A summer weekend in...Vienna

August 09, 2019

A summer weekend in...Vienna

A Summer weekend in Vienna

Vienna offers the perfect mix of old and new, where the modern world feels easily embedded into history. Especially during the summer months, Vienna makes for a wonderful city trip, when the entire city seems to live outdoors to enjoy the weather and atmosphere. You will find a ton of restaurants and bars beautifully nestled in the old city centre with lush gardens to hang out in.

Viennese people love to spend time outdoors during the summer months. And when the temperatures rise, you will find plenty of options to cool down starting from the old Danube area where you can swim, SUP or rent a boot to one of the wonderful public swimming pools spread across the city. Public swimming plays a big part in Viennese culture going back to the Habsburg dynasty. Every pool has its own story and you will find a different crowd at each one of them. Once a Viennese picked her favourite cool-down spot, she rarely changes it.

To cool down and for your cultural fix, the city hosts many world-class museums, ranging from old masters to contemporary art. Finish the day off in one of the traditional vineyard restaurants (“Heurigen”) or go fancy in one of the many rooftop bars.

What to see

RINGSTRASSE: BURGTHEATER, VOLKSGARTEN AND TOWNHALL

I highly recommend starting your tour of Vienna with a walk on the Ringstrasse, the large boulevard surrounding Vienna’s inner district. This circular street takes you on a journey to many of Vienna’s most important and beautiful architectural jewels. Starting at the famous Opera house, you will stroll passed the beautiful Burggarten, the Imperial Palace, the Art History (KHM) and Natural History Museum (NHM), the Volksgarten, the Parliament, Townhall and Burgtheater. Stop at the University of Vienna, the oldest university in the German-speaking area and head to nearby Café Landtmann or Café Central for amazing cake and coffee.

Café Landtmann

Universitätsring 4, 1010 Vienna

Café Central

Herrengasse 14, 1010 Vienna

ALBERTINA MUSEUM

Albertina hosts one of Europe’s best contemporary art collections - the Batliner collection - with regular temporary exhibitions. Currently, there is Nitsch and Scully on display, with Durer and Rainer coming up in September. Also, don’t miss the Habsburg State Rooms! In case you fancy some refreshment or bubbles afterwards, head to Do & Co Albertina, re-known for its world-class catering, the restaurant and terrace at Albertina offers delicious meals and stunning views.

Albertina

Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna

https://www.albertina.at

Do&Co Albertina

Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna

http://www.doco.com/de/

NASCHMARKT

One of the biggest open-air and fresh produce markets in Europe, its history goes back to 1780. The market is split into different parts, the first one boasts one of the best delicatessen markets you have ever seen. I highly recommend you to wander around and sample of the delicious snacks you will get offered. You can find foods from across the world next to the best regional produce Austria has to offer. The food shops are open until 18.30 on weekdays, but when the sun sets, the locals invade the back part of the market. Here, you can find an amazing variety of different restaurants, many with DJs and music on Friday and Saturday evening. Tables go away quickly, but it's worth the wait. On Saturday, the market expands even further and you will find a fantastic flea market where it’s not uncommon to spot beautiful old china. On the flea market, you definitely have to bargain!

Naschmarkt

1060 Vienna

Mon-Sat, Sun closed.

What to do

Swimming Pools

Unlike most other European cities, Vienna has a longstanding history when it comes to public swimming pools, going back to the Emperor’s times. You will find a great selection of different sites spread across the city, from kids’ fun to people watching and breath-taking city views. Pick your favourite or try them all!

For the best view

Krapfenwaldbad. Relax under centenarian trees, sip a drink and enjoy the vibe. PS: Don’t forget to pack your fanciest swimsuit, it’s all about being seen here!

Krapfenwaldgasse 65-73

1190 Vienna

For the day off

Neuwaldegger Bad. It’s one of the oldest ones in the city, privately owned with top notch Viennese cuisine, a huge relaxation area, enough shade and sun and one of the best-known secrets with a huge fan base.

Promenadengasse 58

1170 Vienna

For the quick fix

Badeschiff. Located directly in the city centre on the Donaukanal, take a dip into the cold 27m pool and head upstairs afterwards for excellent snacks on the sundeck.

Donaukanal (between Urania and Schwedenbrücke)

1010 Vienna

Heurigen

As every Viennese would agree to, the best way to finish off your day at the pool is in a traditional Heurigen. Heurigen are restaurants owned by vineyard owners in the outskirts of Vienna, many of which are directly situated next to adjacent vineyards. Sample traditional cuisine paired with excellent wines. Vienna is one of the very few cities in Europe with vineyards within the city limits. Try the Gruener Veltliner or Gemischter Satz.

Weingut am Reisenberg

Oberer Reisenbergweg 15, 1190 Vienna

Mayer am Pfarrplatz

Pfarrpl. 2, 1190 Vienna

Ing. Werner Welser

Probusgasse 12, 1190 Vienna

Film Festival

From the beginning of July until the beginning of September, the space in front of the townhall gets transformed into one the Viennese most favourite places to hang out in summer – the Film Festival. A mix of many stands with different cuisines paired with a huge open-air screening space in the set-up of a Greek theatre. Enjoy delicacies from different countries while watching classic operas, concerts, ballets and so much more.

Rathausplatz

1010 Vienna

https://filmfestival-rathausplatz.at/en/new-home/

Summer at MQ (Museumsquartier)

MQ as it is called by the Viennese is located next to the inner district and originally hosted the stables for the emperor’s horses. Nowadays, it is a complex boasting two world-class museums, an area for food, relaxation, contemporary designs and events. A great option for a cool-down is the Leopold Museum, hosting one of the most impressive collections of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. There are multiple cafes, bars, restaurants (See Halle below), theatre options, fun for kids and a huge open-air area filled with Enzis (outdoor sitting furniture) to hang out, relax, take a nap or just let the world pass by.

Museumsplatz 1

1070 Vienna

https://www.mqw.at/en/

SUP and Alte Donau

In Summer on late afternoons and obviously on weekends, you will see many Viennese flock to Alte Donau, the Viennese recreation area and a side arm of the Danube. The water is sublime, the air fresh and its easy reachable by metro or bike from the city centre in less than 20min. Take a dip in the water, rent a boat, book a SUP or hang out in one of the waterside restaurants. For a typical Cambridge feel in Vienna, head to Landtmann’s Das Bootshaus and enjoy delicious food and cocktails. As they say: life is better at the (city) beach!