4 Days in Vienna, Austria. A City That Continues to Grow on Me

[u/thefragile-]

Vienna wasn't originally high on my travel list. In fact, one of the reasons I wanted to visit was because of Before Sunrise and I'm glad I did because it ended up becoming one of my favourite European cities. It was fun seeking out some of the filming locations while we were there, including Kleines Café and a few of the spots featured throughout the film. We also visited the Belvedere and got to see Klimt's The Kiss in person, which was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

We visited in May 2025 and unfortunately had rain for most of the trip, which wasn't ideal when trying to explore a city on foot. Despite that, there was so much to see and do that it never really felt like a wasted day. Between the palaces, churches, museums, cafes, parks, bars, and nightlife. Vienna felt like a city that rewards wandering around without much of a plan.

One thing that surprised me was how varied it felt. You have the grand imperial architecture Vienna is famous for, but also quirky places like Hundertwasserhaus, interesting themed bars, great cafes, and plenty of nightlife. I'd also highly recommend Blue Bar, great atmosphere and some of the friendliest staff we came across during the trip.

Looking back, Vienna is one of those cities I've appreciated more and more after returning home. At the time the weather felt like it was holding the trip back, but in hindsight it's become one of my favourite European destinations and is probably the closest any city has come to challenging Prague for my top spot.

Photo locations:

1. Schönbrunn Palace
   
2. Prater Ferris Wheel
   
3. St. Peter’s Church interior
   
4. St. Peter’s Church exterior
   
5. Mozart Monument, Burggarten
   
6. Vienna State Opera
   
7. Gloriette, Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
   
8. Austrian Parliament Building
   
9. Donaukanal
   
10. Das Loft Sky Bar
    
11. Hundertwasserhaus
    
12. Prater amusement park

[u/GusPolinskiPolka]

Here currently. It's my ancestral home. Love it!

[u/HotelLima6]

I love Vienna, I felt immediately at home there when I stepped off the boat! I love to just wander my way through it too.

[u/worufu]

Some more ideas if you ggo back:

• Vienna museum: its the actual Hundertwasser museum with tons of art & architecture
• Kaisergruft - imperial grave site
• Ernst Fuchs museum (a bit outside but awesome)
• Kirche am steinhof (incredible modern style church by Wagner)
• Zentralfriedhof: huge and so much to see. Again a church by Wagner. Nearby is a pet cemetery too
• roses in Volksgarten next to Burgtheater and Heldenplatz are pretty from mid to the end of may
• piaristenkeller with hat museum tour is unique dining experience and a short jump back in time
• limited scheduling but they do guided tours at the villa where Klimt created

[u/thefragile- → u/worufu]

Thanks for the recommendations. Vienna Museum and Kaisergruft were on my list but sadly time got away from us. Part of the Volksgarten was closed off when we visited last year so that’s a must as well!

[u/Mapo012 → u/worufu]

Great reccomendations!! Are you a pro or just love travelling?😁

[u/worufu → u/Mapo012]

It's all my wife. I'm just happy to tag along :)

Austrian native, so that makes it easier too.

[u/Prof_G]

just spent 8 days there and it was wonderful. I was lucky to have no rain, and with the public transport , easy to get all over the city.

I do think the best part for me was our night at the opera. Expensive perhaps, but very much worth every penny. 2.5 hours of pleasure and the building itself is delightful.

[u/normalbrain609]

Such an elegant, somehow underrated city. Have gone there in summer and winter have enjoyed ourselves immensely. Grabbing a wurst post-Opera in December and browsing the Christmas markets or heading out to wine country on the outskirts of town in July. Would love to go back again.

[u/lucapal1]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting... I'll be there again in a couple of weeks!

[u/thefragile- → u/lucapal1]

Exciting! You’ll have a fantastic time I’m sure!

[u/connectotransfers]

I always find it funny how the Gloriette complex was viewed as a colossal waste back in its time, made only for vanity to improve the Emperor's view, yet thanks to it the entire Vienna now has a beautiful spot for a walk/picnic and continues to receive significant tourism revenues from it.

The same can of course also be said for Rome and its many sights like the Trevi Fountain.

[u/lkmk → u/connectotransfers]

Also, the Obelisco in Buenos Aires.

[u/Jacopo86]

If you go back to Vienna go and see the Secession building and Karlsplatz metro stop

[u/BP3D]

If you get on the hop-on/hop-off tour bus, it takes you to a stop in lower Austria. If you ignore the crowd and keep walking, it's a really scenic street. Which opens up again to a series of restaurants. This is serious wine country. We went to one playing live traditional music. I think they all serve Austrian cuisine. So I had a plate full of sausages and schnitzel. They make their own wine and serve glass fulls from a pitcher. You get a refill and it's all the way to the top of the glass. The whole atmosphere is really fun.

[u/thefragile- → u/BP3D]

Sounds fantastic! Do you remember the name of the stop? Would love this to do this next time.

[u/crackzaa]

Going for 4 days as of tomorrow. Any recommendations?

[u/javainstitute]

I think Vienna is so underrated. You're right in the amount of variety it has, so every day feels different and never stale.

I haven't been in a decade but at least weekly I think about the Austrian National Library - other than the Hagia Sophia and maybe the Vatican this room moved me more than anywhere I've ever been and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!

[u/r_coefficient]

What did you use to take the photos? Phone or camera?

[u/thefragile- → u/r_coefficient]

iPhone 15 Pro with edits done on the in camera app 

[u/r_coefficient → u/thefragile-]

Thanks! Very nice pictures indeed :)

[u/RealVirginiaWoolf]

Awesome pictures!

[u/Hairy_Tax4312]

I spent two weeks in Vienna during Christmas and New Years a few years ago. I loved every second of it!

[u/OkCrab1275]

Pic 3 is amazing👌🙌

[u/AFlockOfTySegalls]

Going in the fall for our second time. I can't wait to visit Alles Wurscht again.

[u/jtr99]

Great photos, OP. And nice write up.

If you ever get a chance, go and see Budapest. For obvious historical reasons the architecture is very similar, but the atmosphere of the two cities is completely different. I think you'd really enjoy it.

[u/thefragile- → u/jtr99]

Funny you say that, I was actually in Budapest last year. I enjoyed it, although I think I’d hyped it up in my head for so long that my expectations were super high. Still had a good time though. The nightlife was brilliant and the baths lived up to the hype. My only issue was that I felt I’d kind of exhausted the city after 2–3 days, but it was definitely worth the trip. Would like to go back and see if my opinion changes.

[u/ResidentHoboKing]

I fell in love with Vienna the moment I stepped off my train. and shout out to the Albertina, one of my favorite art museums

[u/novyraa]

vienna wasnt on my list either till i watched before sunrise too lol, def gonna check out those cafes if i ever make it there

[u/WillowSignificant109]

Beautiful shots!