Everywhere I go I find that a poet has been there before me.
Freud.
Destinations
Austria - Planning your trip
Palaces, gardens, museums, cathedrals, operas, concerts, cafes. Vienna or ``Wien`` is a mix of charm and rich history. The great historical sightseeing opportunities, stunning collections of art, majesty palaces, and exceptional musical heritage, make the capital of Austria attract over 17 million visitors each year. From Freud to Mozart, from thoughts to emotions, this place will make you feel like you are in a poem.
What you need to know before you go
Transport in Austria - Vienna's public transportation network is extensive with buses, trains, trams, and underground lines. Single tickets and passes are available for longer periods of time. The day pass is 7 Euros/day with unlimited rides.
The subway is called U-Bahn; local trains are Schnellbahn or s-Bahn; the tram is the Straßenbahn.
Uber operates in Vienna for ridesharing.
The Vienna City Card provides discounts on tours and attractions as well as free public transportation on most lines.
Vienna is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe. CityBike Wien operates approximately 120 bike stations around the city.
Where to stay in Austria - From stylish design hotels in the main cities to rustic chalets in romantic old towns in the Alps, Austria has it all. In Vienna, most of the city's major attractions are inside or along the ``Ringstrasse`` which is the Vienna's old city center. As you might expect, most hotels in area are in the luxury range. Budget hotels are found outside the ring or in the attractive neighborhood around Schönbrunn Palace, the zoo or the Central Station. Make sure to stay close to the subway and you'll be fine!
Best time to visit Austria - Most people go Austria for summer adventures and ski getaways. However, the country has an excellent nationwide network of cycling and hiking trails and with a complete calendar of cultural events year-round. Whether you prefer hiking through the Alps, watching Mozart and Strauss concerts or anything in between, every time can be a great time to travel to Austria. High Season is June to August with dry and hot weather. Prices rise at this time since schools across Europe end their terms, bringing families to the countryside. April to May and September to October is the shoulder season. Spring and autumn tend toward the mild and dry with more days of sunshine but little additional rain.
Tradicional food in Austria - Austrians take their food seriously and this dedication shows in their gastronomic rituals. When having a meal, it is polite to wish one another ``Guten Appetit`` or ``Mahlzeit``. Make sure to remember to say ``Mahlzeit`` at the start of your meal to impress your new Austrian friends. There are normally at least three courses and no rush to leave the restaurant after the bill. Influenced by Hungarian, Bohemian and Italian cooking, Austrian cuisine is very diverse, with strong regional differences.
When drinking eye contact plays a central role. When clinking glasses, Austrians ``Prost`` looking each person in the eye. You can also say ``Zum Wohl``, both words mean ``to your health``. After a meal you are likely to be offered a shot of schnaps, Austria's favorite digestive containing around 40% alcohol. The rule is to drink it in a single mouthful.
Suggestion to visit other cities around Vienna
The beauty of traveling around Europe is that it’s often possible to visit multiple neighboring countries within a short period of time. A day trip from Vienna to Bratislava, for instance, is a very plausible option. The capital city of Slovakia is around one hour away and has a pedestrian-friendly Old Town. The best way to go to Bratislava is by bus. Direct buses depart from Vienna Central Station with the journey time to Bratislava varying from 1 hour to 1 hour 40 mins and cost around 5 Euros each way.
TIps for first visit
1. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral – St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a monument of art and architecture. This is the church where Mozard married his wife in 1782. One of the most recognizable parts of this cathedral is its colorful roof. The roof has a beautiful mosaic, representing the double-headed eagle, symbol of the Habsburg dynasty.
2. Watch a concert – Called the “City of Music,” Vienna was home to classical composers, such as: Schubert, Mozart, Haydn, Strauss, Brahms, and Beethoven. You don’t need to spend a lot of money and wear fancy clothes to see a concert. in the downtown area you will find great opportunities to watch a great presentation with professional musicians playing Vivaldi & Mozart, Beethoven & Strauss. As you may imagine, Mozart played everywhere around the city. The Palais Schonborn you will find great presentations with a reasonable price.
3. Eat a real Wiener Schnitzel – One of the best known specialities of Viennese cuisine, and one of the national dishes of Austria, the Wiener schnitzel, sometimes spelled Wienerschnitzel is something every visitor must try. It’s easy to find everywhere you go and we highly recommend the Gasthaus Reinthaler. It’s a local small restaurant with amazing food and great prices.
4. Coffee with Sacher torte for desert, please! – Vienna is known for its grand cafe culture and after eating a great Schnitzel, your experience only will be complete stoping by one beautiful Cafe to order a delicious coffee with sacher torte, one of Vienna’s most famous desserts, which is a rich chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered with chocolate. There is no way to go wrong! We chose Demel and what a great experience!
Essential Information
Passport and Visa – Austria is part of the Schengen Area. Generally, a short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen States entitles its holder to travel throughout the 26 Schengen States for up to 90 days.
Currency – Euro (EUR). Euro-banknotes and coins are in circulation since January 2002. Credit cards, although accepted in hotels and major stores and restaurants, are less used for purchases in small shops, cafes, or grocery stores. Check with the venue before.
Language – German is the official language of Austria and an important prerequisite for participating in the working, economic and social life of the country. Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian are recognised as official languages of autonomous population groups in some regions.
Tax Free – Upon application travellers not domiciled in the EU will be refunded the VAT by goods bought in Austria. The invoiced amount must exceed EUR 75 to be legible.
Tipping – Austrians normally add 5% to 15% to the bill. it’s usual rounded up to a convenient number in the service industry.
Population – The population of Austria is 8.9M. The largest cities are Vienna 1.9M, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck. Neighboring countries are: Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
Economy – Vienna produces more than half of Austria’s capital goods and almost half of its consumer goods. Leading industries include the manufacture of machinery (electrical machinery and transportation equipment), electrical products, chemicals, and metal products.
Curiosity
Austrians have left their mark across music, politics, art, science, and sport. Some famous personalities from Austria you must know:
- Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest classical composers ever was born in Salzburg, Austria. Many of his works are considered symphonic, operatic. Before his death, at the age of 35, he had composed over 600 works.
- Freud
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. Freud was a neurologist, his psychoanalysis remains influential in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. He is one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century and that his impact is comparable to that of Marxism and Darwinism.
- Hitler
Adolf Hitler. The German dictator whose policies started the WWII that resulted in the death of millions of people. Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria and during his regime nearly six million Jews were killed in Holocaust.
Are you a Beethoven fan?
Understand why Beethoven reached the status of musician genius by enjoying the tour and playlist inspired in his symphonies.
- Enjoy this Playlist inspired by this master musician.
Take the tour to experience Beethoven’s Europe.
Useful Links
ÖBB – National rail operator
Postbus – Austria by bus. ÖOVV in Upper Austria, VOR in Lower Austria.
Austria Itineraries suggestions to visit small towns
