Elegant, artsy, historical, delicious, vibrant Vienna. A magnificent city one cannot help falling deeply in love with when visiting. There is never enough time to experience everything in a city like Vienna. My list only gets longer between visits. These most recent 5 Fabulous Vienna Stops are a bit offbeat. However, I highly recommend them.
This last trip was a reunion of sorts. After living and working in Munich for many years, I developed amazing friendships that have stood the test of time and distance.
Consequently, when I return to our home in the western part of Germany, I usually pop down to Munich for a visit to catch up with my girlfriends there. This time, we decided to organize a road trip, so Vienna was our pick.
After all, Southern Living pointed out taking a trip with your girlfriends is good for your health. Amen to that. Furthermore, I am lucky to have circles of amazing girlfriends from different parts of my life who all love to travel. So I put this in practice several times a year.
In four days, the four of us managed to walk an exceeding crazy amount of steps. However, our sides hurt more than our feet from laughing. Reminiscing while sharing our stories, private jokes, worries, dreams were all part of our shared lovely Vienna experience. It made our trip all that more special.
We traversed the city, ate traditional Austrian fare, sipped Melange coffees inside famous old coffee houses, popped in and out of stores and museums, cruised through the Naschmarkt, soaked up the Vienna vibes and caught up on each other’s lives. Of course, we saw much more than these 5 Fabulous Vienna Stops. However, these are highlights I recommend.
If you have been to Vienna before, check out some of these offbeat items. If planning a first time trip, maybe you will have a chance to squeeze a few of these into your itinerary.
Our Hotel
Our base for the trip, 25Hours Hotel Vienna located in the Museum Quarter was fun, cushy, eco-minded, and provided excellent service with a friendly staff. I highly recommend it would book with them again.
The hotel had a wonderful rooftop bar with an extensive, very funny drink menu and featured a wraparound terrace with beautiful views.
Although we did not eat at the hotel, they offer an extensive breakfast that I’ve heard great things about. The rooftop bar also has a nibbles menu.
#1 – Strudel Show At the Palace
The strudel show is located in the court bakery of the Café Residenz at the gorgeous Schonbrunn Palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stunning palace is expansive with lovely grounds and gardens and was the main summer residence of the Habsburgs. A few years ago, I spent a memorable spring afternoon visiting a fabulous Easter market on the grounds in front of the palace.
The show only lasts 20 minutes, costs $12 euro, and comes with a piece of fresh strudel and coffee. You will also walk away with the printed strudel recipe. This traditional apple strudel demonstration is done in both German and English. Strudel gained popularity in the 18th century through the Habsburg Empire (1278–1780) so it’s a great experience to watch it being made and eat it on the grounds of their palace.
During the demonstration, you sit at tables scattered around a bakery located against one wall. Everyone has a pretty good view of the strudel action and you can easily get up and move to take photographs. The baker also walks around the room while working the dough.
Soaking in it
During the presentation, I scored a few tips on making strudel dough (soaking it in sunflower oil to promote elasticity) and for making the filling (soak those raisins in rum and add an extra shot). There is a big difference between reading a recipe and watching the technique in action. I find learning these extra tips helps when attempting it at home.
There is so much to see at the Schonbrunn Palace. However, if you have time, the strudel show is definitely worth it, if only for the delicious apple strudel coffee break.
Photos Courtesy of The Museum of Art Fakes, Vienna
This small but absolutely fascinating museum tells the story of some of the most notorious art forgers in the world. The Museum of Art Fakes also showcases some of their criminal art. My attraction to this museum most likely stemmed from recently reading two novels centered around art forgeries. Regardless, it is a unique experience.
Located just a few steps from the famous Hundertwasserhaus, I found myself captivated with tales of brazenness (one sold a fake Vermeer to Herman Göring during WW2), murder, mystery, and theft through the stories of these extremely talented criminals.
From “Picassos” to Hitler’s famous forged diaries, the items on display are not works of art in themselves. The tales behind them are fascinating. Stories are so crazy, they sound like movie plots. Some of the forgers’ forgeries have now become valuable and collectible. This museum is definitely worth a 1-2 hours immersion of your time.
