The Parliament Building in Budapest from the opposite side of the Danube River. Picture courtesy of ParisSharing on Flickr.

There is plenty to discover in romantic Vienna, from Baroque palaces to world-class museums and classical concerts. And if that is not enough, how about delving further into central Europe and visiting Budapest from Vienna?

East of Vienna over the border with Hungary, Budapest is bisected by the banks of the Danube River; historically three separate cities united by the magnificent Chain Bridge. It’s a city of castles, opera houses and great Baroque public buildings lining the river, equally famous for its thermal springs and bath houses as it is for its streets of Art Nouveau mansion houses.

Summer is the perfect time to visit Budapest as it becomes party central to middle Europe, with crowds of cool youngsters gathering in the city bars to make music and merry; while June through September sees the Budapest Summer Festival, with performances of opera, jazz, folk and classical concerts.

A day trip to Budapest from Vienna encompasses a coach journey through western Hungary’s rolling countryside, a fully guided tour of Hero’s Square and the fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park on the Pest side (east) of the Danube, plus the Budapest National Opera House and the Baroque Hungarian Parliament buildings that dominate the riverside. After a traditional Hungarian lunch of goulash and Tokay wine, explore the western side of the Danube on foot, with the chance to see the impressive monuments of Gellért Hill, Buda Castle and the viewing terrace of Fisherman’s Bastion, with its peerless views over the city. With your free time, book a Danube cruise or guided tour of the Opera House.

Vienna is 135 miles (216 km) from Budapest and departures for the day trip leave at 7.15am from your hotel – remember to take your passport with you.

– Sasha Heseltine

Visiting Budapest from Vienna from Vienna Things To Do

The vineyards of the Wachau Valley near Vienna. Picture courtesy of Jay8085 on Flickr.

There is so much to see in romantic Vienna, from Baroque palaces to world-class museums and classical concerts. And if that is not enough, any of the suggestions below make a diverting day trip from the city of Strauss and white horses.

Wachau Valley Wine Tasting

Take day trips from Vienna on the Danube River to learn about Austrian wines in the Wachau Valley, and enjoy lunch at a typical Austrian heurige (inn) before exploring the medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dürnstein, where English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way back from the Crusades in 1192.

Salzburg

Explore the birthplace of Mozart, a beautiful city mad on music with splendid castles, great museums, and the Baroque Schloss Mirabell with its extraordinary gardens full of trick fountains. The journey is half the fun here as the road winds past lakes Fuschl and Wolfgang and the snowy peaks of the Alps, providing panoramic mountain views.

Prague

Take advantage of Vienna’s position at the very heart of central Europe and take a day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic for centuries of history. Dominated by its castle, the city spreads out below on both sides of the Vltava River in a charming mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture. The Old Town is the heart of the city, buzzing with life and dominated by its cobbled market square; from here it’s just a short walk to Wenceslas Square, where history was made in 1989 when the violence-free Velvet Revolution brought the end of Communism in Czechoslovakia.

Bratislava Castle in Slovakia. Picture courtesy of Morrissey on Flickr.

Bratislava

Just 40 miles (64 km) east of Vienna across the border into Slovakia lies compact Bratislava with its enchanting Old Town, medieval fortifications, castle, and tumultuous history. This city has been by turn Celt, Roman, German, Hungarian, and most recently Czech, before finding independence in 1993. There are 18th-century Rococo palaces to explore, an informative Museum of Jewish Culture, the Slovak National Theatre, and St Martin’s Cathedral, where Hungarian emperors were once crowned. Make the return journey to Vienna aboard a high-speed catamaran up the Danube River through the Donau-Auen National Park.

Budapest

East of Vienna over the border with Hungary, Budapest sprawls over the bank of the Danube River; historically two separate cities united by the magnificent Chain Bridge. It’s a city of castles, opera houses, great Baroque public buildings lining the river, equally famous for its thermal springs and atmospheric bath houses as it is for its streets of Art Nouveau mansion houses. In summer Budapest becomes party central in central Europe when crowds of cool youngsters gather on Margaret Island and in the city parks and bars to make music and merry.

