What made us fall in love with Vienna wasn’t its grandeur (although there was plenty of that), but its smaller in-between moments. It’s a city of beauty without ego, and elegance without excess. In a love letter to Vienna, here’s what charmed our socks off.
The slowness of Viennese coffee culture
You’re usually always on the move when on holiday, but step foot in a Viennese coffee house and you’ll instantly slow down. Take a moment to pause and soak in the atmosphere, one where you’ll never feel rushed. Order a traditional Kapuziner – black coffee with a dash of whipped cream – and sip away while people-watching.
Hot tip: visit Café Sperl for its wood-panelled walls, marble tables and just the right amount of faded elegance. Order a Sperl Melange and settle in.
Music in the air
With musicians like Mozart, Strauss and Schubert revered here, you won’t have to look far to find a tune. From street performers on the Ringstrasse to making a night of it at the opera, the outside world melts away as soon as the first note is played.
Hot tip: book in advance for a Karlskirche Concert to listen to Vivaldi by candlelight in moody St Charles’s Church.
Quiet corners a-plenty
Despite Vienna’s grandiose exterior, quiet time is still essential. Even riding the tram can be a break from the world, our favourite being the number 1 or 2 line around the Ringstrasse.
Hot tip: we love to take our time in Volksgarten – filled to the brim with roses, fountains and beautiful views of the Hofburg.
Flavours that stay with you
Vienna’s food culture isn’t fussy, instead focusing on comfort and tradition. Wherever you go, you’ll find food that showcases the influences from its neighbouring countries to its own growing farm-to-table methodology.
Hot tip: visit Naschmarkt for a feast for the senses and stomach. You’ll find it hard to choose between falafel in freshly baked flatbread, moreish Austrian mountain cheese, and sugar-dusted strudel.
There’s no doubt about it – Vienna is a city full of twists and turns. Explore it on an Avalon Waterways river cruise, or a Globus or Cosmos tour.
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