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Over the past couple of years, I’ve visited Vienna numerous times. With every returning visit I still manage to discover new things about this city and I fall in love with it a little bit more.
Now that I’ve been there a couple times, there are things that I must do on each visit. So here you go, my top 10 things to do when in Vienna. I realize a lot of these are food related, but for me a well fed holiday is a fantastic holiday.
1. Schonbrunn
No visit to Vienna is complete without a visit to this magnificent palace. The gardens are a must. My favourite view of the palace is from behind the Neptune fountain. Also, make sure you walk all the way up to the Gloriette for a view of the palace and surrounding neighbourhood.
Read more: Pretending to be Royalty at Schonbrunn Palace
2. Almdudler
Almdudler is an Austrian soft drink that is made from grape and apple juice. It tastes a bit like ginger ale to me, but sweeter and with more fruit flavour. It kind of looks like ginger ale too. It is often called the “national drink of Austria” and is the second most popular soft drink in Austria after Coke. You can get them carbonated (my preferred option), sugar free or still. There is even a version with beer in it! I haven’t been able to find it elsewhere other than in Austria despite them saying that it gets exported to surrounding countries. I pick up one of these the first day I’m in Austria!
3. See the Hundertwasserhaus
I love the quirkiness of the Hundertwasserhaus. It’s a little bit further away from the majority of sites in Vienna, but I think it’s worth the visit. The explosion of colour and little details make each visit unique. Every time I go, I noticed something new and interesting about the building and visitor centre across the way.
See more: In Photos – Hundertwasserhaus
4. Eat some cake
You see cakes available everywhere in Vienna. There are so many famous coffee shops around the city and what goes well with coffee? Cake! I ate too much while I was there, and I still can’t get enough.
One cake everyone tells you try is the Sacher Torte. While I won’t tell you to skip it entirely, I really wasn’t too impressed with it. I really do not get the fuss! In my mind it’s just one massive marketing campaign that they’ve been successful at over the years. Instead I much rather enjoy all the other thousands of cake and coffee shops around the city.
Where to eat cake: Coffee and Cake – A Match Made in Vienna
5. Walk along the Ring Road
The major tourist attractions and the centre of Vienna is surrounded by an outer ring road called the Ringstrasse. It surrounds the Innere Stadt district of Vienna. A leisurely walk along this road would lead you to see the Vienna Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, Rathaus, Museum Quarter, Burgtheater and the University of Vienna.
See more: A Ride Around the Ringstrasse
6. Weiner Schnitzel at Figlmuller
A must visit on every visit. The schnitzel here is massive and so good! It’s not dry like other places that I’ve tried and much thinner. Make sure you get the potato salad. I use to dislike potato salad, but this one really turned it around for me. I don’t know what it is that they put into the dressing but it is the perfect amount of sweet and tart. Normally I get one schnitzel to share with a friend and my own side salad because that is just too good to share.
7. Lunch at the Naschmarkt
For a cheap and quick lunch head to the Naschmarkt. Pick up some bread, cheese and meat and have a picnic in a nearby park, or if you want someone to do the cooking for you, there are plenty of restaurants available.
Even if you aren’t picking up lunch, a visit to the Naschmarkt is still fun. You can see all the different spices, foods and merchants available. On Saturdays, there is a flea market if you’re interested in purchasing some gifts. The market is really big and spreads a couple blocks. The prices are more reasonable on the Kettenbrückengasse end compared to the Karlsplatz end. Also, fewer tourists which is also nice.
8. Explore Musical History
There are so many famous composers and musicians who are associated with Vienna. I have thoroughly explored Mozart’s history and his connection to Vienna there are many more composers like Beethoven, Hayden and Schubert who have houses and memorials to explore in the city.
Did you know Vienna also has a Walk of Fame? Instead of containing celebrities like in LA, this walk of fame is full of composers who had some sort of connection with Vienna.
No visit to Vienna can be complete without a visit to the Haus der Musik especially if you’re doing all the other musical activities. I loved this museum. Its very interactive and a whole lot of fun. They had me composing music, interacting with instruments and exploring history. A lot of fun.
