Vienna Holiday Apartments

The capital of Austria, Vienna is a city of contrasts – wonderfully historic, yet increasingly cosmopolitan. Tourists should start in the city centre, a member of the UNESCO World Heritage List and often described as an open-air museum. Here you’ll see St Stephen’s Cathedral, where a climb to to take in the incredible views from the tower-keeper’s room is a must. Next make your way to Schönbrunn Palace, where you might also like to visit the animals in Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo). For more contemporary attractions, the Museumsquartier (or MQ) is a hotbed of incredible modern art. When hunger strikes, you can’t go past a classic wiener schnitzel and side of erdapfel salat (potato salad), followed by a steaming bowl of apfelstrudel (apple strufel) or a slice of sachertorte. If you choose self-catering Vienna accommodation, you can also make the most of the city’s fabulous farmers’ markets. One of Vienna’s most famous and most popular food markets is Naschmarkt, home to a range of stalls selling foodie delights from fruit and vegetables to pickles, cheeses, breads and meats.

When to go to Vienna

Vienna is an exceptional city for tourists to visit at any time of year. Winters are cold, but unbeatable for their atmosphere and incredible Christmas markets, along with stalls selling mulled wine and roasted chestnuts scattered throughout the city. By March, the weather is warming up, with temperatures hitting a peak in July and August. Autumn, meanwhile, sees the return of Viennese cultural icons, from horses and choristers to opera.

Getting to and around Vienna

Most tourists arrive in Vienna via flights to Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat.) Once you arrive, make the most of Vienna’s extensive public transport system, particularly the excellent underground.

Where to stay in Vienna

When choosing accommodation in Vienna, apartments offer savvy tourists a great alternative to expensive hotels. Not only will you save money, but you’ll get more space too. HouseTrip has a number of quality self catering Vienna accommodation options, from compact studios perfect for singles and couples through to large, multi-room properties ideal for families and friends to share.

Written by Travel expert: Simon Dance