VIENNA, AUSTRIA
TO STAY
A luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Vienna's historic centre. Founded by the renowned Sacher family and home of the original Sacher Torte (one of Austria's proudest creations), the hotel carries a rich history and much of Vienna's classic charm. Ideally located in Innere Stadt, just across the Opera House and around the corner from Kärntner Straße, Sacher puts guests within walking distance to major landmarks and streets - an ideal starting point to explore the city on foot. The hotel is beautifully decorated with antique ornaments, old paintings and classic furniture... an enchanting world of its own. Between the lobby's signature red sitting area, the Blue Bar, the classic Sacher Café as well as two fine dining restaurants, the hotel offers lots of space to dwell. Staying here is a perfect immersion in Vienna's timeless charm and always a memorable experience.
FOOD & DINING
CLASSIC COFFEEHOUSES
No trip to Vienna is complete without a slice of Sacher Torte at the home of the original. This trademark recipe dates back to 1832, when 16-year-old Franz Sacher's lucky attempt to impress the State Chancellor resulted in one of Austria's proudest creations. A classic chocolate cake coated with a firm, dark icing and a slightly tart but sweet apricot filling. Most restaurants and coffeehouses serve an imitation of it, but nothing surpasses the original at Sacher Hotel & Café. They also sell whole cakes in different sizes to take home.
Founded in 1786 on the corner of Kohlmarkt, Demel is one of Vienna's oldest konditoreis and a confectionary institution. Elegant interiors, antique fixtures, old-fashioned confectionary; a live-station of kaiserschmarrn, hand-rolled buchteln, and of course their iconic cake display... it's absolutely marvellous. Just steps away from Hofburg Palace, for a delectable breakfast or afternoon break in the area.
What was once a gathering hub for the intellectual and literary scene, now stands as one of the city's most iconic coffeeshops - just a short walk from Michaelerplatz, Hofburg Palace and Kohlmarkt. With an impressive reputation of having welcomed names like Freud and Trotsky, Café Central is a charming glimpse of a by-gone age. Though it is certainly a tourist attraction often with long queues outside, it's worth a visit if there's no wait or for a quick look inside.
Another classic and local favourite, Café Landtmann is cosy and elegant, and slightly less popular amongst tourists. Sitting across Vienna's City Hall Building (Rathaus) on Universitatsring, and just a short walk from Votivkirsche, it's the perfect go-to if you're exploring the area. They serve a traditional breakfast and lunch menu, as well as some of the best kaiserschmarrns in the city. Reservations are highly recommended for an indoor table, though they do welcome walk-ins on the terrace.
More for atmosphere than dining, this café also offers an old-world experience of Viennese coffeehouses. Located on Karntner Ring and close to Musikverein, it's a convenient spot for an afternoon break or an evening drink. All the better if you can get a booth table by the window.
More coffeehouses to explore: Café Sperl, Café Hawelka, Café Savoy.
RESTAURANTS
It's a big claim to say this is the best schnitzel in Vienna but when it comes to Figlmüller, it is absolutely true. This historic institution prides itself as the 'home of the original wiener schnitzel' and it very much is a culinary ambassador of it. They serve veal as well as chicken options but their iconic XL pork schnitzel is what you're really here for - pounded perfectly into a thin cutlet that is still juicy and tender, with a buttery golden crust, and so big it spills over the sides of the plate. Paired with a classic potato-field salad and a glass of crisp Grüner Veltliner, this is one of the most memorable meals to be had in Vienna, time and time again. Tucked away in a narrow alley at Wollzeile in a quaint tavern setting, the restaurant steals you away from the city for a charming experience of Viennese culture. This is the original location, where reservations are absolutely necessary. Otherwise their second location around the corner at Bäckerstrasse - which also serves their signature pork schnitzel and a more varied menu - is another option. But really, the original Figlmüller experience is unmatched.
