Not Much to Do in Vienna…
Apart from the architecture, the history, the culture, and the heritage, that is.
I had a train ticket for the Bratislava–Vienna route, but I was quickly told that would be a terrible idea when the alternative was speeding up the Danube by riverboat and gliding into Vienna in style. No contest—I went for the boat, and I have zero regrets.
So, what to say about Vienna? For a laugh, I once posted on Facebook that there wasn’t much to do here. Some people took me literally… Imperial palaces, enormous cathedrals, sprawling museum complexes, grand theatres, and—you guessed it—even more palaces.
A city that’s both old and modern, Vienna has a fantastic public transport system. Metro, trams—you can get just about anywhere with ease and no stress.
I made the most of my local connections to meet up with a colleague who knows Vienna inside out. Thanks to his expertise, I got to see parts of the city tourists would never find. Architecture, history, culture, heritage—we covered it all!
Sisi’s Crockery
With limited time, I had to be selective about museums. I focused on Vienna’s Jewish history (two museums), a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to globes, and Schönbrunn Palace—better known as Empress Sisi’s museum.
Now, here’s a little secret: the imperial family owned a lot of crockery. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. By the time I’d reached the hundredth soup tureen, I’d had enough—time to check out the apartments instead!
Switching gears, I’d also highly recommend visiting the Austrian National Library, even if you have no intention of reading a single book. The grand hall is breathtakingly beautiful, with that unmistakable scent of old books—vanillin, to be precise—transporting you straight back to the golden age of 19th-century empires.
And for the love of all things sacred, please—please—don’t utter the word Hogwarts in this place. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Right, moving on…
A Centre of Jewish Culture
Vienna has been a hub of Jewish culture in Europe, home to greats like Sigmund Freud, Fritz Kreisler, Gustav Mahler, Arnold Schoenberg, and Stefan Zweig, to name just a few.
But history hasn’t been kind. Vienna also saw pogroms, confiscations, and mass deportations to concentration camps during the Second World War. Today, you’ll see small plaques embedded in pavements, each bearing the name of a deported family—a silent reminder of the horrors of state-sanctioned antisemitism.
After visiting the Jewish Museum on Dorotheergasse, I strongly recommend heading to the Holocaust Memorial at Judenplatz. And if you can, get someone to explain its significance—it’s worth it. Huge thanks to my mate Louis for showing me this.
Fake Mozarts Everywhere
One quick warning: if you’re wandering around central Vienna, expect to be hounded by bedraggled fake Mozarts in grubby wigs, desperate to flog overpriced tickets to so-called classical concerts. Many tourists have reported ending up in tiny apartment-style venues with mediocre musicians—so be warned!
If you’re serious about classical music, don’t go to Vienna in the summer. Instead, come in winter and book your tickets online in advance. In July and August, I’d recommend the Haus der Musik—an interactive, five-storey museum designed like a science centre, perfect for music lovers and families alike.
Goodbye, Vienna—sorry I didn’t get to see a world-class concert this time, but I will be back.
The Verdict
- Did I enjoy it? Are you joking?
- Would I go back? Tomorrow, without hesitation.
- Would I recommend it? The question doesn’t even need asking!
In a nutshell: Imperial grandeur at its finest.