Austria: 16 favorites for discovering Vienna

Vienna caught our eye in just a few days, and it's not (just) because it's elegant and beautiful!

What charmed us most in the capital of Austria was the mix between its imperial past, its classical culture and its relaxed urban lifestyle. The city is full of grandiose palaces reminiscent of the Habsburg reign, but also green spaces, terraces, Art museums and trendy addresses.

We quickly understood why it finds itself, year after year, at the top of the charts of the most pleasant cities to live in in the world.

From classic experiences to contemporary finds, here are some of the best things to do on your first trip to Vienna, whatever the season.

What to do

1. Explore – then exit! – the 1^is arrondissement.

No trip to Vienna is complete without discovering its 1^is district, the Innere Stadt. It is the heart of the city. It's here that you'll see the gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, the Opera, the chic Ringstrasse boulevard… Some travelers limit themselves to this magnificent historic area, but if you have time, get out there! Vienna has 23 districts, the most central of which are really easy to get to and full of interesting things (read on!).

• Good to know: Founded by a brother and a sister, Rebel Tours offers gourmet, historical, artistic guided tours – and even running tours – to explore the neighborhoods in a different way. A crush.

2. Admire in real life The Kiss or Life and death you paint Klimt.

Gustav Klimt, master of Art Nouveau who lived from 1862 to 1918, is everywhere in Vienna's museums. Covered with gold leaf, his best-known work, The Kissis located at the Belvedere Palace. Another of his emblematic paintings, Life and Deathis exhibited at the Leopold Museum, an institution not to be missed for delving into modern Austrian art.

• Good to know: Vienna has more than 100 museums; we also recommend the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Museum of Art History) and the Wien Museum which concerns the city itself (free).

3. Spend your Saturday morning at the Naschmarkt market.

City dwellers sipping Aperol Spritz and coffee in the autumn sun. Around a hundred stalls selling local and international delicacies. Restaurants, wine bars, sausage stands. The atmosphere of Vienna's largest market charmed us. Located in 6^e district, the Naschmarkt is at its best on Saturdays as it also hosts a flea fair. It's 1.5 km long!

4. Shop local near Mariahilfer Strasse

The 6th and 7th districts are among the most sought-after neighborhoods in Vienna. The street between them, Mariahilfer Strasse, is lined with international stores while the surrounding alleys hide a host of local boutiques. Discover the clothes of young designers at Angelegt; choose a t-shirt or decorative item from Kitsch Bitch Sight Store; or discover the handmade shoes of Rosa Mosa, in the former workshop of a hatter.

• Good to know: Shop with Lucy can take you on a guided shopping tour.

5. Thinking of yourself as Sissi

Many travelers associate Austria with the Habsburg family, which ruled for over 600 years, and its most famous empress: Elisabeth (1837-1898). To follow in the footsteps of Sissi and Franz, her husband, you will have the choice. But THE palace to see is Schönbrunn Palace, an imperial summer residence with more than 1,400 rooms and lined with sumptuous gardens. (If you are not familiar with the story of Sissi, run and watch the series The Empress sur Netflix!)

6. Treat yourself to a retro moment at Prater

Almost as emblematic as its palaces, Vienna's Prater is both an amusement park and a huge green space. You will find rides there vintage and modern, kiosks, pubs, restaurants. The Big Wheel, inaugurated in 1897 in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph (Franz), is THE must places. https://www.praterwien.com/

7. Attend a concert

There are so many classical concert options in Vienna that 10,000 people can attend one performance every evening. And that’s without counting the vibrant electro scene and other types of music! To find an event, here: events.wien.info.

Where to have a coffee

Perfect little third wave café or chic café du 19^e century? In Vienna, we alternate between the two without moderation!

8. Café Sperl

Chandeliers, woodwork, newspapers, velvet banquettes, marble tables, coffee served on a silver platter… Vienna's traditional cafés have not changed since their golden age, around the 1900s. Café Sperl , open since 1880, is one of the elegant establishments to discover. Order one there Melange (coffee similar to cappuccino) and a homemade almond-chocolate cake.

9. Cafe Jelinek

Dating from 1910, this traditional café in 6^e arrondissement has something more messy and warm than its colleagues, with its old wood stove, its old draperies and its walls covered with frames. Mingle with the regulars, sip a coffee or order a beer and a Frankfurters (sausage) for a simple lunch.

10. Coffee mix

This tiny contemporary café on 7^e district is perfect for taking a break between two shops or two visits. Friendly welcome, delicious coffees and a small terrace on the street. https://www.instagram.com/kaffemikcoffee/

11. Balthasar Coffee Bar

Located in the up and coming 2^e borough, this address is a recurring local recommendation for a tasty third wave cup in a pleasant atmosphere.

• Good to know: Café Central is the most impressive of the traditional Viennese cafés, but it is now mainly visited by travelers, who queue up long lines to enter.

Where to eat (local)

A European metropolis, Vienna obviously offers all types of gastronomy. But do you know Viennese or Austrian cuisine? Thanks to these addresses, you will be able to start your initiation in a great way!

12. Restaurant Steman

Rome a ses trattoriasAthens, its tavernsand Vienna, its Beislunpretentious restaurants where authentic Austrian cuisine is served with good wines and beers. In the 6^e borough, Steman offers classics like Cheese Spaetzle (Austrian pasta with cheese, bacon and onions) or the famous Kaiserschmarrn, pieces of pancakes ultra-airy served with compote.

13. Praterwirt

This restaurant-butcher shop not far from the Prater is a good place to taste THE city's delicacy: Wiener Schnitzelor Viennese escalope. Thin, breaded and perfectly browned, the original escalope is made from veal, but versions with pork and even mushrooms or squash are common. Try with classic buttered and parsley potatoes.

14. Glacis Beisl

Here is a modernized and reinvented “Beisl”, stuck in the very cool Museum district. Its terrace under the trees is particularly inviting and its wine list is very exhaustive. We ate delicious food there dumplings with pork, balls of filled dough reminiscent of quenelles, of which we find all kinds of variations in Austria.

Where to sleep

15. Hotel Motto

A boutique hotel inspired by Belle Époque Paris and the urban chic of Vienna. We fell in love with its rooms with floral tapestries, its Art Deco finds, its roof terrace and its café-bakery. It is a perfectly located address, rue Mariahilfer, in 6^e arrondissement.

16. Hôtel Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection

Installed in a military riding school from the 19^e century, this new hotel is a real eye-catcher with its pink exterior walls and black and white checkerboard walkway. Inside: 342 rooms with aristocratic-bohemian decor, a lobby with elegant arches, an indoor swimming pool. Special mention to the Elstar restaurant and its breakfast buffet.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• The center of Vienna is pleasant to explore on foot and its public transportation network is enough to make any Montrealer jealous. The Vienna Card offers you discounts at several attractions in addition to free access to the network. wien.info
• Please note: all shops are closed on Sunday, including grocery stores (except in certain rare stations). This is not the case for cafes, restaurants and museums.
• The Austrian capital is proud of its drinking water which comes directly from the foot of the Alps. No need to buy bottled water!

Austrian Airlines offer direct flights from Montreal to Vienna. Allow 8 hours in the air. austrian.com

*This trip was made possible thanks to the Vienna tourist office, wien.info.