Read more: Chasing Mozart – From Birth to Death
9. Pork Knuckle at Salm Brau
Salm Brau is a restaurant and brewery on the edge of the Belvedere grounds. Try their beer, brewed in house, and their pork knuckle. It was so delicious. I can still remember how easily it flaked off the bone and how deliciously tender it was. It goes perfect with the mustard that is served with it. Be warned though, the portions are massive. We had one knuckle to share among 3 of us and we still had leftovers.
10. Watch an Opera
Where else can you watch a world class opera for 3€ or 4€? Yes, you have to stand. Yes, you’re in the back. But it’s so affordable! Plus you can see the inside of the opera house which is gorgeous! These standing room tickets are available only on the day of the performance and not from the main ticket office either. Tickets go on sale about 80 minutes before the performance from a side door off of Operngasse. Usually the line for the tickets starts fairly early so you need to be there early. For further details on the process, read this guide on TripAdvisor.
The performance was long, but it was such a cool experience and one that I would definitely recommend for anyone, especially those who are curious about opera, but don’t want to cough up $100 to see one.
And those are my top 10 things to do in Vienna. Some are really touristy things to do, others are a little bit off the beaten track. Food is such a major component of my travels so they make a strong appearance. I’m salivating just thinking about that pork knuckle now. Yum!
Where to Stay
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Here are my top picks for where to stay:
- Wombats City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt (Rechte Wienzeile 35) – There are two locations of this hostel in Vienna: this one here overlooking the Naschmarkt and another by the Westbahnhof. I have stayed a both and enjoyed my stays at both locations. It was easy to make new friends, they offer a breakfast for an additional price and it is really centrally located. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor and book your stay at Booking.com.
- Wombats City Hostel Vienna “The Lounge” (Mariahilfer Strasse 137) – Another branch of the Wombats hostel, slightly closer to the center. It’s well located near the Westbahnhof if you’re coming off a train. If this one is full, check out the other location and vice versa. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor and book your stay at Booking.com.
- Motel One Wien-Staatsoper (Elisabethstraße 5) – It doesn’t get more central than this. Located by the Opera house and near the ring road, this location of the budget hotel chain is clean, comfortable and convenient. It’s a little more expensive compared to other locations of this chain in Vienna, due to its location, but if this is full, look at one of the other three locations. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor and book your stay at Booking.com.
- Kunsthaus Apartments (Weißgerberlände 16) – For anyone wanting access to a kitchen or if you want more space, the Kunsthaus Apartments are your answer. In a quieter neighbourhood, they’re located right by the Hundertwasserhaus and is around the corner from Kunst Haus Wien. They have studios, one bed, two bed and three bed apartments available. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor and book your stay at Booking.com.
Want more about Vienna? See everything I did in the city and be sure to visit the Christmas markets if you’re going to be in the city during the holidays.
What are your favourite things to do? Did I miss anything?
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Another perfect post from you for me! I’ve pinned this for my first ever visit to Vienna NEXT WEEK! Excellent tips especially the pork knuckle. My whole family is salivating and they’ve all siad we have to go there!! Thanks.
Thanks Phoebe! I’m looking forward to seeing how you enjoy Vienna 🙂 I’m super jealous that you’re going next week. I can’t wait till I can go back.
Vienna is so high on my list of places to go, but still I haven’t made it there! That is the trouble, I suppose with wanting to go everywhere.
I am so obsessed with Pork Knuckle, I’ve had it sooo many times on my travels. My favourite though was in Germany at Oktoberfest, ohmygod, I didn’t eat anything else for a week, just pork knuckle the whole time.
Ohh I love pork knuckle too. I’ve had some really amazing ones in Germany in Dusseldorf and Berlin, but also some really terrible ones as well elsewhere. I love how it just falls off the bone in delicious pieces yumm
I have to say the pork knuckle was a big dissapointment. Too dry and salty and the fat was not melted at all. Ate the best one in Romania at Buena Vista in Iasi. Salm Brau is way overrated. I would remove it from your top 10.
Thanks for sharing all the suggestions! I’ll definitely check some out when I’m in Vienna this summer. And yes I agree, the best trips are the ones where good food is involved! I’m already looking forward to that schnitzel 🙂
Oh gosh that schnitzel! So yummy.
