OUR TRIP: We spent one week there, from 16 to 23 September 2021
WHERE? In Vienna, the capital of Austria
HOW TO GET THERE? By plane (2 hours flight) or byor by car (about 14 hours) from Paris. The night train will be back from Paris on 14 December!
GETTINGAROUND: Trams, buses and the metro all offer accessibility solutions. There are also numerous bike terminals throughout the city.
WHEN TO GO? There is no better time to visit Vienna. In summer, the banks of the Danube are ideal for swimming and picnics, and in winter, warm cafés are the best place to warm up!
WHY GO THERE? For the diversity of its architecture, walking in the footsteps of Sissi, the banks of the Danube, its parks, and... its sausage stands!
ACCESSIBILITY: Find all our addresses on our Mapstr map!
Set on the banks of the Danube, Vienna is a capital city worth visiting. We spent a week wandering its avenues discovering castles, parks and architectural wonders.
We also took the opportunity to test the new JO&JOE address, nestled in the heart of an eco-responsible building!
We give you our three good reasons why Vienna should be your next destination, let's go!
A lot of culture
When people talk about Vienna, they usually associate it with Sissi the Empress and the Blue Danube, a waltz piece composed at the end of the 19th century.
For several centuries, the successive royal families have ensured that Vienna is a city of the first rank in terms of cultural wealth thanks to its castles, museums and churches.
Castles
The Hofburg Palace in the city centre is the largest in Vienna. For more than 600 years the Habsburg dynasty lived here. It houses Sissi's imperial flats, the treasures collected there and the Spanish Riding School, one of the most famous in the world.
In the west, Schönbrunn Palace is reminiscent of Versailles. Its construction began in the 17th century and successive emperors have added their own personal touch. Whether you are a fan of gilded rooms or a lover of flowers and gardens, you will find something to suit your taste.
Inside, of the more than 1,000 rooms listed, some 40 can be visited, ranging from large banqueting rooms to more intimate salons. Outside, you won't be disappointed either. The immense garden, designed by a pupil of Le Nôtre, includes a zoo and several tropical greenhouses. The imposing Gloriette stands on the top and offers an unparalleled view of Vienna.
On the other side of the city is the Belvedere Palace. Built in the early 18th century, it is one of the largest baroque palaces built in the heart of a city. Here, the rooms have been refurbished to house a museum with, among other things, the most beautiful pieces by the painter Gustav Klimt.
Museums
In the heart of the Ring, the circular boulevard that bounds the city centre, there are three museums worth visiting.
The Kunsthistoriches Museum of Art History houses the most beautiful works of art in Austria. The Ancient Egypt section is without a doubt the most impressive wing: mummies, sarcophagi and other artefacts will leave you speechless. If you're feeling peckish, stop by their cafe, it's worth a visit!
TheAlbertina houses one of the most important collections of impressionist and post-impressionist works, ranging from Monet to Toulouse-Lautrec, not forgetting a few masterpieces by Picasso!
On the outskirts of the Hofburg Palace, you can visit the majestic ceremonial hall of the National Library. No less than 4 million books have been collected here since the 14th century.
Churches
There is no shortage of churches in Vienna and one of them caught our eye!
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Stephansdom, is without a doubt the one not to be missed during your visit. Just a stone's throw from the Opera House, it towers above all the buildings in Vienna! If you don't suffer from vertigo, the terrace above the nave offers a 360° view of the city.
Since its construction in the 12th century, it has been damaged several times in various conflicts. After the Second World War, the roof was rebuilt with coloured chevron tiles and the two-headed eagle, the symbol of Austria.
Architecture: something for everyone
Vienna has seen its architecture change over the centuries. The many wars involving the Austrian Empire have damaged many of the buildings in the city centre. As a result, the buildings inherited from the Habsburgs stand side by side with more recent buildings.
In the 1980s, the Austrian architect Hundertwasser, who was fascinated by colours and shapes, created two major buildings that were easy to spot. The facade of the Hundertwasserhaus, with its mixture of yellow, blue and red, is not lost on anyone! There are no less than 250 trees scattered over the terraces and against all odds, it is inhabited!
On the other side of the city, the municipalincinerator has been completely redecorated so that it can blend in more easily with the landscape.
In addition to this rather whimsical architecture, modern buildings have also sprung up in Donaucity, the equivalent of La Défense, and at theUniversity of Economics.
One of the most pleasant cities in the world
Vienna has twice been voted the most liveable city in the world! After a week in Vienna, we can't argue with that!
We start with the two emblems of the city: the tram and the sausage! The old red and white trams still in circulation serve the main tourist places of the city from the Ring. They are gradually being replaced by newer models, but we clearly prefer the old ones! As for the sausage, it is the favourite snack of the Viennese! You can eat it at every street corner in a kiosk! Bitzinger, at the foot of the Albertina is the best stand we have tested with notably the sausage filled with cheese... yes you read it right!
There are many surprises scattered around and we advise you to discover them in turn!
Not far from the Hofburg Palace, the Naschmarkt has for more than a century brought together fishmongers, butchers, market gardeners and small stalls to delight the taste buds of the Viennese people who flock there early in the morning.
On the way back to Stadtpark, the colourful umbrellas hanging in the Sunnhof passage will bring colour to your day!
Cross the Danube Canal to the Prater Park. Since 1897, this huge green bubble has been home to one of Vienna's symbols, the Ferris wheel of the fairground. Open every day, you can try out the roller coasters and attractions of all kinds!
