To be honest, Vienna wasn’t on my bucket list but I decided to spend a weekend there as the flight times from Doha were perfect. Who would know it would become one of my favourite European destinations! It was Autumn when all trees changed their colours and it made Vienna even prettier.
If you’re planning a visit to Vienna, here are the must-dos to get the most out of it in only two days;
1- Wander around Stephansplatz:
Vienna is a great walking city and Stephansplatz is in the middle of everything. Choose a café and spend an hour or so watching people passing by, or admire the huge St. Stephens Cathedral. Wander over to the opposite side of the square to see the postmodern Haas-Haus and watch Vienna’s street performers. You will love it!
2-Have breakfast at the terrace of Grand Ferdinand Hotel:
And stay there if you can. On the street where all upper scale hotels are, Grand Ferdinand Hotel has pretty rooms and a terrace restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast while watching the beautiful Vienna’s skyline. It is quite posh so dressing up is highly recommended.
3- Eat schnitzel at Figlmuller
Eating the biggest and the most delicious Wienerschnitzel of Vienna is a must when you are in Vienna. Due to popularity, they recently opened their second restaurant just near the old one which is behind St Stephen’s Cathedral. Order a potato salad with schnitzel and you will be amazed and full as Figlmuller’s prides itself on presenting the largest
Order a potato salad with schnitzel and you will be amazed and full(!) as Figlmuller prides itself on presenting the largest Wienerschnitzel possible.
As I didn’t make a reservation, I could get a table in the new restaurant after waiting for a while. Make sure to reserve a table if you don’t want to wait.
4- Take a picture of Hundertwasserhaus:
There is really not much around Hundertwasserhaus but it is a must-see Instagtammable place while you are in Vienna. Designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the architectural highlight of Vienna offers a colourfully decorated exterior façade.
5- Take a ride in Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel:
After seeing Hundertwasserhaus, get to the other side of Danube River and experience the moving tradition of Vienna. Couples can also enjoy a whole cabin for themselves while having a romantic candle-light dinner for around 340 Euros.
6- Enjoy a concert in one of the historical cathedrals:
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) and many other sacred sites are regular showplaces for diverse classical music concerts. I bought my ticket from a booth near St. Stephen’s Cathedral for 25 Euros and had an amazing experience.
7- Visit the Albertina Museum for some art intake:
The Albertina Museum has been presenting the largest Raphael exhibition in Austria until 7 January 2018 so art lovers should pay a visit to this museum which is located just opposite to Mozart Cafe. The entrance is 12 Euros, and visitors can visit the Contemporary Art floor and Albertina’s staterooms alongside Raphael exhibition.
8- Taste the original sacher-torte at Cafe Sacher:
Vienna has hundreds of cafes and Sacher Cafe is one of them. Cafe Sacher is home to the famous Sacher-Torte, a chocolate cake worthy of a trip to Vienna alone to taste. If there is a queue at the door, you can also try the next door – Mozart Cafe.
In some cafes in Vienna, you may be expected to dress up so make sure to pack some nice clothes.
9- Visit Schonbrunn Palace and its gardens:
Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial summer residence located in Vienna, Austria. It is one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque complexes, and gardens of the palace are worth to see.
It is in the suburbs of Vienna so you will need to take the U2 metro line direct to the Schonbrunn.
10- Visit Belvedere Museum:
Visit ‘The Kiss’, the most famous Gustav Klimt piece, at the Austrian Gallery Belvedere in Vienna.
11- Taste 1516 Brewing Company’s beers:
This is a cosy but busy street-side bar where you can go for late night drinks or bites.
Above are the maximum you can do in a weekend but if you have more time, make sure to visit Museums Quartier, see Rathaus and Hofburg Palace, taste more Viennese cakes at Strock bakery and have more schnitzel at Gasthaus Poschl or Augustinerkeller Bitzinger Wien.
That Incredible Place 