Our Weekend Guide to Vienna

The next city up on our Summer city guide series is Vienna! Austria’s capital city is filled with rich heritage, pretty palaces, lush gardens, and the BEST coffee in the world! Our abroad editor spent a couple days frolicking through this fairytale of a city and is reporting back with all the must-sees, must-dos, and must-eats!

Where To Stay:

The Hilton Vienna Plaza is the ideal place to recharge each evening after spending the day exploring. The art deco flair of lobby is perfectly juxtaposed with crisp and timeless rooms. I especially enjoyed the modern amenities, such as the two-story fitness center and sauna; and don’t even get me started on how fantastic the hotel concierge was in helping me plan my stay. Located in the heart of Vienna, it doesn’t get much better than a stay here!

What To Do:

Saturday

9:00 AM-Breakfast @ Cafe Central

The historic Cafe Central, once a key meeting place of the Viennese intellectual scene, is an absolute must-stop for 1, 2, or maybe even 3 Wiener Melanges (Vienna’s signature coffee drink). The beautiful architecture will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the days when Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky were regulars. P.S. cake for breakfast is totally acceptable here!

10:30 AM-Belvedere Museum

Spend the rest of your morning wandering through the gorgeous grounds of both Belvedere palaces. Home to the greatest collection of Austrian art, you’ll find works from Monet to van Gough to Klimpt, including his most famous piece, “The Kiss.” The short walk from Upper Belvedere to Lower Belvedere is my favorite, as you pass through the pristine gardens filled with opulent fountains and hedge-lined pathways.

1:00 PM-Lunch @Nashmarkt

For lunch, stop into Vienna’s most popular food market, Nashmarkt, which has been in operation for hundreds of years and houses food stalls and restaurants galore! All the food looks, smells, and tastes so amazing that I guarantee you won’t be able to just stop at one. Pick at the farmer’s local produce as you walk through or stop at Neni for an unbelievable Mediterranean meal – don’t forget to order the mint iced tea. There’s also an additional flea market on Saturdays that is considered to be one of the best in all of Europe – the perfect place to snag antique souvenirs to take home!

3:30 PM-Stadtpark

After you’ve filled your belly at Nashmarkt, head to Stadtpark to walk around and take in the numerous monuments and sculptures, as well as the wide range of pretty flowers. During the warmer months, you’ll find locals relaxing and children playing in the sunshine.

5:30 PM-Dinner @ Ella’s

If you’re still hungry after your stop at Nashmarkt, head to dinner at Ella’s for an exquisite Mediterranean culinary experience. The staff will make you feel like you’re dining around their table with their hospitality and you can’t go wrong with any of their dishes. Let your server assemble a Mediterranean platter for you as an appetizer, and you will not be disappointed!  

7:00 PM-Opera at Volsoper Vienna

A must-stop in Vienna is of course, the opera! An evening at the Volsoper is unlike any other, as you will be transported into the world of polished and authentic Viennese entertainment. I caught “The Sound of Music”, while in Vienna and it was one of the most wonderful performances I have ever seen. The Volsoper puts on 300 performances divided by 35 productions each season, providing something for everyone.

 

Sunday

10:30 AM-Brunch @ Palmenhaus

Spend your Sunday morning at Palmenhous, a former greenhouse turned restaurant. Enjoy a Ice Kaffe (coffee poured over vanilla ice cream) amongst plants from around the world. It’s so pretty inside that you might never want to leave!

12:00 PM-Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace is Vienna’s pride and joy! This was the palace where Marie Antoinette was raised A.K.A. where all that inspo behind Versailles came from. Take the audio guide tour of the opulent palace and then spend the remainder of your day walking the stunning and expansive gardens (with breaks for more Wiener Melanges and apple strudel of course). You’ll easily be able to log your 10,000 steps here as you stroll the gardens and tour the palace. End your day with dinner at Schonbrunn overlooking the palace.

9:00 PM-Drinks @ The Sofitel

End the night with drinks at the Sofitel hotel right on the Danube. On the penthouse floor of the towering hotel, this bar looks over the entirety of the city with a spectacular view of St. Stephens church lit up at night. If the view weren’t enough for the trip up,  the specialty cocktails served there are delicious!

If you are only in Vienna for the weekend this guide should have you covered! On your way to another European city? Head South to Cinque Terre, Italy and read our guide before you go!