Vienna Top 10: Things to See, Do and Eat

Austria, strangely, is one of the few countries in Europe I’ve never visited.

Well…that was until earlier this month when I travelled with a couple of friends to Vienna for four days of Christmas markets and schnitzels.

And now I’m kicking myself for not having been before. It’s a stunning city, especially in December when festive decorations are everywhere.

So if you haven’t been, add Vienna to your bucket list. And if you have, and you fell in love enough to return, like I did, here’s my Vienna top 10. Or, in other words, the 10 things you need to see, do and eat while you’re there.

(But mostly eat. Because let’s face it: food is the best part of travel.)

State Hall, Austrian National Library

This is, without question, one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve seen in the world.

Located in the oldest Baroque library in Europe – which looks like it’s straight from Beauty and the Beast – the ceremonial room is filled, floor to ceiling, with books. Not only that, but the ceiling, 20 metres up, is painted with an elaborate and colourful fresco.

Entry is €7, but it’s worth every cent. Oh, and look out for the hidden doorways behind the books…it’s like a fairytale!

Austrian National Library: Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Wien

Eat Sacher-Torte at Hotel Sacher

Eating Sacher-Torte is a must-do while you’re in Austria. After all, it’s been – allegedly – the world’s most famous cake for over 180 years.

And Hotel Sacher is where the original recipe is kept a tasty secret.

Sit in the sumptuous red and white dining room, the epitome of Viennese coffeehouse culture, and start your day right: by indulging in a slice of chocolate and apricot jam torte.

Café Sacher Vienna: Philharmonikerstrasse 4, A-1010 Vienna

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

You can’t really miss this sight – it’s in the centre of Vienna, and the tower is the highest point in the city.

Pop inside to enjoy the ornate Gothic structure, or if you’re feeling fit, climb the 343 steps to the top for a great view over Vienna. Be warned though, the spiral staircase is not for the faint-hearted, or the claustrophobic!

Entry to the top is €3.50.

Eat schnitzel at Figlmüller

You have not tried schnitzel until you’ve eaten a Figlmüller schnitzel.

We loved this place so much we came back a second time to devour schnitzels bigger than our heads – the average Figlmüller schnitzel is apparently 30cm.

It’s a popular spot, so it can be tricky to get a last-minute reservation. If you can, book ahead of time. If not, turn up at midday and join the queue for the best lunch in Vienna.

The service is friendly, the local wine delicious (and cheap!) and even the side dishes are memorable.

Here’s a tip for you though – if you have any hope of getting through your mammoth main course, don’t have a potato side dish! I recommend the tomato salad. The freshness is exactly what you’ll crave.

Figlmüller: Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Wien

Schönbrunn Palace

This enormous Baroque palace was once an imperial hunting lodge. It evolved into a summer residence, and these days it’s a fascinating tourist attraction on the outskirts of Vienna.

Notable residents of the palace include the long-reigning Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Empress Sisi, and even Marie Antoinette.

You can stroll around the vast gardens for free, but you’ll only appreciate the grandness of the palace by getting a ticket to peek inside – I recommend the self-guided Grand Tour for €16.40.

Book your tickets in advance if you can – if you get them on the day you’ll be given a random entry time that could be hours later than you’d like. It’s also worth noting that photos aren’t allowed anywhere inside. Don’t let that put you off, though. Some of the rooms are absolutely breathtaking, and you won’t need photos to remember them forever!

Schönbrunn Palace: Schönbrunner Schlossstraße, 1130 Wien

Eat strudel at Café Hawelka

Café Hawelka isn’t exactly known for its strudel. You come here for the atmosphere; the history.

The strudel is just a bonus.

This traditional Viennese coffeehouse looks as though it’s remained unchanged since 1945 when it opened its doors. Once upon a time it was a hub where artists, actors, writers and spies would meet.

And you can still imagine it. You can practically smell their cigarette smoke in the wallpaper, hear snatches of their conversations echoing in the dark, cosy corners of the cafe.

The tiny space gets busy, so you may have to share your table with strangers. There’s only one waiter – a man with a leather wallet who needs no notepad to remember every order in the dining room. But it’s the sort of place you won’t want to rush, anyway.

Sit with a coffee and a strudel, and soak up generations of Viennese history and culture.

Café Hawelka: Dorotheergasse 6, 1010 Wien, Austria

Sip champagne at Das Loft

There’s only one place to watch the sun going down over Vienna, and that’s Das Loft, perched on the 18th floor of the Sofitel, boasting panoramic views across the city.

Drinks are pricey and trainers aren’t allowed, so dress accordingly (and ask for tap water or risk paying €7.80 a bottle). Despite the slight air of pretension, it’s the perfect place for a sundowner before heading back out into the city for a slightly more down-to-earth dinner.

Das Loft: Praterstrasse 1

Christmas Markets

This really is only relevant if you’re visiting Vienna in December. Which, incidentally, I highly recommend you do, because the Christmas markets are worth the trip alone.

There are almost a dozen of them dotted around the city, in squares and outside palaces. Some are massive and crowded, others tiny and quaint, but they’re all exactly what you hope for in a European Christmas market.

You’ll find handmade decorations, traditional food, mulled wine, carols and plenty of Christmas cheer to go around!

Eat wurst

“Wurst is the best!”

I was so proud of that joke, I think I made it about a dozen times. But no matter how much you want to roll your eyes, it’s true. Wurst is the best.

Grab some from a street vendor, slather it in mustard and you have yourself a cheap, hot, and damn tasty meal that’ll have you spouting puns, too.

Stroll around Vienna

And finally, like any city in Europe, one of the best things you can do is just stroll around.

Being in Vienna at Christmas time was magical because of all of the lights that were draped across the main pedestrian streets. But even without them there was plenty to see.

The architecture is stunning, there’s nothing more atmospheric than watching horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping around the streets…and you never know what you might discover if you let yourself get a little lost in Vienna!

Have you been to Vienna? What else would you add to this list?