Hotel Sacher
Behind the Opera since 1876. Yes, that cake — and it is still made here.
€€€€ ·
opposite the Staatsoper
Austria · Danube
Vienna
Imperial core, coffee houses, and the Prater
Where to stay
3 picksHotel Imperial
A former palace on the Ringstraße, opened for the 1873 World Fair.
€€€€ ·
on the Ring
25hours Wien
Circus-themed rooms above the MuseumsQuartier, rooftop bar with the city laid out.
€€€ ·
by the MuseumsQuartier
Things to do
3 picksSpanish Riding School
Morning exercise of the Lipizzaners in the Winter Riding School. Cheaper than the gala.
€€ ·
morning sessions
Standing room at the Staatsoper
Queue on the day for one of Europe's great opera houses at the price of a coffee.
€ ·
same-day queue
Wiener Riesenrad
The 1897 ferris wheel in the Prater. Slow, wooden, and worth it at dusk.
€€ ·
Prater
Attractions
3 picksSt. Stephen's Cathedral
The tiled roof and the south tower stairs — 343 steps, no lift.
free ·
tower ticketed
Schönbrunn Palace
1,441 rooms and the gardens behind them. Book a timed slot.
€€€ ·
UNESCO
Belvedere
Klimt's The Kiss hangs in the Upper Belvedere, in a baroque palace.
€€ ·
Klimt collection
What's on
3 picksDonauinselfest
One of Europe's largest free open-air festivals, three days in June.
free ·
June
Wiener Festwochen
Five weeks of theatre, performance and music across the city.
€€ ·
May–June
Christmas markets
Rathausplatz is the big one; Spittelberg and Karlsplatz are the good ones.
free ·
Nov–Dec
This is three picks each. Your trip needs the full map.
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