Vienna

Vienna has topped every quality of life survey going in recent years and it doesn’t take long to work out why. With clean air, a low crime rate and cheap, reliable public transport, tourists can benefit from a trip here as much as the locals.  Much of the city centre looks like the film set of a period drama. But don’t be fooled by the grand imperial buildings and all the ticket touts dressed as Mozart, there’s more to this great European city than first meets the eye.  Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a vibrant social scene, particularly in summer when outdoor bars and food stalls spring up across the city. In winter visitors can spend a good afternoon or two hopping between the Glühwein stands of Christmas markets. From world-class restaurants and attractions to open-air swimming spots and hillside wineries, the Austrian capital can cater to all tastes.  Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Vienna’s food scene may be synonymous with Schnitzel but there’s far more to this place than just stodgy comfort food. Like the city itself, Viennese cuisine is something of a cultural melting pot with influences from across lands once part of the Habsburg Empire, like Hungarian-style goulash, still making their way on to modern-day menus. An ever-expanding array of international restaurants and multicultural food markets means that these days you can get your hands on everything from imperial favourite Tafelspitz to Mediterranean mezze and Asian-style dumplings here. Eating out is a popular pastime in the Austrian capital and dishes often place a focus on high-quality seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients. The Viennese also have an undeniable sweet tooth and no visit here would be complete without a trip to at least one of the city’s ubiquitous Kaffeehaüser (cafés) for Kaffee und Kuchen (that’s coffee and cake), surely one of the city’s headline attractions. Be it a Beisl-style tavern or a casual urban bistro, there’s plenty to satisfy all budgets and palates here. Feeling a little peckish? These, we reckon, are the best restaurant in Vienna right now. Eaten somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutEatList. You can find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants here.

Sure, you could sit down with a foaming stein almost anywhere in Vienna and it’d do the job. But this grandiose city has a thriving cocktail culture that’s also worth exploring. From ritzy rooftops to underground dives and cutting-edge conversions – plus hotels and restaurants with dazzling in-house mixology – there’s a bar to suit pretty much every taste in the Austrian capital. If you feel a little worn out after a long day traipsing round the best attractions in Vienna, it’s probably time to sip something strong. Here are 10 excellent spots to get you started.  Drank somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDrinkList. You can also find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews bars.

It’s world-famous for grand hotels like the Sacher, but if you prefer to keep things a little more casual (or are travelling on a budget) Vienna has loads of fantastic options – and is particularly strong on design-led boutiques that won’t break the bank. Warm, personal hospitality is a big deal here in the Austrian capital, too, with lots of hotels offering complimentary teatime treats and a guests’ happy hour. The lodgings on this list are also near many of Vienna’s top attractions, things to do and restaurants, which makes getting around that little bit easier. Here’s our pick of the best, most interesting places to stay in the city.

It may not have the clubbing chops of Berlin or Barcelona, but Vienna’s nightlife scene certainly has its own charm. From down-at-heel indie rock clubs beneath metro-station arches to sleek cocktail joints and rooftop bars with unparalleled city views, the Austrian capital does dingy and classy with equal aplomb. Techno and house are the genres of choice after hours, and the city boasts a handful of decent homegrown promoters, including DJ-producer Wolfram and hip-hop collective Beat the Fish, who both put on their own nights. Given its Central European location, it’s also a semi-regular stop for big-name touring bands. And the best news? The metro runs through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning you can easily venue-hop if you fancy a change of scenery. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Vienna

The traditional Kaffeehaus is to the Viennese what the pub is to the Brits. It’s as much of a social institution as a place to eat and drink – even if the tuxedoed waiters can be notoriously grumpy. Such is their importance, in fact, that Unesco has recognised ‘coffee house culture’ as an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. The array of coffees on offer can be baffling to the uninitiated. A Fiaker, for example, is named after the horse and carts you see across the Innere Stadt and consists of a coffee with a shot of rum and whipped cream. But you can guarantee anyone with a vaguely sweet tooth will find something worth ordering among the many cakes and pastries on show in the glass display cases of most traditional Kaffeehäuser. It’s not all Habsburg-era pomp and service, though. Plenty of modern coffee shops are springing up across the city and they often host a range of artistic, cultural and music events later in the evening. There’s a reason taking Kaffee und Kuchen will forever be one of our absolute favourite things to do in Vienna, and you’ll no doubt be hooked, too. Looking for booze not brews? Check out our guide to the city’s best bars. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Vienna

Looking for the perfect souvenir? Wardrobe crying out for an update? Luckily for you, there’s all manner of fab design stores, flea markets and vintage boutiques in Vienna. The grand pedestrianised stretch of Kärtnerstrasse in the Inner Stadt may appear on first glance to be full of takeaways and luxury chains, but the side streets brim with independent antique stores and artsy boutiques where you can pick up an unusual knick-knack or two. Mariahilf, which boasts the city’s busiest shopping street, Mariahilferstrasse, has a slightly less upscale vibe, while Neubau and Wieden are probably the coolest places to hang out in Vienna right now (and that extends to their shops). Prices may seem above average for central European standards, though you’ll likely be rewarded with one-of-a-kind handcrafted items and gifts when shopping in Vienna. Splurged your budget touring the city’s best attractions and things to do? Bargains aplenty can always be found at the Naschmarkt flea market. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Vienna

