Vienna, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, stunning architecture, delicious cakes (try the ‘sacher-torte‘ – you’ll thank me later!) and rich cultural legacy, is an ideal European travel destination, and here are my top 5 reasons to visit Vienna.
Due to its central location in Europe, Vienna is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world, and has consistently been named one of the “best cities in the world to visit” as well as the world’s number one city to live in for the 10th year running.
Here are five reasons why Vienna should be on your bucket-list (although I can think of lots more).
5 Reasons to Visit Vienna
Christmas Markets in Vienna
There can be no better place to get into the Christmas spirit than in Vienna. The beautifully decorated streets, the buzzing Christmas markets, the beautiful twinkling lights, the seductive smell and enticing taste of the delicious cooking, the sound of Christmas music all serve to create the most charming atmosphere.
This Christmas tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when in 1298 Albrecht I granted Vienna’s citizens the privilege of holding a December Market or “Krippenmarkt”.
Nowadays, over 20 official Advent Markets sell a vast array of seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats, and from mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets.
One of the most well-known of the Christmas Markets is the traditional “Vienna Magic of Advent“, which turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land, with enticing sweets, warm drinks and an array of tree decorations and Christmas crafts. There is also a Christmas craft workshop for kids inside the City Hall, an ice-skating rink and a carousel.
Not far from here is the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, located between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, with over 70 stands offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas .
Another ‘not to be missed’ Christmas market is in front of Schönbrunn Palace, where the imperial backdrop, combined with the tempting aroma of Christmas baking and mulled wine makes for a truly magical atmosphere.
Many of the Christmas markets translate seamlessly into a New Year Village after Christmas, and did I mention that Vienna is also a magical place to spend New Year’s Eve?
On New Year’s Eve, the whole of central Vienna is given over to partying and dancing. The New Year’s Eve Trail in the Old City is the highlight, and you can follow the trail past various entertainment stands, food stalls, champagne stands and culminating in a giant firework display at City Hall at midnight.
I have spend New Year in Vienna twice and the atmosphere is truly magical, and just as enjoyable as a gala dinner or festive ball. It can be really cold at this time of the year, but it’s totally worth it!
Just remember to wrap up warm and drink lots of of mulled wine (called Glühwein, which literally translates to ‘glow-wine’, because of how you feel after you’ve been drinking tiny mugs outside in the cold December air) .
Schönbrunn Palace
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Schönbrunn Palace is a must on any Viennese itinerary.
From the beginning of the fourteenth century, the estate as a whole bore the name of “Katterburg” and belonged to the manor of the abbey at Klosterneuburg. In 1569 the estate came into Habsburg possession through Maximilian II, and remained in possession of the Habsburgs until 1918, when the palace passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria at the end of the monarchy.
The palace was designed by the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach for Emperor Leopold I who asked for an imperial hunting lodge for his son, Crown Prince Joseph, later to become Emperor Joseph I, and which became the Habsburgs’ 1441-room summer residence!
It is however, perhaps, best known for the couple Emperor Franz Joseph and the tragic Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). The Sisi Museum is located at Schönbrunn, and tells of Sisi’s rebellion against court ceremony, her obsession with beauty, being slim, her athletic prowess, and effusive poetry. From her carefree time as a young girl in Bavaria to her assassination in Geneva, the museum shows the restless life of the legendary empress.
You can choose between various tours, depending on the time you have available; including the Imperial Tour, the Grand Tour and the Sisi Ticket.
Whichever tour you choose, make sure to save time to visit the beautiful grounds, the maze, the zoo and if it’s the right time of year, the Christmas Market. Behind the castle you can walk up to the “Gloriette”, and the little effort uphill will be rewarded as soon as you reach the top and have a stunning view over the city.
You can prebook your tours here.
The Belvedere Palace
The two Belvedere Palaces (the lower and upper palace) were built in the early eighteenth century by Baroque architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The park with its two Baroque palaces is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the state rooms, you will experience more than 800 years of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day, while the Belvedere 21 is a showcase for contemporary art.
The construction of the Upper Belvedere took place between 1717 and 1723, and was used by Prince Eugene for state functions, festivals and formal receptions. Today, it houses the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s work, including the famous painting “Kiss”, as well as works by Schiele, Funke, Monet, and van Gogh.
The Lower Belvedere was completed in 1716 and was constructed as the residence of Price Eugene. Today, the rooms of the Lower Belvedere and the Orangery are used for exhibitions and events.
Prater Park
Vienna’s giant ferris wheel, the “Wiener Riesenrad“, in Prater Park, will be, for cinema goers, forever linked to the classic film, “The Third Man“, which was filmed in Vienna in 1948. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of Harry Lime by taking a ride in one of the iconic red numbered gondolas.
The Wiener Prater is a large public park in Vienna’s 2nd district (Leopoldstadt), and apart from the “Wurstelprater” (the oldest amusement park in the world, with about 250 attractions), it also is one of the largest ‘green spaces’ in Vienna. In the “Green Prater”, you can relax under shady trees, stroll around and just relax.
