Last Updated on May 8, 2022 by gregor
An Ultimate Guide to Vienna, Austria, including advice on the best season to visit, Best places to explore, photography location tips, Essential contacts, and travel etiquette.
Why visit Vienna?
Vienna, the capital of Austria and one of the most elegant cities in Europe, is a must-visit any time of the year. Apart from art and architecture, the city offers many unique experiences, such as its traditional coffeehouse culture, magical Christmas markets, and vineyard hopping in the city itself. If you’re planning on visiting many of the ticketed attractions, I highly recommend you get the Vienna Card, which will give you discounted entry into museums, sights, and theaters, plus discounts at cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as free travel on the city’s public transport system.
Best season to visit Vienna?
By April milder temperatures and blooming parks and gardens get locals outdoors. From mid-May to late June outdoor festivals and parties are well underway and reach their peak with the annual three-day Donauinselfest – Europe’s largest open-air party. Although the odd heatwave may feel uncomfortable during the months of July and August, summer weather is usually sunny and warm and cool-down, and chill-out locations are in abundance along the Danube River and canal. From September onwards, cultural activities are back in full swing, and mild, sunny days offer ideal conditions for exploring the surrounding countryside. The cold weather between December and March shouldn’t be a damper. There are plenty of places to warm up and with street markets aglow and the ball season in full swing, it’s a fun time to visit.
Where to go in Vienna?
TheViennaBlog has thoroughly studied all the attractions but also hidden secrets to uncover in Vienna. (Click the Links below to get to the information)
Here is the Vienna Ultimate Top 50 Bucket List
Here is the Best of Vienna in 4 hours
Here is the Best of Vienna in 4 hours (Summer Edition)
Here are the Best 5 things to do in Vienna the most liveable city in the world
Here are the Vienna Old Streets in Historic Center
Here is the Spittelberg Village in Vienna
Greetings in Vienna
Formal greetings are the norm when meeting someone, and you’ll hear “Grüss Gott” (greeting the almighty), or the more worldly “Guten Morgen/Tag/Abend”, just about everywhere you go, and it’s customary to return the salutation.
English-Austrian German
Hello Hallo
Good day -> Good morning Guten Tag / Morgen
Good evening -> Guten Abend
Good night -> Gute Nacht
Hi -> Tag
Good bye -> Bye Auf Wiedersehen / Tschüß
See you soon -> Bis bald
How are you? -> Wie geht es Ihnen?
Fine thank you -> Danke, gut
And yourself? -> und Ihnen?
Yes -> Ja
No -> Nein
Best Coffeehouses in Vienna – etiquette
Here is the List of The Best Coffeehouses in the City Center of Vienna
In cafés and restaurants, the waiter will expect to hear a “Herr Ober”(Mr. waiter) from guests seeking attention.
Viennese coffee houses serve this popular drink in many different ways, so to avoid being pooh-poohed by just asking for a coffee ask for a particular cup: Melange (milky coffee), Mocca (black), Espresso or study the menu before ordering, the more traditional institutions will list the various kinds.
Tips are not included, nor is it usual to leave them on the table. After the waiter has given you the bill add roughly 10 percent and ask for it to be added to the total.
A simple thank you is “Danke” or “Bitte” which means both ‘please’ and ‘you’re welcome.
More on Food and Drinks in Vienna
TheViennaBlog has thoroughly studied the following places in Vienna. (Click the Links below to get to the information)
Here are the Best Ice Cream Parlors in Vienna
Here are the Best Vienna Rooftop Bars with breathtaking views
Here is the Ultimate List of the Best Vegan Restaurants in Vienna
Vienna for Photography Lovers
TheViennaBlog has thoroughly studied the following locations in Vienna. (Click the Links below to get to the information)
Here are The 15 Best Photo Locations in Vienna
Here are The 8 Most beautiful places for Winter photography in Vienna
Vienna for Instagram Lovers
Here are The 25 Vienna Instagrammers you should be following for inspiration
Essential contacts in Vienna
List of Embassies in Vienna
List of Emergency numbers and hotlines
Emergency services: Dial 112
Public Transportation System in Vienna
Vienna has a well-developed public transport network. Buses, trains, trams, and underground lines will take you almost anywhere in the city in no time at all.
Find all about the Vienna Public Transportation System here CLICK
Getting from the Vienna Airport Schwechat to the City Center
Here is all you need to know from Vienna Airpot to city-center
Vienna Tourist Office
See wien.info, the website of the Vienna Tourist Board, for what’s on in the city and tips on where to go. Pick up maps, leaflets, and other information from the Tourist Info Vienna (00 43 1 24555) at the corner of Albertinaplatz and Maysedergasse, 1010 Vienna. Open Daily: 9am-7pm.
The basics
Currency: Euro
Telephone code: Dial 00 43, followed by 1 for Vienna numbers from abroad
Time zone: CET (Central European Time.
I am sure you will enjoy your time in Vienna. If there is anything essential I have missed, please let me know.