SanthuVienna is the greatest European city to spot imperial architecture, museums, palaces and centuries old history. The city blends numerous cafe cultures, artistic beauties and the world’s best vibrant Christmas market, making it one of the most visited cities in Europe.
Vienna is often known for its historic Habsburg Empire and their cultural legacies. Each historic and cultural thing you are going to experience is a gift from this empire. But what we really like to say about Vienna is, if you are looking for the perfect destination to make a first time trip to Europe, Vienna is the ultimate and more recommended destination to start. Just try it.
Before heading to Vienna, it is a good idea to know a little bit about what are the best things a backpacker can do. Beside city’s century old architecture and places, that there are even more plenty of things a traveler can enjoy. Let’s dig what are the most unique things to do in Vienna, Austria.
Unique Things to Do in Vienna, Austria
1. Explore Iconic Schönbrunn Palace
Starting your Vienna journey from Schönbrunn Palace is not just easy to reach, moreover place rich interior architecture and beautiful garden are matter of considerations. A UNESCO World Heritage Site once served as summer residence of the Habsburg Empire, but today the palace is a more visited tourist landmark, welcoming visitors from its opulent rooms, Great Gallery, and Emperor Franz Joseph’s private apartments.
Most of the Schönbrunn Palace architecture depends on Baroque architecture. Johann Bernhard Fischer Von Erlach and Nicolaus Pacassi are the masterminds behind its architectures. They built around 1,441 summer rooms and some facades under symmetric design.
Its courtyard garden gives more epic beauty to the palace, spread across 160 hectares of land where Neptune fountain, Gloriette structures and a labyrinth exist. Pay €27 as an Imperial Tour pack to enter the palace (the garden is completely free to explore) at its official website. Gloriette is the palace’s most blessed structure that helps visitors to enjoy the most incredible views of Vienna city.
2. Visit Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace is another architecturally rich destination known for its two Baroque styles and a museum and outer gardens. The palace is bifurcated into 2 sections Upper and Lower Belvedere. Both these 2 sections filled the most impressive Baroque architectures and amount of art exhibitions. Gustav Klimt is the person behind who contributed his art works out of these massive art and painting works.
“The Kiss” is the most impressive art painting, it attracted thousands of visitors just to see its unique style of paintings. If you want to see this picture you have to enter the upper section of Belvedere Palace. The reason behind visitors loving to see this picture is its gold leaf and background silver, gold and light platinum colors. Thanks to Gustav Klimt.
Like Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace is primarily built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. But today the palace exclusively opened to the general public and travelers to see mediaeval old French art and paintings including contemporary art collections.
Don’t forget to step into palace gardens which are full of Baroque design, historic attractions like water basins, hedges, and fountains. From these gardens visitors are more blessed to enjoy epic views of the Vienna city and romantic ambiances. Gardens are completely free to enter, but the Palace demands some amount of cost such as €18 for Upper Belvedere and €10 for Lower Belvedere to explore its artistic beauties. Visit its official website and book your tour today.
3. Taste Your Coffee at Viennese Coffee House
You may enjoy different styles and flavours of coffees where you have already visited. But drinking coffee in Vienna is a completely different experience. Viennese coffee has a more traditional root recognised by UNESCO for its creativity, style of making and flavours.
Cafe Central, Cafe Landtmann and Cafe Sacher are the most visited places to try Viennese traditional coffee. However, these places even provide a slice of Sachertorte while sipping your coffee. These coffee houses have some traditional backgrounds, once people like intellectuals, artists and writers come and drink coffee here along with discussing their respective subjects.
One of the special features of these Coffee houses is that they usually make coffee from local clean water. Water originally comes from the nearest Lower Austrian Styrian Alps through spring pipeline, it is clean and tasty.
Experience different style of coffees like Melange, Verlngerter and Kleiner Brauner. Coffee houses serve around 40 different types of coffees in traditional cups and each one is unique and filled with cream and milk foam.
4. Take Leisure Walk through Naschmarkt
Want to mingle city’s best local and bustling market, choose to visit Naschmarkt. Markets often display local fresh products such as sauerkraut, dry fruits, pastries, farm fresh cheeses and local honey by-products. This open air market is even well known for its restaurants, bars and international cuisines.
