Vienna city breaks

Swoon-worthy Vienna makes for a charming city break. Sweeping boulevards are an architectural dream, with baroque, medieval and imperial touches giving the Austrian capital a frozen-in-time feel. And the history doesn’t stop there. You’ll find elegant cafés standing shoulder to shoulder with atmospheric wine cellars and traditional taverns. If you’re not following your nose, listen out for orchestral tones, as classical music is big business here. Concert halls and jazz bars are the main magnets come night fall.

Enjoy architectural adventures

Feel as if you’ve fallen into the pages of a fairytale during a city break to Vienna. Showstopping palaces bring the magic, from the landscaped gardens of Schloss Belvedere to the opulent halls of Schloss Schönbrunn and The Hofburg. The grandeur continues at gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral – it’s a real must-see!

Go museum hopping

Culture’s in no shortage here, with world-class museums huddled into Vienna’s centre. Begin in the brilliant MuseumsQuartier complex to tick off a multitude of exhibitions. Meanwhile, art from all eras can be found in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, along with Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities.

Indulge in coffee-house culture

After a dose of sightseeing, take a seat in one of Vienna’s famous coffee houses – it’s an essential experience during a trip to this city! Café Sacher is a firm favourite. Order a frothy coffee and the sweet signature here, a chocolatey slab of sachertorte filled with apricot jam, while admiring twinkling chandeliers and vaulted ceilings.

Wander around Palmenhaus Schönbrunn

This pine-green, glass Palm House takes centre stage in the heart of the palace park. Split into three sections, it’s filled with Mediterranean and tropical plants, from orchids to palm trees. Afterwards, it’s well worth a walk around the surrounding gardens with their pretty flowers and perfectly manicured shrubbery.

See the Hundertwasserhaus

The colourful Hundertwasserhaus is a must-see on any visit to Vienna! It’s a wacky, residential block of flats designed by Vienna’s radical architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Although you can’t go inside, you’ll be able to snap plenty of pictures of the mosaic shapes and colours from across the street.

Catch a performance

Between candle-lit concerts and classical equitation performances, Vienna’s menu of exciting shows is a real feast for the senses. Start with the Spanish Riding School, where a group of showstopping stallions and their Lipizzans demonstrate the art of classic horsemanship, accompanied by Viennese music.

Hotel Sans Souci Wien

Vienna City, Vienna

Our rating

Based on 2562 reviews

Vienna's longest indoor hotel-pool
Boutique Hotel with in-house art exhibition
Central location between the imperial 1st and trendy 7th districts
100m from the nearest U-Bahn station
600m from Hofburg Palace

NH Collection Wien Zentrum

Vienna City, Vienna

Our rating

Based on 1372 reviews

Modern minimalistic interior
Rooftop terrace
1km from MuseumsQuartier
1.4km from Kunsthistorisches Museum
1.6km from Hofburg Palace

The Hoxton Vienna

Vienna City, Vienna

Our rating

Based on 127 reviews

Chic rooftop bar
Cool pool scene
Instagram worthy
Trendy on-site restaurant
1km from St Charles Church

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Vienna Christmas markets

Get that festive feeling with a Christmas market city break. Wooden stalls line the streets selling local toys, trinkets and unusual knick-knacks. And what’s more Christmassy than a hot dog and piping hot cup of glühwein?

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Language

German

Currency

Euro (€)

Time difference

+1hr

Local beer

£3.80

48-hour travel card

£12

Meal for two

£59.80

Heldenplatz

Vienna

Take in the splendour of Heroes' Square in front of the Hofburg Palace. Many important events took place here, notably Hitler's ceremonial announcement of the Anschluss, the annex of Austria by the German Third...

Hofburg Palace

Vienna

Once the seat of the Habsburg empire, the Hofburg palace now offers a fascinating glimpse into Austria's imperial past. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s an incredible melting pot of styles. There's a...

Kunsthistoriches Museum

Vienna

You could spend hours exploring the historic artwork housed in this stunning neoclassic building. But if time is limited, head straight to the Picture Gallery to see the Old Masters, including Raphael's Madonna...

Sightseeing

A city break to Vienna promises a treasure trove of history and culture to discover. Palaces, museums, churches and state buildings in a patchwork of architectural styles create a stellar sightseeing line-up. The joy of exploring here lies in simply getting lost among the beautiful streets.

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Eating and drinking

Strudel, schnitzel and sachertorte are just the start of Vienna’s culinary delights! Cafés are an obvious place to start dipping into sweet treats, while the bistro pubs are where to go for hearty grub. Eating on the move? Pick up a würstel drizzled with mustard from one of the many sausage stands.

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Shopping

If you’re hoping to indulge in a little retail therapy, independent boutiques, designer shops and family-run stores are what to expect. And if you’re in Vienna at Christmastime, you won’t miss the magical markets that take over the city!

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Getting around

Pack those comfy shoes as Vienna’s a compact city, so most sights can be easily navigated on foot. But it you’re venturing between districts or the weather’s taken a turn, trains and trams are your best bet.