Location: Vienna
Top Things to do in Vienna
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Vienna, Vienna Region
In Vienna, the coffee house isn’t just a hangout: it’s an institution. Lingering over a newspaper with a pastry and a strong espresso drink is, according to UNESCO, officially a Viennese cultural pastime. Walk off your slice of Sachertorte with a self-guided tour of the city’s stunning traditional, Secessionist, and modern architecture, such as the Imperial Palace, the State Opera House, the Kirche am Steinhof, or the Kunsthistorisches Museum, an exercise in ornate geometry.
Restaurants in Vienna
1. Stadtpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,458 reviews
This bucolic city park, the highlight of which is a gilded statue of musician Johann Strauss in its center, was established in 1862.
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The Stadtpark is a large public park that’s divided into two sections by the River Vienna. The river has been engineered into what looks a little like a canal with elegant bridges over the river. Scattered throughout the park are statues of famous Viennese artists, writers, and composers, including Hans Canon, Emil Jakob Schindler, Johann Strauss Jr, Franz Schubert, and Anton Bruckner. The most famous of which is probably the golden statue of Johann Strauss Jr. There’s also a small lake where there’s a colony of ducks. The park is a lovely green area and a great place for a stroll.
2. Lainzer Tiergarten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By 167andreeai - Bucharest, Romania
Easy hiking Relaxing day in the nature Playgrounds Restaurant Panorama and great views Fresh air Animals
3. Hohe Wand Wiese
4. Vienna Woods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Unspoiled forest land that lies to the west and south of the city of Vienna.
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, United States
I've previously written about spring here ("Springtime, Vienna Woods: 3 Great Routes to Walk or Run," 5/25/15), but autumn is wonderful too, given the vineyard "open houses" about two weekends a month August through October. You can meander along rolling hills in seasonal colors and stop for wine and traditional Viennese country dishes at rustic wine taverns (here called "heurigen," or "hueriger" if just one). The open houses represent the vintners' celebration of a successful harvest and offer visitors wine tasting directly from the growers. What a concept! Vienna is unique among European capitals in having a significant wine-producing region within the city limits, albeit away from the urban core, in the wooded hills, notably those below Kahlenberg. You can take a tram (#38) to Grinzing from the Schottentor station in central Vienna, and from there get a bus (#38A) up to Kahlenberg. That will give you a downhill walk on wooded pathways dotted with vineyards and their heurigen. If you'd prefer an uphill walk (not all that hard, and the first part is paved), you can take the D Tram from Schottenor station to Nussdorfplatz. The scenic Eichelhofweg will get you up to the vineyards, as you walk uphill through toward Kahlenberg. There are beautiful sights along the way, and many different choices of wine taverns, some large with extensive vineyards and others small, family-run operations. All are very welcoming. To get back to the city center, just reverse the route described above, continuing to walk up to Kahlenberg (easy to identify by its big buildings) or enjoy the walk back down to Nussdorfplatz to catch the D tram. Most of the grapes grown here are white varietals. There will be familiar wines like sauvignon blanc, riesling, and weissburgunder. But you can also sample the delightful grüner veltliner and gemischter satz, among others. The same is true of reds. In addition to the well-known wines like pinot noir, merlot, and syrah, you can taste local favorites like Zweigelt and St. Laurent. Our favorite heuriger is Wailand, which is just about in the center of the vineyards. We have been there many, many times. On this fall day, we walked up and back from Nussdorfplatz with friends and enjoyed a great afternoon with a couple of bottles of Wailand's very good zweigelt barrique and a two tasty food platters to share. The "open house" menu is always pretty large (with many kinds of sausage and other Viennese favorites) and the views are spectacular over the vineyard toward the city center (to right, you can see St. Stephan's spire) and the Danube (to left, you can see the tall buildings of "new Vienna" across the river. IMHO walking through the vineyards of the Vienna Woods on a fall "Open House" weekend is just one of the most pleasant and enjoyable things you can do while visiting this great city. Highly Recommended.
5. Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna)
6. Donaupark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By pamphlet19 - Bucharest, Romania
Might seem a bit scary at night as there are parts that aren't illuminated (something that caught me off-guard when departing the Donauturm), but even then, above all else, it's cozy.
7. Volksgarten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,309 reviews
Reviewed By DJKTraveler - Vienna, Austria
Again, a visit to this amazing formal garden. Fountains, flowers and trees. Roses, well cared for, in their second iteration of blooms in July and everything so neat and well groomed. A garden this beautiful city can always be proud of, so well maintained by staff and some local volunteers. Always welcoming!!!
8. Schonbrunner Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,251 reviews
Reviewed By zimmys57 - Delavan, United States
We were blessed with a warm sunny afternoon to enjoy this beautiful Vienna landmark. We took in all the stunning gardens, fountains large and small, and then the leisurely stroll up the hill to the Gloriette, The effort to reach the top of the hill was rewarded with breathtaking views of the Schonbrunn Palace and city beyond. What an enjoyable afternoon!
9. Cemetery of St. Marx (Friedhof St. Marx)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Wibs39254 - Canada, United States
We travelled on the Subway and then a short tram ride. You will see the cemetary on your right, however wait until the stop where you see the entrance. We were guided by a helpful lady who was headed to the cemetary too. She took it upon herself to ensure we got off st the correct stop. All people in Vienna were extremely attentive and kind. Never once did people not stop to help when one looked perplexef. We spent a couple hours exploring. A map is available at the entrance n/c. There is audio availabke for a small cost. Beautifully maintained. This is wheelchair accessible. A very worthwhile side trip.
10. Tiergarten Schoenbrunn - Zoo Vienna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,902 reviews
Zoo Vienna, the oldest existing zoo in the world founded in 1752. Schonbrunn Zoo was voted Europe's best in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Schonbrunn Zoo is the perfect place for a journey into the fascinating world of the animal kingdom. Open year round, it combines the highlights of the natural world with an unparalleled history as the world's oldest and Europe's best zoo. It is part of Schonbrunn as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listed site and home to more than 700 species of animals. Marvel at the Giant pandas, tigers, orangutans, koalas and elephants, immerse yourself in the magic of the Amazon and feel the heat of a tropical rainforest in the heart of Europe. Moderated feeding sessions, guided tours and a trip aboard the panorama train turn a trip to the zoo into an unforgettable experience.
Reviewed By SprtsLibertatis - Vancouver, Canada
They call it the Europe's oldest zoo. I call it the best zoo that I've ever been to. The cleanliness of the zoo and the wellbeing of animals hosted here impressed me. I wish every other zoo in the world could be kept at the same level. My recommendation for the first time visitors is obtaining a map at the entrance, taking note of the feeding times of the animals and planning their tour accordingly because witnessing the feeding of animals doubles the zoo experience.
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