WELCOM E TO

vienna

We couldn’t find Vienna but we found a great little town called Wein

The unique city of Vienna was created by the wonderful beer and schnitzel of their German neighbors coupled with goulash and beef of their Eastern European neighbors and only made better by the local Viennese wine. This city is incredibly beautiful and large, rivaling the popular Western European cities like Paris and London. 

Through local advice we were set on a journey throughout Vienna filled with food, wine, and some pretty fun nights out only to make us want to return again and again. Take this guide and leave no corner of Vienna unexplored. 

WHERE TO EAT

We know vienna is known for its classical music, but its close proximity to both eastern europe and germany has created the famous viennese cuisine of goulash and schnitzel galore...and don't forget the PASTRIES!

  • Naschmarkt: The market is home to quite a few wonderful restaurants for dinner, appetizers, or brunch.

  •      -Te Wa Am for wine and fresh appetizers. Try the hummus platter, it's to die for.

  •      -Do An has one of the best calamari dishes we have had.

  •      -Zur Eisernen Zeit is the oldest restaurant in the market and best goulash in town. Open til 11 and smoking inside is allowed. Oh, and the mayor also loves to eat here.

  • Reinthaler's Beisl- Cheapest restaurant in the center of the town with schnitzel the size of your head. Any restaurant that has "Beisl" in the name it means low prices, but this one is our favorite and right in the center of the city. 

  • Fitlmuller: The best schnitzel in town, however it is a little on the pricey side but nice for a night out.

  • Tirolerhof Coffee House: Best and least expensive apple strudel and real Americanos.

  • Demel Café: The iconic café with incredible desserts. The windows are decorated with real pastries for each season or event. It is a landmark in Vienna but be prepared to spend your hard exchanged Euros, a small latte is around 5 Euro.

  • Sausage Stand with the Green Rabbit: The only place open until 5am, you can get a Viennese hot dog. Located next to the Imperial Palace. 

WHAT TO SEE

Vienna is a massive city. Despite its location on the eastern side of Europe, it is a typical Western European city filled with amazing architecture, all kinds of pointy spires, markets, and museums. 

  • Naschmarkt: The biggest market in Vienna. Filled with food and drinks. There is a farmers market and flea market every Saturday and Sunday. It is incredibly crowded so be sure to get there early! Open until 7 Monday-Friday, until 4 on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. You can almost always find a restaurant open.

  • Theater next to the River Wien- The theater next to the Naschmarkt was created just for Mozart’s greatest hits.

  • National Opera House- Known for its classical music, you can still catch an opera for a decent price. Standing area tickets are sold the day of. There are a few hundred reserved for 3 or 4 Euro. Office opens 19 minutes before the show starts but the queue starts hours before at around 7am. Be aware there is a dress code for the opera: no shorts, tanks, or flip flops.

  • Imperial Palace: House of the Hapsburg Emperor’s collection of drawings and prints and is now the largest collection in Europe. 15 Euro entry and open 10am-7pm.

  • Church of the Augustinian Friars- Where Napoleon was married (although he was not at his own wedding) and still a very important church for national ceremonies.

  • The National Library of Antique Books- attached to the Imperial Palace and housing over 250,000 books and only 2 Euro to enter.

  • MuseumQuartier: Home of the Art History Museum, Museum of History and Nature, Leopold Museum of 19th century paintings, Parliament, City Hall, and the Imperial Theater. All of these museums are right next to each other circling the Imperial Palace. Also a super neat place to go out at night.

  • The Old Coal Market: Once the location where coal was sold and now the most expensive shopping district.

  • St. Stevens Cathedral: Located in the center of the city this gorgeous cathedral has a roof tilted at almost 90 degrees made of tiny colorful tiles that reflect the sunlight for an incredible view. There are two climbable towers of over 300 steps for a panoramic view for 5 Euro.

  • Spanish Horse Riding School: Home of the precious Viennese horses trained for performance. You can catch a show for 40 Euro.

  • Monument Against Fascism: Sitting on the ruins of a destroyed apartment complex where over 200 lives were lost during the war, the monument stands as a reminder of the end of WWII and the Jewish lives that were ruined. 

WHERE TO DRINK

you know a city is good when one of the hottest places to be on a friday night is the musem quarter. and yes, we are serious.

TOURS + TIPS

Our guides will tell you where to go, what to see, what to eat, and where to drink but there are some key things about this city that could save you a couple of euro.

  1. In the city of Vienna you have to be a licensed travel guide to give a tour. Please, please, please check and make sure the man offering you a guide is actually licensed. This being said. Charles Sperl is an excellent guide, does both group free tours via hostels or email as well as specific paid tours. Contact him for a great tour by e-mail at  charles.sperl@chello.at!

  2. There is a tourist tram that skirts the outer ring of the old town. It is 7-12 Euro and it gives you a great view of the city. DO NOT TAKE THIS. The local trams 1 and 2 do the same exact thing for 2,50 Euro. The only difference is halfway through you have to switch from the 1 to the 2. 

  3. Like Germany, everything in Vienna is closed on Sundays (except church and museums) so be prepared when needing food or arriving the city on a Sunday. If you can, try to leave on Saturday and avoid Sundays all together. 

  4. Museums are open Tuesday-Sunday and always offer a student deal so don't leave your student I.D. at home. They do not abide by the German tradition of no work on Sundays, they want to be different and be closed on Mondays. 

  5. The Vienna Explorer Biking and Wine Tour was the best money we have ever spent on a tour. It was 59 Euro, but if you book online with the promo code "WOMBEST" you get 10% off. It is a 22km (about 14 miles) bike ride through four Austrian towns and miles of vineyards. You stop at three local vineyards for tastings of about 5 wines each. Your guide will personally select the menu based off what the group prefers. It is on the pricey side but it takes up the entire day and it is incredibly worth it. They also offer daily bike rentals for a different view of the city!

  • Danau- A lovely little techno bar that is never not crowded. 

  • Future Garden- A local hangout that is always a good time. More of a relaxed bar with a big crowd and outdoor seating. 

  • Tazcafe Jenseits- Super strange but an awesome good time. Drinks are a good price, a unique crowd, a cozy bar, and live music-- what more could we ask for?

  • MuseumQuartier- This is no one specific bar, but at night, the museum quarter of Vienna is alive with cafes, bars, and people buzzing around with beers and jamming to music. Public drinking is legal in Vienna so you can also grab your own and just hang out on the lawn. 

  • Danube Canal- Like the MuseumQuartier, this is no one specific bar. The Danube is the river that cuts through Austria, along the boarder of Vienna. In the city of Vienna there is hardly any graffiti or street art. This is because the government gave the street artists of the city complete freedom on the walls by the Danube. A mecca of art, bars flocked to the beaches for a damn good time on the weekends. Most bars are not open during the winter months but the minute spring hits it is a great time. 

  • Flex- We are not big clubbers, but this is the one of the oldest night clubs in the city and a really cool place to go later on at night. It is incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike. The music is usually really good too which is always a plus!

  • Krueger American Bar- Don't be deceived by the the name, this bar is a craft cocktail bar. The inside is cozy with dim lighting and an antique wood bar. The bartenders are geniuses when it comes to a cocktail. Fancy tricks out the window, these drinks are unique and are always good.