– Sasha Heseltine

The Best Day Trips from Vienna from Vienna Things To Do

The Beautiful Schonbrunn Palace

Easily the most popular attraction in Vienna, the Schönnbrun Palace has earned its reputation. The former imperial palace, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, has over 1,400 rooms, and served as the summer residence in Vienna to multiple Habsburg monarchs. Visitors to Vienna should take care to dedicate a day to seeing Schloss Schönnbrun and its adjoining gardens.

Designed in 1695, the French-style garden complex is more than just an impressive display of flora. In addition to a maze, the gardens boast an orangerie, a palm house, a botanical garden, an English garden, a Roman ruin, beautiful fountains, and a considerable collection of sculptures. Designed to represent deities and the virtues, impressive sculptures line the gardens. The Roman ruin, originally known as the Ruin of Carthage, was designed in 1778. Rather than simply a structure, the ruin was designed to be an integral part of the garden, as was the Obelisk Fountain that was constructed at the same time.

Another point of interest is the so-called Gloriette, built in 1775 to glorify the power of the Habsburg line. The highest point in the garden, the Gloriette houses a lovely café, and is the perfect place to take in views of Vienna.

Fans of classical music will delight in the opportunity to take in the many concerts offered at the beautiful palace. Typical listings include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his contemporaries, and performances often take place in the confines of the orangerie, the Schlosstheater, or one of the various halls within the palace.

-John Reality

Schönnbrun Palace from Vienna Things To Do

Tram in Vienna. Picture courtesy of Ivan C on Flickr.

Getting to Vienna from the Airport

The City Airport Train (CAT) and the Express Train 7S run between the airport and Vienna Mitte/Landstrasse between 4.50am and 12.15am. The CAT is faster, with a journey time is 16 minutes and return fares are €16. Return tickets on the Express Train 7S are €4 and travel time is 26 minutes. A variety of bus services run between main bus stations and the airport, as do taxis. Private Vienna airport transfers are also available.

Metro around Vienna

There are five U-Bahn metro lines in Vienna and 90 stations. Line U4 (green) has a station for sightseeing or concerts at the Schonbrunn Palace and Line U2 (purple) for the Museum Quarter. Metro trains run from 4.45am until 12.30am, and 24 hours at weekends.

Vienna by Tram

Getting around Vienna by tram is convenient for visitors as the city has a network of 28 tram routes and the system runs daily from 4.30am until 12.30am. Best for visitors is the Ring Tram, which trundles around the Ringstrasse every 30 minutes between 10am and 6pm.

Stadtpark metroo station in Vienna. Picture courtesy of Charlie Dave on Flickr.

Bus Services in Vienna

90 bus routes cover Vienna from 4.30am until 12.30am, when night-buses take over and run until 5am on major routes. Bus lines 1A and 3A are useful for visitors as they travel within the Ringstrasse for easy access to major sights.

Public Transport Tickets

Get around Vienna with a Vienna Card (€19.90), which includes 72 hours of free travel on all public transport as well as discounted entry into many museums. Other useful tickets include the 24-hour network card at a cost of €6.70, and the good-value weekly ticket, which runs from Monday to Monday and costs €15. Single tickets can be bought on all buses and trams at €2.20 per journey – exact change only. Travel tickets are available at metro stations, Vienna Lines outlets, most hotels, and tobacconists. Validate pre-bought tickets before boarding.

Vienna Taxis

Official Vienna taxis are yellow and metered; pick them up at ranks throughout the city. There’s an initial €2.50 charge and plus  €1.27 per kilometer. Eco-friendly cabs, with hybrid or gas-powered engines, are available by calling 40100 from mobiles and rickshaw taxis are found at major sights around the city.

All prices correct as of May 2013.

–    Sasha Heseltine

Getting Around Vienna from Vienna Things To Do

The Easter Market at the Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna. Picture courtesy of Su_May on Flickr.

