Come with me on a little stroll through some of the cutest streets, alleyways, major shopping area and massive flea market on a Saturday morning. I recommend starting this stroll around 9 am.
Start at the monument of Maria Theresa in between the Kunsthistoriches and the Natural History Museums.
- Walk away from the Ringstrasse towards the MQ (MuseumsQuartier). It is a straight shot from the monument to the entryway of the MQ.
- Enter the MQ complex and imagine how this entire structure was the court stables.
- Head towards the large staircase on your right, just in front of the MUMOK (Modern Art Museum) and go all the way up the steps. (Note - art fans should return to this large courtyard to visit the Leopold Museum).
- Follow the catwalk at the top of the steps straight ahead until you reach Breite Gasse (look down at the Glacis Beisl restaurant as you follow the catwalk - this is a great place for dinner at some point).
- Once you reach Breite Gasse, go to the left for a few steps and then right on Siebensterngasse.
- Take a right on Gutenberggasse and follow this quaint lane full of Biedermeier buildings to Burggasse.
- Go left on Burggasse for a few steps and then go left on Spittelberggasse (this area is called Spittelberg) and follow this lane (so cute) back up to Siebensterngasse (make note of Amerling Beisl, another great choice for dinner). Lots of galleries on this street.
- Go right on Siebensterngasse and left on Stiftgasse (note Gelateria La Romana, best ice cream in Vienna).
- You will then reach the major outdoor shopping street of Mariahilferstrasse. Go to the right on Mariahilferstrasse for a small taste of this popular area.
- In the first block on your left, you will see the entrance to Raimundhof (look for the Golden Stag above the doorway). Go left into this passageway.
- Walk down the passageway, a lovely set of courtyards the exact opposite of the fast fashion outlets you have just passed on Mariahilferstrasse. Have a look at the shops inside and maybe get a treat.
- Cross over the first street you reach (Windmuhlgasse) and go down the large staircase to the bottom. Continue walking along this street called Stiegengasse.
- Follow Siegengasse to Linke Wienzeile, which you will cross over.
- Immediately in front of you is the flea market of the Naschmarkt. Have fun poking around in these stalls and definitely haggle.
- Be sure to have a look at the absolute architectural gem of the Majolikahaus which is covered in art deco tiles.
- You can now get on the U4 (green) line of the U-Bahn (subway) at the Kettenbrückengasse station, which is in the middle of the flea market, or you can walk down the length of the Naschmarkt (towards the city center, so left as you enter the market) to admire the food stalls and restaurants. At the end of the Naschmarkt, you will find the Karlsplatz station, which is served by three U-Bahn lines - the U1, U2 and U4 (be sure to look at the Secession building before going underground, it is marvelous).
If you try this, please let me know your thoughts.