Vienna: attractions, restaurants, itineraries

Vienna

Vienna is synonymous with Strauss, waltz, savory pastries, parks, and wine. The Austrian capital, where different traditions and nationalities coexist for a long time, is a source of a somewhat cynical, but at the same time intriguing character of its locals. The city, located on the banks of the Danube at the foot of the Alps, has over time transformed into a strong empire, reflecting the splendid reign of the Habsburg dynasty.

The historical times have passed, but the sights of Vienna, preserved in their original form, still delight the eyes of those who come here, one way or another! The streets of Vienna are filled not only with the aroma of coffee but also with that of fresh pastries, which will undoubtedly make you stop. This city does not like haste; here, everything is dignified, every nook is filled with imperial splendor! Whoever comes to Vienna finds something of their own and keeps returning again and again!

When to go?

Vienna is located in an area with a moderate climate. The average temperature in the hottest month of July is 20 degrees Celsius, but quite often the sun heats the city's streets up to 30 degrees, and sometimes even higher. In winter, it can cool down to minus 15 degrees Celsius, but mostly the temperature stays above freezing. If you don't want to visit the city during the Christmas holidays, it's best to plan your trip for the beginning of June, when it's already warm enough, but there's no oppressive heat, and Vienna isn't yet filled with tourists.

What to buy?

Some of the most famous souvenirs are the porcelain items from the “Augarten” company, made in a palace that was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century. They can be purchased in the shop at the museum, also located in the former imperial residence. Crystal and porcelain figurines, as well as silver statuettes, various ashtrays, vases, bells, and dinner sets, are very popular.

The tableware and souvenirs decorated with reproductions and scenes from the famous Austrian modernist artist Gustav Klimt are very interesting. Cups, saucers, and figurines bring aesthetic pleasure and seem to transport you to a distant past.

Lovers of culinary souvenirs can purchase the famous “Mozart” candies and, if they manage to bring them home, they should buy the “Sacher” cake, whose recipe was invented by an assistant cook to the foreign minister Metternich in the first half of the nineteenth century.

What to try?

Among the starters, you can order a soup with meatballs, although in that place, soups are considered appetizers. The most famous dish of Vienna, Austria's capital, is the Wiener Schnitzel, made from veal and breaded in egg and breadcrumbs. The only dish that can rival it is Tafelspitz – the favorite dish of Emperor Franz Joseph I, which is made from boiled veal following the recipe preferred by the Austrian monarch. You should definitely try the sweet and strong Eiswein, a wine made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The apple strudel is a dessert that enjoys great popularity.