The 'world's most liveable city' is an unsung beauty with its own vineyards
As far as European cities go, Vienna doesn't receive nearly as much attention as Paris and Amsterdam, yet this unsung capital has been named the world's most liveable city for the third consecutive year and is packed with outstanding experiences for travellers.
In our true spirit of bringing you the places you might not have visited but really should, we took a trip to the overlooked Central European destination to show you why it's worth a place on your city-break list.
EXPLORE VIENNA ON A DANUBE CRUISE
Known for its UNESCO-protected coffee house culture and the many art museums displaying the works of Klimt and Schiele, Vienna is far too often overlooked, but after spending a few days here, we were won over by its elegant architecture, exciting food scene and beautiful hotels, and the Austrian capital easily became one of our favourite cities.
With a cool new hotel arrival, vineyards within the city and walkable streets (we clocked up a whopping 27,000 steps on one day), once you visit Vienna, you'll be eager to return.
Whether you're here for a day during a Danube river cruise (try our exclusive sailing with a special appearance from Lucy Worsley) or an extended break (we'd recommend longer than a weekend, if you can, and could have explored for even longer than our four days), here's why Vienna is far more than a liveable city and should be on every traveller's list.
While away the hours art
Vienna has more than 100 museums, making it virtually impossible to fit them all into one short break. If you simply can't visit without seeing one of the world's most iconic works of art, The Kiss, by Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, you need to go to the Upper Belvedere, which has 24 of his paintings.
We opted for the Leopold Museum in MuseumsQuartier, which houses another of Klimt's most famous paintings, Death and Life. The Leopold also affords the world’s most comprehensive Egon Schiele collection. After taking in the collections inside the museum, it's worth taking the lift up to the rooftop of the Leopold for a free experience that many visitors miss. The MQ Terrace provides panoramic views of the city and allows you to take in the MuseumsQuartier from above. There's a kiosk to buy refreshments, but there's no pressure to buy anything and you can simply take you time seeing Vienna from above.
Sip superb local wines at a scenic heuriger
To experience Vienna like the Viennese, you must visit a heuriger, or wine tavern, where you can sample local wines produced mostly by family-run businesses. There are 1,680 acres of urban vineyards and the crisp whites - Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Chardonnay - are often served alongside slices of bread and spreads in a scenic setting.
The tradition, which dates back to the 16th century, is best combined with hikes around the city, particularly City Hiking Trail 5, where you can discover oak woods, vineyards and old cellar lanes. We spent a lazy and enjoyable Sunday afternoon at Hans und Fritz, above pretty Grinzing in Vienna's 19th district, where we sipped a refreshing Riesling and selected from the menu designed by celebrated (and three-Michelin-starred) chef Juan Amor. An unmissable way to spend a warm, sunny afternoon or evening in Vienna, Hans und Fritz's wooden tables are placed among the vineyards and provide a captivating setting with far-reaching views over the city.
Find independent boutiques with a shopping expert
It can be tricky knowing the best places to shop in a new city, especially when you don't have days to dedicate to the 'sport'. One of the top ways to get the most out of your Viennese shopping experience (and practice Austrian efficiency) is by enlisting the help of a personal shopper. One worth knowing about is Shopping With Lucie, a fun and fabulous service that allows you to get to know the city's shopping scene and new corners of Vienna from a local.
Lucie, a half-Austrian New Yorker who has lived in Vienna for 20 years, offers a tailored shopping tour. Whether you've got three hours to pick up specific souvenirs, or you're on the hunt for high-quality leather bags, Lucie has all the knowledge. Perhaps you have an entire day to browse luxury women's fashion, or you'd like your shopping trip dedicated to a particular craft, like knitted goods or silverware.
During our tour, we visited some wonderful independent boutiques we wouldn't have discovered on our own. Lucie introduced us to SAGAN, the makers of beautifully crafted leather bags, some made from grape leather, and a collection featuring stunning totes with an outside pocket to carry your book (genius).
A tour with Lucie is also an opportunity to discover some of the charming areas within the districts, or Grätzel, as they are known locally. Often characterised by their unique architecture and atmosphere, these neighbourhoods are the beating heart of Vienna. Spittelberg (where you will find SAGAN), for example, is loved for its romantic courtyards and cobbled streets, while Servitenviertel, over in the ninth district, has a Parisian vibe, cafes and a 19th-century Baroque church, where antique stalls pop up outside on Sundays.
For Austrian brands and boutiques, Mühlbauer is the place for contemporary hats, while quality knitwear and capes can be found at Schauraum, and Petz dates back to 1862 and is one of the few Austrian horn comb makers that still exist. A stop at Jarosinski & Vaugoin is a fascinating experience, where we had a peek inside the workshop of one of the last silversmiths in the world.
