Vienna

Vienna is a fantastic city with many popular attractions for all the family.

Activities

Schloss Schönbrunn (Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130; Hours: daily 8.30am-5pm; Tram: Schloss Schönbrunn; U-Bahn: Schönbrunn)

The grounds of Schloss Schönbrunn offer a wide range of attractions and activities. There is, of course, the palace itself, which was the Habsburgs’ summer residence.

However, Schönbrunn Zoo, created in 1752, is pretty much the biggest draw for families with children. Highlights include watching a South American sea lion feeding at 3.30 pm daily (except Tuesdays). This can be very amusing when they jump into the water with a massive SPLOOSH, so make sure the kids stand well back!

Other animals worth checking out include the penguins (you can watch them swim, waddle and “chat” to each other), polar bear (it’s also sometimes underwater – look carefully!) and the African elephants.

Hofburg (1010 Wien; Hours: daily 8am-6pm) and Sisi Museum (Michaelerkuppel, 1010; Hours: daily 9am-5.30pm); (Tram: Burgring; U-Bahn: Volkstheater)

One for the history buffs: The Hofburg was the Habsburgs’ main home for more than seven centuries, and is now the official residence of the President of Austria. Meanwhile the Sisi Museum is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, or “Sisi” for short, who was the wife of the last Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph.

Stephansdom (Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien, Austria; Visiting hours: Mon-Sat 9am-11.30am and 1pm-4.30pm, Sun 1pm-4.30pm; Tram: Schwedenplatz U; U-Bahn: Stephansplatz)

Stephansdom (English: St Stephen’s Cathedral) is one of the most recognisable symbols of Vienna. It was built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles and is among the tallest churches in the world. The interior contains 18 altars and six formal chapels.

A boat ride along the Danube (U-Bahn: Alte Donau)

If you need a relaxing break from the historical and busy side of Vienna, a great way to spend the time is to rent a motorboat along the Danube. If you’re especially lucky, you might even spot a swan or two!

Prater Amusement Park (Kratky-Baschik-Weg 16, 1020; Hours: 24/7; U-Bahn: Praterstern)

Want a day out with the kids? If so, then this amusement park is the place to go. It contains many rides, including the most well-known, a Ferris wheel. Other fun options include dodgems (make sure you dodge ’em all!), roller coasters, a log flume (great for those who love getting splashed!) and many more.

Augarten (1020 Wien, Austria; Hours: daily 7.30am-7pm; Bus: Obere Augartenstraße; U-Bahn: Taborstraße)

The Augarten contains elaborate flower gardens and is the city’s oldest Baroque park. The Palais Augarten is also located here and serves as the rehearsal space of the Vienna Boys’ Choir.

Places to stay

Boutique Hotel Donauwalzer (Hernalser Gürtel 27, Vienna 1170 Austria; Tram: Hernalser Gürtel) This hotel is within walking distance of Vienna’s historic centre. It offers rooms with whirlpool, noise protection windows and air conditioning. The hotel also allows dogs.

Austria Classic Hotel Wien (Praterstraße 72, 1020 Wien, Austria; U-Bahn: Praterstern; Bus: Praterstern S+U) This 200-year-old hotel is in a central location, close to Prater Amusement Park and Wien Praterstern station. There are 80 comfortable non-smoking rooms with air conditioning.

Boutique Hotel Kugel (Siebensterngasse 43, Vienna 1070 Austria; U-Bahn: Volkstheater; Bus: Westbahnstraße) Where Viennese charm meets modern vibes! This hotel has individually designed rooms with retro charm and modern comfort. It is possible to walk from here to major sights like the Hofburg and Stephansdom.

Places to eat

GERMAN, AUSTRIAN: Gasthaus Elsner (€; Neumayrgasse 2, Vienna 1160 Austria; Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-10pm, closed Sat-Mon; U-Bahn: Burggasse-Stadthalle)

ITALIAN, MEDITERRANEAN: Trattoria Toscana La No (€€-€€€; Annagasse 12, Vienna 1010 Austria; Hours: Tue-Sat 12pm-2pm and 6pm-10pm, closed Sundays and Mondays; U-Bahn: Karlsplatz)

KOSHER, INTERNATIONAL, MEDITERRANEAN: Bahur Tov Kosher Restaurant (€€-€€€; Taborstraße 19, Vienna 1020 Austria; Hours: Sun 1pm-10pm, Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm, closed Fri-Sat; U-Bahn: Taborstraße)

Getting to Vienna

Air

Vienna Airport is the main airport serving international flights. Another option is to use Bratislava Airport which is around 60 km away.

Train

Wien Hauptbahnhof (the main train station) connects Vienna with other European cities including Bratislava, Budapest, Munich and Venice.

Day trips from Vienna

Wachau Valley: This valley in the Danube includes pretty views and landscapes. I would recommend taking the train from Vienna to Melk, stopping off there to explore the Old Town. After this, it would be a nice idea to take a scenic boat ride along the Danube to Dürnstein or Spitz, two of the main towns in the valley.

Eisenstadt: Another city worth visiting is Eisenstadt, one hour south of Vienna. It’s home to Schloss Esterházy, a palace that belonged to a Hungarian noble family. The Austrian Jewish Museum, which offers a glimpse into past Jewish life in Austria, is also worth a visit.

Salzburg: The composer Mozart was born in this city, the fourth-largest in Austria, in 1756. The house he was born in now serves as a museum which depicts his early life. Additional places to visit include the historic centre or “Altstadt” (a UNESCO Heritage Site); Mirabell Palace and its gardens; and the Hohensalzburg Fortress which overlooks the Old Town.

Innsbruck: This city is situated between two mountains, the Nordkette (North Chain) and Patscherkofel. It has a number of notable buildings, monuments and museums. One of the most well-known sights is the Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch). This was built in 1765 to celebrate the wedding of Archduke Leopold, the second son of Empress Maria Theresa. Also within the Old Town is the Hofgarten, a protected park laid out in the 16th century, which is a great place to get away from the city bustle.

Bratislava: Slovakia’s capital city is located a mere coach ride from Vienna and offers a variety of sights. These include Bratislava Castle which now functions as a museum. The historic centre has buildings of various architectural styles, including many Baroque palaces. Also in Bratislava is the Chatam Sofer Memorial. This is the burial place of Moses Sofer (1762-1839), one of the leading Orthodox rabbis in Europe in the first half of the 19th century.