Exploring Vienna!

This past weekend, I took a trip to Vienna, Austria. The weather was quite chilly, being the end of January, and unfortunately, we got little sun. Regardless, this city is wonderful. The architecture is enchanting, the musical influence is inspiring, and the food is very tasty. My flight got in super early, so I started by sitting and enjoying some peaceful moments at Cafe Landtmann. A friend had recommended I try the melange coffee, and I also wanted to try apple strudel. Both were delicious, and the wait staff was very friendly. I felt a bit underdressed when I first got there because the staff was wearing black tie attire and the tables were set with white cloths, but as more customers filed in wearing similar clothing to myself, I started to think that was the norm in Vienna. The language barrier was a bit of a shock since I am studying in Madrid and there I am able to communicate casually. For the most part, English is at least semi-understood, but for some reason when there was a miscommunication I would default to Spanish, even though that worked less. Either way, I found the wait staff at restaurants in Vienna were friendlier than in Spain, unsurprisingly.

Later, I met up with my friends and we wandered for hours through the beautiful streets. Compared to our bustling hometowns of Madrid and Barcelona, the streets seemed wider, extremely clean, and much calmer. On every corner, there seemed to be a palace or gorgeous steeple of sorts. Innere Stadt is the main city center. There are countless shops, places to eat, and attractions that I would highly recommend. St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansplatz) is among the loveliest buildings I have ever seen. The intricacy of the Gothic design, the incredible mosaic rooftop, and the charming bells make it a must-see in Vienna. It is located near a major shopping street, so it is not hard to stop by. And, if you’re a foodie like me, there are tons of options to try traditional Viennese eats nearby. Directly behind the cathedral, we found Demel - a famous restaurant known for its kaiserschmarrn. This, I would describe as “scrambled pancakes.” Similar to scrambled eggs, the batter gets flipped and mixed randomly until it is cooked through. This dish is topped with a plum sauce, and, from where we got it, served only to-go. I thought it was delicious!

Another must-see is the Naschmarkt: a large open market filled with stands of pastries, candied nuts, many types of cheeses and meats, and other goodies. My favorites were the truffle cheeses, the falafel, and the baklava. Don’t be fooled by the price per kilo - something that appears cheap might turn out to be triple the price - and don’t be afraid to tell them you no longer want it after realizing the final cost. Most places take credit cards, but having cash on hand was necessary in some cases. There are also regular restaurants near this market, and we decided to try some traditional Austrian dishes: Wienerschnitzel (breaded and fried veal), kasekrainer (a type of sausage filled with cheese), and Stiegl to drink. I did like each of them, however, I do prefer other cuisines. Regardless, I’m glad I tried them and experienced this aspect of the culture.

At night, we strolled along the Danube River. Even in the cold temperature, this site was so pleasant and peaceful. The city lights shining on the water felt magical - we were so entranced that we walked nearly an hour before realizing how far we had gone. Definitely a must-do.

The next day consisted of site after site after site. We visited the State Opera House, Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace and Gardens, Prater Amusement Park, and a few other places in between. The Opera House was gorgeous on the outside and the inside, and as much as I enjoyed our tour, I would not consider it a must-do. Walking around the building and marveling at the architecture would have been sufficient for me. Schonbrunn and Belvedere are must-do’s. These palaces are stunning and the views from their locations are equally as beautiful. We did not opt for guided tours, and I felt very satisfied with our visits, but I guess I don’t know what I don’t know. At night, Prater amusement park is lit up and still lively. This is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world! Definitely go if you can. We did not pay the 6 euros to ride the Ferris wheel, and I do regret that. It would have been amazing to see the entire city from way up high, but oh well. Another site I would have loved to see is Beethoven’s grave. Apparently, it is massive and extravagant and a major attraction in Vienna.

A few more tips:

• Public transportation is excellent. We used it several times per day. We did buy a 72-hour unlimited pass at the airport, and they never checked it once.
• Unlike Spain, tipping 5-10% (at restaurants or for other services) is considered normal and expected.
• The language spoken is German. Austrian is not its own language.
• We stayed at Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner. We loved it, they were very friendly and accommodating, it was cheap, and it was right near a metro station (although a bit on the outskirts of Innere Stadt).
• Wien is German for Vienna.
• Tickets to the opera sell out and get really expensive. If this is something on your list, make sure to book early.

I loved this city and its rich history and culture. Be sure to allow time for mindless meandering, getting lost, and stumbling upon random sites that end up being the best parts. Go to a jazz bar, take lots of photos, and if you’re going in the winter, bring a warm scarf and gloves!