With its exceptional art, architecture and café culture, there are countless reasons to visit Vienna! The enchanting capital city of Austria has so much to offer travellers. This is something that Violaine Burel, Senior Product Developer at Expat Explore, recently found out firsthand! Violaine visited Vienna for the very first time recently. As a seasoned travel expert, we wanted to find out what Vienna was like through her eyes!
Violaine helped to develop Expat Explore‘s exciting new Imperial Vienna optional excursion which includes a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, a walking tour of Vienna’s 6th and 7th districts and ends with coffee and cake at a classic Viennese café! Learn more about this royal experience and what else you can expect from Vienna below.
Why should travellers visit Vienna?
If you like architecture or art, you really need to visit this city. I was blown away, it’s like Disneyland! The architecture is just awesome, you turn your head and it’s beautiful in every direction. People are very polite and peaceful, the streets are so clean, it’s a really great atmosphere. It’s a small capital but it’s absolutely lovely.
Related: Visit these top Austrian destinations for a memorable trip!
What can travellers expect from the Imperial Vienna optional excursion?
The excursion starts with a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace and time to explore the gardens. Then, you head back into the city with the guide to explore the 6th and 7th districts. The walking tour ends at Naschmarkt, one of the best open-air markets in Vienna, with free time for lunch. There are so many things to eat and different cuisines… but don’t eat too much! We have a coffee and cake experience coming up. You’ll take the tram and visit a beautiful, traditional café in Vienna. The tour starts around 9 am and ends around 3 pm.
What can travellers expect from a visit to Schönbrunn Palace?
It’s really grandiose, like a mini Versaille! It’s very impressive and very well maintained. You’ll learn all about the Habsburg dynasty and visit some staterooms inside the palace. Then, you get to see the gardens. If you visit in spring, these gardens will be incredible!
Could you share a surprising fact about Schönbrunn Palace?
The Schönbrunn Palace has 1, 441 rooms! Also, Mozart’s first concert was held at Schönbrunn Palace when he was 6 years old.
What are the best things to see on the included walking tour?
This area is a bit more trendy, less classical and very cool! You’ll walk around the small streets and little passages under the houses. There are many shortcuts to go from one street to the other, only a local would know where to go and it would be difficult to do without a guide. One of the shortcuts is through a Michelin-star restaurant! You also visit the Museumsquartier, home to the Leopold Museum.
What is unique about Vienna’s café culture?
I was very surprised because I thought only tourists would visit these cafés. I went to three different cafés and you also see a lot of locals, it’s really a big thing. There are some that are very popular with tourists but finding the smaller ones where locals go was really nice. I really liked the fact that locals still take the time to enjoy the café culture.
Related: Explore Europe’s café culture this winter!
What pastries do travellers absolutely have to try in Vienna?
Of course the Sacher torte, Apple Strudel and Maroni Blüte (a chestnut mousse pastry).
Have you tried lots of different Viennese coffees?
There are a lot of different types you can try. I only tried the one because I had it once and thought “this is amazing!” It’s the Wiener Melange, it’s the classic, most popular choice. It’s an extended espresso with frothy milk.
Related: These are the best places to get a cup of coffee in Europe.
Apple Strudel or Sacher torte?!
Apple Strudel! I’m not a big chocolate person.
What are your favourite things about Vienna?
All the museums and Belvedere Palace, even if you don’t go inside, the view over the city is beautiful. I just loved the atmosphere. You don’t see people being super stressed like in London or Paris. In Vienna, people are just chilled and relaxed. I really liked that.
Keen to follow in Violaine‘s footsteps? Have a look at our tours that visit Austria or book our Amsterdam to Budapest Rail Explorer and opt to join the Imperial Vienna optional excursion!