VIENNA - STREETS FILLED WITH MUSIC + PASTRIES

TO SEE + DO....

SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE + GARDENS
ST. STEPHAN'S CATHEDRAL 
ZENTRALFRIEDHOF CEMETARY
ENJOY A SUMMER CONCERT
RIDE THE CIRCLE TRAM
SEE KUNSTHAUS
WALK ALONG THE DANUBE
SIT IN A CAFE AND WATCH THE CITY
Like many cities in Europe, Vienna looks like a city from a fairytale. With its castles, gardens, churches, and many beautiful boulevards, Vienna is a beautiful place to stroll around and take in the ambiance that is everywhere.

The Circle Tram is free, so ride it the whole way or only for a little while. It's a great way to see a lot of the city in a little bit of time. The Hofburg Palace, City Hall, and the National Library are all within reach from the Circle Tram route.

I personally love river walks. Walking along the Danube, especially if it is a nice day out, is relaxing. From here, you can see newer parts of Vienna as well as the Wiener Riesenrad, the old ferris wheel.
Café culture is big in Vienna. Cafés are everywhere and it's nice to sit down and have a warm drink with a delicious pastry whilst watching the city whirl by or stop in time. 

Music is very important to the city. With residents such as Beethoven and Mozart, Brahms and Schubert, no wonder Vienna is filled with musical talents. I saw a summer concert held in a tiny, old church just outside the city centre area.  Look for little concerts if you are on a budget.

SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE + GARDENS

The monumentally beautiful Schönbrunn Palace is a must for anyone visiting Vienna. It's within easy access of the metro and tram lines. The palace is immense and I did not want to pay the hefty entrance fee on a low backpacking budget. Fear not, the outside and the gardens are free! Wander around and enjoy all of the colors and numerous paths around the palace grounds. Bring a simple picnic if you are going around lunchtime.

ST. STEPHAN'S CATHEDRAL

A wonderfully old, large Gothic style cathedral set right in the heart of Vienna. St. Stephan's Cathedral is at the St. Stephansplatz metro stop, which makes it very convenient to see. The church has a beautifully designed tiled roof that will make anyone that loves architecture think 'Wow.' Surrounding the cathedral is a square that leads to many modern shops and restaurants. 

ZENTRALFRIEDHOF CEMETERY

Can you imagine a cemetery with over two million bodies buried there? If you cannot conjure up this picture, then Zentralfriedhof Cemetery will give it to you in living color. This cemetery has almost as many people buried as the living population of Vienna. Zentralfriedhof is a bit of a trek from the city centre via tram. There were three tram stops and I decided to get off at the second one and I am so happy that I did because I stumbled upon the graves of the classical greats. There were headstones and memorials set up for Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, and a few other names in classical music.

NATIONAL LIBRARY

If Belle from Beauty and the Beast could have a library, this library would have been the one given to her by the Beast. The National Library is a wonderful treasure to see if you are a book lover. With its ornate guilted decorations and ceiling paintings, the National Library of Austria is stunning. The library also has an exhibition that delves into the rich history of Austria and has books and manuscripts on display. There are antique globes and other other furniture throughout the library. There is an €8 entrance fee to go inside the library, but it is totally worth it if you enjoy history and books. The library is located within the Hofburg Palace complex in the city centre.

KUNSTHAUS 

A cool trippy museum designed by  Friedensreich Hundertwasser (try saying that three times fast). I sadly did not go in because I was probably really broke (au pair salary is not conducive to opulent travel whatsoever) and had already done quite a bit in Vienna. In any case, it was a really fun place to stop and eat a croissant.

HOSTELS in VIENNA
There are many hostel options available throughout Vienna, so this is a great place for backpackers to lay their heads. Prices range from €10-€25/night for a bed and usually have breakfast included. 

​The hostel I stayed at was so quirky and fun, called Hostel Ruthensteiner. The hostel is situated near all the main attractions such as the palace, and was very clean and comfortable with a kitchen area, social bar, and garden space.  

TIPS FOR VISITING VIENNA
• Currency: Euro €
• Metro system is really good and fairly cheap
• Train to and from the airport is quite expensive
• Eat all the pastries possible