Top things to do & see in Vienna

Opera

Vienna, also spelled Wien, is Austria’s “City of Music.” A dizzying array of classical music concerts showcases mostly Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Three opera venues include the world-famous Vienna State Opera House, which premiered in 1869 to Mozart’s famed "Don Giovanni." Their directors included luminaries like Mahler, Strauss, von Karajan and Maazel. Viennese orchestras are nearly as numerous as concert venues. With Vienna’s Mozart, Imperial, Walzer (Waltz), Residence, Salonorchester "Alt Wien” and Hofburg Orchestras, visitors can book classical concerts almost any day at any price.

Those in the know suggest checking whether your venue is air conditioned. Economical “standing room” tickets (roughly $3) become available before most concerts. If you tire of standing, it’s acceptable to leave before the end. Johann Strauss, “the king of waltz” symbolizes Viennese music, a gentle dance in waltz’s ¾ time. Strauss is always featured in the worldwide broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year's concert. Performed at the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein, renowned vocalists and ballet dancers add pageantry to the performance.

Daxis / Creative Commons BY-NDThe world-famous Vienna State Opera House.

Schönbrunn

Schönbrunn, the former summer residence of the imperial family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here the better part of the year in numerous rooms for the large imperial family in addition to representational rooms. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings.

Christmas markets

Open from November 15 or 20 to December 23 or 24, most Viennese Christmas Markets ("Christkindlmarkt", "Adventmarkt" or simply "Weihnachtsmarkt") are not so much for shopping as for eating and drinking. From midday until the late hours of the night, people gather at Christmas markets to drink mulled wine, punch and chat to one another and the occasional stranger. Entry to all of these markets is free.

Volker Preusser / Courtesy of Austrian National Tourist Office Vienna during Christmas.

• Christkindlmarkt: More of a fairground than a Christmas market, this is Vienna's largest and busiest incarnation. Located on the large town square between Rathaus and Burgtheater, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt is by far the largest and probably best known Christmas market in Vienna. There's a large Christmas tree in front of the townhall, skating and adorned trees in the park, but be prepared for it to be very crowded.  
• Spittelberg: Probably the most delightful, though often quite packed Christmas market in Vienna, the Spittelberg market is scattered over a series of lanes lined with picturesque early 19th century Biedermeier houses (many of them former brothels, which is the reason the area was spared early 20th century urban renewal). Some of the stalls are extensions of the shops and bars of this normally rather sleepy area. 
• Maria-Theresien-Platz: A relatively new market between the two museums and en route to/from the MuseumsQuartier (MQ), this market is easier to maneuver than some and the quality of the goods is better than most. 
• Schönbrunn: One of the better markets with higher quality goods and a more festive atmosphere in front of Schönbrunn palace. It is easier to spread out here and the specialties are food, handmade soaps and candles. 
• Belvedere: Another recent addition to the city's Christmas markets, the market in front of the Belvedere palace is spacious and emphasizes the homespun.

Cuisine

Austrian food is distinctive and delicious, and you can easily avoid hearty "meat and dumplings" offerings like wiener schnitzel (a bread-crumbed and fried veal escalope) or Knödel, a kind of dumpling. Make sure you try an Apfelstrudel for dessert.

The New York Times points to several good restaurant choices:

•  Tucked around the corner from the chevron-roofed St. Stephen’s Cathedral are two restaurants equally beloved by the local suit-and-tie set. Lugeck serves Austrian classics like Schnitzel (€20.80) and glazed veal liver (€13.90) in a convivial space of enamel tiles, beech dividers and chandeliers made of beer steins. More chic yet is Labstelle, where ingredients that are responsibly sourced around Austria make their way onto the always-changing menu of dishes like smoked duck with quince mustard (€27.90).
• For non-touristy dining options on and near Margaretenstrasse, try Randale, which presents a robust lineup of D.J.s along with interesting pizzas like Viennese Blood (€12.90). Just as lively is the bar/restaurant Zweitbester that pairs dishes like wild boar goulash (€14.90) with art exhibitions. Popular among students is Vollpension, a self-proclaimed “intergenerational cafe” of mismatched furniture and simple fare like wurst salad (€6.20). For homey comfort, head to the neighborhood stalwart Silberwirt for its thick pumpkin oil soup (€4.60) and free-range beef (€16.80).
• For breakfast, try the Third Man Breakfast at Cafe Mozart, around since 1794. For lunch, Cafe Frauenhuber was a favorite of Mozart himself. Try the kaisershmarm (a sweet shredded pancake) or the zwetschkenroster (a plum fruit compote). For dinner, Griechenbeisl has been serving meat lovers since 1447; try their famous pork tenderloin.

Need an afternoon rest stop? Travel writer Rick Steves recommends Cafe Hawelka (Dorotheergasse 6, 1010 Wien) for its melange (as they call cappuccino) and Cafe Sperl (Gumpendorfer Str. 11, 1060 Wien) as a cultural oasis that still boasts its original furnishings from 1880.

Popp Hackner / Courtesy of Austrian National Tourist Office Posing in front of the Gloriette at Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans more than three centuries.

Best time to go

Vienna has a humid continental climate. The city has warm summers while winters are relatively cold with average temperatures at about freezing point, and snowfall occurring mainly from December through March. Spring and autumn are cool to mild. Precipitation is generally moderate throughout the year.

Fun facts

• In 2001, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Vienna's Christmas Markets truly are an age-old tradition. The forerunners of the present-day events date back to the Middle Ages when in 1298 Albrecht I granted Vienna's citizens the privilege of holding a December Market or "Krippenmarkt."  

When you arrive

Docking information

Vienna is situated along the Danube River. Your river cruise ship will dock near the city center at the Reichsbrucke, with easy access to the city center via the U-Bahn 1 Line.

Getting around

Vienna has an extensive transportation network. Public transport is provided by buses, trams and five subway lines (U-Bahn). Trains are operated by the ÖBB. Vienna has multiple road connections, including motorways. 

The Vienna Card 210 costs 18.50 euro and offers discounts and unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram for 72 hours.

Need to know

Passport: All U.S. and Canadian citizens will need a valid passport.

Currency: The euro

Language: German is the official language of Austria; however, English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

Tipping: Although it is customary to leave a tip at restaurants and with taxis, it is usually less than 10%.

Safety: Austria is a very safe country; however, like all major destinations, avoid flashing cash and stay in well-lit areas at night.

Your take

How about you? Have you been to Vienna? Have any tips for visitors? We'd love to hear about your experience.