator to the highest of the cathedral’s north tower to get a better have a look at the mosaic-tiled roof.
Stroll round ‘The Ring’
The Ring (often known as Ringstrasse) refers to a collection of huge boulevards that encircle nearly all the historic metropolis heart of Vienna. It’s about 6.5km lengthy and (presumably) has the best variety of historic sights lining its edges than every other highway on the planet. The Ringstrasse is a part of the architectural ensemble that identifies Vienna’s interior metropolis as a UNESCO World Heritage Website
Vacationers can discover freely on self-guided strolling excursions to admire museums, theaters, gardens, and parks. Some notable landmarks right here embody :
- The Rathaus city corridor with its big sq. and park
- The State Opera Home
- The Kunsthistorisches Museu (which has work by outdated masters and different artwork collections)
- Numerous monuments to Radetzky, Goethe, Grillparzer, Maria Theresa, Liebenberg, and Schiller;
- The Volksgarten with its beautiful rose backyard
- Stadtpark with its well-known Strauss statue, and masses extra.
One other key landmark typically really helpful for first-timers is the Hofburg Palace, which was the residence of Austrian sovereigns for over 600 years. This sprawling advanced of 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and a pair of,600 rooms was initially a medieval fortified fortress courting from the thirteenth century. It serves because the seat of energy for the Austrian president.
Right here’s a useful strolling map of main landmarks round The Ring from http://www.visitingvienna.com/ring/.
Admire architectural landmarks
Vienna can also be well-known for being one of many trailblazers in structure. In every single place you look, you’re bombarded with sights of lovely buildings, church buildings, subway stations, cafés and flats, showcasing the splendor of assorted architectural kinds. Vienna’s structure is a mixture of kinds and intervals, together with Baroque, Artwork Nouveau, Imperial and Gothic.
Among the most notable examples of Artwork Nouveau structure in Vienna embody The Secession Constructing, a landmark constructing with floral ornaments; the Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station, an iconic metro station landmark; The Majolikahaus and Muse Home; and The Postal Financial savings Financial institution designed by Otto Wagner.
Even with out realizing their historical past, each random doorway, wrought iron window grill, and constructing we handed appeared so photogenic that it bought overwhelming after some time. All of the buildings are so fantastically preserved and clear. Themed strolling excursions across the metropolis are an possibility for severe structure fans.
Strive distinctive types of native transport or excursions
Vienna felt very peaceable, walkable and secure, so it’s an excellent place to strive utilizing native transport. It was straightforward to navigate the streets whereas strolling, and straightforward to hop on board their native trains.
I used to be amazed at how Vienna’s fashionable public transportation works with an honesty system.
Not like different European cities, there have been no ticket limitations at stations and no formal, everlasting ticket checks on subways, native trains, trams and buses. Among the stations like Stadtpark had been beautiful.
Those that need a distinctive solution to discover can hop on totally different native transport to go to prime sights within the historic heart. We noticed Royal E-Vehicles and gold eco-tricycles with reside guides who provide non-public day excursions.
Wander across the Hundertwasserhaus
One other enjoyable, architectural spotlight in Vienna is the Hundertwasserhaus, a colourful and distinctive residential housing that resembles a mosaic of shapes and colours designed after the thought and idea of artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
The constructing’s design makes use of irregular varieties and incorporates pure options of the panorama. When you look intently, you’ll see that the residence advanced has rolling flooring and a roof coated with earth and grass. What’s fascinating is that anybody who lives within the Hundertwasser Home has “window rights” or the fitting to embellish the surface space of their home windows nevertheless they like to differentiate themselves from their neighbors.
The constructing additionally has greater than 200 timber and shrubs on the balconies and roof terraces, making the Hundertwasserhaus a inexperienced oasis. I really like how the timber develop from contained in the rooms and the way the branches prolong out the home windows.
For the privateness of residents, the Hundertwasserhaus can solely be considered from outdoors, although some areas on the bottom flooring have cafes and memento outlets. There’s additionally a Hundertwasserhaus Museum you possibly can go to.
Proper reverse the Hundertwasserhaus is the Hundertwasser Village, which is open to the general public. Created out of a tire workshop, the advanced is a small procuring heart with a “village sq.,” a bar, and quite a few shops within the typical Hundertwasser type.
Store for souvenirs
What are the preferred souvenirs in Vienna? For luxurious vacationers, the highest issues to purchase in Vienna embody Viennese Porcelain (recognized for its intricate designs and distinctive craftsmanship), Austrian Wine, Austrian-made Swarovski crystals (world-famous for its brilliance and precision-cut designs), artisanal goodies, and conventional dirndl clothes. Extra inexpensive and well-liked picks embody Viennese espresso, t-shirts, luggage, equipment, fridge magnets, postcards, and masses extra.