Take a break in a historic coffee house
A tradition so significant it's protected by UNESCO, Vienna's coffee house culture cannot be missed. Many of the city's atmospheric cafes are like a step back in time, inviting you to leave behind your digital devices (in fact, laptops are frowned upon in the cafes) as you sip on caffeine and relax with a newspaper, often found hanging on wooden sticks, to embrace the nostalgia.
Coffees, Viennese dishes for those who are peckish and, most importantly, sweets and pastries, are served in the coffee houses, so you can spend hours soaking up the ambiance. A few we'd recommend visiting are Café Schwarzenberg on Ringstrasse (the Sachertorte with cream is a must-try); Cafe Ritter on Mariahilfer Street, another of Vienna's oldest coffee houses, with polished wood, chandeliers and delicious hot chocolate; as well as Cafe Korb, with its mid-century interior and much-loved apple strudel.
Discover the booming restaurant scene
It might not be as popular as Bologna, Paris and San Sebastian for a foodie break, but Vienna packs a serious punch when it comes to its culinary scene. Not only is it home to the 22nd 'best restaurant in the world,' Steirereck, but Austria's capital has a host of Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Amador, Apron and Konstantin Filippou.
At Konstantin Filippou, which opens during daylight hours for a two-Michelin-starred 'Business Lunch,' as well as dinner, you can take a journey through Greece and Austria via the talented chef's impressive seafood menu. Expect the likes of crayfish, red prawn, mussels and mackerel presented in the most creative ways. To start, fresh bread is served with extra virgin olive oil from Filippou's Mama Konstantina range, and dishes like the Langostino and Norwegian scallop are delicately placed on custom tableware.
Discerning dining aside, every visitor to Vienna needs to experience its famous Wiener Schnitzel. The thin slice of breaded veal is usually served with a tangy potato salad and occasionally a side of cranberry sauce. Zum Schwarzen Kameel is a legendary place for Wiener Schnitzel and a place to be seen in the upscale first district.
If you're here in spring, be sure to start with the white asparagus, an Austrian delicacy considered by some to be as fine as caviar. Palatschinken (rolled pancake filled with brandy-infused apricot jam) is the traditional dessert to end your meal, and the bellinis at Zum Schwarzen Kameel are likely to make you stick around for after-dinner drinks.
Just behind the MuseumsQuartier, Glacis Beisl also serves delicious Wiener Schnitzel and when the weather is warm, the garden is a delightful place to dine under vines. The pretty restaurant attracts locals, families and visitors looking for a stylish place to stop for lunch.
Vegetarians in Vienna won't miss out, either. Modern restaurant and cookery school Wrenkh is a well-known spot for plant-based dining and offers a twist on classics, such as the king oyster mushroom schnitzel.
And for a drink with a view, you must head for Das Loft at SO/ Vienna, whether you're visiting in the afternoon or after dark. The sleek rooftop bar has a mesmerising panoramic view over the city, which you can enjoy while sipping cocktails.
Check in to new hotels and classic favourites
As we've attempted to show you, Vienna is hot right now and East London brand The Hoxton arriving on the hotel scene in 2024 is further proof that now is the time to visit. Located close to leafy Stadtpark, the stylish hotel is an affordable, modern alternative to Vienna's more established five-star addresses.
Its rooftop bar, Cayo Coco, is a Cuban-inspired place for small plates and cocktails with a view, while New York-European-style bistro Bouvier serves up dishes like moules frites, steak and ratatouille. For trips during the warmer months, there is a rooftop swimming pool to cool off, too.
Travellers who wish to stay in a Viennese icon can check in to the Hotel Imperial, a marble-clad grand dame on the Ringstrasse. The palatial hotel provides an unrivalled base to experience the romance, opulence and royal history of Vienna.
Built in 1863 by the Prince of Württemberg for his wife, the Archduchess Marie Therese, the Imperial later hosted famous guests, from Queen Elizabeth II to Charlie Chaplin. Everything here is sumptuous, from the moment the doormen guide you to reception, to the Friday evening jazz in the lounge bar. One of the most impressive rooms in the house is the Maisonette Suite, a two-storey suite with a balcony, marble bathroom with Byredo products and Frette bathrobes, as well as a writing desk and sitting area.
Inspired to visit Vienna? Get a taste of the city on Good Housekeeping's exclusive river cruise along the Danube, where you will visit Vienna's famous Spanish Riding School with TV's Lucy Worsley and explore Bratislava, Budapest and the Wachau Valley.
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