Aerial view of Vienna at sunset.
- © Nok Lek Travel Lifestyle / Shutterstock
Journey to Vienna, in the footsteps of Mozart and Beethoven.
An endearing capital city on a human scale, Vienna is full of activities of all kinds. It is a favourite destination for fans of history, art and culture, who must visit the Mecca of culture in Vienna: the museum district. It is one of the 10 largest cultural complexes in the world, with 10,000 square metres of modern art and culture on the site of the former imperial stables.
Restaurant terraces, cafés and shops follow one another along a large inner courtyard lined with buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The latter also coexist with original modern buildings. Classical music lovers will also be delighted: they can easily attend a concert at the Opera House or in one of the many baroque churches in the city.
The Hofburg Palace A true city within a city, it has 18 buildings and houses the presidency of the Republic and the imperial flats.
- © Sina Ettmer Photography / ShutterstockGourmets will also enjoy the city, which offers many temptations, both sweet and savoury. Enjoying a delicious pastry with real Viennese chocolate in one of the city's many cafés is a pleasure not to be missed. The same goes for the stalls at the Naschmarkt, where you can sample the many culinary specialities in a festive atmosphere on Saturdays.
Vienna also offers many family-friendly activities. An evening at the Prater fair will delight your children, where you can enjoy a pork knuckle or a candy floss before riding the famous Prater wheel. And don't forget the new Geisterbahn ghost train!
The Prater Ferris wheel. This mythical wheel at the Prater fairground offers a 360° panoramic view of the capital.
- © uniqueton / ShutterstockMany museums have also adapted to the little ones, such as Schönbrunn Palace, with its zoo, and its "Labyrintikon". If you come to Vienna with your family in the summer, you can also take a swim in the pool boat on the banks of the Danube Canal, which runs alongside old Vienna and has been transformed into an urban beach with bars, cafés, restaurants and sunbeds. You can also simply cruise the Danube in a water taxi or kayak.
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna.
- © SCStock / ShutterstockIf you want to visit the city, we highly recommend taking a tram around the Ringstrasse! It's the best way to admire Vienna's most beautiful monuments: the Opera House, the Rathaus (Town Hall), the Parliament, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and its twin, the Natural History Museum, as well as the University and the Burgtheater.
The Hofburg Palace in particular is well worth a visit. The official residence of the Habsburgs from 1279 until the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is an exceptional architectural ensemble located in the heart of the city. It houses the former imperial flats, several museums, a chapel, a church, the National Library and the offices of the Austrian Presidency.
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Austria, and more specifically Vienna, can be reached by train with international companies (ICE, NightJet, EuroNight), or ÖBB (Austria's main railway company). For those in a hurry, flying will prove to be less time consuming.
Vienna is an imperial city, cultural and romantic to a fault, but also design, ebullient and inventive. All these characteristics can be found in its hotels. Whether you're looking for luxury, comfort or low-cost accommodation, the city offers a wide range of choices.
As Austria is part of the Schengen area, UK nationals must present a valid passport upon arrival.
The national currency of Austria is the Euro. Service is included in the price and tipping is optional.
The crime rate in Vienna is lower than in other European cities and is quite low. However, there has been an increase in pickpocketing, especially in the 1st district and on the transport system (metro, tram). As in all capitals, pickpockets can be rampant, so you should remain vigilant.
No vaccinations are required. The drinking water, supplied directly from the Alpine valleys, is one of the best in Europe!
The destination is supplied with 220V. An adapter is not necessary.
German is the official language of Austria. English and French are also widely spoken.
Get the Vienna City Card! Valid for one, two or three days, it gives unlimited use of the bus, metro and tram network and discounts at the city's museums. It costs £15 for 24 hours, £22 for 48 hours and £26 for 72 hours. The Viennese underground runs 24 hours a day at weekends and on the eve of public holidays.
The Vienna Opera for less than £8? It's possible, if you queue on the day and are prepared to watch the show standing up!
The best time to visit Vienna is from May to September. In this season, the city enjoys pleasant temperatures and a lot of sunshine, even if some showers can sometimes darken the picture. Although very cold, winter in Vienna attracts tourists, especially during the festive season when the capital is decked out in its most beautiful Christmas decorations.
There is a one hour time difference between London and Vienna.
One mistake not to make: paying a fortune for a carriage ride. The city is so much fun to explore on foot! You'll be charged £45 for the short 20 minute ride and £70 for the long 40 minute ride!
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