Things That Surprised Me About Vienna

Europe has fast become one of my favorite vacation destinations and I’ve always wanted to travel to Vienna so I was exceptionally excited planning this part of my European excursion. What a gift to find things about Vienna that surprised me to no end.

After researching several boutique hotels and Bed n Breakfasts both of which I really enjoy, I opted for staying in an Airbnb in Vienna.

Surprise #1 About Vienna :: Our Airbnb was over the top

“… she took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor (whaaaat? an elevator? in Europe??)”

OMG I was absolutely blown away by the Airbnb Roydio found for us in Vienna! Christiane met us at the front door and took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor. Whaaaat? An elevator? In Europe?? Then she gave us the grand tour. And I do mean GRAND!

The first thing I noticed about the apartment which appears to be normally used as a training/conference center (this is a first for me!) a conference-type living room with a full-sized conference room. The bedroom is located behind pocket doors and there are two full bathrooms. 

But the most amazing feature of this Airbnb is the huge windows to let in TONS of light and the most MAGNIFICENT view! 

Yes! This is what you see when you look out our windows! This definitely was one of the most magnificent views outside my window that I’ve ever seen and it was the first thing that surprised me about Vienna :: WOW!

When you enter you find a good-sized open kitchen area with all the sparkling water and local Ottakringer Lager you can drink :: nice perk!

This place is new. It is clean. But the best feature for sure was its location :: Location, LOCATION!

#1 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: our Airbnb

AirBnB Vienna: https://bit.ly/2QKHVcu
Otxakringer Lager: http://www.thebeerstore.ca/beers/ottakringer-wienerorigin

Surprise #2 About Vienna :: Stephansplatz, such a lively square!

Located smack in the center of Vienna, Stephansplatz is a lively square that actually incorporates residences and businesses outside the main square area. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that one of the most exuberant things about Vienna was right there outside my door!

Food stalls and shops galore line the square where you can wander for hours. And actually this is another thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the food wasn’t as boring as I’d remembered from my visits to Austria as a child. As a matter of fact it was rather tasty and special!

“We ate standing at a bar-height table…”

We stopped at what seemed like a very popular stand and ordered a sausage dish that was delicious.  We ate standing at a bar-height table as everyone else did. It was quite crowded so I was pleased when a table opened up just in time.

So yea, the #2 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Stephansplatz. And the fact that it was right outside my door was more than I had ever imagined.

Surprise #3 About Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral, a sight to behold!

The main highlight of Stephansplatz is St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

Stephansdom, as it is known in Vienna, is a Romanesque and Gothic medieval cathedral which stands on the ruins of two earlier churches dating back to the 1100’s. One of the tallest churches in the world, I heard its bells ring proudly throughout the day as wells as in the evening. A truly breathtaking sight to see. A beautiful sound to hear especially since it is located directly in front of our Airbnb apartment! Seriously? No better view to be had, for sure! Unbelievable…

Parts of the cathedral require an entrance fee but the main sanctuary is free to the public and definitely worth a look (and listen).

It was so relaxing to wander the square and take in all the sounds and smells of my surroundings. The thought “I’m in Vienna!” kept creeping into my mind. This is a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting and I am actually here.

#3 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral. I just opened my window and there it stood, in its grandeur and splendor! Magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe it.

But there is so much more to this area that is worth mentioning!

The Streets of Vienna

Not too far from my apartment in the oldest square of Vienna “Hoher Markt” I found a wonderful cafe called Joma Cafe Brasserie Bar which came with outstanding reviews and where Roydio and I had breakfast of a soft-boiled egg, toast and egg-filled avocado as well as a latte and hot chocolate. It was all yummy and worth the price we paid.

On the next block over is the famous Anchor Clock representing  a typical art nouveau design. Everyday at 12 noon it does a “dance.” I wasn’t there at the right time so I’m including a video I found online so you can see what it does…

I don’t know but I think I may have developed an affinity for clocks over the years, but this was definitely one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. It was absolutely beautiful!

Rathaus :: Vienna City Hall

The Rathaus is the Vienna City Hall and on the list of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna. Apparently there is always a lot of construction going on inside the Rathaus and sure enough when I was there so I didn’t get to go inside. If you’re there at Christmastime, I hear their decorations compare to none. But I was there in May, so…

I did, however, stop to take some pictures of the outside and the beautiful archways that frame it. 

Surprise #4 About Vienna :: Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

They call them “fiakers” taken from the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. Roydio and I took Fiaker Paul for a ride through Vienna’s historic City Center and were blessed with the perfect weather for it. We shared our two-horse carriage with an older couple from a different country. We didn’t recognize their language so we just smiled at each other. HA! 

You can easily find the fiaker stands in Stephansplatz, Michaelerplatz, Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz and Burgtheater/Volksgarten

“finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second!”

