🌍Vienna guide, trip to discover the capital of Austria

All the useful information and lesser-known curiosities to organize your unforgettable trip to Vienna

Vienna, developed on the banks of the Danube, is the capital of Austria and has magnificent palaces that show all the sumptuousness of the period of domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Stories of princes and queens, still famous today for their international exploits but also for their private lives. One above all is Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria, better known as Sissi, whose story inspired one of the best biographical films of the 1950s.

Vienna, a city contained but capable of opening up to large green spaces and impressive views, is ideally located at a meeting point between eastern and western Europe and this has made it for centuries the transit point for commercial exchanges and meetings. policies.

The city center is enclosed within the "ring", a circular area crossed by a large avenue that divides the heart of Vienna from the slightly more peripheral areas. Here you can admire the most important historical buildings such as the Parliament, the Stock Exchange, the Palace of Justice, but also St. Stephen's Cathedral, St. Michael's Church and the statue of Mozart.

When to go to Vienna: weather

The climate is continental, with very cold winters and heavy snowfall. The spring months are more pleasant but cool, in summer the weather is pleasant, although during the day there are also very muggy summer days.

What to see in Vienna

Charlatan: The Prater is the city park but it is also the public amusement park. Inside you will find the Ferris wheel, but also many other attractions, such as the racecourse, shooting range, roller coasters and stations for classic and futuristic gaming experiences. An authentic Luna Park with a green area dedicated to relaxation and nature. It is located between the Danube and the inner canal of the river, just outside the city center.

Schönbrunn Palace/Castle: Imperial summer residence of Queen Maria Theresa, the castle has medieval origins and has undergone modifications and changes over the centuries, becoming one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. With more than 1400 rooms, sumptuous furnishings and treasures to admire, we suggest a visit to the Saladegli Specchi where Mozart performed as a child. Outside the building there is a park immersed in which you can take a pleasant walk, reaching the highest point that dominates the building, with a very wide view of the city as well.

Hofburg: it is the palace of Princess Sissi, former residence of the imperial city, where it is possible to visit all the rooms admiring the original furniture, accessories, objects and clothing and listening to the story of her life with the audio guide (or with a guide). Inside there are also exhibition areas with objects and testimonies from the Habsburg Empire.

Belvedere Castle: its rooms are of great artistic interest, they house the National Gallery of Art with works by famous artists such as Klimt and his famous "Kiss".

How to get to Vienna

Vienna is well connected to all of Europe thanks to its international airport, but can also be reached from the cities of northern Italy by car or bus (from Milan in about 9 hours) or by train.

With the flight the travel time is very short. Once you arrive at the airport, getting to the city center is easy using the downtown train service, light rail, or bus. Of course, you can also use a taxi.

How to get around Vienna

Metro: 5 lines that connect different parts of the city, the suburbs and the airport. The lines are active from 05:00 in the morning until 24:00. During the night the bus line is active. From Vienna Airport you can reach the city center by direct train from the airport, by metro line S7 or by bus.

Bus and TRAM: 130 bus lines and 28 tram lines allow you to move from one place to another in the city to visit places and monuments even outside the center. Tickets can be purchased individually (each ticket is valid for one trip) or with a notebook or with the Vienna card, issued by the tourist office, which includes the use of all public transport. There is also an application dedicated to purchasing tickets or cards, as well as information on itineraries and schedules.

Where to sleep in Vienna

There are many hotels in Vienna. From B&B to 5-star luxury hotels. There are also youth hostels with very cheap rates. In the historic center, known as the "Ring", there are hotels and apartments, which allow you to get around the center on foot. To get lower prices, simply leave the Ring without going too far. From the Museum Quarter and continuing towards the outskirts of the city it is possible to find numerous accommodations with an excellent quality-price ratio.

What to eat in Vienna

Schnitzel: Viennese cutlet
The traditional coffee with cream
Liptauer: cream cheese and peppers with picatostes
Beuschel: very similar to our gnocchi with meat sauce

Documents for traveling to Vienna

Vienna, like all of Austria, is part of the European community: to enter the country, Italians only need a valid identity document. Vienna is also part of the Schengen airport area, so there is no need to check documents upon arrival.

Vienna tourist information

Currency: EUR – Euro
German language
Time zone: same time as Italy
Electric current: 220V/50Hz
Useful telephone numbers: Italian Embassy in Vienna, Rennweg 27 – Tel: 0043 01 712 51 21