Top 10 things to do in Vienna

This city doesn’t mess about when it comes to dark tourism. There are tombs, crypts and, bizarrely, some royal gizzards to look at. In the cellars below St Stephen’s Cathedral, there lies the hearts – and intestines, of a whole host of Austrian monarchs. Grim. Pop down and take a peek if you dare. Or, perhaps the rather more visually appealing grounds of the Cemetery for the Nameless might be a better intro into the dark underbelly of travel? This is the final resting place for the unfortunately, unidentifiable souls who met their maker in the Danube. Peaceful and flower-filled, it makes a nice change from the drab interiors of the Bestattungsmuseum – Vienna’s Undertakers’ Museum. 

European cities are rarely short on period properties to gawp at. Fewer still are low on modern towers of gleaming glass. Where the continent sometimes lacks? Quirky oddities that have somehow evaded bulldozers – or keen hands with a paintbrush. Vienna has bemusing and beguiling little easter eggs around the city you’ll want to seek out. We’ll start you off with the medieval backgammon game on Bäckerstraße. Just under a windowsill a bull and a wolf are quietly playing an eternal game, that’ll be hopefully around for another few hundred years. The rest? Happy hunting. 

Anyone who’s even the slightest bit wary of facing yet another continental breakfast in Vienna need not worry. In this city, everything is on the menu pre-10am. And we mean EVERYTHING. Restaurants have plucked meals from across the globe to either cater for international travellers – or bemuse those a little closer to home. How about a miso-soaked bowl of noodles at Haas & Haas, or a plate of Copenhagen-inspired treats from Waldermar? Paprika sprinkled shakshukas  aren’t an unfamiliar sight either. Scandi inspo, Mediterranean, Asian and Indian eats are all here and more. And, on occasion, a Viennese breakfast crops up too.  

Vienna’s proudly clutching many of those coveted ‘largest in the world’ trophies. One of the shiniest on their awards shelf? That goes to the whopping Hofberg Imperial Palace. Building carried on from the 13th century right up until the 20th, though presumably with a few tea breaks in between. The complex that makes up the palace has a footprint so big it makes it one of the biggest in the world. Many museums sit within the walls, there’s a national library, butterfly house, numerous treasures, works of art and everything you’d expect from a palace of this size. Including the famous Spanish Riding School. Watch the Lipizzaners strut their stuff to music and prepare to be wowed by their very unique move you’ll not see in any dressage arena.  

Vienna does like to stay slightly buzzed on caffeine from dawn til dusk. Much like any other city. Except, here, your options go far beyond copy-cat chains and third wave elitism. Yes, there’s a smidgen of that. But, some of the coolest cafes in Vienna have been roasting their beans since the dawn of time. Or around a century, depending on your approach to historic accuracy. Their interiors – and sometimes the barista uniforms, are a glimpse back in time. Drop into a few for a peek into the world of Vienna’s hipsters, coffee fiends and single origin fans. 

In 1766, the eminently generous Austrian Emperor Josef II kindly bestowed his hunting grounds to the people of Vienna. Seizing the opportunity, the space was declared a leisure centre and businesses quickly filled it with stalls selling gingerbreads and ale. Their best move? Popping in a couple of merry-go-rounds and seesaws. Over the decades the rides got bigger, the snack bars underwent a smidge of gentrification and today it’s a grand old spot for childhood nostalgia. Admittedly, the ghost train and massive ferris wheel are a little more historic than the 5D cinema. No matter, the Prater Amusement Park is a fun spot that’s a must for young and old alike.