There is something magical about Vienna; from the beautiful old town city centre to the vineyards on the outer part of the city, there is truly something for everyone. I was fortunate enough to live in the world’s most liveable city for a semester abroad in 2019 and can confidently say I have some amazing places for you to visit during your trip to Vienna.
Like a Local
My other hidden gems in Vienna include Jusitzpalast (the justice building, you have to go inside), the Austrian National Library, Hundertwasser Haus and Volksgarten. Additionally, one of my favourite experiences in Vienna is to ride the tram through the inner city, the architecture is truly amazing to watch pass by. Of course, you should visit Stephensplatz, the Hofburg Palace and the Schoenbrunn Palace, but branching outside of the typical tourist experience will really help you feel as though you are part of the local culture. To truly feel like a Viennese, buy some Ottakringer beer from a local supermarket (Eurospar or Billa) and sit in a park with some friends to enjoy some drinks.
Where to Eat
As we all know, food is the most important part of travelling (right?), and everyone goes to Vienna looking for some great local food. Many tourists get taken in by Figlmüller, and I urge you to avoid this tourist trap. There are so many places to get a quality Schnitzel for half of the price. My top Vienna restaurants are:
- Schnitzelwirt (schnitzel, beer, and french fries)
- I Terroni (pasta and pizza)
- Ulrich (breakfast and brunch)
- Phil (cafe)
- Le Burger (hamburgers)
Accommodations
The first and most important thing when you are staying in Vienna is finding accommodation. Both times that I stayed in Vienna when I did not have my apartment, I stayed in Meininger Hotels. They have hostel rooms available for as little as €16.20, which includes a continental breakfast. These hotels were close to train stations, clean, secure and affordable; I would definitely recommend this as a place to stay! However, if you are looking for another place to book there is always AirBnB, Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Must See & Do
Many people will stay in the central area of Vienna and never venture out into the further districts of the city, which is completely fine. The city center has some gorgeous buildings, museums, libraries and even a palace. However, if you want to experience all of what Vienna has to offer, I highly suggest you make your way out to a district called ‘Grinzig’. This is where the Vienna vineyards are, and you can walk around the picturesque area and truly feel part of the local culture. If you manage to make your way to this district of the city, I highly recommend that you stop at ‘Fuhrgassl-Huber’ for local wines and cuisine.
While you are in Vienna I also hope you look at any events that may be happening, especially down by the Danube. Many times there are beer and food trucks, and is where you can try delicious currywurst (a delicious sausage smothered in sauce and curry powder).
Kenzie's Travels 