During the Easter holidays, we only had three days to travel, so we decided to book a ticket for a quick flight to Europe. On this trip, we visited two cities: Vienna and Bratislava. This blog serves as a guide for a day (24 hours) in the City of Music and Art: Vienna. Throughout my life, I have heard about the charming beauty of Vienna and the sweet atmosphere of the city. Although I have visited other Austrian cities before, the beauty of Vienna is unique. The people, the buildings, the art, and the music all create an enchanting world. I now understand why Asmahan, Farid Al-Atrash, and Ahmed Rami chose to say, “The nights of Anas in Vienna breeze from the hue of paradise, a tune in the air has a reindeer heard her bird cried and sang.
First thing: logistics
Flight: We flew Wizz Air from Amman to Vienna. The ticket price was 100 euros, and we booked our tickets two weeks before traveling.
Accommodation: We stayed in an Airbnb apartment located in the city center. The location was great, and everything was close by. The apartment was comfortable, spacious for two, and very clean. I would definitely book it again on future visits!
Currency: Euro
Transportation: We purchased a 24-hour public transport ticket, which included buses, trains, and trams, priced at €8.20. There are also Uber and Bolt options available in Vienna, along with robotic scooter rental apps that you can find on the streets.
Entry Procedures and Tests Required: At the time of our travel, we did not need to take a COVID-19 test because we had received three vaccinations. However, it is crucial to check the updated procedures on the IATA website before traveling, as regulations may change.
24 Hours of Tourism in Vienna: What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Go
Breakfast and Kaiserschmarrn
We started our day with the most important meal—breakfast (we couldn’t afford to skip it!). Before we traveled, while searching for the best places to eat Kaiserschmarrn, I came across a blog that mentioned 15Süßen Minuten as one of the top five restaurants in all of Vienna. Kaiserschmarrn is a sweet dish, similar to pancakes, and is usually served with apple sauce. The place was lovely, and the Kaiserschmarrn was delicious! The portion is so large that it’s perfect for sharing with someone else.
Belvedere Palace
After breakfast, we walked to Belvedere Palace (the restaurant was a 15-minute walk from the palace). The construction of the palace began in 1712, making it one of Austria’s most famous landmarks.
Admission to the palace gardens is free, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the palace’s exterior architecture, plants, statues, and waterfalls from the porch!
Naschmarkt Market
After exploring the palace gardens and capturing some lovely pictures (which you can see on my Instagram), we headed to the popular market: Naschmarkt, one of the most famous weekend markets in Vienna!
You can find all kinds of Austrian, Turkish, Arab, and international restaurants, as well as a fish market and shops selling vegetables, fruits, clothes, and more. The market is open every Saturday and is bustling with both locals and tourists, making it one of the liveliest markets to visit in Europe!
Austrian National Library
I know it might sound funny, but many of my travels tend to focus on libraries. In this trip, I must say, the Austrian National Library in Vienna surpassed all the beautiful libraries I have visited so far! The entrance fee is 8 euros, which I believe is well worth it!
The library was built in the eighteenth century and holds more than 200,000 books. It reminds me of Hogwarts School from Harry Potter! Check out my TikTok: “Libraries Around the World” to see how they resemble Hogwarts.
Second Dessert of the Day: Sachertorte
Just a few minutes away from the library, we visited the Sacher Hotel & Café, which is said to be the birthplace of Austria’s national dessert: Sachertorte. Legend has it that in 1832, a prince requested a special dessert for a palace party, but the cook fell ill, leaving the responsibility to a 16-year-old apprentice.
This cake has since become one of Austria’s most famous desserts. It consists of two layers of chocolate cake with apricot jam in between, all covered with dark chocolate. Is it the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had? No, but the experience of tasting this historic cake in its original setting—prepared using a method that dates back nearly 200 years—was truly special!
Shopping at St. Stephen’s Square
After indulging in our second dessert of the day, we decided to walk off some calories. St. Stephen’s Square is one of Vienna’s most famous squares, offering a range of international brands for shopping and numerous restaurants and cafes. The square features St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which is over 700 years old. The ancient buildings and spectacular architecture of Vienna are breathtaking!
As you stroll through the streets of Vienna, remember to pay attention to the pedestrian traffic lights, as they differ from the signs we are accustomed to!
A Concert of a Lifetime
When Asmahan sang “The Nights of Man in Vienna,” I think she was referring to all the concerts and performances that take place in this beautiful city. Not only is Vienna home to musicians like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, but it also revives this musical tradition every day. The number of concerts you can attend in Vienna is countless.
I recommend booking a concert at the Opera House or one of the city’s cathedrals. We reserved tickets for a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss at Musikverein. However, please note that the €55 seating will not allow you to see the entire theater!
Dinner
We arrived at the final part of our day: dinner. After searching for the best Austrian restaurants, we chose Zwölf Apostelkeller. It is considered a standard for good restaurants, and the best part was that it remained open late (we arrived at 11 PM). Austrian cuisine is quite similar to German food, featuring many of the same dishes:
- Wiener Schnitzel: Breaded and fried lamb, chicken, or pork steak.
- Potato Salad: A staple dish, indeed.
- Frankfurters: Hot dog sausages often sold at street stalls.
- Beef Goulash: A popular stew with meat, found not only in Austria but also in neighboring countries.
We ordered a lamb schnitzel, and it was delicious! The meat was tender, the crust was crispy, and the restaurant had a charming ambiance in a building that is over a thousand years old!
After this busy day, we headed back to our apartment, exhausted but happy, and ready to rest before our busy second day in Bratislava. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog about Bratislava!
