Luxury Travel to Vienna: An Insider Guide

Vienna is a beautiful city to wander through, but there’s also plenty going on beneath the surface. The theatres and concert halls are alive and kicking with opera, ballet, classic and contemporary music. It’s a great city for foodies, offering many options to indulge in a delicious pastry in one of Vienna’s many coffee houses or spend the evenings holed up in a cosy wine tavern. Lastly, those interested in equestrianism will delight in visiting the Spanish Riding School. With Vienna topping the annual Mercer Quality of Life Survey for the ninth year running, the locals clearly think it’s a wonderful place to live, and it’s not hard to see why.

Food

Food may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Vienna, but there are many foodie delights to discover in this bustling metropolis. Street stalls serve up piping hot sausages, candle-lit cellar wine bars offer charming ambience and gastro-pubs keep classics like Wiener Schnitzel and goulash alive. Eclectic international food markets such as the Naschmarkt bring a traditional element to Vienna’s food scene, whilst ever-emerging brunch spots are pushing it into the future. Whatever it is you find yourself craving, Vienna’s plethora of eateries cater to almost every taste.  

Palaces

Vienna’s grandeur is evident on every street corner, with impressive palaces sitting neatly alongside contemporary boutiques and elegant cafés. Visiting these opulent buildings is a great way to get a glimpse of the Vienna of a bygone era, and there are plenty to explore. Serving as the official residence and workplace of the President of Austria today, the Hofburg Palace has a fascinating history. For more than 6 centuries, the Hofburg Palace was the main seat and winter residence of the Habsburg Empire until 1918.

One of Vienna’s most decadent buildings, the Schönbrunn Palace was built under the orders of Emperor Leopold I in 1642 to serve as an imperial hunting lodge for his son. Later, the château grew into a palatial residence over the course of the eighteenth century. It remains as elegant today as ever, and is a great place for families to learn about Austria’s history. Children can play dress up by donning clothes traditionally worn by the imperial family. In the twelve rooms on the ground floor of the palace are all dedicated to getting families engaged in the story of the palace’s 18th century residents.

For a palatial building that isn’t so frequented by tourists, head to the Palace of Justice. A working institution, the Palace of Justice houses Austria’s Supreme Court and many other regional courts. Built from 1875 to 1881, the building’s 19th-century charm is still visible today. Although the outside of the building may pale in comparison to Vienna’s other palaces, the interior is something to behold. An impressive statue of Lady Justice sits atop a staircase fit for a royal, but the real highlight here is the fifth-floor café. The Justizcafe is a canteen that mainly caters for employees working in the courts, but if you drop in for lunch or coffee here, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view over Vienna from the charming balcony.

Arts and culture

For those with an interest in equestrianism, Vienna’s Spanish Riding School is a must-see. In existence for an awe-inspiring 450 years, it’s the only place in the world where the classic art of equestrianism is still taught in the Renaissance haute école style. Whilst visiting the Spanish Riding School, travellers can be inspired by the seemingly effortless movements of the Lipizzaner stallions. The architecture is brilliant too, with the decadent Baroque setting and detailed chandelier only adding to the landmark’s opulence.

Hotel Sacher Wien

Located opposite Vienna’s magnificent Opera House, the Hotel Sacher Wien is just as grand as the city it calls home. An elegant belle époque style runs through the hotel, reflecting the Austrian capital’s rich and illustrious history. Old-world charm is evident, with beautiful crystal chandeliers and oil paintings adding to the grandeur. Dining at the hotel is a real treat, with two different restaurants to choose from. The Röte Restaurant is a brilliant place to enjoy the surrounding view, with a conservatory looking out to the Opera House. In the Grüne Restaurant, diners can indulge in more modern, innovative dishes. During your stay here, you can indulge in a spot of local sachertorte at the famous Cafe Sacher or simply unwind in the spa and fitness centre.

Dinner and a concert at Kursalon Wien

In a city that’s famous for its opera, it’s no surprise that one of our favourite Vienna experiences is indulging in dinner and a concert at one of the city’s many opera houses. In the mid-19th century, the impressive Kursalon Wien was constructed and today, it’s one of the city’s best concert halls. The Kursalon houses a restaurant, where you can enjoy outstanding seasonal delicacies amongst a beautiful historic setting. The resident opera company here is the Salonorchester Alt Wien, one of the best-known interpreters of classical music. Presenting works by Mozart and Strauss, this concert offers an evening filled with Viennese charm. Lilting sounds of waltzes, piano concerto melodies and excellent opera vocalists are sure to create a magical evening.

Fiacre horse carriage ride

A fiacre horse carriage ride through the downtown area of Vienna is one of the most charming ways to explore the city’s attractions. It’s hard to imagine the sprawling cityscape without these horse-drawn carriages, as they appear in almost every district of the city. Adopted from the French, the term ‘fiacre’ originally referred to the horse-drawn carriages sitting on corner of the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. The name ‘fiacre’ made its way over to Vienna in 1720, before which time all carriages in Vienna had been referred to as ‘Janschky’ coaches. A leisurely ride in a horse drawn carriage is a lovely way to explore Vienna whilst feeling as though you’ve travelled back through time.