LOOOOVE Vienna. My grandfather was born there, I believe this is the reason why I have always loved visiting the place. I especially love the food tips, Austrian food is underrated but delicious. Have you ever checked out Hundertwasser’s incinerator?
I’ve only been to the Hundertwasser houses, but not the incinerator. I just googled it. Looks cool! I’ll have to make sure I see it the next time I’m in Vienna.
Yes to the incinerator…….what a treat it was…..also the aquarium in the flack tower. Did it all except the opera. Mind you we lived there for 2 years so had the time to do everything…….butterfly house on cold rainy November days, Nashmarkt for strange to us foods……
You really should include the MuseumsQuartier, one of the largest cultural areas in the world. There is a museum or exhibit there for everybody.
Ah so true! I haven’t been inside any of the museums, just wandered around outside. It seems like I have to make another list soon 🙂
What a great list! I’m really floored by some of the portion sizes, but they look delicious!
Yea, the portion sizes seem a lot like American sizes, but I think it is only at these restaurants on the list. The other ones I’ve been to have been really reasonable.
Great list, I absolutely love Vienna! The desserts were spectacular, especially at the historic Cafe Central. I would also suggest visiting the heuriger, or wine taverns, in Vienna’s suburbs.
Thanks Brianna! I’ve never been out to the wine taverns. I’ll have to make sure I do that on my next visit.
I would NEVER share that schnitzel with anyone. Or the pork knuckle. I think Vienna can turn a person into a selfish diner 🙂
Both are too delicious to share, but I would be hopeless at finishing them though. A couple of my friends had no problem polishing off the schnitzel, but that pork knuckle is massive.
We’ve not made it yet to Vienna! (But we have visited Salzburg…) The cake and coffee is enough to lure us (and the opera would too :-).
Ohh, Salzburg. I really enjoyed that city as well. I hope you get to Vienna one day!
I love Vienna and indeed missing Opera would be like missing Colosseum in Rome!
Yes! Agreed 🙂
Mmmm… that food looks delicious!
Super yummy!
I’m hoping to do a Europe trip next year and would love to stop at Vienna! I’ll definitely refer back to this post when I start trip planning!
Thanks Bryna! There is so much great stuff to do in Vienna.
I think it’s very telling that all the items that immediately made me light up were the food and drink suggestions. We’re still considering Austria as a possible destination this summer, so this list is a great help.
I travel with my stomach it seems haha. Culture and history is great, but if I’m hungry, then it’s not as fun.
Ok I so need to go back to Vienna I did not have enough time to do no: 2, 3, 7 & 9!
So much to do in this great city! I hope you get a chance to go back 🙂
I loved your post as usual. I agree with you and I am so glad you enjoy my city so much!
I missed the link up this week I was too late. We had a long day! See you next week!
Thanks Tamika! I can’t wait to come back for a visit & then you can show me all the non-touristy activities and try that ice cream you keep singing praises about 🙂
Sorry about this week’s link up. We’re experimenting with the length of time that it is open and clearly this week it was too short! We’ll change it for next week & I hope you’ll link up again 🙂
It’s awesome Vienna. Previously you told about A Ride Around the Ringstrasse and these Top 10 things to do in Vienna are series of tips riding around Vienna. Thanks for your effort and the time you have taken to write about these.
That Schonbrunn palace is a treat for the eyes.
Thanks. #sitsblogging.
Fantastic list of things to do which I will be adding to my list of things to do when I go there someday!!! I’ve loved all of your posts about Austria lately!
Thanks Lauren! Hopefully you’ll get a chance to go to Vienna 🙂
Did you say cake?! 😉 I haven’t been to Vienna yet but all these suggestions sound lovely – can’t wait to go! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler 🙂
Ehhhh, cancel the thank you for linking up part of that comment 😉
Haha, have the paste on automatic? Happens to me too 😛 I hope you get to Vienna during your RTW!
I actually loved the Sacher torte – of course, I’m happy any time I get cake! I was only in Vienna for a few days, but I’d love to go back.
