1. Danube Tower
Would you like to sip your morning coffee after breakfast watching an unique scenery and enjoy the moment? Yes. Then let us take you to the height of 170 meters, to Danube Tower. With a total height of 252 meters, the Danube Tower (original name Donauturm), is situated in the 22nd district of the city, Donaustadt. It was designed by Austrian architect Hannes Lintl and constructed in less than 20 months. The tower was officially opened in 1964 and is among 75 tallest towers of the world. You can climb Danube Tower for bungee jumping or to eat at its restaurant. The city view is also wonderful from the observation deck.
2. Le Troquet” and “Volksgarten
If you are thinking “Hell no, I do not like heights or adventure!”. Happy with unique flavors for you palate, I recommend a cute little place called Le Troquet. Your to-do list should be, to have a coffee at this cafe/restaurant seemingly out of a French movie, to stroll through Volksgarten and enjoy the fresh air, and then to visit the famous Hofburg Palace.
3. Stephansdom
Visit the biggest square of Vienna St. Stephanplatz and St Stephan’s Catheral, with its original name Stephansdom, which is also mentioned in the play Vampire the Masquerade. In the entrance of the one thousand year old gigantic church there are two little statues which are said to be representing fertility. By using the narrow stairs of the cathedral, which can be seen from any place in the city, you can climb to the top of the towers, enjoy the city view and get the finest shots. Stephansdom was built over the ruins of former two churches in 1147. According to the stories, in 1683, during the second Turkish siege of Vienna it was hit by more than one thousand cannon balls. The old Pummerin, the huge bell in the cathedral was originally cast from 200 cannons captured from Turkish invaders.
4. St. Stephanplatz, Wienfluss and Mozart
After leaving the cathedral, you can take a walk on one of the most famous and most busy streets of the town, St Stephanplatz and you will stumble upon Baroc buildings built hundreds of years ago, sculptures of Christ, restaurants and giftshops, where you can buy presents for your loved ones and yourself. After, you can go for a stroll along the Wien river, follow the bridges and check out the small but elegant cafe/bars. Another place you should definitely drop by is Mozarthaus where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had lived between 1784 and 1787, and right now it is a museum. It’s visiting hours are between 10:00 and 19:00 and the entry fee is 10 Euros. Now that I mentioned Mozart, I recommend you to watch 1984 Milos Forman’s Oscar winner movie Amadeus, before you come to Vienna.
5. Schnitzel
Let us give the answer you will get when you ask any Viennese on the street: Figlmüller! This restaurant where you will have a feast with Schnitzel and potato salad is so famous that it might be very difficult to find a table. Another place I recommend is an authentic restaurant called Zwölf-Apostelkeller. But if you do not have much time or you’d like to spare more time for touring than dining, you can easily find places selling Schnitzel sandwich or Viking sandwich (schnitzel made with fish).
Before visiting Vienna
Watch
‘Before Sunrise’ starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, written and directed by Richard Linklater. It’s about the romantic Vienna night of a young man and a woman who meet on a train. The movie with good reviews and natural acting of the main characters is our advice to you because of its location in Vienna.
Listen
OK, we won’t advise you to listen to Mozart. But instead, listen to an extremely fun group – ‘Mother’s Cake’. The trio with sounds of alternative/funk rock, does not suit the dark ambiance of Vienna at first sight but it’s possible to hear songs characterizing the city.
Read
Scottish writer William Boyd’s ‘Waiting for Sunrise’, depicting Vienna in 1913. Graham Greene’s ‘The Third Man’ or Sarah Gainham’s ‘Night Falls on the City’.
