In a city where listening to Billy Joel feels like home, Vienna is a classy, historical and music-centric capital. With flights booked from the UK between six and eight weeks in advance, Vienna is an ideal and cheap location for students.
Where to Stay
I recommend choosing to stay somewhere in the middle of the city so you are close to the main attractions. There are lots of different options, from budget hotels to cheap backpacker hostels. Browse places to stay on Booking.com.
Getting Around
Vienna is incredibly accessible via tram, bus and train and the great thing about city breaks is that you can make it as fast paced or as relaxed as possible. Try to visit at least one tourist attraction per day, although if you are short on time you can plan an action packed itinerary taking in multiple attractions.
Top Places to See in Vienna
Let me guide you through Vienna’s most appealing tourist spots…
1. Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace is one of the most exciting tourist landmarks.
With a rich history, golden architecture and gardens which span for acres, the exterior scenery provides the perfect opportunity to listen to an audiobook about the history of Austria and neighbouring countries as you walk around (you can find free ones online!).
Whilst you can book in advance, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in person. This gives you the chance to take your time in exploring the grounds as you wait for your allocated time. You can also enjoy some Belvedere cake in the palace’s café.
As you step inside, a range of Austrian art will guide you to Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”, where it’s easy to imagine being royalty. With options to visit Lower Belvedere, Upper Belvedere and Belvedere 21, book from €9.30 per adult here.
2. Vienna State Opera
As one of the world’s leading opera houses, Vienna State Opera has a rich history and culture. Guided tours of the Opera House are available if you want to dig a little deeper into Vienna’s music history with sights of the auditorium, stage, and rehearsal areas. Book here from €13 per adult.
3. Schmetterlinghaus
A unique way to spend an hour or so, Schmetterlinghaus is the Imperial Butterfly House which mimics a tropical rainforest setting. On the periphery of Burgarrten Park, butterflies from all around the world can be witnessed, including the Atlas Moth, native to certain parts of Asia. It’s important to note that the Butterfly House doesn’t feature wild or endangered butterflies. From as little as €9.50 per adult, find out more about Schmetterlinghaus here.
4. Kunsthistorisches Museum
With collections spanning from Ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, this museum of art is one of the best I’ve ever seen. You can find works by artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio and Bruegel the Elder. The museum’s grand white and copper staircases, high ceilings and statues resemble Ancient Greece as you are cast into the history of art. You can book online from €21 per adult. Find out more about visiting Kunsthistorisches Museum here.
5. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Very different to Budapest’s Basilica, this cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece which sits at the centre of the city. Built in 1359 and the burial place of Prince Eugene, the cathedral is nothing if not intriguing. A must-visit religious tourist spot, the cathedral’s interiors are heavenly and gothic, with a large organ, grand seating, beamed ceilings and catacombs, adding an air of horror to your visit.
If admiring the cathedral from outside is not enough, the cathedral welcomes visitors to wander around the cathedral from €5 per adult, with a tour of the catacombs from €7. You can also tour the North and South towers from €6.50. Or, you can book an all-inclusive ticket so you can explore everything, see more information here.
Viennese Cuisine
With prices somewhere between Manchester and London, there are several eateries throughout the city which take you through a range of cuisines. I always recommend sampling the local cuisine. Make sure to tuck into some topfenstrudel (a quark cheese filled strudel) before leaving.
Combine Vienna with Other European Cities
Whilst you’re in Austria, why not visit one more country?
Transport in and out of the city is as interconnected as ever, with surrounding European countries just a cheap train ticket away. I recommend partnering your trip to Vienna with a trip to Budapest and Prague so you can visit all three major cities that the Danube River runs through.
Trains from Vienna to Budapest are as cheap as €14.50 when booked a week in advance. Before departing also remember to purchase travel insurance before your trip and sign up for email alerts for Austria. Happy travels!
These Vienna travel trips were shared by Georgia Pearson, a Student Brand Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.