Vienna
Austria
Backpacking Vienna
Information on Vienna, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Vienna is the capital and largest city in the gorgeous country of Austria. It is one of the classiest cities in Europe and home to the countries arts, culture, business and political scene. The city is full of stunning imperial architecture while the historic center is filled with monuments from Austria’s imperial past, which are now listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In Vienna you will experience a unique mix of dining, music & arts, and architecture. Known as the City of Music, Vienna is famous for being home to some of the greatest composers like Beethoven and Mozart. The city is also world-renowned for local and international dishes. We recommend indulging in classic Austrian cuisine like Wiener schnitzel (invented in Vienna), Tafelspitz (boiled veal), and apfelstrudel (apple strudel), try as many local specialties as possible and enjoy them with a glass of fine Austrian wine. You will enjoy visiting palaces, cultural museums with classy exhibitions and historic venues for a night of classical music. The best time to visit is from April-December. In Spring or Fall there are less crowds. In December Vienna is great because of the amazing Christmas markets. The summer months are home to numerous festivals and the city looks wonderful in the sun.
Must See
Hofburg Palace - Originally built as a castle in the 13th century, the Imperial Hofburg Palace was the seat of the Habsburg monarchy for centuries until the end of WWI. Today, it serves as the seat of the Austrian President. The Hofburg is one of the largest palace complexes in the world and is often referred to as a city within a city. The palace covers 59 acres and is made up of 18 groups of buildings and 19 courtyards.
Museumsquartier - Once the imperial stables, the Museumsquartier is now home to three different museums: the Leopold Museum for Art Noveau and Experessionism; Kunsthalle Wien, an exhibition center with rotating exhibitions; and the Museum of Modern Art, which has the largest collection of modern art in central Europe.
Naschmarkt - The Naschmarkt is the largest and most popular outdoor market in Vienna. The market offers some of the best cheap food in Vienna, ranging from sushi to kebabs to Viennese classics. When you’ve finished shopping, drop by a local beer garden or restaurant for a drink.
Belvedere Palace - one of the world's most elegant Baroque palaces. where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Vienna.
Day Trip Activities
Durnstein Castle - Durnstein Castle was built in the 12th century and demolished in the 17th century by the Swedes. Today, all that's left of the castle are ancient ruins. After hiking up to the top, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view. The best way to reach the ruins is the Wachau World Heritage Trail, a famous hiking trail with 14 different legs.
Grinzing Wine Village - An old Viennese wine town, Grinzing Wine Village is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts. Grinzing dates back to the 1100s and is one of the best wine towns in Austria. The quaint village is dotted with small wine taverns located close to the vineyards. Grinzing produces several types of fine Austrian wine, and each year hosts a lively wine tasting competition.
Nightlife
Small but mighty, Vienna’s nightlife punches above its weight, featuring clubs that take music seriously and keep the tracks spinning until morning. Vienna’s party scene is not all as glamorous or high-end as the opera house. Vienna’s clubs tend to be unpretentious, with relaxed door policies and low entry fees. Techno and house are popular, although other music styles can be found. Drinking alcohol outside is also legal in Vienna. Good news - The metro runs through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning you can easily venue-hop if you want to change it up
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