This city was one of my absolute favorites during my travels abroad, and a complete and pleasant surprise. With only Salzburg and “The Sound of Music” originally on my mind, I was hesitant about my trip to Vienna this past October and had no idea what was in store. Little did I know that this city would have many things up my alley in addition to amazing classical music and plays—coffee shops and art museums; everywhere. I also failed to mention that Vienna’s architecture is warm and beautiful, its streets some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen, its people proud and friendly, and who can resist authentic sauerkraut or wienerschnitzel?
Things to do during your stay:
-Go to the Opera House for a performance. If you don’t want to pay full price, you can get standing tickets (in the top balcony) for very cheap, only about 5 bucks. You might think standing for an hour or two will become long and boring, but trust me, if you’re able to watch anything like Swan Lake, you’ll immediately become mesmorized.
-Wander in and out of every public church. Beautiful and orante Baroque features as well as tall and impressive classical architecture are everywhere.
-Visit the Hofburg Palace. We did the pass for 3 exhibits; the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection. All the girls and I loved the story behind Sisi and the mystery of her life.
-Visit the Albertina Museum at the Royal Palace. When I was there, it had an incredible Impressionist exhibit featuring Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, and Lautrec.
-The Leopold Museum was equally astonishing, and huge! I believe 5 floors or so. The first exhibition had Schiele and Klimt, comparing their personal lives and artistic backgrounds. The second included Munch, Ensor, Goya, Bocklin, Gauguin, Moreau, and featured themes such as the unconscious, dreams and nightmares, spirits and visions, and the uncanny.
-Take the Ring Tram tour around the city, it is what they call the “Ringstrasse”. Attractions will include city hall, the Hofburg palace, Parliament, and Burgtheater. Cheap entry and takes about an hour, there is a tour guide on the bus as well as monitors with images that show each site.
-Go to at least one coffee shop! For breakfast or an afternoon snack. I had some of the best apple streudel of my life at the Leopold Hawelka. The boss personally came out to meet my friends and I, and the atmosphere in the coffee shop was very artsy, cool, and intellectual.
-Visit the Belvedere, Prince Eugene of Savoy’s summer residence in the 18th century. Absolutely breathtaking in style and monumentality. Inside features several art exhibitions, most notably Klimt’s famous “The Kiss”.
-Going out: Our first night started and ended at The Lion Rampant Irish pub, a little outside the city but that was because we were meeting a friend who had been spending his semester in Vienna. Great selection of beers and very comfy velvet couches, perfect for a comfortable night with a group. The next evening we went to Waxy Murphy’s Irish pub—young, cool crowd and we all split bottle service. We then moved onto Irish pub number #3, Charlie P’s, for more of a late-night. Our last evening in Vienna we spent at Le Passage, a former subway station later turned club.
Can I go back?
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