The driver spoke English and showed the four of us where Mozart and Sigmund Freud lived. He explained how old some of the buildings were and what their uses are. The highlight of the ride for me was seeing the Spanish Riding School. But finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second! The ride was a little bumpy so I wasn’t able to take good photos on our tour. Bummer. And the tour itself is rather pricey so I recommend doing the shorter. You can certainly see a lot of Vienna in 30 minutes!

The driver was kind enough to take our picture before we continued on our journey through Vienna on foot.

After our fiaker ride we spent some time going back and visiting some of the sites we passed that looked interesting. Although I’m glad we sprung for the carriage ride for the sheer sake of experiencing Vienna in this traditional way, I found that walking is still the best way to see everything in this beautiful city.

#4 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the spectacular way to see it :: in a fiaker!

A little tidbit about Vienna

Vienna is known as Wien [pronounced VEEN] from whence you get the word WIENerschnitzel one of the city’s popular dishes. And for those who live in the US, no, they don’t serve hot dogs…. HA! Wienerschnitzel is actually fried breaded veal. 

Surprise #5 About Vienna :: Roman ruins at Michaelerplatz

I was pleasantly surprised to come across an archaeological excavation where remains of the Roman residential settlement for soldiers’ wives and children from back around 168AD were uncovered. And it apparently was also reputed to have been used as a brothel for those soldiers.

At the junction of two road routes which led across the Kohlmarkt and Michaelerplatz, four different buildings were discovered, inhabited until into the fifth century. A foundation stone was found west of the road junction indicating the existence here of a pillar-type commemorative tomb or monument.

“it’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff”

What a find, this portion of the Wien Museum right in the middle of Michaelerplatz. Located directly in front of the palace complex of the Hofburg which is also one of the pick up locations for the “fiakers.” It’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff.

#5 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: I definitely wasn’t expecting to find these amazing Roman ruins in the middle of town! And it was awesome to see some of these other places on our ride through town ::

Hofburg, Vienna seat of government

As of the 13th century Hofburg has been the documented seat of government for Vienna and was the former imperial palace. Today this is the residence and workplace of the President of Austria. It’s a beautiful grand building located across from Heroes Square, the Kaiser Apartments (renting for $87 and up), the Sisi Museum and Maria-Theresian Platz.

At the dome below the Kaiser Apartments, it appeared to be tradition for people to stand in the center and sing out loud because apparently the acoustics in the dome are magnificent. And it certainly was!

There were several men who took their place in the center of the dome and began singing their hearts out while I was there. It would probably have been considered rude of me to video tape their performances so I decided against it. But it sure was fun to see and hear! And it seriously ranks as one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. I know, I’m quirky like that. But these types of little unexpected experiences is what make traveling so special to me.

Heroes Square also known as Heidenplatz is most notably the place where Adolf Hitler announced the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938. So many historical places in such close proximity to each other. It made me just stop and think about how grateful I am for the freedoms we enjoy. 

Viennese cafes and coffeehouses

Famous for their cafes and coffee houses I made it a point to keep an eye out for all the cute little Viennese places on my way to here or there. It was fun just strolling down the streets of Vienna and happening upon opportunities to enjoy a cup of coffee, some sparking water and perhaps a light lunch or snack.

“the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna”

As I trekked across town I found the main Tourist office and with info and maps in hand decided to go across the street to the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna, to strategize plans for the next couple of days. Located in the heart of the city this 200 year old coffee house was highly recommended in all the reviews we read. Roydio and I chose seating outside on the patio and ordered an espresso and lemonade to discuss our plans. Seriously, our drinks were wonderful but not worth the 11.50 Eu we paid (hence no pastry). I guess sometimes you just have to pay the standard fare for touristy places. Buy hey, I can now say “I’ve been to Cafe Mozart.”

Hop On Hop Off Bus Vienna

“I highly recommend it!”

Throughout my travels I usually try to find a HOHO bus which is a great mode of transportation. Buy a one-day pass for a great way to see everything the city has to offer and then go back to the places that interest you. I highly recommend it. You can hop on and hop off wherever you think you’d like to spend more time. But this time I took it from beginning to end just to see an overview of the city because I planned to do a lot of walking here.

If the day is beautiful and warm you’ll have an unobstructed view sitting outside on top. If it’s too chilly or if it rains, inside provides shelter from the elements. Either way, it’s a great way to see the entire city because there is a lot to see!

I saw so many special places on this HOHO bus ride including the Danube River, St Francis of Assisi Church, the Millennium Tower and the Donauturm. Happy to have had such a nice day in which to enjoy the ride. Such a great way to see so much.

