Vienna. The City of Music.
Vienna is the capital and the largest city in Austria. It is the host of many international organizations, including the UN and OPEC, Vienna's city center is really beautiful and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Famous inhabitants have included Freud, Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler and Richard Strauss. It was also one of the resident cities of the Habsburg dynasty. History is not a small part of this center of arts, science, and cuisine.
One thing we love whenever we are in a city that has too many sights is to get a private city tour concentrating in a subject that we are interested in or that the city is famous for. We recommend experience-vienna.at for deep insights into Vienna and many options on what you want to see. There's plenty to experience in the central 1st District, called Innere Stadt. It is Vienna's old town in which you will find designer shops, cafes, art galleries and restaurants surrounding the Stephansplatz square and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Venture out and see beautiful Vienna:
The Belvedere Palace is a historic building complex in Vienna, Austria, consisting of two Baroque palaces, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district of the city, on the south-eastern edge of its centre. It houses the Belvedere museum.
The Hofburg is the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty rulers and today serves as the official residence and workplace of the President of Austria. It is located in the center of Vienna and was built in the 13th century and expanded several times afterwards
The Vienna State Opera is THE Austrian opera house and opera company based in Vienna. It was originally called the Vienna Court Opera. In 1920, with the replacement of the Habsburg Monarchy by the First Austrian Republic, it was renamed the Vienna State Opera. It is absolutely wonderous, so be sure to take the tour and get a view of the backstage area. You will not be disappointed.
The Naschmarkt is Vienna's most popular market. Located at the Wienzeile over the Wien River, it is almost a mile long. The Naschmarkt has existed since the 16th century. Nowadays, one can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world, exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods such as bread, kaiser rolls, and torte, meats, and seafood.
Schönbrunn Palace is a vast Baroque palace that rivals Versailles with lavish rococo interiors and amazing gardens. It's outside of Innere Stadt, so you'll need to get in a cab. Definitely get a personal tour guide for this because while wandering around on your own is amazing, you won't get the in-depth knowledge that an experienced guide can give you.
Dining in Vienna:
A few dining recommendations include Do & Co, Lugeck, Kussmaul, Fabios, Buxbaum, Walter Bauer, and Weibel's Wirtshaus. We ate our way across the city, but since everyone's taste is individual, I want to direct you to your trusty Michelin Guide (viamichelin.com) or hotel concierge to lead you to cuisine to match your taste or mood. Bon apétit!
Retail therapy:
In the center of the city, it is easier to walk than drive or get a taxi. Pedestrian-only streets are lined with great cafés and all of the designer shops we are accustomed to: Tiffany, Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Chanel and Moncler. Sunset in the center of Vienna is especially beautiful. I don't know what it is, but the light has a particularly romantic quality that makes everything and everyone super-photogenic. Walking streets stretch from The Hofburg to St. Peter's Church to Muesum Judenplatz and almost to the Maria am Gestade Catholic Church.
Where to stay in Vienna:
There are more than enough 5 Star hotel room to go around in Vienna. Hotel Sacher Wien, Palais Coburg Residenz, and Hotel Imperial are all lovely, but can be insanely priced, depending on the season. Here are a few good values that give you the 5 Star experience without the 5 Star price:
Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna
You may remember our Kempinski recommendation in Munich; this is just as wonderful without totally breaking the bank. You'll be centrally located in Vienna, within a 10-minute walk of Sigmund Freud Museum and Judenplatz. This 5-star hotel is 0.8 mi from St. Stephen's Cathedral and 1.7 mi from Museum of Natural History. Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. Enjoy international cuisine at Edvard, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service.
https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/palais-hansen-kempinski-vienna
Grand Hotel Wien
With a stay at Grand Hotel Wien, you'll be centrally located in Vienna, within a 5-minute walk of Vienna State Opera and Musikverein. Treat yourself to a visit to the full-service spa, eat at one of the hotel's 3 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service.
https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/grand-hotel-wien
Das Triest Hotel
Das Triest is in the heart of Vienna, within a 10-minute walk of Secession Building and Naschmarkt. This 5-star hotel is 0.4 mi from Vienna State Opera and 0.6 mi from Albertina. Enjoy the health club and sauna; grab a bite at Bistro/Bar Porto, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge.
https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/hotel-das-triest
The Ritz Carlton, Vienna
As we usually say in our circle of friends, "Hey, it's a Ritz Carlton," which means it's going to be the same no matter in what international city you are, and it's sure to please. Centrally located in Vienna, the RC is just a 4-minute walk from Musikverein and 7 minutes by foot from Viennese City Park. Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. Satisfy your appetite for lunch or dinner at DSTRIKT, a bar which specializes in regional cuisine, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service.
https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/the-ritz-carlton-vienna
Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom
Sofitel Vienna places you in the heart of Vienna, within a 15-minute walk of St. Stephen's Cathedral and Stephansplatz. Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. Enjoy a meal at Das LOFT or snacks in the coffee shop/café. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service.
https://5startravelguru.trvl.com/hotel/sofitel-vienna-stephansdom
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