Vienna
Vienna takes coffee seriously — order a Melange (not a cappuccino) at a traditional Kaffeehaus, sit for three hours, and nobody will rush you. The city is stupidly pretty, every other building looks like a palace because half of them actually were. Public transport is insanely good: €2.40 per ride, clean, on time. Naschmarkt for food, Belvedere for Klimt, and Wiener Schnitzel should hang over the edge of the plate or it's not doing its job.
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Vienna travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Vienna?
Two to three days covers the highlights well. Day 1: Innere Stadt — St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg, stroll the Graben. Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace in the morning, pick a museum in the afternoon (Kunsthistorisches or Belvedere). Day 3: Naschmarkt for brunch, MuseumsQuartier to wander, and end the evening at a Heuriger (wine tavern) in the hills. The city is compact — most things are walkable or one to two U-Bahn stops apart.
What should I eat in Vienna?
Wiener Schnitzel — veal, pounded thin, fried golden, should be massive and hang off the plate. Sachertorte at Hotel Sacher is the original and worth the €8 (dense chocolate cake with apricot jam). Kaiserschmarrn is a torn-up fluffy pancake with plum sauce, ridiculously good. Coffee culture here is UNESCO-listed — order a Melange, sit for hours, read the free newspapers. Naschmarkt has everything for lunch. Late at night, hit a Würstelstand (sausage stand) for a Käsekrainer — cheese-stuffed sausage, best thing at 1 AM.
Is Vienna expensive?
Mid-range for Western Europe. Hotels run €80–140/night for decent options. A Schnitzel at a good Beisl (local pub) costs €12–16. Coffee and cake at a Kaffeehaus is €8–12. Public transport is €2.40 per ride or €8 for a day pass — incredibly good value for how well it works. Museums are €12–18. The trick: many churches and parks are free, and Heurigen (wine taverns) serve cheap local wine with free bread. Budget around €100–130 per day comfortably.