With scale and glamour to rival those in much larger capitals like London and New York, it’s fair to say Vienna’s museums are truly top-tier. And no wonder, given this is a city that’s played such a crucial role in the development of pretty much every art form. To learn more about the city itself, and particularly its intellectual and imperial heyday during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, head to the institutions dedicated to Sigmund Freud and Empress Elisabeth. Into your classical music? The Haus der Musik and Beethoven Museum are well worth a trip. But it’s art historians who are really spoilt for choice in the Austrian capital – you could spend pretty much an entire weekend exploring the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere Palace, the Albertina and the MuseumsQuartier alone. Looking for more than just museums in Vienna? Then check out our guide to the city’s can’t-miss attractions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Vienna

You’ll probably feel like you’re familiar with much of Vienna already. The glittering State Opera, the museums, the grand coffee houses, the confectioners: everything here seems recognisable. But there’s so much more to this charming capital than just the picture-postcard sights and bucket-list things to do. Vibrant and cosmopolitan, Vienna is home to plenty of up-and-coming designers and brims with world-class restaurants, bars and cultural institutions. Whether you’re spending a full week here or only have a few days to see the sights, don’t overlook these brilliant attractions in Vienna. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Vienna

What’s the deal with Yppenplatz and Brunnenmarkt? Vienna’s 16th district, Ottakring, lies between the traffic ridden Gürtel (ring road) and the wooded green lung of Austria’s capital. Traditionally an industrial area for the Viennese working class, Ottakring has recently developed into the city’s most multicultural melting pot, containing the so-called Balkan Mile: a stretch of Croatian and Serbian cafes and restaurants. And nearby you’ll find Yppenplatz and Brunnenmarkt, a linked square and market street where you can find Vienna’s most delicious Middle-Eastern inspired cuisine. The disparate characteristics of grit and Viennese grandeur give this corner of the city a particular charm, and have increasingly attracted Vienna’s creative crowd to the area some call Brunnenviertel. Immerse yourself in the boisterous atmosphere of the Brunnenmarkt before hopping on a tram and escaping to the hills of Gallitzinberg for a breather. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world If you only do one thing... Brunnenmarkt. Photograph:©WienTourismus The bustling Brunnenmarkt is Vienna’s largest food market – even bigger than the famous Naschmarkt. Don’t even try to resist the temptation to pick up some of the most inexpensive and tasty treats Vienna has to offer: falafel wraps, kebab sandwiches and cheese- or meat-filled börek are popular choices with locals. Get cultured Be sure to check out the programme at Knust Tankstelle, a space featuring regular exhibitions by local and international artists. Grab a bargain Take a right at the bottom of Brunnenmarkt and wander along the vibrant Thaliastraße, where you can pick up some unusual and unique souvenirs to take home — the Humana charity shop is a great choice for clothes.   Get off the beaten track When you’ve explored the area, catch a tram west towards the hills of Gallitzinberg, at the other end of the Ottakring district. Here you can climb the Julibiäumswarte, a 31-metre high tower providing incredible, unobscured panoramic views of the city — to the slopes of Kahlenberg and beyond on one side, and across the lush hills of Lower Austria on the other. Eat here  Named after the revered Mexican artist, Cafe Frida, located at the far end of Brunnenmarkt, serves up delicious, Turkish-inspired breakfasts until 5pm. Try Israeli restaurant Mani, in the lively square of Yppenplatz: its hummus is legendary. If you’re visiting in the sweltering months and craving something cooling, head to Summer Samba. Among the traditional vanilla and chocolate ice creams, there are intriguing exotic flavours on offer, including caju: a fruit which comes from the same tree as the cashew nut, known for its divisive acidic taste. Drink here  Sip a cocktail on the rooftop at WIRR as the Brunnenmarkt buzzes below, or grab a glass of Austrian wine and mingle with the locals at Club International, one of Yppenplatz’s longest running establishments. It won’t take long for you to spot the bright yellow cans bearing the Ottakring district’s name. A tour at the Ottakringer brewery is a chance to learn about the history of beer in the city – and, of course, to sample Vienna’s most famous beverage. Heurige, traditional Austrian wine taverns, are a great introduction to Viennese drinking culture and Ottakring is home to the city’s oldest, 25 minutes’ walk to the west of Brunnenmarkt. Dating back to 1740, 10-er Marie is one of the district’s most cherished hangouts. In the summertime, the courtyard bursts with life and when the weather turns cold, punters gather in the rustic cosiness for mugs of glühwein. How to get to Yppenplatz and Brunnenmarkt Thailiastraße is the nearest U-bahn station (line U6) – from here it’s only a five-minute walk to Brunnenmarkt, with Yppenplatz at its north end. If visiting the western parts of Ottakring, including the Julibiäumswarte, you’ll need to get the 46 tram from Thaliastraße and then take the 46b bus to Savoyenstraße — from here you can walk. What else is nearby? Turn right at the bottom of Brunnenmarkt and cross the Gürtel and you’ll find the long-gentrified district of Neubau. Up-and-coming Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus is to the south and suburban Penzing, home to the Museum of Technology, lies to the south-west.