Second to the wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz is another traditional Austrian classic and a specialty at Plachutta. Consisting of fork-tender boiled beef served in broth with bone-marrow, toasted bread, rösti potatoes, apple-horseradish, chive-cream and creamed spinach, Tafelspitz is a full meal as well as an eating experience. If this is your first time having it, Plachutta is a great place to try it. Their menu serves other traditional dishes as well, but Tafelspitz is the most popular here. They have multiple locations around the city; the original Wollzeile restaurant is the biggest and busiest - reservations highly recommended. Otherwise Plachuttas Gasthauszur Oper is an excellent alternative.
Just around the corner from Kohlmark on an upscale street, this is one of the oldest restaurant-cafés in the city - dating back to 1618 and still housed in its original building. It's a beloved favourite among locals and stands as one of Vienna's most fashionable spots. With a restaurant inside, an outdoor terrace, as well as a standing-bar & patisserie, it's pleasantly busy and lively throughout the day. The restaurant serves classic Viennese dishes from breakfast to dinner, but their tempting display of open-faced sandwiches is especially unique. Perfect for a leisurely meal or a quick bite & drink by the bar.
For traditional cuisine in a contemporary bistro, Huth offers the best of both. Nice, simple, good quality food in a laidback atmosphere. The menu consists of staples like Tafelspitz, Zwiebelrostbraten (Onion Roast Beef), Viennese Meatballs, as well as a choice of Veal Schnitzel or Bäckhendl (chicken schnitzel) - both of which are excellent but the bäckhendl here is particularly worth going for. Located in Innere Stadt, within walking distance to the area around Kärtnerstrasse as well as Stadtpark, it's an ideal place for lunch or dinner in the centre.
For traditional cuisine in a chic bistro setting and one of the most photographed wiener schnitzels, Meissl & Schadn is the place to go. It's a trendier version of more classic restaurants as well as a tourist hotspot, but it's a decent no-fuss option. The menu offers classics like Tafelspitz and Viennese Roast Beef, but their frisbee-sized schnitzel is the most popular choice here - you can even watch the chefs pound, bread, and fry them in the open kitchen. Best paired with a classic potato salad, wild cranberries, and Austria's national Almdudler drink. Located on Schubertring, within walking distance to Innere Stadt's major landmarks, it's easy and convenient. Reservations recommended but walk-ins also welcome.
PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO
ART & HISTORY
One of Vienna's most significant palaces with a breathtaking stretch of botanical gardens and an impressive collection of art. The Belvedere houses some of the world's greatest masterpieces - ranging from Medieval and Baroque to Impressionism and Contemporary Art; but of course it's most famously known as the home of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss - the museum's most popular attraction. Entrance tickets are designated by time-slots; you can purchase them online in advance to avoid queuing for long.
Once the main summer residence of Habsburg rulers and considered to be Vienna's Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace is absolutely worth a visit. There are so many elaborate rooms and original antiquities to marvel at; perhaps the most anticipated would be the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors. Start with a tour of the palace then stroll through its vast stretch of gardens. At the other end of the park sits another beautiful building that now houses Café Gloriette, where you can enjoy an afternoon break in an imperial setting. Schönbrunn is a little outside the city centre (a 15-20 minute drive) and will take a few hours to explore, but certainly not to be missed.
For art & history enthusiasts, Kunsthistorisches Museum is integral. It's one of Europe's biggest art museums and perhaps Vienna's greatest, with an incredible collection of artworks & artifacts; from Ancient Greek and Roman treasures to masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and more. The museum's palatial setting and its elaborate architecture alone are worth seeing. The Historical Music Museum is an extension located nearby, housing rooms of original instruments belonging to Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.
Austria's National Library houses one of the most breathtaking halls, with grand wooden fixtures and elaborate wall paintings, towering bookshelves and a marvellous ceiling. It holds some of the oldest books and documents to date. Just around the corner from Michaelerplatz and a short walk to Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Not a particularly significant palace, but there are some gorgeous rooms inside painted in different pastel colors and a collection of work from artists such as Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Renoir.
For modern and contemporary art, Museumsquartier is a great place to start. There you'll find Leopold Museum for the world's largest collection of Egon Schiele, many of Klimt's earliest art, and important works of Austrian modernism. Just across, Mumok houses contemporary & experimental art exhibitions.
