A weekend in Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria and the most populous city, offers magnificent buildings, modern art, and exciting activities. It’s the perfect destination for those who love art, museums, and classical music. Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn all lived in Vienna, and that’s why Vienna is called the capital of classical music.

If classical music is not your thing, don’t worry, Vienna is also home to Wurstelprater - or Prater as it’s more commonly known under - a large public amusement park. It’s free to visit, and you just pay for the rides you want to try. Prater is definitely a cool place to visit and go for a walk, or even try some of the rides!

The best time to go to Vienna depends on you! All of the activities on the itinerary are open year-round, so if you wish to experience some of Vienna's Christmas markets, you should definitely go around December. April, May, and September are also good times to go. The weather is usually warm, but you avoid the peak-season and the crowds full of tourists.

There's plenty to do in Vienna (and surroundings) for everyone, so staying a weekend in Vienna might not be enough. It's easy to walk around Vienna, but if you feel like you're short on time, public transportation is relatively easy as well.

Vienna has a lot of different accommodation in all price ranges - it all depends on how close to the city center you wish to stay. Check out the two options I've found below. 

Depending on when you arrive in Vienna, you probably won’t be able to do a lot on your first day. So why not start out with a bit of sightseeing? Head to Innere Stadt and go for a stroll around the city. Make sure you see Schönbrunn Palace, The Hofburg, and Belvedere Palace. 

It’s friday, and what is the best way to celebrate the beginning of the weekend? Relaxing on a sofa on the water! Yes, you read right. You can actually enjoy a lovely evening, watching the sunset, sipping your cocktail - on a sofa bed! (You can do it in all kinds of weather, so winter is no excuse)

Enjoy the rest of your evening at Prater, and try out some of the fun rides. If you like classical music, check the calendar and see if there’s a concert on your date!

3,5 half-hour away is Hallstatt. A small village on the shore of Lake Hallstatt. The region is on the World Heritage List, and a Hallstatt day trip should really be on your bucket list. Just look how pretty and idyllic it is. Hallstatt is a cosy little town, and it's an enjoyable place to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city. 

If you have a car, you can drive there yourself. Otherwise, check out this tour below; it includes a boat ride across Lake Hallstatt. 

Head to the Hallstatt skywalk, and be amazed by the magnificent view! You can also dine at Rudolfstrum, which has a great view as well. 

Sunday is Funday, and it’s your last day in Vienna, so why not be a chocolatier for the day? 
It’s only 1.5 hours, but you’ll get to make your own chocolate (And eat it afterward as well). Included in the price is also entry to the Chocolate Museum. 

Since the cocolate experience is only 1.5 hours, you'll also have time to do some other cool stuff in Vienna, like visiting the Museum of Illusions! You can easily spend a couple of hours at this museum, while you fool around taking pictures, or try to solve the riddles. 

Head to Hundertwassehaus and take pictures of the weird but colorful architecture made by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Hundertwassehaus is actually an apartment complex, but right across is Hundertwasser village, which is open to visitors and full of colorful and unusual architecture. The village also has small shops, where you can buy souvenirs, art, and gifts.

If you didn’t have time to go sightseeing friday, be sure to do it now! Join a bike tour around Vienna, and get to see the highlights of Vienna with an experienced guide. 

In the late afternoon or evening, head to Donauturm, where you can see a beautiful 360° panorama view over the city. You can also enjoy a drink or a meal in the tower, while enjoy the sunset over the city.