Recognized for its UNESCO-protected espresso home tradition and artwork museums displaying the works of Klimt and Schiele, Vienna is way too usually missed, too. Nonetheless, after spending a number of days right here, we had been bought. With its elegant structure, thrilling meals scene and delightful lodges, the Austrian capital simply grew to become certainly one of our favorite cities.

A cool new resort arrival, vineyards that thrive throughout the metropolis and the fantastically walkable streets (we clocked up a whopping 27,000 steps a day) are only a few of the elements that make Vienna a metropolis you need to uncover this 12 months.

Whether or not you are right here throughout a Danube river cruise (attempt our unique crusing with a particular look from Lucy Worsley) or an prolonged break, here is what you need to do on a visit to Vienna…

Whereas away the hours shopping world-class artwork

Vienna has greater than 100 museums, making it nearly unattainable to suit all of them into one quick break. When you merely cannot go to with out seeing one of many world’s most iconic artworks, The Kiss, by Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, you may want a ticket to the Higher Belvedere, which has 24 of his work.

We opted for the Leopold Museum in MuseumsQuartier, which homes one other of Klimt’s most well-known work, Loss of life and Life. The Leopold additionally affords the world’s most complete Egon Schiele assortment. After exploring the collections contained in the museum, it is price taking the elevate as much as the rooftop of the Leopold for a free expertise that many guests miss. The MQ Terrace supplies panoramic views of town and lets you take within the MuseumsQuartier from above. You will discover a kiosk to purchase refreshments, or you’ll be able to merely take your time viewing Vienna from above.

Sip very good native wines at a scenic heuriger

To expertise Vienna just like the Viennese, you need to go to a heuriger, or wine tavern, the place you’ll be able to pattern native wines produced largely by family-run companies. There are 1,680 acres of city vineyards and the crisp whites – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Chardonnay – are sometimes served alongside slices of bread and spreads.

The custom, which dates again to the sixteenth century, might be mixed with hikes across the metropolis, notably Metropolis Mountain climbing Path 5, dotted with oak woods, vineyards and outdated cellar lanes. We spent a Sunday afternoon at Hans und Fritz, above fairly Grinzing in Vienna’s Nineteenth district, the place we sipped on refreshing Riesling and chosen from the menu designed by celebrated (and three-Michelin-starred) chef Juan Amor. An unmissable strategy to spend a heat, sunny afternoon or night in Vienna, Hans und Fritz’s wood tables are positioned among the many vineyards for a fascinating setting with far-reaching views over town.

Discover impartial boutiques with a procuring professional

It may be tough figuring out the perfect locations to buy in a brand new metropolis, particularly when you do not have days to dedicate to the ‘sport’. One of many prime methods to get essentially the most out of your Viennese procuring expertise (and observe Austrian effectivity) is by enlisting the assistance of a private shopper. One price figuring out about is Procuring With Lucie, a enjoyable and fabulous service that lets you get to know town’s procuring scene and new corners of Vienna from an area.

Lucie, a half-Austrian New Yorker who has lived in Vienna for 20 years, gives a tailor-made procuring tour, so whether or not you’ve got obtained three hours to select up particular souvenirs, otherwise you’re on the hunt for high-quality leather-based luggage, she’s obtained you lined. Maybe you will have a whole day to browse luxurious ladies’s vogue, otherwise you’d like your procuring journey devoted to a selected craft, like knitted items or silverware.

Throughout our tour, we visited some great impartial boutiques we would not have found so rapidly if we had been procuring independently. Lucie launched us to SAGAN, the makers of fantastically crafted leather-based luggage, some produced from grape leather-based, and a group that includes gorgeous totes with an out of doors pocket to hold your guide (genius).

A tour with Lucie can also be a possibility to find a few of the charming areas throughout the districts, or Grätzel, as they’re identified regionally. Typically characterised by their distinctive structure and ambiance, these neighbourhoods are the beating coronary heart of Vienna. Spittelberg (the place you will see SAGAN), for instance, is liked for its romantic courtyards and cobbled streets, whereas Servitenviertel, over within the ninth district, has a Parisian vibe, cafes and a Nineteenth-century Baroque church, the place vintage stalls pop up outdoors on Sundays.

For Austrian manufacturers and boutiques, Mühlbauer is the place for modern hats, whereas high quality knitwear and capes might be discovered at Schauraum. In the meantime, Petz dates again to 1862 and is without doubt one of the few Austrian horn comb makers that also exist. A cease at Jarosinski & Vaugoin is a captivating expertise: right here we had a peek contained in the workshop of one of many final silversmiths on the planet.