While you walk amidst these shops you’re more fortunate to see different styles of vegetables, and fruits. Usually the market contains the majority of olives, kiwanos, kiwis and papayas.
“Falafel” is the most common sweet which you’ll find in every corner of the Naschmarket. Going with your family don’t forget to buy your children, which is sweet and sticky in nature. Along with buy falafel, try silver salami and stuffed pepper.
“Baklava” a Vienna’s renowned sweet made by the filo pastry. Sometimes this sweet is even served with herbs, spices, pickles, dried fruits and nuts. Visit Butcher Stalls where people are busy selling venison, pheasant and wild boar, and don’t forget to try different flavours and species.
Out of Naschmarkt 130 shops, seafood stalls are the most interesting ones. You can see or buy different species of king crabs, catfish, sole, salmon and sturgeon. Book your table at any of the nearby restaurants and try Argentinian giant shrimps with a glass of wine or beer. Naschmarkt even boasts international dishes such as Turkish lamb sausage vendors and Mediterranean seafoods.
The market opened from Monday to Saturday within its 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM timings. Try to skip visiting Saturday since Sunday is a holiday and most locals come in huge numbers to attend the “Saturday Flea Market”.
5. Attend Performances at Vienna State Opera House
If you search opera houses in Vienna you probably got three opera houses. But the State Opera House is the most renowned and got worldwide recognition. The house welcomes visitors who like to enjoy performances and events. Opened in 1869, today this house stands as a symbol of Vienna’s rich music traditions and cultural legacies.
When you try to attend any of the events at State Opera Houses, you’re much blessed to discover Vienna Philharmonic, Neo renaissance architectures and the region’s best artistic calibres. Interestingly each time while you indulge in its beauty there are some stunning architectural marvels and rich history waiting for you to see and learn.
Every year the opera house offers 350 annual performances with first class production in every highest caliber. Every day around 50 operas and ballet works per season and dance occur. “La Traviata” and “The Magic Flute” are the most popular performances held from September to June.
Despite its musical performances, the State Opera House stands as the most beautiful exterior architecture in Vienna. Witnessing Neo Renaissance style and Renaissance Revival, where grand staircase, chandeliers, opulent and intricate frescoes are more attractive elements.
For popular performances and enjoy opera house architecture, book your tickets through the official Vienna State Opera Website well in advance. “Standing Room Tickets” is exclusively affordable option if you’re a budget friendly visitors.
6. Indulge in the Beauty of Hofburg
Hofburg is not just known for its vast palace complex, moreover deeply stranded as a center of European emperor power for over 600 years. As a history seeker or architecture lover your duty is to discover legacy and spot its unique cultural beauties both from its inside and outside.
Initially built as a former winter residence to the Habsburg dynasty until 1918, but today the complex is open to visitors and locals to explore a number of imperial beauties such as Sisi museum, Spanish Riding School and Austrian National library.
Sisi Museum is a most prominent attraction for visitors coming just to see and enjoy its displays. The museum exhibits a glimpse of the Empress Elisabeth’s grooming routines, luxury attires and some anarchist scarves. Despite that, the Albertina Museum and Imperial Silver collections are other major things to see.
However, Spanish Riding Schools inside attractions often practice and preserve classical dressages. Take an inside tour and see history, riding stories and types of horses which actually used. Visit the Austrian National Library to know more about European history and classical European literature.
Spend some time at Burggarten Public Park built by the Emperor Franz I. Take some time to stroll to find the park’s Mozart monument, Imperial glasshouses and drink some cafes in its tranquil atmosphere.
To know how to book your particular trip within Hofburg, visit its official website and reserve your tour today.
7. Take a Ride in Ginormous Ferries Wheel
Riding in the Ginormous Ferriers Wheel is the most amusing experience, you’ll enjoy the clearest views of Vienna city. You may think this could be the newer generation’s ideas, but the Wheel was built in 1897, according to 19th century engineering styles for the sweet memory of Franz Joseph.
Ferries Wheel swing upto 64.75 meters high and this helps riders to get clear views of the city from the top level. However, the ride is even pretty easy to spot Vienna’s Skyline, making it one of the most fun-filled activities in the world.
Located within Prater Amusement Park, Ginormous Ferries Wheel has 36 cars, and each car has a capacity to accommodate up to 60 people at a time (total capacity of 2,160 visitors). The wheel weighs upto 430 tons and lines with 4 points of the compass and it helps easily turn from north to south directions.