The “Wiener Prater” and the “Wurstelprater” are open 24 hours each day – 7 days a week, and entrance is free of charge. Fees for individual attractions vary between € 1,50 and € 5,00 and some attractions may have different opening hours. This varied entertainment program is complemented by more than sixty cafés and restaurants, and ice cream and snack stands.
Stunning Architecture and A Vast Collection of Museums
If all the above hasn’t yet tempted you to book your flight, then the imperial grandeur of Vienna is second to none.
You can explore Vienna’s beautiful squares and the magnificent “Ringstrasse” encircling the “Innere Stadt” (inner city), on foot or in a horse-drawn carriage.
Since Vienna’s beautiful landmarks date back to different centuries, you can find various architectural styles all around the city. From the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the neo-Gothic Rathaus” (City Hall), and the Baroque Belvedere Palace, the architecture in Vienna is a feast for the eyes.
Vienna’s imperial grandeur is the legacy of the powerful Habsburg dynasty, and the Hofburg palace complex, in the centre of Vienna, was their home for more than six centuries. It incorporates the Imperial Apartments, “Burgkapelle” (Imperial Chapel), where the Vienna Boys’ Choir sings Sunday Mass, and the famed “Spanish Riding School”, where you can watch the famous ‘Lipizzaner’ stallions performing.
Vienna also has over 100 museums – many of which are found in the Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier), located just off the famous Ringstrasse, to the south of Maria Theresa Square.
Some of the most famous museums are the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK), the Leopold Museum, the Tobacco Museum and the ZOOM Children’s Museum. But there are also more bizarre museums like the Undertakers’ Museum, the Globe Museum, and the Third Man Museum. Whichever type of museum you can think of, Vienna has you covered.
And …. the cakes and coffee!
Vienna is renowned for its coffee house culture, and I really can’t finish this article without at least a reference to the serious business of ‘Coffee’! And of course, you can’t have Viennese coffee without something sweet on the side, especially when it comes to Viennese cakes and desserts.
My personal favourite is “Sachertorte” (a sort-of Viennese chocolate cake), but the apple strudel is also really good and there are a wide range of other delectable pastries and desserts to try too
Where to Stay
There are so many places to stay in Vienna. Three of the central hotels are reviewed on “The Code of Style Magazine“, but you can also search below, according to your dates, budget and desired location.
Booking.com
I hope you enjoyed this post on Vienna. If you are wanting some inspiration for some other Christmas Markets this year, then have a look here and here, and have a look here for more of our travel guides.
I always wanted to visit Vienna 🙂
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
You should go, Alyssa xx
I absolutely love Vienna. Spent there 5 days and it still felt not enough ! xx
Elegant Duchess xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
Totally agree! 5 days is great …. but still not quite enough! xo
Ohh wow, Christmas markets are good reason enough to go out at night when on holiday. This is a really nice attraction when visiting this city.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Yes, it really is! The pretty lights, the mulled wine and the general atmosphere make for a really magical experience xo
Such a great post!
xx- Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com/
Thank you Nina! Glad you liked it 🙂
This is so beautiful city to visit. I was only once there and didn’t have that much time to see everything x
Laura
You should definitely go back, Laura! It’s such a beautiful city and there is a lot to see and do x
Ohyes I like Vienna a lot – and especially the christmas amrkets sound so romantic 🙂 Definitely need to visit again
♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
Vienna is beautiful all year round, but there is something magical about Christmas and New Year x
Going to Vienna is a great idea! I haven’t been there in years
http://www.recklessdiary.ru
Yes, I love Vienna; and could go every year! 🙂
I completely agree with everything that you wrote. I don’t know how many times i visit Vienna and can’t come back for Christmas this year again.
New Post – http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2019/11/by-terry-gloss-terrybly-shine-cupcake_4.html
I could definitely go back to Vienna again (and again and again!!!)
Vienna looks magical at Christmas time! It would be a blast to visit during the holidays and be there for New Years! The Ferris wheel at Prater Park looks really cool!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Yes, Vienna is magical all year round and especially in the holiday season! I wish I was going back this New Year!
Spending New Year’s in Vienna sounds magical! Amazing photos!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thank you! Yes, it really was amazing 🙂
Yes, it is really already very soon time for Christmas markets again! I see the Christmas market is Vienna is a very beautiful one – I definitely should visit it. Thanks for sharing!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
I love Christmas Markets! The Vienna one was beautiful and I’m off to one in Switzerland this weekend 🙂
Vienna is a beautiful place. I love this city during Christmas time. It is just magical. Pitty that I missed Schonbrunn on my last visit. Still on my bucket list.
Vienna is so beautiful and I would definitely recommend that you try to see Schonbrunn next time!
I want to go to Vienna <3
https://loveonthebrainbykinga.wordpress.com/
You should! I’m sure you’ll love it 🙂
Vienna is gorgeous and looks like so much fun!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been and it was a lot of fun xo
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Vienna is on our bucket list to visit for the beauty of the place. My husband has been there and loves it and wants to take me there. Right now we are just exploring US. 🙂 Love your beautiful pictures. I want to eat cake there. 🙂
Via
You should definitely keep Vienna on your bucket list and try the cake when you go! The US has so many amazing places to explore too 🙂
I’m a sold! These pics are lovely and want to eat that dessert!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I definitely recommend the sachertorte! It’s soooooo good! xo