Take a break in a historic espresso home

A convention so vital it is protected by UNESCO, Vienna’s espresso home tradition can’t be missed. Most of the metropolis’s atmospheric cafes supply a step again in time and invite you to go away behind your digital units (in truth, laptops are frowned upon within the cafes) as you sip on caffeine and loosen up with a newspaper, usually discovered hanging on wood sticks – an ideal strategy to embrace the nostalgia.

Coffees, Viennese dishes and, most significantly, sweets and pastries, are served within the espresso homes, so you’ll be able to spend hours absorbing the ambiance. Just a few we would advocate visiting are Café Schwarzenberg on Ringstrasse (the Sachertorte with cream is a must-try); Cafe Ritter on Mariahilfer Avenue, one other of Vienna’s oldest espresso homes, with polished wooden, chandeliers and scrumptious scorching chocolate; in addition to Cafe Korb, with its mid-century inside and much-loved apple strudel.

Uncover the booming restaurant scene

It won’t be as famend as Bologna, Paris and San Sebastian for a foodie break, however Vienna packs a severe punch in the case of its culinary scene. Not solely is it dwelling to the twenty second ‘greatest restaurant on the planet,’ Steirereck, however Austria’s capital has a number of Michelin-starred eating places, corresponding to Amador, Apron and Konstantin Filippou.

At Konstantin Filippou, which opens through the day for a two-Michelin-starred ‘Enterprise Lunch,’ in addition to dinner, you’ll be able to take a journey via Greece and Austria by way of the Filippou’s spectacular seafood menu. Anticipate the likes of crayfish, pink prawn, mussels and mackerel innovateively offered. To start out, contemporary bread is served with further virgin olive oil from Filippou’s Mama Konstantina vary, and dishes just like the Langostino and Norwegian scallop are delicately positioned on customized tableware.

Discerning eating apart, each customer to Vienna must expertise its well-known Wiener Schnitzel. The skinny slice of breaded veal is normally served with a tangy potato salad and sometimes a aspect of cranberry sauce. Zum Schwarzen Kameel is a legendary place for Wiener Schnitzel and a spot to be seen within the upscale first district.

When you’re right here in spring, make sure to begin with the white asparagus, an Austrian delicacy thought-about by some to be as tremendous as caviar. Palatschinken (rolled pancake full of brandy-infused apricot jam) is the normal dessert to finish your meal, and the bellinis at Zum Schwarzen Kameel are prone to make you stick round for after-dinner drinks.

Simply behind the MuseumsQuartier, Glacis Beisl additionally serves scrumptious Wiener Schnitzel and when the climate is heat, the backyard is a pleasant place to dine underneath vines. The gorgeous restaurant attracts locals, households and guests in search of a classy place to cease for lunch.

Vegetarians in Vienna will not miss out, both. Trendy restaurant and cookery faculty Wrenkh is a widely known spot for plant-based eating and gives a twist on classics, such because the king oyster mushroom schnitzel.

And for a drink with a view, you need to head for Das Loft at SO/ Vienna, whether or not you are visiting within the afternoon or after darkish. The modern rooftop bar has a mesmerising panoramic view over town, which you’ll take pleasure in whereas sipping artistic cocktails.

Examine in to new lodges and basic favourites

Vienna is scorching proper now and East London model The Hoxton arriving on the resort scene in 2024 is additional proof that now could be the time to go. Positioned near leafy Stadtpark, the trendy resort is an inexpensive, fashionable various to Vienna’s extra established five-star addresses.

Its rooftop bar, Cayo Coco, is a Cuban-inspired spot for small plates and cocktails from a top, whereas New York-European-style bistro Bouvier serves up dishes like moules frites, steak and ratatouille. For journeys through the hotter months, there’s a rooftop swimming pool to chill off, too.

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Travellers who want to keep in a Viennese icon can examine in to the Resort Imperial, a marble-clad grand dame on the Ringstrasse. The palatial resort supplies an unrivalled base to expertise the romance, opulence and royal historical past of Vienna.

Inbuilt 1863 by the Prince of Württemberg for his spouse, the Archduchess Marie Therese, the Imperial later hosted well-known company, from Queen Elizabeth II to Charlie Chaplin. Every thing right here is luxurious, from the second the doormen information you to reception, to the Friday night jazz within the lounge bar. Some of the spectacular rooms in the home is the Maisonette Suite, a two-storey suite with a balcony, marble lavatory with Byredo merchandise and Frette bathrobes, in addition to a writing desk and sitting space.

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Impressed to go to Vienna? Get a style of town on Good Housekeeping’s unique river cruise alongside the Danube, the place you’ll go to Vienna’s well-known Spanish Using College with TV’s Lucy Worsley and discover Bratislava, Budapest and the Wachau Valley.

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