Ohh, you can have my share of the Sacher torte then 🙂
Thanks for the tips, Adelina! I’ve been to Vienna many times, and yet you’ve given me here few ideas to do on my next visit. Funnily enough, I haven’t heard about Almdudler before. I’ll have to taste that one. And that schintzel on the photo is really huge.
I think it was a waiter at a restaurant that recommended that I try Almdudler. I haven’t looked back since 🙂 After this post, I’ve gotten so many more tips for my next visit. There is so much to discover in the city.
Great list. I still havent been to Vienna but next year I will have make my way there and your tips may come in handy!
Thanks Bianca! Vienna is a great city to see. I hope you get to go next year!
Wish I’d seen this post before I went to Vienna last year as I think I missed out on a few of these! But I’m relieved to say that where cake and schnitzel is concerned, I ate my fair share and had that same schnitzel from the same place! Wasn’t it just fabulous?! I always felt the same way about potato salad until this one too!
Yes! That schnitzel was so yummy. I had some at other places and they just didn’t measure up. Definitely worth the hype and lines. I still dream of that potato salad.
Amazing list.. I loved Vianna it was such an amazing city and I would definitly want to see it again….
Hi,
I am from Vienna and i think you did really well ☺️
Thanks Leah! I really adore Vienna & can’t wait to go back 🙂
I’m glad you included everything from popular sites to markets to culture to food. I’m looking into a trip to Vienna in September and I can’t wait! I’ll have to check out some the markets and eat some of the food you listed.
Thanks Brooke 🙂 Vienna is one of my favourite cities in Europe. There’s so much to do. I hope you have a great time!
Hey, if you go to the Schönbrunn gardens, 2 things….
Firstly, Go up the woods on the left hand side (as seen from the palace).
Secondly, bring some hazelnuts, or peanuts (not salted or roasted; the best is still in shells).
There are squirrels, ducks and songbirds, all of which will come and feed from your hand. The songbirds you need to be patient for, though. And the ducks may end up following you 😀
Great tips! I did some wandering in those woods and definitely encountered my fair share of squirrels. One was climbing all over an elderly gentleman that was out for a stroll. I like to think he goes there regularly to feed the animals.
Great list-it made me homesick for Vienna (I lived there for 9 years). In regards to the Stelze (Pork Knuckle) –IMO the best place to get it is at the Schweizerhaus (http://www.schweizerhaus.at/#!/page_home) in the Prater. It is super yummy, the beer is great, and the atmosphere is fantastic. It can get quite crowded though.
Ohh, thanks for the tip Katy! I’ll have to remember that for the next time I’m in Vienna. I love pork knuckle 🙂
I loved your post! My mom and I are taking a five day trip and going to Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Heidelberg. We’re only spending a day and a half in Vienna, and I’ve been searching for help on the internet. I was particularly interested in your recommendation of Figmuller, so I checked out their website. You can make a reservation on their website, which I tried to do, but it appeared it was booked up (or at least I wasn’t able to make a reservation.) I was wondering whether or not you made a reservation ahead of time or just showed up when eating at Figmuller.
Thanks!
Hi Claire! Thanks for reading! I did not have a reservation. I’ve been a couple of times without one and it has worked for me, however, I’ve heard that there can be a long wait for a table. There are two locations so you can always check in with both. I usually try to go in between meal times as well. I hope you and your mom have an enjoyable time in Vienna!
Vienna is my hometown and I just stumbled upon this article while researching on what to do this weekend. Very cool article, thank you!
Loved, loved your recommendations. Thank you. I went to Salm Brau and ordered the pork knuckle- it was amazing. AND, you were right about the potato salad. There is something about it…. yum.
I gave you a shout out on my blog as well!
http://www.recommendedroute.com/?p=394
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Casey! Thanks so much for reading and for the shout out! I’m glad you checked out Salm Brau. It’s so good! I still think about that pork knuckle from time to time.
Hello great content and tips for some Wien-time, during our summer vacations with the kids . We will have almost a full day between 2 flights in Vienna. We are looing for the fastest safest and most reliable transfer from the airport to the city centre and back on time… money is not a problem that much, but of course don’t want the have twice as much as I should… I found this service http://wientransfer.com/, what do you think of them? Are they good do you anything of them?