Vienna, the majestic

My first impression of Vienna was literally WOW. Perhaps because I was coming from Prague, a smaller and modest city in comparison, I was slightly overwhelmed when I arrived to the city.

Vienna is definitely beautiful, charming, majestic. But intimidating in a way I wasn’t expecting. Every single building seem to have been built for royalty, huge constructions in Baroque style that are indeed dazzling but make your neck hurt of staring for so long upwards.

The Opera House, the library, the City Hall, the theatre… the Belvedere! I could keep going on and on about the beautiful buildings that adorn the city. And these are the landmarks… the city itself is carved is sophistication and nobility.

I was only there for two days and there is just so much to do and see, and I haven’t done or seen half of what I wanted. We also need to note that things are expensive in Vienna, specially when it comes to entrances to the top points of interest. As a result, and as we were traveling with limited budget (and time) we prioritised the palaces, so we’d know a bit more about the History of the country and the city.

The bright side: the palaces are amazing, and audio guide is included, which makes everything more interesting. The downside…well, we couldn’t take any photos inside, and now I realised my collection of photographs from Vienna is quite limited, as we spent most time inside!

Of course, there is much, much more. Vienna being the home of classical music, the birthplace of Amadeus Mozart, there are concerts everywhere. And then there are amazing art museums: Albertina, the Belvedere, and loads of free galleries as well. Unfortunately I’ll have to wait to another visit.

I can tell you I ate a lot of Apple Strudel (honestly, is just SO GOOD).

VISIT THE PALACES

Buying individual tickets for every single attraction can be very expensive. I’d advise you to buy the Sisi ticket, which will give you entry to the Vienna Hofburg Palace (royal apartments in the city), the Shonbrunn Palace, Sisi exhibition and the imperial silver collection.

It’s totally worth it! Both palaces are beautiful, and in the Sisi exhibition you’ll learn so much about Empress Elizabeth, such a famous and intriguing woman, but also about her family and husband Emperor Franz Joseph.

Moreover, the gardens in Schonbrunn are really beautiful, and if you’re lucky and the weather is nice, do not hesitate and climb the top of Gloriette (an additional fare of 3.80 euros).

GO FOR A RIDE IN PRATER

Vienna has got a vintage funfair mounted all year round, and in there there’s it’s famous vintage giant wheel, the Prater. We went there at night and had a great view over the park with lights on.

VISIT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY

I have always imagined that Paradise would be a kind of library, said Jose Luis Borges once. A library is definitely my sort of Paradise, and you’ll feel exactly like that in the National Library in Vienna. It is just perfect for a bookworm like me.

BELVEDERE

If not the museum, at least visit the gardens. As I said before, this time I wasn’t able to visit the galleries, but I am sure I’ll do it some day. The palace itself is beautiful, and worth some photographs.

VIENNESE COFFEE CULTURE

The best way to experience is to spend some more euros in one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Vienna: the Mozart Cafe.

APPLE STRUDEL & SCHNITZEL

Apple strudel will always be one of my favourite deserts. There’s really nothing special about Schnitzel, but it’s a very typical dish in Vienna, consisting on bread friend chicken, with potatoes.

WALK AROUND

And admire the streets, Vienna beautiful streets, and its buildings. Unfortunately a gaming event was going on in from of the City Hall, which is absolutely stunning, and I could not get a proper photograph. There were panels, flags, billboards everywhere… don’t you just hate when this happens and you lose the chance to admire some of the most beautiful buildings of a city? I was pretty annoyed.