Why Vienna Will Make You Fall Madly In Love With The City
I have an irresistible urge to visit Vienna every year and the reason is simple. Travelling to Vienna makes me feel fabulous. I’ve been to a lot of places in the world, and Vienna is easily one of the best cities in the world. Why? Its combination of rich history, vibrant culture, high quality of life, and warm atmosphere contribute to its allure.
Vienna was once the capital of the powerful Habsburg Empire and played a significant role in shaping European history. The city is also known for its architectural beauty, with stunning examples of Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau styles. Every time I visit, I leave inspired to plan a way I can somehow move there to reap the rewards of this charming city on a daily basis.
What you will find here
This post will tell you about my favourite places to visit in Vienna that will make you fall as madly in love with this city as I have. If you love art, delicious vegan cakes, and gorgeous architecture, then I think I can convince you why Vienna is the best city in the world!
Hofburg Palace
Hofburg Palace (or The Hofburg or Vienna Imperial Palace) is grand, taking up a big part of Vienna and is full of impressive treasures and jewels to peruse. You can walk past but I recommend going. It is easy to miss some of the amazing rooms here so I highly recommend checking their website to see what is open when you are visiting. When we went we weren’t able to get into the Grand Hall of the Austrian National Library which I will definitely need to go back and see. I recommend skipping the stables in order to not support animal cruelty.Â
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site with gorgeous gardens. Watching the runners happily jogging in the Schönbrunn Palace grounds made me reconsider my entire life choices. It is an easy train ride to Schönbrunn, and when we went in summer it was a little bit rainy which added to the ambience of the place.
Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace is so beautiful in winter or summer and has some of the best sculptures and views in Vienna. The garden is so beautifully designed and the grand windows give fabulous views.Comprising two Baroque palaces and beautiful gardens, the Belvedere is home to an impressive collection of Austrian art, including Gustav Klimt’s renowned painting, “The Kiss.”
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephanskirche) is an iconic symbol of the city and honestly a little scary looking with its medieval design. It is always very busy but for good reason. There’s lots to see in the ornate details and even catacombs.
St. Charles’s Church
St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche) is a domed cathedral with amazing views from the viewing platform on top. When we took my partner’s parents to Vienna this was one of the places we took them. It is such a beautiful Cathedral and the views are worth all the stairs.
MuseumsQuartier
This cultural complex is one of the largest art and cultural areas in the world. It houses various museums, including the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK). There is a big courtyard in this area and it is a great place to soak in contemporary art and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.Â
The AlbertinaÂ
This is one of my favourite museums I’ve visited. Located near the Vienna State Opera, it houses an impressive collection of artworks, including drawings, prints, paintings, and sculptures from various periods by some of my favourite artists like Edvard Munch and Egon Schiele. With its beautiful architecture and diverse art exhibits, it’s a must-visit for art lovers exploring Vienna. It features important artwork by Monet, Durer, and da Vinci.
Vienna State Opera
Vienna has a long history of being a centre of arts, music, and intellectual pursuits. It was home to renowned composers Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and is famous for its opera and classical music scene. You can attend an opera or ballet performance in the opulent Vienna State Opera building or just enjoy it from the outside or lobby. On one of our visits to Vienna we stayed at Hotel Bristol which has beautiful views of the Opera house.
What are the best vegan foods in Vienna?
Naschmarkt: Vienna’s largest outdoor market, Naschmarkt, offers a vibrant culinary experience. Explore the stalls filled with fresh produce, spices, and international delicacies. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants to enjoy local and international cuisine.
Cakes and cafes: Vienna is renowned for artsy cafes where artists and musicians would hang out and muse their next creative venture. These cafes still exist, and you can visit them! Quite a few have vegan options too like Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker, Café Landtmann, and Café Museum.
When is the best time to visit Vienna?
So I might be biased with this one because my answer is ALWAYS, but if you have to pick I would recommend summer or winter. Summer in Europe is always a good idea, and the weather is warm and comfortable for exploring the city and relaxing in the many parks and outdoor common spaces. Vienna is also one of the best cities for Christmas markets, with many dotted all over the city at most of the important sites I’ve mentioned above. If you’re interested, you can find Vienna’s Christmas market locations in my post about The Best Christmas Markets in Europe.
What are the best hotels to stay in Vienna?
I’ve stayed in a few different hotels from boutique hotels to luxury. There are two hotels that I would recommend: Hotel Bristol (A Luxury Collection Hotel) for luxury and an excellent location. This is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at, and is a piece of art in itself. The other hotel that I would recommend is The Harmonie Vienna, which is a boutique hotel on the North-West side of Vienna. It is a great hotel with excellent amenities and I highly recommend it in winter as it is nice and warm (some of the older quaint hotels I’ve stayed in are NOT).
VERDICT
Is it worth a visit?
If you ever visit anywhere in Europe, make sure it is Vienna. I like to think of Vienna as the Paris people believe Paris is (if you’ve been to Paris, you’ll understand exactly what I mean). Vienna is clean, safe, beautiful, and full of culture that will inspire you to return.
did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!