Microadventures Vienna
This time our microadventures series takes us to beautiful Vienna. Spring is finally in full swing, the hard lockdown is over, and we have noticeably more energy. It’s the perfect time to explore Austria’s capital with our tips for exciting activities! As always, observe the current regulations regarding Corona and stay safe.
Treat Yourself with Art, Culture, and Food – and Dancing
Normally this tip would not be worth mentioning, but after months of pubs, restaurants, clubs, and museums being closed, this is something we have been looking forward to for a long time: a day with art, culture, and food!
Our perfect day definitely starts with sleeping in! And because we simply love markets, we then head to the Meidlinger Markt, the Yppenmarkt on Saturday, or the Naschmarkt for brunch. Afterwards, we visit one of the many museums and exhibitions, e. g. photography by Elfie Semotan at the KunstHausWien, the Daniel Spoerri retrospective at the Kunstforum or, more traditionally, the art or natural history museums. Aside from the well-known exhibition spaces, there are also small and sometimes weird museums such as the Torture Museum or the Forger Museum – a list of Vienna’s lesser-known museums can be found over at Vienna Würstelstand.
If you’re still in the mood for a walk after the long lockdown months, we recommend exploring Vienna’s street art with the city hikes from Vienna Murals. If you’re a bit tired afterwards, get takeaway and, if the weather’s nice, sit down in the Stadtpark or another of Vienna’s numerous parks, and enjoy the sun.
Well, what then? Go home and watch more Netflix? How we would like to party now, but that’s still not possible…or is it? The people from Viennasoundape have been doing open-air DJ sets at different locations for weeks – registered with the police and following the Corona guidelines. That means dancing with a mask and a distance of 2 meters, but hey, at least we can dance! If you are not up to that, you can get yourself a cocktail-to-go from the many pubs and bars offering takeaway drinks. Try the Kisssbar in Luftbadgasse, where you can even be tested for Corona free-of-charge – sip a cocktail while you wait for the results. Cheers!
Wildlife Photography at the Central Cemetery
This microadventure might seem a bit spooky … Vienna and the macabre are two things that belong together in a classic cliché. At first glance it’s an unusual place, but the central cemetery is really worth a visit. Many celebrities have been buried here over the decades and centuries, and there is a lot to discover in the spacious area. The Bartholomäus Church with its beautiful dome should not be missed.
However, we have a special tip for you! The approximately 2.5km2 area has some corners where nature is allowed to expand. Grab your smartphone or, even better, a camera with a zoom lens and lie in wait! In the quieter areas, you can spot wild hamsters, various birds, hedgehogs, squirrels, and even deer. From April to September the gates are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – the early hours of the morning are perfect for impressive photos.
Anyone looking for very strange and macabre souvenirs such as USB sticks in the form of a coffin will find plenty of those in the shop of the funeral museum, right by the main entrance, which has finally reopened and is definitely worth a visit.
Explore the City by Bike
Yeah, finally spring, finally sun! But after months of lockdown, we understand if you don’t really feel like going for a walk, no matter how nice the weather may be. So how about a bike tour through Vienna instead? You can get from A to B quickly, don’t have to jostle with a mask in public transport, and do something good for your fitness. You can also stop at any time if you discover something interesting along the way.
If you’re in need of inspiration, our two digital guides are what you’re looking for: Vienna On Wheels: From Schönbrunn Palace to Stubentor leads you into the city center, while Vienna On Wheels: From Hundertwasserhaus up to the Wine Hills takes you in the other direction out to the vineyards of the 19th district, where you can relax and have a picnic afterwards. Some “Heurige” (wine taverns) also offer picnic baskets such as the “Schmankerl Picknick”. If you are too exhausted to drive home, you only need to roll yourself downhill and take your bike on the subway for free (outside of rush hour).
Climb Trees at the Kahlenberg Forest Rope Park
One of the best microadventures in Vienna with more action is climbing in the forest rope park on Kahlenberg! Several routes in the treetops at a height of up to 20 meters are now open to visitors again. At first it takes a bit of getting used to, but you can really trust the security system! The courses are available in three levels of difficulty, and so you can take it step-by-step – the first Flying Fox may take some overcoming, but then you can’t get enough of the feeling that you get when you fly through the trees. At the moment they offer takeaway snacks, and the adjacent Josefinenhütte should open on May 19th for a more substantial meal.
Discover Hidden Backyards
Vienna has countless great corners, romantic alleys, exciting architecture, and atmospheric squares – but what you don’t see at first glance are the backyards and passageways hidden behind inconspicuous house entrances. The passageway between Lerchenfelder Straße and Neustiftgasse is wonderful, and the one between Mariahilfer Straße and Windmühlgasse is even better known – both host comfy coffee houses and restaurants as well as cool shops. Not far away is the Amerlingbeisl with its beautiful inner courtyard (which will likely reopen on May 19th): the courtyard is overgrown with wild vines and can also be roofed over if it suddenly rains.
In the first district, it seems there is a courtyard or passage behind every second house, but there is also a lot to discover outside the city center. Our tip: in the book „Geheime Pfade“ (only in German, sorry) from Falter Verlag you will find hidden gems and their stories – from the Inner City to Alsergrund.
So let’s get out and discover the city! What are your insider tips and favorite activities in Vienna? Let us know and in the comments!
PS: You can find more audio guide tours on our website: https://www.culturalplaces.com/en/destination/vienna
