European cities always blow my mind – the architecture, the cleanliness, the efficiency of their public transport – and Vienna is no different.
When I think of Austria, I think of quaint little villages steeped in history, surrounded by rolling hills and the bluest of lakes, but Vienna is a true powerhouse. Yes, it is still steeped in history, but it is far from a quaint little village. In fact, it is a booming metropolis, so large that even I struggled to walk end to end, and I walk everywhere! But despite the grandeur, Vienna has managed to retain its Austrian charm and community-feel, something that draws me back to Europe time and time again, whilst simultaneously catapulting me further and further away from the segregation of the UK.
So if, like me, you find yourself spending a long weekend in Vienna, here are 7 things to do around the city that will make you feel like a local.
1. Spend a Day at Therme Wien
Therme Wien is a thermal pool and spa complex that lies just outside of the city, and is very easily accessible via the U1 train line towards Oberlaa (if travelling from Wien Hauptbahnhof). Each pool inside the complex contains different water types, providing different benefits for your body (- for example, my favourite was the Outdoor Spring Water pool, which is great for skin hydration and soothing of inflammation). For the price of a day ticket (about £25/€28), you gain access to five different pools, the outdoor gardens and the refreshment shacks. If you pay a little extra, you can also access the saunas and the massage rooms, but I was on a time crunch so I never had a chance to try these out! I have read, though, that the saunas are a proper sauna experience, and so I would only opt for these if you’re comfortable being naked around strangers. All in all, this was a great way to spend a day relaxing in Vienna, especially on a hot day and with very little access to swimming facilities in the city.
2. Ride the Riesenrad
The Riesenrad is an almost 65m tall Ferris Wheel that sits at the start of the Prater amusement park, in the district of Leopoldstadt. (From 1920 to 1985, it was the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world!) Again, it is easily accessible via the U1 link from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Praterstern. At €14, it’s a bit of a steep price for a ten minute ride, however the views from the top are truly spectacular. Just be prepared for the cabin to tilt as the other passengers move around to take photos!
3. See Live Music
When in Vienna, it’s almost a sin to not go and see some live music. In a city that is renowned for its musical talents, there is no shortage of venues and events to go and do just this. I’ve always wanted to visit Austria, but one of my main driving reasons for going when I did was to go and see the Red Hot Chili Peppers live at Ernst Happel Stadion. Unlike in the UK, the trains run long into the night, and so getting back home after a concert here is really no bother, especially as the train station is right outside of the stadium. (If you’re travelling from Wien Hauptbahnhof, you should take the U1 to Praterstern, followed by the U2 to Stadion, and the same again in reverse for the way home.)
With a capacity of almost 51,000, Ernst Happel Stadion is an open-air stadium with ample standing space for those, like me, who like to enjoy a concert standing up. The queue was short to enter the stadium, and I never once had to queue for a drink at the drinks tent – something you would never see at a UK concert. This was the first time I’ve travelled abroad for a band before, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
4. Experience the Kaffeehaus Culture
Vienna has a long history with coffee houses, and therefore the Kaffeehaus Culture here is one of necessity. Being able to sit and socialise, or even just people-watch, is a pastime that Austrians still much enjoy, and that many other countries have now indulged in too. With over 2000 cafés in Vienna alone, you’re sure to find one that fits your own taste – I know I did! If you really want to feel like a local, try asking for a Melange and a slice of Sacher Torte. Or, if you want to try something more touristic, take a trip to Fenster Café and try the Fensterccino – a tad expensive, but a unique experience all the same.
One of my favourite cafés had to be 15 Süsse Minuten, just 5 minutes from Wien Hauptbahnhof. I’d heard about a local delicacy called Kaiserschmarrn, and these guys had it prominent on their menu. After a short wait for a table, I placed my order, and not long after it was placed in front of me. As a pancake lover, Kaiserschmarrn was all my dreams come true. I would highly recommend!
If you’d like to read more about the Kaffeehaus Culture in Vienna, I think the Austrian Tourism Website sums it up perfectly.
5. Swim in the Old Danube River
This one is a must, especially on a hot day!
As I said earlier, due to Austria being land-locked, opportunities for swimming are few and far between, and on a hot day that can be quite soul-destroying. But, if you take a leaf out of the locals’ books, you will find yourself on the banks of the Alte Donau, sat in your swimsuit sipping cocktails at a bar on Copa Beach, waiting your turn to jump in to the refreshing waters. Being a river, you have to watch out for the boats and the swans, and there’s quite a lot of algae underfoot, but it really is a wonderful environment to be in. And, after your swim, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from to dine in – travel made easy!
As a solo traveler, one of the best purchases I ever made was my Dry Bag. Being able to swim and yet have peace of mind that my valuables were all accounted for was a game-changer – plus, if you get tired it acts as a great float 😂!
6. Explore the City on Foot
I know, I know, I’ve already put you off the idea of walking around Vienna when I told you how enormous it is. But really, who goes to a new place just to sit on a train and get shuttled from location to location? There has to be some exploration included somewhere! (…and if I hadn’t gone exploring, I never would’ve noticed that their green pedestrian light is actually a couple with a love heart – how sweet!)
With my hotel being near Wien Hauptbahnhof, this is where I started my walk from. It’s quite easy to get to the Innere Stadt from here, being pretty much a straight line, meandering you past many cafés – if a rest is needed there are a variety of places to choose from. The Innere Stadt is where you can find the main shopping streets, including clothes stores, souvenir stores and, of course, chocolate stores. Even if you don’t buy anything else, the Mozart Kugeln is a must-try – it comes in different flavours and is coated in different types of chocolate, so there is something for everyone.
7. Visit the Museumquartier
Much like not seeing live music, not absorbing some culture in this cultural city would be yet another sin. Quite helpfully, almost all of Vienna’s museums are situated together in the Museumquartier, and there is something for everyone, be that art, history or dance. Even if you’re not into the museums, it’s still a place worth visiting, as the square offers you a lovely, serene place to lie down and relax in the sunshine.
Final Thoughts?
Vienna is a beautiful city full of friendly people, and is definitely worthy of a spot on your ‘must-visit’ list. I was a little worried, at first, that it wouldn’t hold the charm of some of its fellow European capitals, but I soon found it in amongst the towering skyscrapers and ceilings scarred with tram lines.
My most important top tip: invest in the day-saver tickets at the train stations, it will save you a lot of money! Whilst I love to walk around new places, if you only have a short amount of time here you won’t be able to see much of anything unless you use their public transport.
Have you ever been to Vienna? Let me know what you thought of it!
Until next time,
Chloe x
Conscious Creative 
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