My 4-day City trip in Vienna

I've always wanted to go to Vienna someday. Its majesty, elegance and history have always attracted me and I must say that I was not at all disappointed: Vienna is magnificent with its architecture and grandiose monuments. All the greatness of the Habsburgs radiates to the four corners of the city. I stayed 4 days in Vienna and I recommend staying there not less than 3 days if you want to really enjoy the city and see most of the monuments.

 

The must-see places to visit in Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace (meaning "Fountain") has witnessed a number of wars, kings and emperors. It was here that Franz Joseph was born, one of the last emperors of the Habsburg line and husband of Empress Sissi. The Complete Palace Tour allows you to visit 40 rooms including the majestic Imperial Apartments and magnificent State Rooms

St. Stephen’s cathedral

With its four towers, the highest of which measures 136.44 m, you can't miss St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Located right in the center of Vienna, this cathedral is the landmark of the city. It is also the most important Gothic building in Austria. The interior of the cathedral can’t be missed, it is possible to admire the relics adorned with gold and precious stones but also to visit the catacombs. It is possible to climb to the top of the North Tower and enjoy a breathtaking view of Vienna.

Hofburg Palace

This imperial palace is located in the heart of Vienna and was the winter residence of the Habsburgs. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. Also, today, there is a Congress Center, the Spanish riding school, the seat of the Austrian president as well as the famous Heldenplatz. On the other hand, it hosts many museums such as the Silver Museum or the Sissi Museum. You can also visit the imperial apartments where Franz Joseph and Sissi lived. Among all these museums, I particularly recommend to visit the Sissi Museum, which includes the visit of the imperial apartments. There are also combined tickets to visit Schönbrunn and Hofburg, with a reduction.

Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library is the former court library, designed by architects Fischer von Erlach father and son. This impressive library is one of the most beautiful in the world. It is also the largest Baroque library in Europe. The building is topped by a magnificent dome decorated with frescoes by painter Daniel Gran. This library contains more than 200,000 books as well as two magnificent Venetian globes.

The Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace was once the residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a famous general and truly passionate about art. This magnificent baroque castle consists of two parts. The upper belvedere and the lower belvedere. The upper belvedere now houses works of art such as The Kiss and Judith by Gustav Klimt, but also paintings by Schiele and Kokoschka. The lower belvedere offers works from the Middle Ages to the present day as well as temporary exhibitions.

Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera is undoubtedly one of the most important opera in the world. Built in 1869 to plans by architects August Siccard von Siccardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, it was destroyed during WWII and reopened in 1955. It offers some 300 high-quality performances to an international audience.

 

Where to see a classical music concert in Vienna?

The Vienna Opera House is of course the go-to place to listen to a classical concert in Vienna but if your budget is a bit tight or if you prefer something more intimate, the Schönborn Palace invites you to an unforgettable evening full of virtuous musicians and superb opera singers. Plunge into a wonderful world of courtly tradition and exquisite classical music. In addition, the architecture of the palace is magnificent and represents one of Vienna's architectural masterpieces. Palais Schönborn-Batthyány was built in 1699, after plans of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the architect of Vienna’s St. Charles Church.

Where to eat, drink chocolate in Vienna?

Vienna boasts a plethora of top quality restaurants and a wide variety of cuisine. I particularly recommend the 57 Restaurant & Lounge in the DC Tower offers 360-degree panoramic views over Vienna. Then, if you want to drink a Viennese chocolate, the most popular is the traditional Café Central, known to have been the meeting place of great intellectuals such as Sigmund Freud or Trotsky. Le Demel is also a place known for its pastries and its chocolate factory, all decorated in a neo-Baroque style. If you want to eat an authentic Bretzel or an Austrian dessert, the Brezlgwolb Cafe is the perfect place for a snack in an authentic atmosphere and under historic vaults.

    

Where to sleep in Vienna?

I particularly recommend the areas of Innere Stadt and the Ring for accommodation in Vienna so that you can visit everything by walk. These districts and the avenue which surrounds it, it is the heart of Vienna with its rich heritage, its shops, its bars, its restaurants… the best place to stay in Vienna. Here are some hotel addresses that I particularly recommend.

 

Hotel Am Konzerthaus Vienna MGallery

The elegant Hotel am Konzerthaus Vienna is located in the heart of the city surrounded by the finest art and music houses. The Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna State Opera, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Musikverein and Belvedere Palace are all within walking distance. The design of the public areas and newly renovated rooms was inspired by these cultural sites. The reception will remind you of an opera hall with its instruments and red curtains. The breakfast buffet is very varied and the quality of the food is excellent.

Jaz in the City Vienna

Jaz in the City is ideally located between the quarter's own Naschmarkt with its restaurants and the shopping streets of the 1st district. The hotel mixes up Vienna with a euphoric, local mash-up of design, art and cuisine. Every day, the place offers some parties with talents from the local and international music, food & art universe. Their rooftop bar mariatrink of the Jaz in the City Vienna is the perfect place to have a relaxed back-stage drink. Moreover, the hotel also offers a wellbeing area with the latest equipment and the best beats for your work-out and the chill-out afterwards.

 

There would still be a lot to say about this fantastic city, we could also talk about theNatural History museum, the Art and History museum, the Rathaus, St Charles de Borromeo, the Modern Art museum, the Albertina museum, The Burggarten, which I didn't have time to visit. I highly recommend visiting the Vienna tourist office before planning your stay. This site also offers the Vienna City Card which will allow you to make savings on your visit to the most emblematic places of the ciy.