Lying at the very heart of Europe, Austria’s elegant capital city of Vienna offers frothy Baroque architecture, fabulous art galleries and museums, opera performances, a river to explore, and plenty of historic castles and parks. Much of March is given over to a frenzy of Easter markets that appear annually throughout the city. The stalls feature traditional Easter baubles, hand-painted eggs, chocolate treats, and entertainment for kids. Here are the best.

1. Schönbrunn Palace Easter Market
Add 60 intriguing stalls to the splendid backdrop of the Baroque Schönbrunn for Vienna’s favourite Easter market. Running from March 16 to April 1, attractions include jewellery and glassware from all over Austria as enticing hordes of chocolate eggs, appearances by the Easter bunny, and Easter egg hunts. For adults there are daily jazz performances.

2. Kalvarienberg Market
Here there is plenty to keep kids entranced from pony rides to a mini train and carousel, plus lots of little wooden chalets from which kiddies’ clothes, hot dogs, all manner of chocolate, and hand-painted eggs can be bought. It’s the longest-running of the markets, kicking off February 13 until April 1.

3. Freyung Old Vienna Easter Market
Sprawled over a beautiful cobbled square for two weeks between March 15 to April, offering vary from giant painted Easter eggs to candles and palm fronds as well as life-size painted wooden animals and stuffed toys. There’s even a little stage for puppet performances, dancers in national costume, and jazz recitals.

4. Am Hof Arts and Crafts Market
With a sophisticated array of crafts, ranging from elaborate glassware to hand-dyed textiles and delicate jewellery, the market on Ostermarkt, one of Vienna’s oldest squares, attracts visitors seeking unusual gifts and runs from March 15 to April 1.

– Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Vienna, Vienna attractions, and Vienna travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Vienna for a customized tour!

Vienna at Easter from Vienna Things To Do

The ice-skating rink outside Vienna’s City Hall. Picture courtesy of Boris Tylevich on Flickr.

The skating area includes more than 61,600 sq feet (5,600 sq meters) of synthetic ice in two circular rinks and connected by ice trails that wend their way for around half a mile (0.8 km) through the adjoining Rathaus Park. By night the City Hall is dramatically floodlit and the ice rinks prettily illuminated, and the whole square is dotted with tented stalls selling glühwein and hot chocolate, plus Viennese favorites, Käsespätzle (a take on macaroni cheese) and Gröstl (pork and onion hash topped with fried egg).

Skating on the Rathausplatz is free for children and beginners between 9am-4pm from Monday through Friday, and there are lockers on site for storing valuables; skates and helmets for kids can be hired. Various events take place throughout the season, which runs in 2013 from January 25 to March 10, including ice discos to the sounds of 1980s music or serene ice dances to waltzes, plus skating displays by professionals. After 5pm each evening, curling matches take place on the rink reserved for kids and novices (book ahead to secure a lane). Non-skaters can keep warm in the Panorama Tent, which offers views over the ice rinks.

– Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Vienna, Vienna attractions, and Vienna travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Vienna for a customized tour!

Ice Skating at Vienna City Hall from Vienna Things To Do

Lying at the very heart of Europe, Austria’s elegant capital city of Vienna is the perfect destination for romance, with its frothy Baroque architecture, glamorous balls, peerless opera performances, a strikingly beautiful river, and historic parks.

1. Night at the Opera
Every night Vienna comes alive to the sound of classical music; Mozart and Strauss concerts, recitals, and opera performances take place at the fabled State Opera, the Musikverein, the Palais Palffy, the Peterskirche, and the Konzerthaus. To really impress your partner, buy a dinner and opera package to up the ‘wow’ factor.

The Ferris Wheel in Prater Amusement Park, Vienna. Picture courtesy of Ethan Prater on Flickr.

2. See Vienna from Above
Take a night-time turn in a luxury pod on the Riesenrad Ferris Wheel in Prater amusement park to see the twinkly light of Vienna laid out beneath as you dine. It’s the perfect proposal scenario.

