A day in Vienna
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The Vienna State Opera
A treat for opera aficionados
Talk of the town: It’s one of the top opera venues in the world, but when first built the locals despised it and considered it quite unsightly.
The State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is a sublime building, although not overly grandiose, with a heartfelt musical tradition. Construction on this Neo-Renaissance concert hall was first completed in 1869, but the ravages of the Second World War saw it bombed, burnt and nearly destroyed.Some debate ensued after the war as to the value of reconstructing the Opera, as it was not to the liking of many Viennese, who found the architecture rather tasteless. Cooler heads eventually prevailed and it’s now considered one of the most influential opera houses on the planet, with an amazing repertoire of 50 operas during its ten month season. Every day a different performance is offered to the public, every day a new experience. The State Opera is a cultural must for any opera enthusiast.
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 8am - 7pm Address: Opernring 2 Phone: +43 1 514 44 2250 The State Opera's webpage
See & Do
Museumsquartier
The essence of Vienna’s art and cultural scene
Noteworthy for: As this is the eighth largest cultural district in the world, expect to be impressed.
Vienna’s stunning, and quite expansive, Museumsquartier (MQ) occupies a large swath of prime real estate downtown. Here, Baroque buildings mingle with modern architecture, offering visitors an eclectic choice of galleries, museums and performance spaces.Spend your day exploring the Leoplod Museum, which showcases 19th and 20th century art. If your sensibilities happen to be more up-to-date, opt for MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art Foundation Ludwig Vienna), which houses a sizeable quantity of contemporary art. You can also take in a modern dance performance in one the Tanzquartier’s main halls.
Come winter, you can enjoy hot mulled wine (glühwein) in the inner courtyard, or strap on your ice skates and give Eisstockschiessen (Austria’s version of curling) a try. Come summer, bask in the sun on plush furniture set out in the quarter’s courtyard, and watch people pass by.
With concert halls, a children’s museum and more than 20 other cultural institutions spread across the grounds (not to mention quite a few comfy cafes), there’s plenty to see and do for every artistic inclination imaginable.
Open Hours: See webpage for individual opening times and programs Address: Museumsplatz 1 Phone: +43 1 523 58 81 1730 Museumsquartier's webpage
See & Do
St. Stephan's Cathedral
A Gothic masterpiece in the center of Vienna
Word to the wise: If you plan on climbing the 343 steps to the lookout in the southern tower (the incredible view is well worth the hike), try not to eat a big meal beforehand. Your stomach will thank you.
St. Stephan's Cathedral stands at the true heart of Vienna, its geographical center. It’s a breathtaking gothic monument to the creativity (and finances) of the men who had it built. The Cathedral began life as a Romanesque church, and then a Romanesque basilica. Fire brought the original structures down in 1258, and the gothic marvel you see today, with its massive southern tower (higher than any other building in Vienna), took their place.Note the multi-colored tiles comprising the mosaic on the roof outside. Not easily missed in a city so dominated by grey. Once inside, crane your neck back and admire the lavish interior, or simply enjoy the extensive art collection on display.
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 6am - 10pm
Sun: 7am - 10pm
Address: Stephansplatz 3
Phone: +43 1 515 52 3520
St. Stephan's Cathedral's webpage
Shopping
Stamm Concept Store
A shop for stylish dinnerware
Noteworthy for: Name brands and local Austrian designers share floor space here.
The Stamm Concept Store specializes in crystal and porcelains goods, as well as chic dinnerware. In addition to well know brands like Daum France, Moser and Sieger by Fürstenberg, local designers and manufactures have a chance to show off their talents here. If you’re into contemporary dining culture, and sparkly things, then a visit Stamm ought to leave you well satisfied.
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am – 6.30pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Address: Petersplatz 8
Phone: +43 1 535 1823
Stamm's webpage
Shopping
Ringstrassen Galerien
An elegant shopping center downtown
Noteworthy for: Billed as a ‘cultural shopping center,’ a number of events and fashion shows are hosted here on an annual basis. The mall is also known for its wide selection of jewelry stores.
With more the 70 boutique stores in two interconnected buildings, nearly all of your upmarket shopping needs can be met in a single spot. The shops are independently owned, selling exclusive brands and labels. If you’re in the market for Italian shoes, home decorations, clothing or Swarovski Crystal, you’ve come to the right place.