The Danube Canal is the place to be for all graffiti fans. Several accesses allow you to reach the quays and to immerse yourself in this universe where everyone has their own style. In summer, terraces bloom on both sides to enjoy the sun!
A little further on, the Danube changes in scale with the Donauinsel island in the middle of the river. At weekends, the people of Vienna come here for picnics, cycling and even swimming!
To recharge your batteries during your wanderings, don't hesitate to try the typical cafés such as Demel, which has been preparing delicious pastries for more than a hundred years (we recommend the Kaiserschmarrn!) or one of the many rooftops such as the one at 25Hours, which offers a splendid view of the Kunsthistoriches!
The last surprise is in the district of Döbling. Some 700 hectares of vineyards are spread over the hills to the west of Vienna. It is possible to do some wine tasting before going for a walk in the nature.
JO&JOE Vienna
As we said in the preamble, our visit to Vienna allowed us to test the new JO&JOE address. This youth hostel is nestled in an eco-responsible building shared with Ikea. Whether you are alone, two or more, choose a private room or a dormitory and let us guide you to the next step!
Start the day with a hearty breakfast and wander through the streets of Vienna. On your way back, stop by the bar for a tailor-made Mo cocktail and, if you're feeling peckish, try the veggie burger... The day ends on the dance floor with a wild DJ set to sway you under the 100 disco balls!
The programme changes daily so pop into reception to find out all about it, Julia's team will be more than happy to give you all the details!
So we highly recommend you to stay there or just come and have a drink on the rooftop to enjoy the sunset!
JO&JOE Vienna: Atop a fully green building, this hostel spans 2 floors with stunning views of Vienna. To top it all off, have a drink at the bar and take it to the rooftop!
Prices: from €18 per night in dormitories, from €53 in a private room and from €120 for atypical rooms.
Accessibility: there are two accessible bedrooms. The sleeping and bathroom areas are spacious. The common areas and the rooftop are fully accessible.
Steman: Not far from Westbanhof, this typical Viennese restaurant is far from the tourist flood! Prices: from €9. Accessibility: the terrace is accessible and there is a ramp to get inside the restaurant. We did not have the opportunity to check the toilets.
Bitzinger Würstelstand : Good sausages, filled with cheese or not, to eat on the spot! Prices: from 4€. Accessibility: several high tables are available around the kiosk.
Glacis Beisl : Below street level, a tree-lined terrace awaits you. The food is very good but the wait can be long between each dish. Prices: from €12 per dish. Accessibility: from the street, a lift gives access to the terrace. There are two steps to reach the interior of the restaurant.
25Hours MuseumsQuartier: The rooftop of this hotel overlooks the MuseumsQuartier, perfect at sunset with one of their cocktails! The restaurant on the ground floor offers great Italian food. Prices: from €13 for a dish, €11-14 for a cocktail. Accessibility: fully accessible (including WC).
Chattanooga : One of the many restaurants in Stephanplatz. Salads, typical dishes, everything is there, you just have to choose! Prices: from €10 per dish. Accessibility: only the outside terrace is accessible.
Naschmarkt: This market is open every day of the week (except Sunday). The stalls are one after the other, so stop by and pick up some good food! Accessibility: the place is flat and the space between the stalls is quite wide.
Demel: One of the oldest cafés in Vienna located right next to the Hofburg. Prices: from €5 for a coffee or hot chocolate and from €7 for pastries. Accessibility: the space between the tables is not large but the waiters do their best to make sure you have room. The terrace is also accessible.
St. Stephansdom: This church is worth a visit especially for its colourful roof. Prices: the visit of the church is free. It costs 6€ to climb the north tower. Accessibility: The lift to the north tower is very narrow: the door is 63 cm wide. There are no accessible toilets on site.
Albertina Museum : This museum is very well done and the exhibitions very interesting. Prices: 16,9€/person and 7€ for a person with reduced mobility. Accessibility: All rooms are accessible with lifts. There are several accessible toilets on site. Find more information here.
National Library: This 80-metre long, 20-metre high room houses no less than 200,000 books! Prices: €8/person and €6 for PRM. Accessibility: A lift takes you to the main hall. There are accessible toilets on site.
Schönbrunn Schloss: This huge castle not far from the city centre and its flower garden are not to be missed. Prices: from 13€ depending on the options you take. Entrance to the castle is free for disabled people and an accompanying person. The park is freely accessible. Accessibility: all information can be found here. There are several accessible toilets throughout the estate (note that some of them require a specific European key to activate the lift).
Kunsthistorisches Museum : Vienna's main museum, worth seeing for some of the works of the great Flemish painters and especially for its wing devoted to ancient Egypt. Prices: 18€/adult and 15€/PMR and accompanying person. Accessibility: the museum is fully accessible. For a person in a wheelchair, the access is on the side of the building. Find all the information here.
Sissi Museum (Hofburg): Discover the history of Sissi and visit the imperial flats. Prices: €15/adult, €14/RPM and free for accompanying persons. Accessibility: the museum is fully accessible.
A week in Vienna gave us the opportunity to discover the Viennese way of life with its cafés, its parks and its beautiful Danube. More than a city, it is a cultural and architectural goldmine that we did not suspect and we are already looking forward to coming back at another season!
Nous partons à la découverte du Tyrol avec ses montagnes et ses lacs d’altitude aux couleurs uniques !
This trip was organised in partnership with JO&JOE and the ACCOR Group's Mission Handicap.