Vienna was another Skyscanner special. We wanted to go away on holiday with some friends and, after a few options tossed about, we finally landed on Vienna and I am so glad we did. It was one of those places I wouldn’t have necessarily prioritized, but now I recommend it to everyone. Here is our itinerary from our trip to Vienna, Austria.
About Vienna
The capital of Austria, Vienna, is steeped in history, making it perfect for us history buffs. Having been the residence of the Hapsburg royals, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and then, later, the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city is littered with palaces and grand façades. It is also known to be the center of classical music having been home to Beethoven and Mozart as well as other famous greats, such as Sigmund Freud. Not to mention it’s strategic role in World War II. There is so much history in Vienna in fact, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. Today, Vienna is the largest city on the famous Danube River and one of the largest in Europe.
Where we stayed
Given we were splitting a place with friends, we chose to stay in an Airbnb near Marx Meidlinger Straße tram stop. This was a bit too far out for my taste to be honest. It would’ve been nice to be in a more central hotel but it definitely does the trick. We were able to use the trams to and from for the most part but had to get an Uber back one night as we stayed out too late.
What we ate
Restaurant Bier & Bierli
After arriving in Vienna quite late the first day, we stumbled upon this place and it was a great introduction to the food we could expect from Vienna. This was a great place to try schnitzel and some Austrian beers! I was pregnant at the time and unable to drink, but my husband and our friends enjoyed the beer selection, although they did have some non-alcoholic options for me.
Cafe Central
Famous for being a popular meeting and hangout for famous people like Sigmund Freud, Leo Trotsky, and more, we knew we had to make a stop here. The decor in Cafe Central is an Instagrammers paradise and the live pianist helped add to the ambiance as well. While this wasn’t the original cafe, it is in the same building still. We elected to try their apple strudel and some hot chocolates, which were divine after a day of walking around the city. This place can get quite busy though so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. We visited mid-afternoon thinking visiting at an “odd time”, given that it wasn’t a meal time, might cut down on our wait time. I am not sure if it helped at all as we still had to queue for a bit.
Doner Kebab
We also got a late-night kebab that was probably one of the best kebabs I’ve ever had in my whole life. Perhaps because I was starved but probably because I was pregnant. Street food, especially on a night out, seemed to be quite popular and I could see why. It was the perfect hand-held meal for a quick bite before hitting the town.
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What we did
Schönbrunn Palace
This former Habsburg summer palace made for an amazing start to our day. We tackled Schonbrunn first due to its proximity outside the city center but honestly could’ve spent all day here. The gardens alone are worth the visit but with 1,441 rooms in the palace, I’m sure you won’t be lacking in things to see.
Belvedere Palace
This complex made up of two separate palaces (amongst other buildings) connected by a gorgeous garden has a fascinating long history and now serves as one of the world’s oldest public art museums. The gardens are free to tour and are a great place to grab some Instagram photos.
St Stephens Cathedral
The centerpiece of Vienna, you couldn’t miss St Stephens if you tried, nor should you want to! This magnificent cathedral towers over central Vienna and, having been completed in 1578, has borne witness to thousands of years of Viennese history.
St Charles Church (Karlskirche)
While we didn’t purchase a ticket to enter St Charles Church, admiring it from the outside was no less impressive. Built to honor the namesake patron saint, who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers, construction on the Baroque church was completed in 1737. If you go during the Christmas period, there is also a Christmas market just out in front of the church.
Vienna Opera House
There were a lot of things we wanted to go back to Vienna to do/see and one of them was to actually attend a ballet or an opera at the famous opera house. This stunning building is a centerpiece of Vienna and, finished in 1869, boasts incredible Renaissance Revival architecture. While we did admire it from the outside, it would have been so nice to see inside as well.
If you also don’t have time to attend a show, you can also buy tickets and get a tour of the opera house. Something else we wish we would’ve done.
Hofburg
The Hofburg area has been the documented seat of government since 1279. Completed in the 13th century, the palace was the principal imperial residence of the Habsburg dynasty. Since 1946, it is now the official residence and office of the President of Austria.
Imperial Crypt & Capuchin Church
This simple little church tucked into the middle of Vienna is home to the burial chamber of the Habsburg family. The remains of 149 Habsburg royalty, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses, are here.
St Peters Catholic Church
This church, inspired by St Peter’s Basilica, is thought to occupy the land where the oldest church in Vienna has always stood. It is a small church, tucked away, just off the main strip, and worth popping by.
Vienna City Hall Rathaus
This is the seat of local government in Vienna and the place of work for over 2000 city employees.
Burgtheater
A beautiful building, the Burgtheater is Austria’s national theatre and one of the world’s most important theatres due to its history.
Sigmund Freud Museum (in his former home)
Unfortunately, we were not welcomed into this museum due to not having the correct mask (this was during covid). We would’ve loved to have gotten to visit though.
Flakturm Tower in Augarten
This was actually a last-minute addition to our list and, having gone, is a must not miss in my opinion. This is a WWII Nazi anti-air tower designed to house people in the event of an attack on the city and to defend the city against enemy aircraft. It is massive and really is an interesting visit having never been to a former Nazi-controlled country before. What made this even creepier was visiting at dusk but, during the day, visitors can enjoy the gardens surrounding it.
Things to know
First, Vienna is a modern, European city so, just like London or Paris, it is fairly expensive. You can expect to pay a premium for a meal or a coffee relative to say, prices in Bratislava (which is only a short bus or boat ride away and, therefore, makes for a great day trip!).
Vienna is steeped in culture so be sure to research any events happening during your visit. For example, Vienna hosts massive Christmas markets each winter that you definitely would not want to miss.
For parents, I would not hesitate in recommending Vienna as a family-friendly vacation. The streets are stroller-friendly and, like any other major European city, they are accommodating to children.
Read next: Tips to make family travel more affordable
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