Vienna Weekend: Sights & Tips

Thanks to an effective local transport network and short distances, a Vienna weekend can be sufficient to explore the most important sights and absorb the city’s lifestyle. A short guide and tips for a perfect weekend in Vienna.

The best thing about a weekend-trip to Vienna is the fact, that everything seems just to be around the corner – because it is. Even without a tight schedule or a thoroughly scribbled map, 48 or 72 hours are a good opportunity to explore Vienna.

A walk through the city’s old centre is a very special experience, that covers many sights in one day. Alongside the Ringstrasse and in the core zone, architectural highlights from the Barock and Art Nouveau era will cross the path of every visitor. The most popular sights in this are include: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg , Vienna State Opera, City Hall, Burgtheater, Belvedere Palace, Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles). The extended core area also contains further highlights like the Danube Canal Riverside, the Palais Liechtenstein or the Gardekirche church.

The list of sights in Vienna is infinite. A place however, one should pay a visit during a weekend trip to Vienna is Schönbrunn Palace in the 13th district. The castle used to house the emperor families of the once mighty realm of Austria and is now a world heritage site.

Close to the city center, in the 7th district, visitors will find the Museumsquartier. As one of the country’s most concentrated and diverse art areas, it offers museums, theaters, art galleries, events and much more. Not only a good choice for a bad weather day.

The city is known for its culinary art. Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, Naschmarkt: a weekend-trip to Vienna can take you from a typical pub to an international gourmet restaurant of great renown. Traditional coffee houses, sidewalk cafés or exceptional inside tipps like the American Bar designed by Adolf Loos make travellers feel welcome in Austria’s capital.

A good spot for relaxing moments between sightseeing sessions is the Danube River. At the Danube Canal Riverside and on the Danube Island are many green spaces to unwind oneself. The most popular places for drinks at night are the many clubs in the city.

The local public transport system in Vienna will get visitors anywhere within a short trip. From the City Airport Train to the subway, tram or the bus: the mobility makes every Vienna weekend more flexible. The benefits offered by the Vienna City Card(online available for 24, 48 or 72 hours) are an additional incentive for travellers, including discounts or free admissions to the Wiener Linien, the Hop-on Hop-off bus and many sights.

Public transport operates from about 5 AM until about midnight. After 12 PM night busses will drive till the morning hours. On weekends the subway runs 24/7.

Source: www.wien.info