Image Source: Ivan C via Flickr and CC 2.0
Although the land where the city of Vienna now resides has been inhabited for millennia, the town is perhaps known for being the epicenter of the Hapsburg empire that reached its’ zenith around the 19th century. Although the former rulers are long gone, Vienna still holds a timeless appeal for the numerous visitors that flock to Europe during the summer months. Perhaps the best time to visit this spot is between March and September when the weather is at its’ most pleasant. Because the Viennese metropolitan area is currently home to over 1.5 million people, there is plenty to do and see here. The list below contains some of our favorite activities.
Image Source: Michela Simoncini via Flickr and CC 2.0
• Sample the local cuisine. Tasty pastries are a key component of Austrian cuisine and bakeries can be found all over the capitol. Desserts such as the famous Sachertorte, the Linzer torte, and the Esterhazy torte are all noteworthy reasons to stop and sample all the town has to offer. Coffee is also very popular here. After all, the warm beverage goes perfectly with the wide varieties of sweets that are available in town. Travelers who nonetheless find themselves seeking heartier fare can easily find street vendors selling hot dogs and other types of sausages. The local delis also sell basic ham, cheese, and pickle sandwiches for around €1 apiece.
• Visit the Schoenbrunn Palace. When the weather is nice outside and the flowers are in bloom there is no better spot to hang out than the palace grounds. Those seeking to avoid the crowds should drop by in late afternoon hours. The palace building itself is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm on most days. Guests should allot about 3 hours to see everything the site has to offer. Admission costs start at €12.90 for adults ($13.88 USD) and €9.50 ($10.22 USD) for children. Complimentary audio guides are available with ticket purchase. Families traveling together might also like to stop by the nearby zoo while they’re here.
Image Source: Stefan Jurca via Flickr and CC 2.0
• Take a Walking Tour of the City. No matter where travelers find themselves, a city walking tour is a very good way to help newcomers understand the layout of a particular place and get a basic grasp of local history at the same time. Tour guides can also help point travelers towards their personal favorite spots, particularly those that have been missed out by the premiere guidebook authors and subsequently the crowds that throng such acclaimed places.
Sources: Trip Advisor; Wiki Travel; Wikipedia; Schoenbrunn Palace website; Lonely Planet; online currency converters
