Vienna holidays

Church of Heiliger Franz of Assini at Mexikoplatz, Vienna

Popular holidays

Vienna city breaks let you explore fancy palaces and kick back in cosy coffee houses, all to the tune of classical music.

City breaks to Vienna

Austria’s capital’s brimming with culture and tradition – its cobbled streets are lined with cosy coffee houses, world-renowned art and Baroque-style buildings. The city’s nestled in the east of the country, on the banks of the Danube River. There are loads of things that make it a popular city break destination, including its impressive classical music scene and duo of beautiful palaces.

Classical music

Vienna’s often called the City of Music thanks to the long line of classical musicians that have called it home over the years. Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms are just a few of the big names that have lived and worked here. These days, classical music is still a big part of the city’s culture – you’ll be able to catch performances in concert halls all over, including the world-famous Philharmonic Orchestra.

A pair of palaces

There are two big-hitting palaces to see in Vienna. First up is Schonbrunn Palace, which was the summer residence of a former royal family. It stands out for its imposing Baroque facade which rivals the likes of the Palace of Versailles, in France. Then, there’s Hofburg Imperial Palace. You’ll find this gem in the city centre – the president of Austria and the crown jewels both call it home.

Popular hotels in Vienna

Top things to see and do in Vienna

Shopping

Bargain buys

If flea markets are your thing, you’ll love Flohmarkt at Naschmarkt. It’s been dubbed one of the best in the whole of Europe, so it’s ideal for picking up unique souvenirs. The market’s only open on a Saturday, so don’t miss it if you’re in Vienna over a weekend.

Mid-range buys

For a full-on retail therapy session, head to Mariahilfer Straße – Vienna’s longest shopping street. There’s a good mix of stores here, from big department stores to small, independent boutiques. Plus, you’ll find plenty of places to stop for a coffee.

Designer buys

The Goldenes Quarter – AKA the golden quarter – is the city’s hotspot for designer boutiques. The high-end stores are lined up along some of Vienna’s oldest streets, and everything’s pedestrianised, so you’ll be able to eye up the goods without worrying about traffic.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Vienna’s loaded with chic cocktail bars, and the coffee houses tend to stay open until late in the evening. So, it’s easy to find a relaxed spot for a low-key night out. You can even choose to start things off with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the warmly lit streets.

Lively evenings

You might not associate Vienna with booming nightclubs, but the city’s a dark horse when it comes to its party scene. The Gürtel ring road is home to some of the best late-night spots. Here, techno and electro venues have set up shop underneath old subway arches.

Food & drink

Apfelstrudel

Apple strudel is a popular pastry that’s available in almost every corner of the world, but Vienna does it best. The flaky pastry’s stuffed with layers of apple, dotted with raisins and laced with sugar and cinnamon.

Tafelspitz

Tafelspitz is one of Austria’s national dishes. It’s essentially beef boiled in a spicy broth, with the addition of crispy potatoes and root vegetables. Most places serve it with a sour cream sauce or horseradish on the side.

Sachertorte

If you only try one dessert in Vienna, make it sachertorte. It’s a chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam in the middle, then topped with a thick layer of chocolate glaze and a huge mound of whipped cream.

Wiener schnitzel

This traditional dish has been around since the 18th century. It’s made with a thin cut of veal, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Some restaurants offer variations with different types of meat, if you fancy mixing it up a little.

Heiße shokolade

If you like hot chocolate, you’ll love this. Grated dark chocolate is melted into a steaming cup of milk, and sugar’s added for sweetness. And it’s all finished off with a scoop of cream.