Get ready for a Cultural and History Extravaganza! You've struck gold when you arrive in Vienna... Even if culture and history aren't your cup of tea - it's hard not to enjoy the huge amount of things to do and see during your stay here.
Getting from the airport into town is VERY easy... if you are in a hurry, grab the
CAT (City Airport Train) - costs 8 euros but gets you into the city centre in 16 minutes. If you want the cheap option take the normal train for 3.40 euros which takes about 30 minutes (to Landstrasse station). There are also cheap and easy buses going as well.
You're best off buying a 24 hour Metro card (or longer depending on how long you stay) as this gives you unlimited transport on all buses, trams, trains. Vienna's public transport system is excellent and pretty much always on time.
MUST-SEE's
Schonbrunn Palace - The photo above shows the immense size of this 1440 room Palace that has had the pleasure of a 6 year old Mozart playing a concert, Napolean using it as a residence during his reign and boasts the oldest Zoo in the world. You could easily spend half to a full day walking around here, taking breaks drinking delicious coffee and feasting on yummy cakes.
MuseumsQuartier - very funky setup where you can choose to chill with the locals in the huge 'chairs' outside or grab yourself a coffee in one of the outdoor coffee shops. MQ is host to range of Art Museums, etc and is the 8th largest Cultural Areas in the world. In summer, they regularly have DJ's playing and there is also free Wireless internet (if you buy a coffee) at Daily Cafe.
KaffeeHauser (Coffee Houses) - Over the generations, the Kaffeehauser of Vienna have become institutions amongst artists, poets, revolutionaries and writers including people such as Goethe, Beethoven, Hitler, Strauss and Trotsky for discussion, reflection, writing and playing cards. It's not uncommon for Viennese and tourists alike to sit back for hours on end sipping on coffee and watching the world go by.
Other things are of course the Spanish Lippazaner's, Vienna Boys Choir, Opera, Belvedere, Albertina.. the list goes on!
NIGHTLIFE
Flex - described as one of the best clubs in Europe - and with it's lineup of indie rock, drum and bass, break beats, hip hop, dub, big beat, illbient, house or soul flowered funk changing depending on the night of the week, you are bound to find something that grabs your interest.
Passage - If high-society is your thing, check out Passage for a night out with beautiful people and pumping House music from local and international DJ's.
Cafe Bendl - Reknown for its yellowed wallpaper, age-old jukebox, mediocre food, student priced beer, grumpy waitresses and beer coaster battles with complete strangers at 5 in the morning!
Volksgarten - Another funky club worth checking out if that's your scene. In Summer, out the back, they have a Tuesday Night called 'Techno Cafe' which is really worth getting along to if you can - great music in an awesome outdoor atmosphere!
MUST-DO
Jump on the D-Tram which does a loop around the 'Ring' of Vienna... great, easy way to see the sights.
Rent a bike! There are over 1000kms of bike paths in Vienna, so get out and see the sights while keeping fit... If you have time - get down to the Donau Insel (Danube Island). 23km man made island purely for recreation... so grab a bike, rollerblades or just go down for a picnic. If you don't want to cycle, best Metro stations on U1 (red line) are 'Kagran' or 'Donauinsel'
Enjoy!
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