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am - 7pm
Sat: 10am - 6pm
Address: Kärntner Ring 5-7
Phone: +43 1 512 51 81
Ringstrassen Galerien's webpage
Restaurants
Gasthaus Ubl
Traditional Austrian cuisine, made to imperial tastes
Popular plate: Tafelspitz (a kind of boiled beef, or veal) is a specialty here.
The Austrian emperor, Franz Josef, was a habitual patron of this restaurant, and the menu still retains the kind of traditional Viennese cooking that kept him, and many of Vienna’s citizens, returning again and again.Classic dishes, like schweinebraten (Bavarian roasted pork), seasonal fare, fresh salads and flavorful soups are some of the hearty delights you can expect to find here. Enjoy an old-fashioned dessert after your meal (inside the restaurant, or in the outside seating area), surrounded by quaint Austrian furnishings and a dab of that old world charm.
Price sample: Mains: EUR 9-14 Open Hours: Daily: 12noon - 2 pm, 6pm - 12midnight (kitchen closes 10pm) Address: Pressgasse 26 Phone: +43 1 587 64 37
Restaurants
Expedit
Cooking from northern Italy
Word to the wise: The food is from Liguria, northwestern Italy. If you come in search of pizza, you’ll be disappointed, as it’s not a pizzeria.
Popular plate: Of course the fresh pasta, imported from Liguria, is a must for any pasta lover.
If you’d like to take a bit of Ligurian home with you, you can purchase cheese, pickled fish, oil and wine over the counter. Buon appetito.
Price sample: Warm meal: EUR 8-17
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am - 12midnight
Sat: 6pm - 12midnight
Address: Wiesingerstrasse 6
Phone: +43 512 33 13 23
Expedit's webpage
Restaurants
Hotel Sacher
The birthplace of the ‘Sacher Torte’
Noteworthy for: The name says it all; this is where the well-known chocolate cake was created.
The elegant Sacher Hotel is an agreeable place to stay, and many people do, but most people know the hotel for its famed dessert. The Sacher Torte is a chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam on the outside, served with fresh and unsweetened whipped cream. The hotel still guards the original recipe, as their Sacher Torte was the first of its kind, but of course it’s been replicated (at least to some degree) all over the world.The Café Sacher Wien, and the hotel restaurants, make an excellent spot to have some coffee, a meal, and of course a slice of the hotel's world-famous dessert, to top it all off.
Open Hours: Daily: 8am - 12midnight Address: Philharmonikerstrasse 4 Phone: +43 151 4560 Hotel Sacher's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Wine Taverns (Heurigen)
Offering a wide selection of local wine
Word to the wise: Heurigen are easily identifiable by the green fir branches hanging from the doors.
Initially set up to give a kick-start in sales for the year’s new wine, Heurigen has now blossomed into full-blown taverns, specializing in wine from local makers, but serving food and snacks as well.Vineyards surround Vienna, providing a fair amount of wine for consumption. The popularity of these establishments with tourists has made them a year-round business. You can buy wine by the glass, or by the bottle, partake of a meal with your alcohol, or drink absent any solid nourishment. Hirt (Eisernenhandgasse 165), Surbu (Kahlenbergerstrasse 210) and Zahel (Maurer Hauptplatz 9) are just a few of the more reputable Heurigen located in Vienna’s outlying districts. There are many spots to choose from.
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: around 4pm - 12midnight
Sun: around 11am - 12midnight
(Hours vary by Tavern)
Address: Hirt: Eisernenhandgasse 165
Surbu: Kahlenbergerstrasse 210
Zahel: Maurer Hauptplatz 9
Phone: +43 1 406 46 28
Bars & Nightlife
Volksgarten Disco
Dance your heart out, right next to the Royal Palace
Word to the wise: This is a wonderful club to take advantage of on a hot summer night as it offers both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Trends tend to come and go in most urban capitals, but the Volksgarten Disco has endured the test of time. The club has been around since the 1950s. Set in a garden and housed in a glass pavilion near the Royal Palace, this is one of Vienna’s premier nightspots. Here the beautiful people come to play.The interior space is fairly open, while still radiating a friendly vibe. Despite the luxuriant garden setting, and the convivial atmosphere, the club can turn into quite a high-energy venue. It’s a great spot to meet new people, and dance the night away to a mixture of hip-hop, house, reggae and salsa music.
Fee: EUR 5-11 Open Hours: Fri-Sat: 11pm - late Address: Burgring 1 Phone: +43 1 532 42 41 Volksgarten's webpage
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