What’s the deal with Vienna?With its Baroque buildings and tinkling trams, Vienna can feel a bit like a period film set. That’s only part of the story, though. Scratch the surface and you’ll find the Austrian capital combines Berlin’s buzz with Prague’s good looks, adding a dash of its own coffee-and-cake-focused charm for good measure. Historic squares lined with imposing buildings – from Stephansplatz to the MuseumsQuartier (home to 60 institutions) – might make an old-fashioned impression, but they provide a handsome backdrop for craft brews, modern masterpieces and more. Hotel Sacher’s famous cake © Elena Pominova / Shutterstock.com If you only do one thingNo visit to Vienna is complete without sachertorte. The ganache-topped, apricot-jam-filled cake is such a big deal, it was the subject of a legal feud: the Hotel Sacher and the Demel bakery fought for nine years to call theirs the original. Hotel Sacher won that battle but for us, Demelís edges it on flavour. Dine in styleGet in the queue for the legendary Café Central. The gilded coffee house has been an institution since 1876, and it’s witnessed its share of history (Lenin and Trotsky were regulars). Tough out lukewarm service for superlative schnitzel and warm apple strudel. Eat on the cheapLow-lit dumpling specialist Mama Liu & Sons is always rammed for a reason. Feast on smacked cucumber and mouth-tingling northern Chinese-style cold noodles for well under €10. The hustle and bustle of Café Central © Giannis Papanikos / Shutterstock.com Drink like a localErich, a funky subterranean bar off Sankt Ulrichs Platz, has a serious selection of Austrian brews, from nutty Schladminger Urbräu pilsner to full-bodied Pannonian cider. If you prefer a coffee bean brew, hole up in Fürth Kaffee on Kirchengasse. This cool café and co-working space is one of Vienna’s pioneering roasteries, with a huge menu of speciality coffees.  Stay up lateIf ‘The Matrix’ meets ‘Mad Men’ sounds like your kind of night, then chase your tail all the way to If Dogs Run Free. The sixth district bar is a great place to start or end your night (it’s open until 4am at weekends) and serves up a selection of reasonably priced cocktails. Order up the Damascus Spritz – made with rum and cardamom syrup, you’d be barking mad not to get one. Soak up the vibesThere’s nowhere nicer to while away an afternoon than the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s world-famous open-air market. It’s nearly a mile long, selling local produce from its 120-plus stalls. Grab a pavement table at modern Israeli eatery Neni am Naschmarkt and watch the world go by with a plate of sabich and falafel. Palmenhaus and its great cocktail list © Rrrainbow / Shutterstock.com Get culturalDoes Vienna have the world’s artiest district? Quite possibly. The MuseumsQuartier’s buildings are packed with masterpieces by the likes of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. Coming to the MQ also puts you within a short stroll of the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) and the former tropical house Palmenhaus, which now does great cocktails. Pooped after a morning of museums? Head to Sigmund Freud Park. As well as making psychoanalysis famous, Vienna’s preeminent brainbox gave his name to a picnic spot. Overlooked by the neo-gothic Votiv Church, the space has 100 comfy sunloungers set out in summer months. They’re free to use and there’s no need to discuss your dreams while lying on one. Take a day tripIt’s easy to forget that Vienna is surrounded by woods and rolling green hills. For a jaw-dropping view of it all, follow the marked city hiking trail to the Kahlenberg (it’ll take about four hours) or hop on the 38A from Heiligenstadt via Grinzing (that’ll take about 25 minutes). From the top you can see all the way to Schneeberg, the mountain that provides the city with crystal-clear spring water. Hang out in this hoodBed down in Neubau, Vienna’s up-and-coming 7th district – it’s walkable from the centre but feels quirkily independent. With handpicked vintage furnishings, the 1960s-style rooms at budget boutique Max Brown 7th District punch well above their £83-a-night starting price. Or try Hotel Altstadt – it used to be an apartment building and each of the 45 rooms from £167 per night) still has its individual character. Only in Vienna...The Spanish Riding School’s Lipizzaner horses have a special talent: they can dance. Specially bred and trained white stallions perform mesmerising dressage routines to classical music. Book tickets to morning practise, or get in free with a Vienna Pass.

Klicken Sie hier, um diesen Artikel auf Deutsch zu lesen So you’ve made it to Vienna, the thousand-year-old city of music, art and dreams of its past imperial glory, and you’ve only got 72 hours to soak it all in. Don’t worry: there are plenty of ways to play with the time you have. Time Out—in partnership with Martini—has you sorted with an insider’s guide to the best places to shop, the coolest events and the hottest bars and restaurants in which to linger during the Aperitivo hour, watching the city transform as the sun sinks into the horizon. From cocktails on the Danube to cutting-edge street art to classical and pop concerts, Vienna is a bon vivant’s paradise—a land of modern and historic wonder just made for whiling away the hours with good friends (and a Martini & Tonic, or two).