Vienna, Austria

[Moby Ric 2,058]

SIAP did not find anything specific on this city.  Wife and I are seriously thinking about booking a trip there next month right before Christmas.  I have never been there so I am looking for some tips.  I know they have some Christmas markets that are supposed to be awesome so I am sure that will be a part of our trip.

[Js1 85,574]

Yes, we liked the Christmas markets at Karlsplatz, Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn the most.

Just remember how early it gets dark. Like 4pm early. 

[52-80 19,246]

2 hours ago, Moby Ric said:

SIAP did not find anything specific on this city.... I have never been there so I am looking for some tips. 

You should ask for specific tips.  Cliff notes: it's a spectacularly beautiful, awesome city, but the food mostly sucks.  Totes worth a visit of minimum 4, 5 days.

[RollLeft 5,045]

Great city, absolutely enjoyed it when we went.  We walked more than we rode the metro but it to was easy to use.  Metro is on the honor system so it appeared to me that no one was paying for the metro but someone told me that that most do have a pass.  Apparently they randomly check and if they catch you without a metro pass you get fined on the spot.  So i just bit the bullet and paid for one.  I didn't seek out fine dining so i'd agree that food was nothing special, but there was plenty of good wine though.  Definitely try to hear some music while there. Read up on your history before you go.   https://www.austria.info/us/basic-facts/about-austria/history

 

Edited November 10, 2019 by RollLeft

[MAUFRAIS 6,634]

Good tasting tap water

[Js1 85,574]

2 hours ago, 52-80 said:

You should ask for specific tips.  Cliff notes: it's a spectacularly beautiful, awesome city, but the food mostly sucks.  Totes worth a visit of minimum 4, 5 days.

Food sucked. Get drunk on mulled wine instead! 

[HenryJames 66,171]

It means nothing to me.

[Underdog 28,773]

42 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Food sucked. Get drunk on mulled wine instead! 

Slow down you crazy child...

[RoundRobin 828]

Don’t order the Schnitzel, they’re using Schnauzer. 

[Brisketexan 105,336]

I was okay in Vienna. I’m not that into opulent Habsburg bullshit, but some cool history.
Actually did have an amazing meal there at Ilona Stuberl. Hungarian restaurant, it was like eating in someone’s home, and it was amazing.
And the Austrian military history museum was super cool. See this?

Archduke Ferdinand’s car, with bullet holes. They also have his bloody clothes, and some more amazing shit from WWI, and from the Battle of Vienna.

[midtown 3,348]

I enjoyed the city. Only two days. Seems like enough.

[52-80 19,246]

9 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Archduke Ferdinand’s car, with bullet holes. They also have his bloody clothes, and some more amazing shit from WWI, and from the Battle of Vienna.

That museum was figuratively in my back yard.  Its part of the arsenal barracks/military complex, thats been converted to residential apartments where we lived.  Then we later bought a house on the literal center of the napoleonic battle in vienna.

 

If you want to read ahead of time, I suggest picking up this book

https://www.amazon.com/Only-Vienna-Locations-Corners-Unusual/dp/3950366261/ref=sr_1_29?keywords=vienna+guide&qid=1573219808&sr=8-29

All other books just summarizes the major highlights found on any generic website.  This shows you all the neat details people walk right on by. Examples:

That's a 600 year old section of a tree that locals and passing smith/craftsmen/guildsmen drove nails into, for good luck.  They're called Nagelbaum. 

 

Similar theme.  This is a Wehrmann statue made out of nails, built as propaganda to raise funds for the military during the austro-hungarian empire. 

Most people walk by this stuff and have no idea of the significance. 

Downtown many of the buildings have large ornate courtyards (Hof) that are open to the public, either housing shops/restaurants, or simply just to view.  Tourists might be disinclined to enter because from the outside it looks youre passing private grounds, being behind the main facade.

 

 

 

 

[Moby Ric 2,058]

15 hours ago, 52-80 said:

You should ask for specific tips.  Cliff notes: it's a spectacularly beautiful, awesome city, but the food mostly sucks.  Totes worth a visit of minimum 4, 5 days.

Any specific part of town to stay in

Any specific way to get around town like is a train or taxi or walking is better

Any specific restaurant Rec's

Any specific Bar Rec's

Any specific shopping Rec's

Only going really to soak up the city and do some shopping for a couple days.

 

[52-80 19,246]

3 minutes ago, Moby Ric said:

Any specific part of town to stay in

City is geographically small, so almost doesnt matter where you stay.  Inner district aka innere stadt (#1) is fully walkable.  Most city hotels circle the ring road and are all well placed, although anywhere else as long as its near metro station is fine too.  Best case scenario, area surrounding Parlament is the hippest.

Any specific way to get around town like is a train or taxi or walking is better

Inner district walkable.  Public transport is walk-on walk-off with infrequent, random checks.  Uber is very effective.  Then multitude of e-scooter rentals.  The city-operated docking rental bikes are free.  Put your credit in machine for initial $1 charge.  Then subsequent uses are free within <2 hours per rental, if you return it to any docking location.  But it's cold so you'll probably walk + Uber.