Surprise #6 About Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace, one of the best

The idea to see the Schoenbrunn Palace actually came from my granddaughter Samy who recently visited there. Upon arrival I found out that the busiest months to visit Schoenbrunn are April to September and the busiest times are 10am-12pm on the weekend. And wouldn’t you know it :: I found myself there in May on a Saturday at 10am… HA!

“…research ahead for this one”

The line for tickets kept me waiting the better part of 2 hours. The time slot I was given was 3:30pm so yea my timing was the worst possible. Too bad this is one place I did not research ahead before visiting. But now I’ve experienced it for you so you don’t have to! I’ve placed some “tips” at the bottom of this post regarding what you can expect when you come to Schoenbrunn.

Schoenbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is my goal in life to visit as many of the UNESCO sites as possible; so far I’ve seen maybe 20+.  Having known better but much to my chagrin I was not allowed to take photographs inside the palace. As a matter of fact they took my purse and emptied my pockets prior to gaining entrance. But let me just say I’ve been to a lot of palaces around the world including what many people consider to be the most beautiful, the Forbidden City in China, but Schoenbrunn must be in the top ten. Go see it!

The grounds of the Schoenbrunn are unbelievably grand much like that of the Palace of Versailles but smaller in scale in which you can spend the better part of the day wandering the grounds. In fact that is exactly what you will do if you don’t book your tickets and a time slot ahead of time (again, check my “tips” at the bottom of this post).
https://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/

#6 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace was magnificent!

Surprise #7 About Vienna :: Glorietta, the best view in Vienna

“On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains…”

I did exactly that: wandered the grounds while waiting for my time slot. I must say it wasn’t the worst way to kill time. The gardens were magnificent! Although there is a tram (for a fee) that takes you to the panoramic terrace called the Glorietta, knowing I had a lot of time I opted to just take the leisurely stroll up the hill. On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains… I would highly recommend you not miss the opportunity to experience this peaceful journey on your way to the highest point of this expansive property.

Once I arrived at the Glorietta, I was awestruck at the gorgeous view! From this vantage point you can see the palace in all its glory. The massive surroundings as well as the city of Vienna behind it make a memory in your mind that will last a lifetime.

#7 thing that surprised me in Vienna :: the amazing view of the entire town from the Glorietta! I wished we could have stayed up there and enjoyed the view for a lot longer than we did.

It would have been nice to have brought a picnic lunch and sat on the grass to enjoy it at my leisure as others were doing. They obviously did their research!

There is a restaurant and swimming pool (for a fee) around the back side of the Glorietta which gives the perfect location for respite before heading back down to the Palace. On Sundays there is a brunch with live music.

“watching the Royal Wedding was so surreal”

It just so happens that I was at Schoenbrunn on the day the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was taking place so during our lunch there I watched a portion of the ceremony on my phone. I have to say it was kind of surreal being at a palace in Vienna while watching the Royals in Windsor. It made me feel as though we were sort of connected…

Back at the apartment

We spent our last evening in Vienna enjoying the nighttime activities in Stephansplatz and ended up at one of the food stands to order dinner. We found what looked like a delicious local dish made with pork and crushed potatoes with onions called “Greste Krumpian.” We then walked over to our favorite bakery Aida Cafe/Konditorei for dessert. We brought our dinner back to our apartment and enjoyed the magnificent view from our amazing Airbnb one last night. 

Of all the things that surprised me about Vienna, the ambiance was evident everywhere we went. From the history to the architecture to the food and the coffee shops :: Vienna was a spectacular find.

Is it time to leave already?

Vienna exceeded all of my expectations… holding all of the old-world charm I had hoped for. Yet this is a city of contradictions with it’s unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. And although we crammed a lot into this three-day booking, the time passed much too quickly and I found myself wishing we could stay longer! Vienna, you are beautiful and I’ll definitely make it a point to return…

TIPS for Schoenbrunn:

1. Plan to visit during the off-season prior to April or after September
2. Plan to arrive on a weekday either early in the morning or later in the afternoon
3. Buy your tickets online; book your time slot before you arrive
4. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beautiful grassy field
5. Bring bottled water. You will need it walking around the vast grounds
6. Know that they will take your bag/purse before entering the palace so be sure not to bring valuables
7. Arrive on Sunday to enjoy brunch in the Glorietta as well as live music ranging from the classics to jazz

TIPS for Vienna:

1. Don’t expect everyone to speak English
2. You’ll have to ask for the bill
3. Stores usually close early
4. There are no non-smoking areas
5. Be sure to carry change (public restrooms charge)
6. Subway: don’t sit where it says “blind,” “pregnant,” “elderly”
7. Tipping: 10% is suitable
8. Let little old ladies cut the line in front of you; it’s expected
9. Don’t forget to partake in a Sachertorte