Vienna City Breaks

Vienna at a glance

Vienna's place as co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has ensured a legacy of grand architecture, majestic palaces and cultural maturity that is almost unsurpassed. Artistry and regal romance continue to reign today, making it a popular short break destination for those seeking to enjoy culture and the arts.

With a longstanding tradition and love of opera and classical music, Vienna undoubtedly lives up to its nickname ‘City of Music’. From the time of Viennese Classicism through to the early part of the 20th century famous composers made Vienna a hive of musical activity. Mozart, Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven all worked in Vienna and today their music can still be heard floating out of concert halls around the city.

Much of Vienna’s past can be enjoyed while exploring the city’s grand palaces, Hofburg and Schönbrunn, and their perfectly sculptured gardens. Captured within the royal residences is a sense of history that have seen changes from one era to the next, with new additions continually added as each new successor took the throne. The palaces continue to play an important role in the city’s regal charm.

A cultural haven with a wealth of historical sights, Vienna is a wonderful choice for a lavish city break. From concert halls to palaces, from cafés to fine dining, Vienna one of Europe's great cities.

A visit to Vienna can be twinned with one to Budapest, excellent rail links allow easy connection. Call our expert team on 0131 243 8098 to chat through the options or drop us a note via our enquiry form.

Things to do in Vienna

• Hofburg Imperial Palace: This magnificent former Royal residence was the centre of the Hapsburg empire and the birthplace of Marie Antoinette in the 18th century.
• Liechtenstein Museum: One of the world’s most impressive art collections, with masterpieces from the early Renaissance to the Baroque.
• Vienna Opera House: Home of Vienna’s internationally renowned opera scene, you can take a guided tour of the fascinating interior.
• Stadtpark: Established in 1862, this beautiful city park has a statue of musician Johann Strauss in the centre.
• The Spanish Riding School: Watch the world famous Lipizzan horses perform classical dressage in the magnificent 18th century indoor arena.
• Belvedere Palace: This former royal summer residence, built in a baroque style, is now home to the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. The museum houses a fabulous art collection, which includes masterpieces from the Fin de Siècle and Art Nouveau periods, including Gustav Klimt’s most famous work, ‘The Kiss’.
• Naschmarkt: Vibrant outdoor flea market on a street lined with great restaurants and cafes.

Getting around

Vienna has a large and well organized public transport system made up of the S-Bahn (suburban railway), the U-Bahn (underground railway) and the Wiener Linien (Vienna Lines) that operate bus and tram routes throughout the city.

One ticket covers all modes of transportation and can be purchased to cover various lengths of time.

Dining in Vienna 

Food is a way to many hearts, and there is no exception in Vienna. The Naschmarkt is a food lovers paradise, there are many stalls selling a wide selection of local produce but inside there are also food stalls to sample. There are also a hive of wonderful restaurants in the city.

Café culture is a biggie here, as cafés have long been an integral part of Vienna’s history and the coffee house culture has earned a unique place on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Drinking a cup of coffee is an all-day affair and locals linger over cups of steaming brew while engaging in hours of conversation, card games and the enjoyment of pastries and tarts.

Must-try local dishes:

• Wiener Schnitzel – A thin cutlet of veal breaded and pan-fried in butter or oil.
• Sachertorte – A dense, chocolate sponge cake, created with thin layers of apricot jam and encased in firm chocolate icing.
• Austrian Goulash – Beef stew seasoned with tomatoes, onion and paprika, this hearty dish pairs well with a beer.

Shopping in Vienna

Visitors to Vienna can enjoy a wide range of shopping areas. The Goldenes Quartier is known for luxury shopping and international designer brands. The Kohlmarkt is a pedestrianised street famous for fine Viennese jewellers and high-end fashion boutiques, including Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.

For more contemporary shopping, the Graben offers a mix of luxury labels and independent shops. Meanwhile, Kärntner Straße is Vienna’s best-known shopping street, featuring both luxury brands and popular high-street retailers such as Zara and H&M.

Osprey Holidays top tips

The Spanish Riding School performances tend to take place at the weekend and you must book well in advance to secure tickets. You can also see the beautiful Lipizzaner horses being put through their paces during their morning exercise. Again, pre-booking of tickets is highly recommended and Osprey Holidays can help with that.