Any specific restaurant Rec's

Woracziczky.  Cafe Central.  Cafe Landtmann.  Cafe Schwarzenberg.  (Cafes have full food options.)  Demel for deserts.  Beisels like Griechenbeisl are cool for atmosphere.  Theres some high end dining and such, but overall its nothing you would prioritize. 

Any specific Bar Rec's

Sofitel rooftop.  25 hour hotel rooftop.  Do&co rooftop.  Theyre extremely busy so reserve a day ahead.  Lots of open-air bars along the Danube but only appropriate for summer.  Small-to-tiny wine bars are cool if you enjoy that atmosphere.  I like Szigeti Comptoir.  (you bring in snacks and order bottles of sparkling wine...prices are super far)

Any specific shopping Rec's

Unique stuff:  porcelain from Augarten (Vienna), and Gmunder Keramik (different part of country).  Swarovski crystals if you like gay stuff.  Huge Leica store/shop/museum if you like cameras, even if just window-shopping.  Other cool things are country/hunting garments, heavy country woolen stuff ("Loden" fabric).  Local wines are great/under appreciated.  And theres always mozart/music/klimmt related stuff on the popular Kitschy side

Only going really to soak up the city and do some shopping for a couple days.

 

...

[Bone3421 716]

Havent been to Vienna in ages(20years) only thing i recall from trip is the Schonnbrunn palace being pretty sweet...no gardens during your trip though...and the butterfly house that had tons of them just flying around

[Sbbruin 21,888]

[midtown 3,348]

I stayed at the Intercontinental.  Right next to the park.  Easy walk into the heart of the city.   Lots to do and see within walking distance.  Great bar at hotel.  Ask for Franz.  He's been tending there for 20 years.   Was a bit of a drive/taxi out the the palace for that concert.   

[South Austin 52,604]

14 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Surprised it took 16 posts for this.

[Moby Ric 2,058]

Booked.  Week before Christmas, very much looking forward to this trip.

[Dbeasy 15,092]

The Christmas market there when you are going is fun.

[Moby Ric 2,058]

1 hour ago, Dbeasy said:

The Christmas market there when you are going is fun.

I hear it's 50% eating 50% drinking and 10% shopping for stuff.  So I am looking forward to it.

[Js1 85,574]

On 11/9/2019 at 6:31 PM, Moby Ric said:

I hear it's 50% eating 50% drinking and 10% shopping for stuff.  So I am looking forward to it.

Math checks out and is very correct. 

[huge 3,795]

I thought it was the most aesthetic city I visited in Europe.  Random office buildings had more design concept that all but the fanciest museums elsewhere.

[El Diablo 4,232]

3 things I know about Austria:

1)The hills are alive with the sound of music

2) They have a boy's choir they are very proud of, they sound like girls

3) They have some horses that are quite prancy for being stallions

Edited November 11, 2019 by El Diablo

[Brisketexan 105,336]

3 things I know about Austria:
1)The hills are alive with the sound of music
2) They have a boy's choir they are very proud of, they sound like girls
3) They have some horses that are quite prancy for being stallions

Also....still a bit Nazi-ish. They have some actual nazi shit in the military museum. It’s couched in words of shame, but compared to how the Germans address it...yeah...

[zlavydra 2,123]

Spent my study-abroad year there 1991-1992.  I'm sure it hasn't changed much. Actually, one of my favorite places to hang out does, in fact, still exist: http://bluebox.at/  Good place to drink while a DJ plays everything form trip hop to doom metal, or it least it was back then.  

[CHIEF 5,095]

Their sausages are outstanding on a Saltine cracker. That's all I got.

CHIEF

[El Diablo 4,232]

May the Schwarzenegger be with you.

[DixonHur 11,376]

If you have time I would take the train to Salzburg, which is only 2.5 hours away.  Beautiful old-town and a cool castle with a amazing views.

[Moby Ric 2,058]

46 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

If you have time I would take the train to Salzburg, which is only 2.5 hours away.  Beautiful old-town and a cool castle with a amazing views.

Thanks for the advice.  This is something we are thinking of doing.

[sidis 9,832]

vienna is a beautiful, beautiful city...particularly during the holidays.  it is probably the city that most directly juxtaposes old and new in lots of ways.  being in the ringstrasse makes you feel like you went back a couple of centuries while the areas around it are comprised of modernity in planning/architecture.  while your standard austrian fare is kind of meh, there are a lot of really good restaurants and the pastries that dot every street are legit.

schloss schonbrunn is defintiely worth a visit...especially during xmas.  don't get lost in the hedge maze and die shining style though.  belvedere will be great at that time as well.  christmas morning boy's choir would probably be cool. 

salzburg is definitely worth a visit.

[sidis 9,832]

a couple of restaurant recs for vienna...

konstantin filippou (https://konstantinfilippou.com/)

steirereck (https://www.steirereck.at/en/restaurant/)

restaurant amador is a michelin 3 star restaurant there but i haven't been so no rec from me.