Don’t forget to make your so curious candlelight dinner who are booked his/her 1.5 hours rental at your reserved wagon. Drink coffee and mouth-watering cuisines during your candlelight dinner along with enjoying surrounding epic views. Visit the official website for additional information and booking your upcoming Ginormous Ferries Wheel ride.
8. Enjoy Inside Beauty of Karlskirche
Karlskirche is the perfect symbol to understand how architecturally and culturally Vienna is rich. This one baroque church is well known for its stunning dome and impressive frescoes. But we recommend you to spend most of the time at Karlskirche to discover inside beauty.
When you enter into this century old church you’ll encounter a massive frescoed dome. Structured according to Baroque art features 1,250 square meters built for the memory of St. Charles Borromeo. Along with its gilded decor and opulent features like lighting, frescoes ceilings make you leave in an awe inspiring situation.
Its interior even contains beautiful luminous lighting features, which give more highlights of its inside beauty. Most floors are made by white marble and walls and some parts are decorated with red and gold color paintings. “High Altarpiece” has some interesting features which help to receive the maximum amount of sunlight in its interior. However, its large round glass also represents the theme of salvation according to ancient Christianity. When you closely observe its 47 meter tall column visitors get short glimpse of St. Charles Borromeo life story.
Besides its interior designs, the church is more attractive from outside too. Its 2 column Facade (47 meters high) and Green Copper Dome (72 meters high) both are attractive elements from outer sides. Pay € 10 for an elevator ride to the top to enjoy fantastic views of Vienna city.
9. Spend Your Time to Eat Viennese Traditional Food
If already experienced city’s traditional Viennese coffee cultures, but we also insist every backpacker try traditional foods. Most Viennese foods are known for their freshness, rich nutrient orientation, color, aroma and deep cultural significance.
There are plenty of traditional food making and influenced regional diversity and unique cooking styles. “Stir Frying” is one of the best examples for that, it is made through browning sliced sausages with sliced vegetables and sweet and salty sauce. After that it will be more spicy and smooth. This process originated from ancient Viennese cooking techniques.
Most of the traditional Viennese cooking styles are influenced by the Chinese principles, focusing on health and quality, especially foods steaming and roasting methods. Reach out to Plachutta to try Tafelspitz, a recognised dish which is made with boiled beef and served to your table with chive sauce and some vegetables.
You can also order Wiener Scnitzel at Figlmüller, which is a traditional dish made purely by the very thin layers of veal, cutlets, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs. If you’re walking nearby Cafe Sacher Wien areas don’t forget to try Sachertorte along with your evening tea or morning coffees. It is another most ordered traditional food filled with a chocolate layer from outer sides and Apricot jam and stiff egg whites inside.
10. Walk in Historic Centre of Vienna to Find Rest of the Architectures
UNESCO World Heritage site is full of the most beautiful architectural buildings, museums, cathedrals and palaces. Out of that, we already discussed Hofburg palace, Vienna State Opera House, some palaces and gardens. But we decided to cover the rest of the architectural marvel, if you have got an opportunity to stroll amidst City’s Historic Centre streets.
Let’s start from iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Located at the central point of the historic centre well known for its interesting zig zag patterned 2, 30,000 tiled roof structures. However, the cathedral even recognised the structure for its “Steffl”, a 136 meter tall structure which contains a church Pummerin bells and space to sit and get iconic views of the Vienna Skyline. Don’t forget to pay €7 to explore its south tower and catacombs.
City Hall (Rathaus) and Vienna Parliament located directly in the historic centre of Vienna. Both are often recognised for its architectures, city hall boasts neo gothic design and parliament holds classic Greek style of architecture. City Hall is primarily filled during the Christmas market and annual Film festivals. Vienna Parliament is known for its iconic hall of pillars and Pallas Athena fountain.
Do not finish your Vienna Historic Centre Tour without watching graphic art pieces at Albertina Museum. Interestingly your coffee culture is even available within this Historic Centre, thanks to Cafe Central and Cafe Sacher. Don’t miss it.
Additional Austrian Article:
Why Vorarlberg, Austria is a popular destination.
For Your References:
Best Restaurants in Vienna City, Austria.
