Text and Photos: Sergi Reboredo
Most tourists know that Austria’s capital is as grand as its imperial history, with imposing streets full of palaces and baroque masterpieces. It’s one of the most beautiful and brilliant cities in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and where everyone knows how to waltz.
Located between the State Opera and the Albertina Museum, in the midst of all the Habsburg imperial grandeur of the Austrian capital, the Hotel Sacher Vienna is the favourite spot for Vienna’s great cake: the Sacher cake.
Schloss Belvedere is often compared to Versailles and it’s no wonder since it was Prince Eugene of Savoy himself who commissioned the two baroque palaces as his summer residence. While its beautiful gardens and opulent interiors are reminiscent of the famous French chateau, the Belvedere houses a proudly Austrian art collection that includes works by Schiele, Moser and Klimt, whose gilded painting ‘The Kiss’ mesmerises all who dare to look at it. And what better option than to visit the museum in private, since the doors are closed to the public, accompanied by a short classical music concert and a glass of wine in hand. What could be more romantic?
The Steirereck, with its two Michelin stars, is classified as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world.Located in the Stadtpark, the glass cubes of its façade contrast with the luxurious vegetation of its surroundings. On the restaurant’s well-hidden roof, more than 120 aromatic herbs from all over the world grow and form part of the garnishes on its dishes. His recipes use local and seasonal produce, seeking to enhance the aromas and flavours typical of Austria, creating true culinary masterpieces: extremely balanced, creative and refined cuisine.
A ride in a Fiaker – a horse-drawn taxi – is the most charming, romantic and traditional way to discover the city. Their drivers are elegantly dressed, with black or grey coats and hats, and some of them smoke cigarettes in style.Warm Saturday or Sunday mornings are often the best times to venture out on one, when the city centre is almost deserted and you can enjoy good views of the cobbled streets of the medieval centre without the heavy weekday traffic.
The Schwarzen Kameel is one of the city’s most emblematic restaurants, where the best Viennese scallops, or ‘Wiener Schnitzel’, are made. The restaurant’s history dates back to 1618, a period strongly influenced by the so-called ‘fraternal dispute’ between the Habsburg brothers, Matthias and Rudolph, as well as the outbreak of the Thirty Years’ War in Central Europe.
There is nothing more elegant than spending an evening at the Vienna State Opera, one of Vienna’s most beautiful monuments, a treasure itself associated with one of the best philharmonics in the world.
Its first performance, in 1869, was Mozart’s iconic Don Giovanni, which was a great success.Both the opera house and the company suffered major damage during the Second World War, being devastated by bombing in 1945 and a subsequent fire, which completely destroyed the stage and auditorium.Ten years later, the Staatsoper reopened, remodelled with a new auditorium, clad in wood, in order to restore its incredible original acoustics. The number of seats in the audience was reduced and the fourth floor was restructured to eliminate the columns, which reduced visibility.The Schwind’s façade, foyer and atrium were restored to their original style.
Tenor Plácido Domingo is said to have been spotted on more than one occasion eating a sausage at the kiosk in front of the Albertina Museum at Albertinaplatz 1, just behind the opera, where the best Viennese sausages are said to be cooked. A more romantic option after the opera is to dine at the Rote Bar restaurant, where exquisite traditional Austrian recipes are cooked. The glass-covered outdoor area, with its black and white tiled floor and view of the opera, is a real eye-catcher, but its impressive dining room is also incredibly cosy and decorated with large oil paintings and crystal chandeliers, where diners can enjoy live piano music every evening.
The neoclassical Albertina Palace houses one of the largest and most valuable graphic collections in the world, with works such as Dürer’s ‘Hare’ or Klimt’s studies of women.
The museum, which is an architectural highlight in itself, presents a varied programme of exhibitions with great works of art from the 15th century to the present day, from Monet to Baselitz and Picasso, as well as special exhibitions such as those on Albrecht Dürer, Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch.
A trip to Vienna wouldn’t be complete without learning the three-quarter time dance that the waltz king, Johann Strauss, triumphantly took around the world. A private lesson in the beautiful surroundings of the Palais Coburg will allow participants to learn the basic steps and etiquette of the Viennese waltz, all explained by professional dancers from the Watzek dance school. When you visit the Palais Coburg, you can also visit the incredible wine cellar, built within historic walls dating back to the 16th century.
From the ring road that circles the city centre, an old blue and yellow tram, the Vienna Heurigen Express, winds through picturesque wine-growing scenery with breathtaking views over the Danube, passing beautiful vineyards and old wine-growers’ houses.
Viticulture has a long tradition in Vienna. Countless songs have been dedicated to it and it has served as the backdrop for many films.The rough but cosy and genuine Kierlinger bar is open all year round and serves grüner veltliner and gemischter satz, a blend of local white wines.
The rough but cosy and genuine Kierlinger bar is open all year round and serves grüner veltliner and gemischter satz, a blend of local white wines. A place to feel good, where everyone is warmly welcomed, tourists and locals alike.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss Art Austria. Located in the central courtyard of the Museums Quartier and under the shelter of two large marquees, this art fair features 45 exhibitors with the most important contemporary artistic creations.
A holistic experience, where new ideas seek to make their mark or at least be an alternative to the priceless old masters hanging in the neighbouring Kunsthistorisches Museum.
