My first trip to Vienna was a solo holiday in March 2024. I say first trip, as I loved this city so much that I am sure I will be back. What a magical place it is, I honestly felt like I was on a movie set at times. It took my breath away.

Useful/less facts about Vienna - (1) when you turn on the tap, fresh spring water from the mountains flows. Yes, you basically have Evian Water at your disposal 24/7!  (2) there are around 70 palaces in Vienna (some now in use as private residences or hotels - but many are open to the public)

This is a summary of some of the things that I packed into my 3 days in Vienna; I also visited some churches, shopped, went on a big wheel . The wheel was HUGE and a piece of Vienna's history in its own right - there were fantastic views over the city, but it was a bit windy that day and I realised at the top, swaying in the breeze, that this probably wasn't my favourite thing to do! :)) 

So ... onto the cultural stuff ..

Vienna, is a city steeped in history, art, and imperial grandeur. I must say right up front that my only reason for going to Vienna was Klimt - I wanted to immerse myself in as much of Klimt's art and history as I could. I managed to achieve that, and much more. What I didn't even scratch the surface of was the Mozart or other musical history - next time!  

The Belvedere

The Belverdere was high on my list of priorities, this is where Klimt's mastperpiece, The Kiss, hangs. The Belvedere is a stunning baroque palace complex. There are two palaces; the Upper and Lower Belvedere. There is also the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The Upper Belvedere houses an impressive collection of Austrian art, including  "The Kiss" and  Klimt's other seminal work, "Judith." Stroll through the elegant state rooms and prepare to have your breath taken by the beautiful views of the formal gardens and the city beyond. 

Schönbrunn Palace

The Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Vienna's most significant cultural sites. It's slightly out of the centre of town, but accessible by tram. I joined a tour group to venture inside the palace. Wow! Opulent rooms, exquisitely decorated and testament to a bygone era. Think Versaille but BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BETTER. (of course there are Versaille connections here as Marie Antoinette was a Hasburg, but you'll hear all about that on your tour).  Highlights inside the palace include the Great Gallery, the Hall of Mirrors, and the sumptuous private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. There is a separate childrens museum in a different wing, which I understand to be very hands on and very cool - the little ones can dress as Hapsburg Emperors and Empresses for instance. I didn't visit this part myself. 

The vast gardens and grounds are just beautiful. Don't miss the impressive Neptune Fountain, the Gloriette, and the  maze.  Also remember the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world's oldest zoo, located on the palace grounds. 

The Schonbrunn Palace really is a full day out on its own. Concerts are hosted in the Palace and the Orangery, so it's worth checking ahead of your visit to see if tickets are available - I imagine that listening to Mozart in the baroque spleandour of the Palace must be something else! 

When I was there the grounds to the front of the Palace were filled with the most beautiful Easter market. Hand crafted trinkets and decorations were available along with wonderful food, wine, gluhwein, coffees and cakes. Christmas markets are located here too - just sayin'. 

Leopold Museum

The Museums Quartier has, as you would imagine, lots of museums - in fact this is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world. The Leopold is a treasure trove of Austrian modern art, housing the largest collection of works by Egon Schiele, as well as significant pieces by Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl. The museum itself is a bit of a work of art with its bright and spacious design. I loved my visit here, it was great to see more Klimt - but even better to be introduced to new (to me) artists. Egon Schiele is my new favourite! 

So ... that's a quick summary of my three day trip to Vienna, would I recommend to others? Absolutely.  I think Vienna has something for everyone. I certainly felt very comfortable there as a solo traveller; I could see that visiting with children would be a good option (particulary at Schonbrunn, I could just picture my little grand-daughter there having a blast!). Vienna is also a very romantic city, much more so I would say than Paris - if you are looking for a special weekend as a couple, I would say put Vienna high on your list. 

The practical bits ...

• I flew from Manchester with Easy Jet, took the train from Vienna airport into town (very easy, very fast) and then walked to my hotel as the weather was so good. 
• I stayed at Max Browns in the 7th District. The hotel was perfect for me, my room had its own record player! (I like that kind of thing). The restaurant at Max Browns is am-a-zing, it's becoming a very popular Vienna eatery. Oh, and if you're solo travelling, as I was, the restaurant and bar area was a very welcoming environment. Max Brown's is nice and central, so you can walk into the historic centre of the city with ease - or if you prefer there are tram stops in very easy reach. 
• I would recommend buying a travel pass for the days that you are in Vienna, it will allow you to use all of the trams and buses. The transport network is excellent!
• I bought a Go Vienna card so had reduced entry to many of the attractions and sites. I would certainly do that again next time I visit. 
• Download a good app to help you navigate the city. My favourite is citymapper. (Just a wee aside - I especially like this app for solo female travellers as it will direct you to well lit streets should you be navigating your way back to your hotel after nightfall.

​Happy travelling, folks! As always, call or message if you could like me to help plan your next trip.