Vienna: A Symphony of Music, Magic, and Majesty
January 2025
Well hello there..
Vienna is the city of imperial grandeur, classical music, the Wiener schnitzel, and Sachertorte. It has been on my travel bucket list for quite some time. We often discussed making a family trip, as a relative from my in-laws lives in Vienna and sings at the opera. But it had never happened. So my husband and I decided to go just the two of us.
Our schedules no longer allowed us to travel during the Christmas period, so we opted for early January after the festivities and to combine it with our business. Admittedly, it was a quiet period—the big Christmas fuss that attracted so many tourists was over. It was pleasant in itself, but I did miss the atmosphere, as everywhere they were busy tearing down the Christmas markets, and the range of musical performances was also very limited. I would love to go back in a few years, but then at all costs during Christmas, to browse the markets and catch a classical concert. After all, that is what I mainly associate this city with. That being said, we still thoroughly enjoyed our stay though. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and cozy coffeehouse culture, Vienna is the perfect destination for a winter city break.
Practical Wisdom
Getting to and from Vienna is a breeze. Vienna International Airport (VIE) is well connected to the city centre via the City Airport Train (CAT), which gets you to Wien Mitte station in just 16 minutes. Alternatively, the regular S-Bahn (S7) offers a more budget-friendly option.
Once in the city, the public transport system is excellent. The U-Bahn (subway), trams, and buses are efficient and easy to navigate. A 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour transport pass is a great investment. Taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber are available but not always necessary.
We did everything on foot and with Uber.
Austrian hospitality comes with some unspoken rules: tipping is expected (around 10% in restaurants and rounding up in taxis).
Language: German is the official language, but English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
The Tourist Hotspots
Vienna is brimming with iconic sights, and we made sure to check off the following must-sees:
The State Opera House – One of the most famous opera houses in the world, a stunning architectural masterpiece both inside and out. During our stay there were no appointable performances. So we therefore did not attend any.
Mozarthaus – The former residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, now a museum dedicated to his life and works. We only saw the outside.
Stephansdom – The city’s most famous landmark, with a breathtaking Gothic facade and intricate mosaics. Climbing the tower's 343 steps, you will have a beautiful view of the city. The entrance is free without a tour or climb.
Ankeruhr – A charming art nouveau clock that comes to life with moving figurines at noon.
Schloss Schönbrunn – The opulent summer residence of the Habsburgs, surrounded by magnificent gardens and home to the stunning Gloriette viewpoint. This bombastic rococo castle contains 1441 rooms, about 40 of which you can visit. We took an Uber from our hotel and arrived after 15 minutes. Schönbrunn can also be reached by metro. We booked the ‘Grand Tour’ and paid €32 pp. Despite the crowds, it was worth taking a closer look at the rooms where Empress Sissi lived with her husband Franz Joseph, and family.
Spanische Hofreitschule (Spanish Riding School) – A must-visit for horse lovers, featuring the world-renowned Lipizzaner stallions in their elegant performances., Having grown up in equestrian sports, a visit to the stables seemed like something for me. While my husband was in a business meeting, I joined an English groupe. Attending a morning training session did not fit into our program, and we had already seen a similar performance in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain). The riding school and adjacent stables are right in the historical centre, near Hofburg. The riding hall itself is quite impressive, but at the stables I was expecting a bit more glamour, although I found the tour quite ok and interesting. Even I, who started riding when I was 5 years old, learned a few new things about this specific breed and their training methods. I took an hour tour in English and paid €24.
Hofburg – The former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, now home to multiple museums, the Austrian president’s offices, and the renowned Sisi Museum. Walking through its grand halls gives a real sense of Vienna’s royal history.
Rathaus – Vienna’s City Hall is a striking neo-Gothic building that serves as the seat of local government. Its impressive facade and towering spires make it a must-see, especially when illuminated at night. The Rathausplatz often hosts seasonal events, such as Christmas markets in winter and open-air film screenings in summer, making it a lively gathering place for both locals and tourists. When we visited, it was not accessible due to the demolition of the ice rink and Christmas market.
The Museum Quartier (MQ) - is one of Vienna’s largest cultural districts, housing contemporary art museums, exhibition spaces, and lively cafés. It’s a vibrant hub where classical and modern art blend seamlessly, making it a must-visit for culture enthusiasts. Our hotel was located in this district.
Although we did not visit any museums in the city center, Vienna is home to some of Europe’s best. If you’re planning a visit, you can consider these top picks:
Kunsthistorisches Museum – A treasure trove of art, with works by Rubens, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. The building itself is just as impressive as the collection inside.
Albertina Museum – Home to an incredible collection of graphic art, including masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and Dürer.
