Top 10 Things to Know When Visiting Vienna, Austria

#1 - Vienna is Huge

This one surprised me even more the second time I traveled here. Vienna is a very large city with many attractions spread out; so, you cannot simply walk to all of the main attractions by foot (some would be too dangerous to walk). Because of this, we recommend taking their metro or taxis/Uber. It’s much easier and better to take one of those versus spending over an hour of your time walking. Vienna can also be slick at times if it has been raining or snowing, so be mindful of that, especially if you have young children or older adults.

#2 - You’ll Need More Than 1 Day to Explore

Vienna has SOOO much to offer, from palaces, to museums, to gardens, to festivals… Vienna has it all. So, you’ll definitely want to take your time here. We suggest maybe 3-4 days to really see everything in the city. If you are coming around Christmas time, we recommend spending even more time here because there’s going to be WAY more people in Vienna at that time partaking in the Christmas markets. It’s a very beautiful city that you should take your time exploring.

#3 - It Feels German, But it is Distinctively Austrian

If you travel around Austria, you will kind of get the sense you’re in Germany. From the schnitzel, to the language, to the hospitality, it’ll feel like you’re back in Germany (honestly, the last time I visited, it felt more like what I initially thought Germany was going to be like). The architecture in some of the older areas are quaint and feels very Bavarian. However, there are differences, such as the dialect, the pace of life, and humour. Many people say that Austrians are kinder and more humourous than Germans (although I think Germans are some of the friendliest people). Either way, you will begin to noticed some distinctions between the 2 while you are here.

#4 - Mozart is Everywhere

Much of Mozart’s finest works were set and performed here in Vienna. He lived here for much of his career. With all of that history, it makes sense why he is so beloved in the city. His work has had a lasting impact not just on Vienna, but on the world for several hundred years. You will see Mozart souvenirs, concerts, museums, apartment houses, artwork… he is everywhere, and the Viennese are very proud to claim him.

#5 - There are MANY Types of Mozart Chocolate

As mentioned above, Mozart is everywhere. During my first trip to Vienna, we had the iconic Mozart chocolate. We were given the homemade ones and were told they were better than the other Mozart chocolate that is made in factories. The chocolate was live-changing. When I returned to Texas, I saw Mozart chocolate being sold at Central Market. I grabbed a few boxes and told my family and friends this chocolate was incredible. To my disappointment, it didn’t taste the same. When I traveled back a few months ago, I was determined to get the “homemade” ones because that was the key to finding the best. I asked a local, and discovered that there are more than 20 types. So, we had to do the difficult task of trying different ones to find what I was looking for. Turns out it was Konditorei Fürst, so just ask for that. Another one we really like is Reber - they have nicer boxes too.

#6 - They Speak German, But There Are a Few Differences

If you speak a little German like we do, you will have no problem getting by in Austria. (Even if you don’t, you shouldn’t have a problem because the locals are very friendly and helpful.) However, there are a few differences. For example, when asking to pay in Germany, you may say bezahlen, but in Austria, you would say die zahlen (the numbers). Wienerisch is the local dialect, so it may sound a little different from parts in Germany (even different parts of Germany have their own dialect and slang). If you don’t speak German, you probably won’t notice the difference.

#7 - If You Come During Christmas, Be Prepared For Lots of Crowds

Perhaps one of the most popular times to visit Vienna is during the Christmas season. The world-famous Christmas markets, the festive food, and the cooler temperatures all make it an ideal time to visit this magical city. However, it is OVERWHELMING how crowded the markets can get. The official Wiener Christkindlmarkt sometimes gets to the capacity where it isn’t fun anymore because you’re getting pushed and shoved into things. We personally preferred the smaller ones - they all have the same things, but you’re not getting pushed like you are at the bigger ones. Just something to be aware of if you are planning on coming for the Christmas markets.

#8 - Vienna is Not an Affordable Destination

Vienna is a gorgeous city that should not be missed. However, it will take a strain on your wallet. If you stay in Vienna during the Christmas season, it will cost an average of €250 a night. Even accommodations like Vrbo and Airbnb can get quite expensive. Museum tickets range anywhere between €10-40, food and drinks are more expensive, and souvenirs can be ridiculously priced. We recommend staying in a town or another city outside Vienna to save money. You can take the train in and only spend maybe €10-20 for the train ride. We stayed in Bratislava, which was an hour away by train for €11. Bratislava is extremely affordable, and we ended up spending about €300 for a 4-star hotel during our whole 5-day trip.

#9 - Some Museums are Free the First Sunday of Every Month

Some ways to save money in Vienna are by knowing when museums are free. Several museums, such as the Roman Museum and Vienna Museum, are free to the public on the first Sunday of every month. They are also free on the 26th of October, which is Austria’s National Day. There are other attractions that are free, such as the sides off the gardens to many of the palaces, the Christmas markets, and other museums.

#10 - Many Stores Are Closed on Sundays

With many museums being open on Sundays, most stores close on Sundays. This is standard in Europe, but it is less common in larger cities like Vienna. However, Vienna also temporarily closes much of its shopping and some restaurants on Sundays. So, if the main point for you is to shop, you may be out of luck if you travel on a Sunday. Best to keep that in mind for all of Europe.