SOUVENIRS FROM: Vienna

I've been living in Vienna for a little over half a year now and there are still so many places to discover. But I already have some favourite places. Here's a little guide for anyone who wants to visit Vienna:

Food & Beverage:

One of the things I love most about Vienna are definitely the many coffee houses. I can sit here all day, drink some coffee, eat Sachertorte, read the newspaper and just watch the world go by. You always feel like you've been transported back in time. Just don't be confused by the seemingly grumpy waiters, it's completely normal. My go-tos are Café Sperl, Café Prückel, Kleines Café, and definitely the Café Kafka!

Besides the coffee houses, here are a few other places that I love:

Espresso Burggasse & Ährnst

In my opinion, the best croissants are at Ährnst in Burggasse. Freshly baked from Thursday to Saturday, with a different menu every week. Simply excellent baking and delicious filter coffee. A perfect start to the morning.

You can also enjoy the baked goods next door in the espresso bar with a coffee or sparkling wine. The small terrace is especially beautiful in spring. The small coffee house looks back on a long history and the owners have managed to retain the charm of the 1950s. In the evening there are various drinks and natural wines.

Matcha Komachi

The small restaurant of Matcha Komachi in Operngasse may seem inconspicuous at first, but here you can enjoy excellent Japanese food. In addition to sushi and various noodle soups, we particularly recommend the matcha tea in combination with a homemade mochi. As there are only a few tables, you should definitely make a reservation.

Zum alten Fassl

If you fancy traditional Austrian cuisine, Zum Alten Fassl is the place for you. As you walk through the traditional restaurant, you enter a beautiful gravelled courtyard surrounded by trees. In addition to classics such as Wiener Schnitzel or Eiernockerl, there is also a changing seasonal menu.

Photo 1: Kleines Café, Photo 2-3: Ährnst, Photo 4: Espresso Burggasse, Photo 5-7: Matcha Komachi, Photo 8: Zum alten Fassl

Art & Architecture & Culture

Museum Quarter

Even if you don't go to one of the museums, the Museumsquartier is one of my favourite places in Vienna. Each of the museums there is definitely worth a visit and there are great exhibitions. But the large inner courtyard with the MQ's famous ENZI seating is also a great place to hang out. It's the perfect place to sit in the sun with an Aperol, read a book over a coffee or simply sit and watch the goings-on. In summer, many different events take place here, also in the open air. A visit to the Walther König bookshop in the Museumsquartier is always a must.

Architektur im Magazin

The Magazin in the 2nd district was founded in 2018 and is an exhibition venue for local and international contemporary architecture. The changing exhibitions are accompanied by publications and lectures.

Softcover Shop

Every city needs a well-assorted magazine shop. Since recently, you can find this in the Softcover Shop in the 6th district. Here you can browse for a long time through the large selection of coffee-table books, indie magazines and zines.

Photo 1-5: Museumsquartier, Photo 6: Softcover Shop

Stroll & Explore

Ringstraße

I would recommend anyone visiting Vienna for the first time to walk along the Ringstrasse. Without a specific destination or time pressure. The Ring encircles the first district and the street is lined with the magnificent buildings that Vienna is famous for. Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater... As you walk along it, you can either turn into the first district and stroll through the narrow alleyways or explore the neighbouring districts. It is a perfect starting point for exploring the city on foot and letting yourself drift along.

Danube Island (Donauinsel)

I'm not sure if everyone is aware, but it gets pretty hot in Vienna in summer. The best thing you can do is to hop on a bike and ride to the Danube Island. There you can just lie down on the grass by the river and jump straight into the water. It's allowed, super safe and of course for free.

Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

The Central Cemetery is one of my favourite getaways from the busy city. It's huge, totally quiet and very green. The cemetery is even home to some deer that roam freely, making it an even more magical place. Many famous people lie here, composers, writers, actors, architects and, of course, Falco. I could walk around for hours, reading the names on the stones and finding out about the people's stories. There are also guided tours, a museum and café and a garden of peace and relaxation, which I particularly like.