In the heart of Austria you’ll find the city of Vienna, a city known as much for its architecture as it is for its stunning version of the waltz. The palaces, littered throughout the city, are as beautiful and formal as the prestigious dance itself. The only way you’ll be able to compare the two is by visiting and taking a look for yourself.

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When to Visit Vienna

The best time of year to visit Vienna and the surrounding regions is between the middle of March and the middle of November. During those months the weather is temperate and you are more likely to have an enjoyable experience. The summer months are warm but the green foliage in the Kamp River Valley is absolutely beautiful. The winter months, while cold, are just as picturesque.

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Dining out in Vienna

While the entire city of Vienna seems to have a formal air about it, the dining experience has become a bit more casual over the past few years. Standard “Vienna-style” dining includes wearing a jacket and tie – no jeans, sneakers, or ratty clothing. While it’s now perfectly acceptable to dine in a more casual manner you are more likely to blend in with the crowd if you dress up a bit.

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The average restaurant opens from 11:30am until 2:30pm to serve lunch, closes, and then reopens from 7:00pm until 11:00pm to serve dinner. Most restaurants are closed two days per week and almost all of them are closed on Sundays because of powerful church traditions. It’s best to make a reservation in advance, especially if you plan to dine in a popular restaurant on a weekend.

When you receive your bill you will notice a “service charge” has been added to the menu price. This service charge is not the tip your waiter will receive. Tipping, which averages around 15% if deserved, must still be taken care of separately.

Deciding which Wurstelstand is Best

You have dozens of options when it comes to tasting authentic Austrian Wurstelstand – or grilled sausages. Each restaurant makes a different style and serves it with different sides or toppings, but there are three main restaurants considered to be amongst the best when it comes to satisfying your sausage cravings.

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Make sure you check out Ehrenreich’s on Naschmarkt. This restaurant serves a dish known as Kasekrainer – a beef sausage smothered with melted cheese and served on a soft roll with a bit of mustard. Oper, in the 1^st District, is famous for it’s Bratwurst while Wurstelstand am Hoher Markt, also in the 1^st District, is popular for selling American-style hot dogs.

Do’s and Don’ts for Travel in Vienna

Vienna is known for being a safe city, but it is not devoid of crime. Tourists should take care to protect themselves by locking up their valuables and not carrying any more cash than is absolutely necessary. Avoid walking in the parks alone at night and try to stay away from The Gurtel (the red light district) as much as possible. Try to avoid the subway stations at night as well as they are often hangouts for the homeless or those doing drugs.

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The local Viennese people can be a bit funny about communication. Don’t despair if your German language skills don’t get you far in Vienna. The dialect here is different and makes holding a conversation very difficult. On the upside, German tourists have the same problem.

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Don’t take offense or act rudely if you think the Viennese local you are speaking to is acting in an unfriendly manner. Believe it or not, grumbling and complaining, also known as raunzen is a favorite pastime. Ignore (and do not correct) the fact that a Viennese local may call you Frau Doktor, Herr Professor, or some other official title. The people love giving official titles to people for fun – sometimes because you simply look as though you should be whatever they title you. Take it in stride and have fun.

Incredible Viennese Museums

While visiting Vienna, make sure you stop by the Kunsthistorisches Museum to take in one of the most spectacular collections of art in the entire world. Most of the collections represent the individual styles and tastes of members of the royal monarchy. The collection is considered to be as prestigious as those found in the Louvre and the Vatican.

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The Schatzkammer can be found in the 1^st District. Tucked behind the Hofburgkapelle is the tiny entrance which will lead you inside where you will discover over 1,000 years of art, artifacts, crowns, and spectacular relics. The museum even claims to have the Holy Lance (used to pierce Jesus’s side) and the Imperial Crown. It’s a stunning collection of pieces.

Image: Olivier Bruchez

Vienna has dozens of other museums, galleries, castles, cathedrals, and restaurants worth exploring. Try to spend as much time in Vienna as possible – you won’t regret extending your stay!