3. Down the Danube
Strauss elevated the romance of the Danube by composing a waltz to its beauty; experience it for yourselves with a boat trip out of Vienna to see abbeys, chapels, and hunting lodges floating past as you slip downstream through the Vienna Woods to the magical underground lake at Seegrotte near Hinterbrühl.

The Mozart statue in the Burggarten, Vienna. Picture courtesy of andynash on Flickr.

4. A Waltzing We Will Go
What could be more romantic than attending a ball in the home city of the waltz? A season of over 200 glamorous balls runs through Vienna in winter; expensive at up to €100 per ticket but certain to impress. Social highlights include the Opera Ball at the State Opera House (February 7); and the Rudolfina Masked Ball at the Imperial Palace (February 11), and the Life Ball at the Hofburg Palace (March 25).

5. Café Culture
The streets and squares inside Vienna’s Biedermeier-style Ringstrasse are crammed with charming cafés, perfect for warming up over steaming coffee and gazing into each other’s eyes as you tuck into a piece of sticky gateau; treat yourself to sachertorte at glammy Café Sacher.

All Vienna’s best cafés sell wonderful cakes. Picture courtesy of goodiesfirst on Flickr.

6. A Walk in the Park
Vienna’s gorgeous parks are perfect for a little romance; have your picture taken under the statue of Johann Strauss in the Stradtpark or Mozart in the Burggarten, once the private domain of Emperor Franz Josef I. In early spring visit the Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark to witness the serried displays of azaleas and rhododendrons, or find a quiet corner in the Tirolean gardens at Schonbrunn Palace to propose to your sweetheart.

 - Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in Vienna, Vienna attractions, and Vienna travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Vienna for a customized tour!

Romantic Vienna from Vienna Things To Do

The Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria. Image courtesy of Francisco Antunes on Flickr.

1. Music and Dance
Happily for the birthplace of waltz, classical and operatic concerts take place throughout Vienna during the winter months at the fabled State Opera, the Musikverein, and the Konzerthaus. Ballet performances at the State Opera for 2013 include A Midsummer Night’s Dream by George Balanchine.

2. Skiing
There are six ski areas within two hours of Vienna, the closest of which is Stuhleck-Semmering, an hour away south-west in Styria. This chalet-strewn resort is the highest in the eastern Alps at 5,850 feet (1,783 meters) and has decent powder and a mix of blue and red runs, ideal for intermediate skiers.

3. Castles and Museums
Take advantage of the quieter winter months in Vienna to enjoy the romantic castles of Schönbrunn, Belvedere, and Hofburg without the crowds. Even Viennese museums, from the fabulous collections in the Art History Museum to the old radiators in the Brennpunkt, are quiet, accessible, and enjoyable.

Lipizzaners at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Photo courtesy of J.harwood on Flickr.

4. Spanish Riding School
The 2013 winter evening performances of balletic dressage in the grand Baroque manège are scheduled for every weekend from February to April. A cheaper option, to see the grey Lipizzaner stallions being schooled in the morning, runs daily throughout the winter.

A statue of Strauss. Vienna is the home of the waltz.

5. Ballroom Blitz
The Viennese adore to waltz and a season of over 200 glamorous balls runs through Vienna’s winter months; expensive at up to €100 per ticket but worth the experience for the bling factor. Social highlights include the Hunters Ball at the Hofburg Imperial Palace (January 28); the Opera Ball at the State Opera (February 7); and the Rudolfina Masked Ball at the Imperial Palace (February 11).

6. Café Culture
The streets and squares inside Vienna’s Biedermeier-style Ringstrasse are crammed with charming cafés, perfect for warming up over steaming coffee; glamorous Café Central has vaulted ceilings and great cake, Café Prückel is as renowned for its early-evening card games as its coffee, and Café Hawelka is gloriously old fashioned.

Contributed by Sasha Heseltine

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Visiting Vienna in Winter from Vienna Things To Do

New Year’s Eve in Vienna. Photo courtesy of Cha già José

Vienna dresses up and becomes party central over New Year; its elegant Biedermeier buildings spring into life with a series of concerts and gala dinners, firework displays and street parties. Public transport operates all night, but stores close at around 4pm and reopen only on January 2nd.

