Discover Vienna by Train
Our Insider Tips for an Unforgettable City Trip
Article by Gregor
Intro
Vienna is one of those cities I can visit again and again. In fact, I’ve been there so many times that it’s hard for me to decide what to write in this post. Therefore, I will focus on three aspects: Cuisine, Culture, and Nature.
What Vienna certainly is, however: The city, and especially its inhabitants, are idiosyncratic. As the city administration’s slogan says: “Vienna is different.”
Keywords to describe the city can range from modern to magnificent to “old-world charm.” It is precisely this mixture that makes Vienna so versatile and authentic. The journey by train is particularly relaxing: you arrive right in the city center and can explore everything on foot from there, or with just a few stops by subway, tram, or bus.
Historic Cuisine: Cakes and Coffee with History
Anyone wishing to discover Vienna should take ample time for its culinary classics. The widespread ice cream parlors are unique in the city, and I haven’t found them quite like this anywhere else in the world. A special delicacy is the Eismarillenknödel (apricot ice cream dumpling), which can be found in traditional ice cream parlors. Apricot ice cream forms the core, vanilla ice cream replaces the dough, and nut brittle provides the typical coating. Occasionally, it is also available as an Eis-Zwetschkenknödel (plum ice cream dumpling), as shown here in the picture. However, the original is the one with apricot and comes from Tichy on Reumannplatz, where the creation was developed back in 1967. Time seems to have stood still, especially in this parlor, and the entire experience is very authentic.
Of course, the classic Viennese pastry culture must not be missed. The Sachertorte combines rich chocolate flavor with a fine apricot jam and chocolate glaze. The apple strudel delights with thin strudel dough, juicy apples, cinnamon, and raisins, while the Esterházytorte, with its nut bases, light cream, and characteristic glaze pattern, is one of the particularly elegant classics. In addition, there are Topfenstrudel (quark strudel), Punschkrapfen (punch cakes), Kardinalschnitten (cardinal slices), and many other specialties that turn every cake display into a small attraction.
These delicacies are best enjoyed in one of the many Viennese coffee houses. Time hardly plays a role, and with a Melange, an Einspänner, or a Kleiner Schwarzer, you can sit for hours, read the newspaper, observe the goings-on, and choose from an impressive selection of tortes, cakes, and ice cream creations. The coffee house in Vienna is not just a place for coffee; it is a piece of living urban culture.
Culture, Architecture, and Entertainment
Culturally, Vienna also offers so many possibilities that a single visit is hardly enough. One of these is the Hundertwasserhaus, an ordinary residential building with its bright colors, irregular shapes, green spaces, and deliberate avoidance of straight lines. There are municipal buildings designed by Hundertwasser, the Kunsthaus, the Spittelau waste incineration plant, but also simple city monuments. For a deeper dive, I recommend the Hundertwasser Museum, where, in the spirit of the artist, the floors are sometimes not entirely even.
For those interested in politics, a visit to the comprehensively renovated Austrian Parliament on the Ringstrasse is worthwhile. Behind its magnificent historic facade, the building today presents itself as open, modern, and inviting. Particularly impressive are the newly designed interiors, the historic plenary hall, and the view from the publicly accessible rooftop terrace. Incidentally, tours end there, and you can linger in the in-house café just like the parliamentarians.
Another highlight is Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs. The opulent rooms, the expansive palace park, the Gloriette, and the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo make the area a destination for which you can easily plan an entire day. Those who visit the park early in the morning will experience Schönbrunn from a particularly peaceful and atmospheric side.
In addition to the classics, there are many great museums and many churches worth seeing, which exhibit particularly diverse architectural features.
Surprisingly Much Nature for a City
One of my favorite places, which I almost never skip, is the Vienna Prater. Many initially associate it with the amusement park and the famous Giant Ferris Wheel. However, the so-called Wurstelprater is only a part of the huge area. After it formerly served as the emperor’s hunting ground, it was opened to the public and has since been a recreational area. Immediately behind it, extensive meadows, forests, and paths stretch out, offering surprisingly much nature right in the middle of the city. The long, straight main avenue is wonderful for walking, cycling, or running. You even have the choice between forest or asphalt for your running training. The Vienna City Marathon also runs through the Prater and along the entire main avenue – an impressive example of how closely urban life and nature are intertwined in Vienna.
Experience Vienna Comfortably by Train
Whether it’s a coffee house, imperial palace, extraordinary architecture, or a run in the green: Vienna can always be rediscovered. Traveling by train makes your stay particularly pleasant, as it takes you comfortably and directly to the heart of the action.
Thanks to our cooperation with ÖBB, railOn can offer particularly attractive prices for your train journey to Vienna.
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