Love Museums, but...what else??

If architecture interests you, I believe Vienna has some of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings I’ve ever seen but there is also so much more. We spent a half day walking through the area around Karlsplatz looking up, dining with the grannies (Emily will know the name) and exploring.

Thank you Renee. I hadn’t thought of an architectural stroll — that sounds fun

Seeing a performance or taking a tour of the Spanish Riding School and their Lipizzaners is a very different experience from your average sightseeing stop, if that appeals to you.

It’s yet another museum, but I especially enjoyed the Imperial Treasury at the Hofburg Palace - the 1000-year-old crown of the Holy Roman emperor, among lots of other bling.

If you like music, the Sunday morning worship service had the Augustiner Church had sublime music when we were there in 2019

Don’t forget the parks! My sister and I were in Vienna for 9 nights in March 2025. My trip report might give you some ideas.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sisters-in-vienna-and-prague-our-trip-report

The Vienna portion is in two sections:

3 NIGHTS VIENNA—MOTEL ONE STAATSOPER / STATE OPERA

6 NIGHTS VIENNA—HOTEL AM STEPHANSPLATZ

Third Man Museum, Movie, Film Locations Tour, including the Sewer. Prater, including the Ferris Wheel. Flea Markets. Kaiser Wiesn, similar to Oktoberfest if your dates line-up.

Hi all,

These are all wonderful suggestions. Jewels! Church music! Heidi Horton! the Sewer! I can never say no to a good sewer tour. Thank you all!!

has anybody been to the St. Augustine's Church Mass on Sunday mornings? It's supposed to be an amazing opportunity to hear some great music.

Emily, reporting for duty.

Augustinerkirche has a lovely Mass on Sunday mornings, but I prefer the Mass as the stunningly beautiful Jesuitenkirche (the prettiest church in Vienna). Jesuitenkirche also has world class musicians and the surroundings are stunning. Go to Kaffee Alt Wien afterwards for a strudel and coffee.

On museums, I would add the Wien Museum, my favorite of all - and it is free. The museum takes you on a glorious ride through artifacts and art from Roman times to the present day. Exhibits are in English and very interactive. Look for my favorite Klimt in the room with the period dresses. There is also a cafe with a terrace overlooking Karlskirche for a stunning view.

If the weather is nice (which it might be still in September) then go to Marina Hofbauer and rent a small motorboat to cruise around the Alte Donau - an old arm of the Danube now full of cute skandi-vibe cottages, wildlife and views.

Also, September is the month of festivals. The Erntedankfest (Harvest Festival) occurs Sept. 12-13 at Heldenplatz and is a must. The Kaiser Wiesn (Vienna's Oktoberfest) runs from Sept. 26 - Oct. 11 in the Prater and is fun. The Wiener Weinwandertag (Viennese Wine Hike Day) is Sept. 26 and 27 - and it is by far the best event of the year in Vienna, in my opinion. Three hiking trails through vineyards with music, wine and food. Now here is a wild care - the Mistfest. The festival is put on by the Garbage Collection department at a huge (but amazingly clean and modern) garbarge collection site. The Mistfest celebrates all local municipalities and departments of the city. It is a fascinating look into the liveability of the city as well as its social programs. You can also climb through a garbarge truck and ride into the sky in a firetruck basket. Truly lots of fun (Sept. 19-20).

I am writing now a new paragraph to emphasize how important it is that you do the following - Genussmeile Thermenregion - https://www.wienerwald.info/genussmeile/Wienerwald. You take a train outside of Vienna for about 25 minutes to the south of the city. You are now in the Wienerwald in the middle of vineyards on the slopes of the early Alps. Similar to the Genussmeile (but better), the local wineries throw a huge party along a trail. You drink, you walk, you eat, you have amazing views, you see cute villages. This occurs over two weekends - Sept. 5-6 and 12-13. Just do it and drink Sturm.

The National Library is a must. It is the most stunning interior in the city. Are you doing Schonbrunn? Well, you must and be sure to visit the carriage museum. Explore Hundertwasser's buildings. Play minigolf in the Prater funpark. Visit Kurpark Oberlaa. Go to the Kirche am Steinhof.

Enjoy

Hi Andy,
This is a bit outside what you mentioned, but what about a day trip to Bratislava? It's only about 40 minutes by train and is an entirely different feel than Vienna. We did this in November 2024 and loved the experience.

Have a great trip,

PQ

I learned recently that Vienna's cemeteries are a last hold out of the wild hamster in Europe. Who knew hamsters even lived in the wild in Europe? I didn't. Here's links to a couple of videos from YouTube.

https://youtu.be/4F5iYBArTGw?si=6RYW5iS8ekb2tA2N

https://youtu.be/olgNp82Kz-8?si=DQbrIPjGPzF3liDT

Just to add, now I've done a bit more research on our furry little buddies, the best place to see them is Central Cemetery (Wiener Zentralfriedhof). The best time to see them is early in the morning (between sunrise and 8am) or in the evening (5pm until sunset). You can also see Ludwig Van Beethoven's grave while you're there.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4fpMED2iYAfQZje76 - Central Cemetery, Vienna on Google Maps.

Emily, Queen, Gerry,

You are all my Viennese guiding stars! These are brilliant suggestions. Thank you for helping to make my trip extraordinary. September can’t come soon enough. (Particularly since it’s 110F in Southern California)

Best

Anybody done a cooking class?

I enjoyed this "Kaiserschmarrn Cooking Class & Tasting." It was short and (very) sweet. And easy to make at home. I also see cooking classes for Wiener Schnitzel and Strudel.

For some eye popping architecture, make your way to the "Spittelau incinerator."

For more from the architect, visit the Kunst Haus Wien.

"Bring your imagination and a sense of wonder…the building alone, designed by Hundertwasser himself, snubs its nose at the conformity of modern architecture and illustrates his artistic and philosophical vision through a multi-coloured façade, uneven lines, and use of live vegetation.

Inside is no different.

Tiles merge into wooden floorboards across undulating floors...."

Thank you so much CW. Wow, you've really got it covered -- from strudel to sanitation! The incinerator looks insane.

... Vienna's cemeteries are a last hold out of the wild hamster in Europe.
... the best place to see them is Central Cemetery (Wiener Zentralfriedhof). The best time to see them is early in the morning (between sunrise and 8am) or in the evening (5pm until sunset).

In September the Central Cemetery is open between 7am and 7pm.

Vienna's major art museums are stellar, but the lesser-known museums are superb. I recommend the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) and the Secession for Klimt's Beethoven Frieze.

thanks Currer. good ideas!

If you love museums, consider the Bundesmuseen Card. You might not save money, but it gives you the freedom to revisit museums for just an hour if you like.
The Albertina’s special exhibition in September should be great; will include Dürer’s Hare.

Brilliant idea. Thank you!