Spending a weekend in Vienna – fair enough! By April 2013 we were ready to go (by train this time). Sachertorte, Sisi-castle & FPÖ-Nazis, here we come!
For this trip, we used a city guide by Marco Polo (very popular in Germany- just contains the main sights and calls them “insider tipps”). As we wanted to see the main sights anyway, this guide book was sufficient.
Arriving by early afternoon, checking in and soon we started sightseeing.
Vienna has a incredibly high quality of life. For example, since 1873, tab water comes directly from the Alpes. Ergo: Water in Vienna restrooms has higher quality than what is sold in many countries.
Inner Town
Ladies and gentlemen, be prepared for a long walk: Vienna’s Inner Town is to be discovered by foot.
You can’t oversee Vienna’s main sight: Stephan’s cathedral (also called “Der Steffl’). Of course there are many further Romanesque and Gothic churches, which shows the old Kaiser’s city’s catholic roots.
What else? Hofburg – The Habsburger at times ruled half of Europe from here.
And if it’s beautiful somewhere, politicians and high society come close. Most ministries are to find here; the who-is-who of Austrian politics and economy assembles in Vienna. Alongside Ringstraße we found further magnificient buildings
Who has enough time, should visit Museumsquartier.
We didn’t. Coming back to Vienna sometime, we will definitely do it.
The main reason to visit Vienna: Sachertorte!
We had it at Hotel Sacher (very touristy, of course). Luckily we didn’t have to queue. In rush hour (I’m not sure, when that is), it must be heavily crowded. Arabs were buying them en masse for their kin (or for themselves). And, of course, I didn’t care it was really expensive. It’s chocolate cake, stupid!!!
Schönbrunn Castle
What you must not miss, when in Vienna: Sisi-castle. Sky was blue and Schönbrunn Castle was just amazing. We didn’t go inside – weather was perfect outside and too many tourists were queuing.
Belvedere Castle
Also worth a visit.
It was Prince Eugene’s summer residence. Upper Belvedere was built in 1721 by the ‚Conqueror of the Turks‘. Only for representation purposes. To Eugene! Today, Austrian Gallery is found in there.
Dear Eugene was living in Lowere Belvedere (built from 1714 to 1716). Today it’s home to Barock Museum.
Magnificient park!
Prater
One of Vienna’s great green lungs. Doing the 10 minute ride on the big wheel is a must. It’s one of Vienna’s major sights and exists since 1896.
At the highest point, you ‚enjoy‘ a great view over vienna, together with maybe 50 other tourists. You shouldn’t suffer from claustrophobia. Oh yes, it wiggles. No, view is really great, but this has to be said. 😉
The Hundertwasserhaus
Who built it? Of course, the painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It cannot be visited from inside but views from outside are great.
