AS EUROPEAN city breaks go, Vienna might not get much of a look-in between the likes of Venice and Valencia.
But the picturesque capital of Austria, which has centuries of history and is reachable in two hours, is having a moment.
Not only did Vienna host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, it’s also been named the city with the best quality of life for three years running, with an abundance of cultural experiences and top cuisine.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
It is impossible not to be mesmerised by the sights, most notably St Stephen’s Cathedral.
The striking structure, which dates back to the 12th century, is in the city centre — a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site in itself — and climbing the South Tower’s 343 steps offers breathtaking views.
Vienna has much more than just museums and concerts, though.
It is also home to the world’s oldest operating zoo, founded in 1752, where you’ll find 500 different species, including penguins and koalas.
THESE STREETS ARE MADE FOR WALKING?
The centre — where impressive sights include Heldenplatz — can be reached in around 20 minutes from Vienna Airport by train.
Top tip: take the standard local trains — costing €5.40 (£4.68) — rather than the more expensive CAT train (€14.90, or £12.92) which takes around the same length of time.
In general, the city is very walkable, with lots of flat terrain and pedestrianised areas.
For anything further afield, you can hop on the metro (single ticket €2.40, or £2.07), which even runs through the night on weekends.
If you want to see the sights at a gentle clip-clop, flag down one of the many Viennese horse-drawn carriages, known as Fiakers, with a 20-minute journey costing around €60 (£51.78).
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
Browse the luxury brands of the Kohlmarkt shopping street until you get to the grand Michaelerplatz.
It is right beside here that you can visit the Spanish Riding School in the Hofburg to watch performances by their incredibly talented Lipizzaner breed of horses.
A short stroll away is the MuseumsQuartier, considered to be one of the largest arts and cultural complexes in the world — with the Leopold Museum (tickets €19, or £16.40) considered a highlight.
If you are in the mood for masterpieces, The Belvedere, the city’s Baroque palace complex, is home to Klimt’s iconic The Kiss painting (entry €23, or £19.85).
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
A trip to Vienna isn’t complete without a wiener schnitzel — the breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet native to the city.
Order it alongside the locals at 160-year-old tavern Gmoakeller.
Further must-haves from the country’s cuisine are its desserts, and the most famous, the sachertorte chocolate cake and the apfelstrudel, can both be enjoyed at Cafe Demel.
A hearty breakfast can be enjoyed at Oefferl, which has a number of branches around the city and bakes fresh pretzels daily.
If you fancy a lighter bite, Bastis Sandwich Bar serves great subs and chicken wings and is close to the impressive Wien Museum of Vienna (free entry).
I FANCY A DRINK…
The coffee house culture in Vienna is so strong that it has been listed an “intangible cultural heritage” by Unesco — and there are numerous cosy spots around the city.
An espresso topped with whipped cream is a traditional caffeine fix here, but you’ll find plenty of other options on the menu at the historic Cafe Hawelka, which has been open since 1945 and was frequented by Andy Warhol.
For an afternoon beer or a glass of wine — including affordable Austrian options that are €5.30 (£4.57) a glass — you can’t go wrong with the terrace of Zum Schwarzen Kameel, especially if the weather is good.
For an evening cocktail, Chez Bernard’s rooftop has outstanding views.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
The Hoxton Vienna is within walking distance of the city’s main sights — particularly Belvedere and the scenic Stadtpark.
The hotel used to be the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, and its stylish but warm interiors still have mid-century modern design details throughout.
Guests also have exclusive use of the rooftop pool, which is the largest in the city.
There are also plenty of dining options on site, including the Bouvier restaurant with French elements on the menu, a Cuban- inspired rooftop bar called Cayo Coco and Salon Paradise, a speakeasy-style bar in the basement.
GO: VIENNA
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Vienna from £31.99 each way.
See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE: Double rooms at The Hoxton Vienna cost from £118 per night.
See thehoxton.com.
OUT & ABOUT: A visit to the Spanish Riding School to watch the Lipizzaner horses training is from £15pp.
MORE INFO: See austria.info.