1) Spanish Riding School

New Year’s Eve sees a special performance at 11am by the snowy white Lipizzaner horses at Vienna’s famous Spanish Riding School. Book well ahead to be sure of tickets.

2) New Year’s Eve Trail

New Year’s Eve sees central Vienna transform into the Silvesterpfad street party around Stephansplatz, Heldenplatz and Prater amusement park with open-air rock and pop concerts, operettas, waltzing lessons and classical and folk performances in the streets. Dozens of stalls selling gastronomic treats pop up around the celebrations and at midnight, the New Year is rung in by Austria’s largest bell, the Pummerin, at St Stephen’s Cathedral.

3)  Gala Night

Dress is strictly black tie for the social occasions of the night; waltz to the strains of the ‘Blue Danube’, enjoy solo performances and feast on multi-course dinners at the lavish New Year’s Eve Gala in the City Hall, or at Vienna’s first Grand Bal, held under dripping chandeliers in the Imperial State Rooms of the Hofburg Palace.

4) Classical Concerts

Vienna resounds to the sound of music on New Year’s Eve. Vienna State Opera performs its annual concert of Die Fledermaus by Johan Strauss, while Mozart concerts are played at the Schönbrunn and Auersperg palaces, the Peterskirche and the Imperial Hall.

5) Fireworks

The New Year is welcomed in with firework displays throughout Vienna. The biggest are found at Prater and in Heldenplatz. Get to Prater early for a ride on the giant Ferris wheel before the fireworks, or watch the displays from Leopoldsberg or Kahlenberg.

6) Recovery Tips

Smooth away any headaches on New Year’s Day in Vienna with a restorative brunch and the world-renowned live concert from the Vienna Philharmonic played on a big screen outside the City Hall.

- Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Vienna tours and things to do, Vienna attractions, and Vienna travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Vienna for a customized tour!

New Year’s Eve in Vienna from Vienna Things To Do

Christmas Market in Vienna. Photo courtesy of charley1965 via Flickr.

Romantic Vienna has plenty of appeal at any time of year with its Biedermeier architecture, famous choir and exceptional galleries, but it really lights up over the festive season with enticing Christmas markets in its most photogenic corners. With around 20 to choose from, the scent of glühwein and fresh baking hangs over the city between mid-November and Christmas. Here are some of the most appealing.

1) Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz

Among the lavish decorations and strings of light in Vienna’s massive main square, over 150 stalls sell hand-blown Christmas decorations and wooden toys in one of Vienna’s largest – and classiest – markets. Food vendors offer roast chestnuts, spicy punch, smoked sausages and elegant patisserie. By night celebrities read the Christmas story and there are carols and concerts around the Christmas fire. The neighboring Rathauspark offers rides on the Christkindl Express. To get there, take trams 1 or D.

2) Schloss Schoenbrunn

Quirky handmade presents and plenty of spicy punch, Christmas games and workshops for kids, concerts and brass bands are all in the courtyard of a glorious Habsburg palace. Take the metro U4 to Schönbrunn.

3) Altwiener Christkindlmarkt, Freyung

A traditional Christmas market dating back to 1772, the emphasis here is on quality. Beeswax candles, slabs of soap and handmade nativity scenes can be bought to a backdrop of carols and classical music in one of Vienna’s prettiest squares. Take the metro U2 to Schottentor.

4) Wintermarkt, Riesenradplatz

Squatting below the giant Ferris wheel in Prater Amusement Park, this Christmas market has a fun fair thrown in. It’s small and cozy, with a scattering of brightly painted stalls offering Christmas decorations, candles and shots of schnapps to ward off the chill. Take the metro U1 to Praterstern.

Other great Viennese Christmas markets are found at Spittelberg, Maria Theresien-Platz on the Ringstrasse, Am Hof and Mahlerstrasse.

- Sasha Heseltine

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Vienna tours and things to do, Vienna attractions, and Vienna travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Vienna for a customized tour!

Vienna Christmas Markets from Vienna Things To Do