Cooling Off
Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned ice cream parlor? Especially when the temperature was over 90 degrees F. Tichy Ice Cream in Vienna is a family-owned jewel that started in 1952 out of a 3-wheel mobile ice cream cart. A Viennese friend of mine who grew up near the parlor said she was raised on Tichy ice cream and highly recommended a visit.
From the servers’ cheerful striped uniforms to the wall of beautiful ice cream flavors, this gem is well worth a stop.
Although their most famous (and rumored to be patented) treat is „Eismarillenknödel“, apricot puree stuffed vanilla ice cream, rolled in hazelnuts, I ordered pomegranate, pistachio, and banana flavors all in one cup. The ice cream is fresh, creamy, and extremely flavorful. And the place is charming.
Horsing Around
Einritt Schulquadrille © Photo: Rene van Bakel/ASAblanca.com/Photo Courtesy of The Spanish Riding School
Every time I have been to Vienna, this Lippizaner show is either sold out or not on. I’ve wanted to see the horses for years but never was able to make it happen. Attending the Spanish Riding School’s Morning Exercise turned out to be a nice alternative.
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world practicing the Renaissance tradition of the Haute Ecole for more than 450 years and is on UNESCO’s list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Going back to the year 1580, Spanish Lipizzaners are Europe’s oldest domesticated horse breed and since 1920 are bred in Styria, Austria.
The elegant Winter Riding School performance arena is located in the Hofburg (former main Habsburg Palace and now the office of the President of Austria). Above the royal box hangs a portrait of Emperor Charles VI. When the riders enter the arena, they tip their hats to the portrait in salute before they ride. There is a live narration in English during the morning exercise which provides interesting facts about the traditions and history of the Spanish Riding School.
The stables are located across the street from the performance arena. during the day, you might catch a glimpse of the horses being walked between locations or at rest in their stalls.
Be aware:
The horses do not jump or perform in the training. The duration lasts 2 hours as the riders walk, trot, canter the horses, and then do some sidestepping/dressage movements. The riders change horses a few times and repeat the exercises. However, the horses are stunning and I found it fascinating to observe the relationship between the riders and horses.
Arrive at least 1/2 hour early to line up to get a good seat. It’s open seating (we sat in the Royal Box.) After about 30-40 minutes of observing, you probably will have seen enough and can leave when you are ready. Also, you cannot take any photographs or videos. It is too disruptive for both the horses and the riders. If you want to see the horses in full show mode, buy tickets to an evening performance well in advance of your trip.
#5- Cyclist Eatery
A few days before I left for Vienna those Facebook spies started putting random Vienna items in my newsfeed. I’d like to thank those spies for this tip on the Cyclist Eatery
The fun cyclist theme decor of the restaurant is the sideshow. The main attraction is the fresh, healthy food. Having only a piece of apple strudel the entire day, I arrived at the cafe late afternoon famished and ready for something savory and filling.
I ordered the Bike Mac, a Beyond Meat burger topped with cheddar and sliced ox heart tomatoes. The burger comes with vegetable chips served on the side. It was delectable. Additionally, the restaurant offers three different variations of flavor-infused waters for free. The ginger lemon-flavored version is refreshing and went perfectly with the burger. The Cyclist Eatery is attached to the gorgeous Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere hotel easily accessible by tram.
So these are my latest recommendations for 5 Fabulous Vienna Stops. I am sure there will be many more in the future. I bought tickets for the Strudel Show, the Morning Exercise, and a Motzard Concert at the Golden Hall at Get Your Guide using their app to pre-pick up my tickets for events and found the process seamless. There is no surcharge added.
Vienna is a gem with so many facets to discover. As always, looking forward to my next visit as the list gets longer and longer and longer….
Enjoyed these 5 Fabulous Vienna Stops? Check out Some of My Other Destination Tips:
TRAVELING FRANCE’S SAÔNE RIVER BY HOUSEBOAT: 4 FAVORITE STOPS
6 DELICIOUS STOPS IN MIAMI
TWO MUST SEE PRUSSIAN CASTLES IN THE MECKLENBURG LAKELAND, GERMANY
4 EXCEPTIONAL BELIZE CULINARY EXPERIENCES