Merchandise with Klimt paintings may be very well-liked in Vienna. Gustav Klimt was one of the crucial outstanding Austrian artists. His portray ‘The Kiss”, which depicts two lovers embracing with gold leaf and a background adorned with gold, silver and platinum flakes, is likely one of the most iconic and recognizable work worldwide.
The unique portray is at present housed in Vienna’s stunning 300-year-old Higher Belvedere Palace. In case you need to take a bit of the enduring paintings residence, many outlets round Vienna (and the entire of Europe) promote merchandise that depicts the portray on shirts, scarves, pillows, postcards and extra.
Throughout our journey, I began gathering cat postcards from Europe and considered one of my favourite finds was this gold-embossed postcard of two cats within the type of “The Kiss” that I discovered in a restaurant in Vienna’s Hundertwasserhaus advanced. Isn’t it beautiful?! I like it!
Catch a classical Viennese live performance
Except for visiting Schonbrunn Palace, one of many important highlights of our go to to Vienna was watching a classical Viennese live performance at Palais Eschenbach. The historic constructing was opened in 1872 by Emperor Franz Joseph I and all the construction is preserved in and out.
We watched a classical music efficiency by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra, which featured the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and the Strauss Dynasty, true masters of operetta.
Whereas I used to be anticipating this to be a severe and formal efficiency, the live performance was a pleasing shock, with singing, ballet, and entertaining skits all through, together with a number of numbers from The Sound of Music.
The live performance featured waltzes, polkas, and a few superb arias and duets. The VIP Class places friends very close to the stage and features a copy of the live performance program and a live performance CD.
Pattern schnitzel, strudel and different native delicacies
Austrian delicacies is understood primarily for its hearty meat-based dishes and desserts which share similarities with Germany, Hungary, and different neighboring international locations. One of many prime really helpful dishes was Wiener Schnitzel (breaded and fried cutlet of meat), so we needed to strive it at the very least as soon as.
Schnitzel is usually served with a facet of fried potatoes. The servings in Austria are fairly giant, so I’d suggest sharing one dish if you wish to strive it. I simply want it additionally got here with some type of sauce. When in Vienna, you’ll additionally need to strive a number of the Vienna sausages – even when they’re the Wurst.
For dessert, you possibly can strive Apfelstrudel, a flaky pastry crammed with apple filling, just like apple pie however in pastry kind. This nationwide dessert is a staple in each espresso home and restaurant in Vienna. Sachertorte, a chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and darkish chocolate glaze, can also be considered one of Vienna’s most well-known culinary specialties.
When you’re searching for souvenirs to take residence, Mozartkugeln (or Mozart Balls) are probably the most well-known sweets from Austria. These are small chocolate balls that include a mixture of nougat and marzipan. Viennese espresso is world-renowned so put aside some chill cafe time.
If you wish to strive a singular native beverage, search for Almdudler. This natural lemonade / tender drink is product of apple juice and a mix of 32 pure alpine herbs whereas the Coke-like bottle encompasses a couple in conventional apparel.
Get pleasure from native Viennese beers
Sampling native beer is considered one of my favourite pastimes, so we needed to look out for distinctive Viennese beers.
Primarily based on grocery finds, the preferred mainstream Austrian beer manufacturers had been Gosser, Ottakringer, Schloss Eggenberg and Stiegl.
We additionally hunted down Vienna Kraft, an award-winning craft brewery positioned inside Vienna’s first neighborhood meals market Gleis//Garten.
There’s an entire vary of core vary beers and seasonal beers to strive recent from the tank, which you’ll get pleasure from, surrounded by palm timber on this beautiful beer backyard.
There are quite a lot of bars to select from, however this spot is price a go to for beer fans seeking to discover Vienna’s rising craft beer scene.
The place to remain in Vienna
Whereas in Vienna, we stayed in Renaissance Wien Lodge Vienna, a family-friendly lodge close to the town heart of Vienna. The type of the lodge mixed Viennese custom and fashionable type parts.
From the lodge, we had been in a position to stroll to Schonbrunn Palace, some prime metropolis locations, and inexpensive eating spots.
There was a prepare station close by and an excellent grocery close by the place we purchased meals and drinks to reinforce our restaurant meals, which might be fairly dear. The buffet breakfast had an intensive choice. All of the rooms supplied free Wi-Fi. Discover different locations to remain in Vienna, Austria right here.
We most likely missed quite a lot of issues to do in Austria. Two days isn’t sufficient to discover Vienna, however the quick journey was an excellent introduction to the town highlights.
Subsequent cease, Slovakia!
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