Read our Telegraph Travel expert guide to Vienna, including the best places to stay, eat, drink as well as the top attractions to visit, flights and all of the key information that you need to know before you go
Destinations
Vienna, Austria
A city that charms and seduces from scratch, but even more the longer you stay. Whether for fast-track travel or slow-paced sightseeing, and regardless of how many times you've been before, there's a seemingly never-ending wealth of things to do and see throughout the year. It's also both culturally and musically one of the richest cities in the world, and has a good, lively mix of cool cafés and bars, galleries, shops and street markets.
When to go to Vienna
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. By April milder temperatures and blooming parks and gardens get locals back 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 – where entrance is free. Although the odd heat-wave may feel uncomfortable during the months of July and August, summer weather is usually sunny and warm and cool-down, chill-out locations are in abundance along the Danube River and canal; but state-run opera, concert and theatre venues close shop. From September onwards, cultural activities are back in full swing, and mild, sunny days offer ideal conditions for exploring the surrounding countryside.
Where to go
Classic “must sees” include the palaces of Schönbrunn and Hofburg, the Ringstrasse – celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – and a multitude of art treasures in some spectacular museums: Museum of Fine Art (Kunsthistorisches Museum), Belvedere, Albertina and Leopoldsmuseum (main Schiele collection). And contemporary architecture beckons at the new WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) campus in the 2nd district. Particularly Zaha Hadid's futuristic Library and Learning Center has to be seen from within.
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Know before you go
Local laws & etiquette
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. Locals love their titles, so if you are meeting someone who has a university degree, not only are you expected to know this fact, but you're expected to use the title whilst shaking hands e.g “Grüß Gott Herr Doktor”. 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 per cent and ask for it to be added to the total.
A simple thank you is “Danke” or “Bitte” which mean both 'please' and 'you're welcome'.
Essential information
British Embassy Vienna: (00 43 1 713 1575; gov.uk), Jauresgasse 12, 1030 Vienna
Emergency services: dial 112
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 difference: +1 hour
Flight time: London to Vienna is approximately two hours
Experience Vienna with the Telegraph
Telegraph Travel's best hotels, tours and holidays in Vienna, tried, tested and recommended by our Vienna experts
