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Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Vienna shines as a beacon for those travelers seeking old-world charm surrounded by exquisite architecture, forged through the centuries, and artistic inspiration.
Vienna is friendly, open-minded, and intellectual, its fame derived from the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, and Freud. It is also known for its cafe culture and the center of the Habsburg dynasty. If you find yourself in this romantic city for a week, here are some top recommendations and day trips.
Visit Cafes
The coffee culture here is strong, one of the strongest I have seen in Europe, even though Vienna wasn’t the first city to pioneer the coffee house. Coffee in Europe originated in Venice in the mid 17th century, but the Viennese take it to another level by building ornate houses devoted to the joy of celebrating the elixir and its delectable accompaniments. Cafe Central is my favorite.
Go to Mauthausen
Take a day trip to this infamous concentration camp. I rented a car and drove there from Salzburg, but you have options. The easiest is to take a tour; check out this one from Viator. If you are feeling adventurous, rent a car and drive there, or there is always the train which will be the slowest option. I recommend a tour to maximize time and get the most out of your learning experience. Read my post on Mauthausen. It was known among concentration camp inmates at other camps as the worst one, a death sentence, due to the hard labor in the quarry. This was a sobering day but a must for history buffs or anyone interested in WWII and the Holocaust. The U.S. liberated this camp, so it was well preserved and has a great museum, too.
Visit Prague
If you are short on time and can’t visit Prague by itself, you can make a day trip of it from Vienna. Make sure to visit the castle and Old Town and take a stroll across the famous Charles Bridge.
Spend a day in Budapest
This is an interesting tour from Vienna that we did just for a day. I just wanted to see Budapest and didn’t really have the time to spend there, so this day trip was perfect.
Visit Salzburg
Salzburg is a place that you could go to and stay for several days. It is easy to just take the train from Vienna or Munich, but if you don’t have the time, this is a great day trip. Read this blog post to find out more about Salzburg.
Wine tasting in the Wachau Valley
One of my favorite days in Vienna was a boat tour on the Danube through the Wachau Valley stopping at wineries along the way. Check out this tour.
Schönbrunn Palace
The summer palace of the Habsburgs rivals Versailles and is impressive, to say the least. See a tour here.
Historical Hitler Walking Tour
Hitler went to Vienna to enroll in art school but was rejected. Learn all about his formative years and his return later to Austria. This tour is one of the best walking tours of the city and certainly a must for history buffs.