ARCHITECTURE
In the heart of Stephansplatz is Vienna's most significant cathedral. St Stephen's is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and a national symbol, dating back to the 12th century. With a magnificent Gothic edifice and intricately tiled roof, elaborate Baroque fixtures and massive stained-glass windows, the cathedral stretches over 100 metres long and carries 13 bells (the Pummerin being Europe's second biggest). It is truly breathtaking.
KARLSKIRCHE
Located at Karlsplatz, this 18th century church is a Baroque masterpiece; also revered as the last and greatest work of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach (one of the most eminent architects of the Habsburg Empire). Crowned with white & gold and an enchanting beam-like fixture, the church apse and altar are truly splendid. Beautiful frescoes fill the domed ceiling, which visitors can admire up close from the panoramic elevator as well as a view of Karlsplatz from above.
Just a short distance from one another, the City Hall building and the neighbouring Votivkirche are two significant symbols in Vienna. Rathaus is the centre of Vienna's local government and Votivkirche is the second tallest church in the city; both showcasing magnificent Neo-Gothic architecture. Rathaus sits right across Café Landtmann and within walking distance from Votivkirche is the Sigmund Freud museum.
OTTO WAGNER
For admirers of the Art Nouveau, Vienna is a haven and perhaps the most important city of the movement. As a leading figure of the 'Jugendstil', Otto Wagner's architectural works are iconic as well as integral to understanding its style. The five major Wagner sites to visit are: Eglisé Saint Léopold Steinhof - Ernst Fuchs Museum (formerly Otto Wagner's Villa) - Majolikahaus (make sure to see the elevator inside) - Österreichische Postsparkasse - Karlsplatz Pavillon.
EXPERIENCES
CLASSICAL CONCERTS
Vienna was once home to many of the world's greatest composers, which is why attending at least one classical concert is an unmissable experience. The State Opera House and Musikverein run some of the best shows - check their programs in advance and book your tickets online. Many cathedrals like St Stephen's and Karlskirche also host classical concerts - an enchanting setting.
SHOPPING
THE GRÄBEN
One of the most famous and busiest squares in Vienna, The Gräben is a wide avenue of shops and cafes. Stretching from Stephensplatz down to Kohlmarkt, it's a busy and bustling commercial street to stroll from one point to the other.
KOHLMARKT
More luxurious and upscale, Kohlmarkt is one of the oldest shopping streets with beautiful Baroque architecture and a line-up of fashion boutiques, jewellers, and artisanal shops. Stretching from The Gräben to Michaelerplatz, it's right between major landmarks like St Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace. This is also where you'll find the classic confectioner Demel.
KÄRNTNER STRASSE
One of the most pedestrian-friendly areas in Vienna, Kärntner Strasse is a massive avenue in the centre of the city. Starting at Ringstrasse and stretching all the way past the State Opera to Stephensplatz, it branches out into many other major areas. Also connected to The Gräben and Kohlmarkt, it forms Vienna's 'Golden U' of central shopping streets. This is a good starting place to explore most of the centre on foot.
TRAVELING TIPS
1. There's plenty to explore in Vienna, especially if you're there to sight-see. A full three to four day's visit is a good amount of time to see most of it.
2. Stay somewhere in Innere Stadt, where most landmarks and major streets are within reach. Vienna is pretty big, but you can explore almost all of its historic hub on foot. Many of the major landmarks are closely located and you can walk from one to the other.
3. Book all major museum tickets in advance, most of them are very busy and will not have on-door availability.
Rich in art, history, and culture, Vienna is one of the most wonderful cities in Europe. Cosy coffeehouses, opulent architecture, cobble-stoned streets... there's a timeless charm about it that's absolutely enchanting. It has much to offer in royal palaces, art & historical museums as well as modern galleries, grand cathedrals, shopping and dining. There's really something for everyone. Vienna's Old Town (Innere Stadt) alone offers much to see and do; and as a pedestrian friendly city, it's easy to explore on foot. An enjoyable destination all around.