Vienna

“Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.”

Vienna has my heart. I admit to being completely biased as I write this blog.

Staying in Vienna is like experiencing true love! You fall fast and hard. And then there is no turning back.

Even if I’ve spent three summers here, I still want to go back to Vienna, tomorrow.

So much to do here. So so much!! Personally, this might be the longest blog ever.

In some chaotic order, here are some MUST do things in Vienna.

Visit the Flea Market 

My friends from Vienna say: “If you don’t find it at the Saturday Flea Market, you won’t find it anywhere”. Right next to the Naschmarkt (a HUGE market for every sort of food), each Saturday morning there is the biggest and most lively flea market that you’ll ever visit.
There are so many stalls and you can find just about everything!! Negotiate for everything you like but don’t give in to the temptation to buy everything you see just because it is at a steal price. Otherwise, you’ll end up carrying a very vintage looking typewriter in your bag all the way back to India, and back home – you won’t know what to do with it! Just like me! The guy was selling it for 5 Euros, impossible to resist :/

Prater! Prater! Prater!

Prater is this huge green amusement park in Vienna. You could easily spend the whole day there. It is a perfect place to have a nice day out, having a picnic in the garden or dining at one of the many dining options. I’ve spent so much time here. I cannot get enough of this place :P. Places like this can take you to a world where there are literally no worries <3

Schönbrunn Palace 

Pack a little picnic, go there in the afternoon and then watch the sunset over Vienna. The gardens here are so adorable 🥺

Pizza Riva 

Definitely, the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life. How good it is? Well… once, I’ve spent a week eating this pizza everyday! They have several outlets but, if you are in Vienna in summer, you should go to the outdoor woodfire pizzeria right outside the subway stop “Roßauer Lände”. They set it up exclusively for summers, so don’t miss it for any reason!

St. Stephen’s Cathedral 

Actually, it is more “have an ice cream at the Aida Café” while admiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s beauty 😛

Museums Quartier 

Pick between multiple museums @Museums Quartier or just stroll around them. It has plenty of art displays and pretty sweet cafes. Yes, I’m always looking for cafes!!

Stephansplatz 

Shop! Shop! Shop!
But not just that. This is a beautiful stretch of shops and… ahem… cafes 🙂 Every corner you turn, you’ll find something that will make your heart glow.

Danube River 

Spend an evening hanging out with friends by this wonderful river, which has a lot of food and drinking options for you to choose from.

Mariahilferstrasse 

This is another stretch of shops where you can shop to your heart’s content.

Concerts

If you’re still looking for any reason to visit Vienna in Summer, you should know that the world’s best artists go there in summer too. And Vienna has plenty of stadiums, concert halls and multiple other options to catch these concerts. Keep an eye on www.viagogo.com for upcoming concerts.

I went to the Bruno Mars concert and IT – WAS – EPIC! He is a natural performer and has so much energy and charm!! I heart him <3

The capital of Classical Music 

Vienna is also considered as the capital of Classical Music. You can attend to many concerts that are held here. But you can and will experience it – for free – as you walk through the streets of Vienna. Music is everywhere: on the metro, in the streets, stations, buses!! Everywhere, I said.

A few pro tips 

1. Vienna has the most beautiful weather in summer but light showers are always round the corner even on a perfect sunny day. Always carry an umbrella with you or be prepared to get to a cafe <3
2. Uber/Taxi is expensive in Vienna – avoid it as much as you can. That brings us to –
3. Opt for the public transport. Always get the monthly pass for subway and buses: it costs only 60 euros and you can move to every corner of the city in a matter of few mins.
4. Try dining at least once in one of the fancy rooftop restaurants. The view is too much romantic to miss <3
5. Go check out the University campuses, they are magnificent (and some have good restaurants too!!)
6. If you are from India and are craving for Indian food, there are a lot of Indian grocery stores in different districts in Vienna where you will find everything you need 😉

Copyright for the song used in the video is with the Artist Tones & I and licenced to SME, WMG (on behalf of Atlantic Records); CMRRA, AMRA, Warner Chappell.