Haus der Musik – Perfect for music lovers, this interactive museum lets you explore Vienna’s deep connection to composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Next time I might give this one a go.
Sisi Museum – Dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, this museum offers a fascinating look into her life, personal belongings, and the myths surrounding her legacy.
Naschmarkt – Vienna’s most famous open-air market, offering a sensory overload of colors, scents, and flavors. Strolling through its bustling stalls, you’ll find everything from fresh produce to exotic spices, local delicacies, and international street food. Whether you're in the mood for Austrian specialties like Kaiserschmarrn or Middle Eastern mezze, the Naschmarkt is a must-visit for food lovers. We had lunch here on our second day.
Would you like a table?
Vienna’s culinary scene is just as rich as its history. No visit is complete without trying a classic Wiener Schnitzel, a golden, crispy veal cutlet served with a lemon wedge. Another must-try is Tafelspitz, a succulent boiled beef dish often enjoyed with apple horseradish and chive sauce. And of course, you can’t leave without indulging in a slice of the world-famous Sachertorte, a decadent chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam.
We lunched, dinned or took a coffee break at:
Veranda – On the first day we had lunch in our hotel’s restaurant. We had a local cheese platter and drunk a nice glass of Grüner Veltliner. The elegant setting, paired with impeccable service. We also had breakfast at Veranda, which was well taken care of. Before our dinners we had some drinks here at the bar, they offer nice wines and bubbles, as well as surprising cocktails. The price for the drinks was quite pricey, but Vienna in general is not very cheap either.
Café Central – The first day we went for our four-hour snack to a very classic but stylisch tearoom. Café Central, is an iconic Viennese café, perfect for a classic Sachertorte and a warm cup of coffee. You can make reservations in advance, if not expect to be in the line for at least 15 minutes. We had a Sachertorte and an appfelstrüdel and a Wiener-melange coffee. Nice setting, but the taste was not extraordinary. Another well-known place to taste Sachertorte is Café Sacher.
Figlmüller (Bäckerstrasse) – The first evening we made a reservation in probably the most popular restaurant of Vienna. Famous for serving the best (and biggest!) Wiener Schnitzel in town. They have 2 locations in town, very close to each other. The restaurant was very occupied, mainly by tourists. The service was friendly, but moderate. The Schnitzel was very good, the accompanying potato salad was a little too sweet for me personally. Do I believe I ate the very best schnitzel in the whole city, not I don’t, but it certainly wasn't bad!
Vollpension – The second day we had a quick stop at Vollpension. A quirky café run by grandmothers who bake the most delicious homemade cakes. As they didn’t serve lunch we just had drinks. The interior is very Instagram-worthy though.
Neni – I had read in “time to momo” that Neni does come highly recommended. A trendy spot at the Naschmarkt, offering delicious Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. We took a sort of chicken stew with humus and grilled vegetables, joined by flatbread.
Cantinetta Antinori – In the evening my husband chose for a high-end Italian restaurant with good Italian food, but unfortunately, an unwelcoming and haughty attitude. Price-quality overpriced in my opinion.
Demel Café – The last day we went for lunch at the Demel Café another institution. We had a simple sandwich at the terrace and ended our trip with another local delicacy, Kaiserschmarrn, fluffy, shredded pancakes caramelized to perfection and served with powdered sugar and fruit compote, often plum or apple.
Other restaurants we were interested in: Labstelle, Steiereck, Zum Schwarzen Kameel, Fabios, Bolena, Eugen21, Café Sperl, Clementine im Glashaus, Trattoria Martinelli, Z’Som, Lugeck, etc…
Good night, sleep tight!
We stayed at Sans Souci Boutique Hotel, a five-star haven of luxury with elegant rooms, a fantastic spa, and top-notch service. The location was perfect, within walking distance of many attractions. I can only recommend this place.
Other great stays to consider:
Hotel Topazz & Lamée 4*
House of Blé 4*
Hotel Gilbert 4*
Hotel Am Konzerthaus Vienna MGallery 4*
The Hoxton Vienna 4*
Imperial Riding School Autograph Collection 4*
Mac Brown Hotel 7th District 4*
Hotel Motto 4,5*
Rosewood 5*
Almanac Palais Vienna 5*
I Could Give Up Shopping, But I Am Not a Quitter.
Vienna is a shopper’s dream, especially if you love elegant fashion and unique souvenirs.
Kohlmarkt – Home to high-end luxury boutiques like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.
Graben – A beautiful shopping street with a mix of international and Austrian brands.
Naschmarkt – Perfect for picking up local delicacies, spices, and fresh produce.
Mozartkugeln – The famous chocolate-marzipan treat makes for a great edible souvenir.
As Ludwig van Beethoven, one of Vienna’s most famous residents, once said: