Vienna vs Zurich

Posting the same question on two different Forums only spreads your answers over different threads. But to answer your question, or rather voice an opinion, Vienna, by a long shot. Besides cost, which is big factor, just more things to see and do.

To paraphrase Harry Lime,

in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.

Substitute the Habsburg's and Austria in that quote, and you'll get my drift.

Ah but, that quote was spectacularly wrong. The Swiss had 500 years of fighting off surrounding countries, and a number of civil wars. Switzerland was originally a self-defence alliance, a sort of medieval NATO. And they didn't invent the cuckoo clock, that comes from the German Black Forest.

But, I agree on one thing: Vienna for a city. Luzern or somewhere else in Switzerland (not Zürich) for lakes and mountains.

There is a popular Viennese proverb that Zurich is twice as big as Vienna Central Cemetery, but only half as fun.

Which city to take with "a half day to explore.?" Take Vienna, I would know exactly what to do.

Well, Harry Lime was nobody's moral paradigm.

Vienna for sure,you could probably see three attractions.
Mike

Ha, I love The Third Man. If Harry Lime had used Ovaltine instead of the cuckoo clock, the delivery would not have the same ring to it.

Vienna for sure but half a day makes no sense to me.

I'll be contrary. For just an afternoon/evening/overnight, go to Zurich. Opt for Vienna another time when you have at least a few days. You will not be disappointed.

Continental has a point, but Vienna wins this hands down. It certainly deserves more time than a half day, but a quick orientation will convince you to return.

If your time limit is basically half a day, choosing one city over another depends on how desperate you are in your choice. True, you may only see two or three things in your choice, still, I would choose Vienna given these options since I would know the 2-3 places I want to see In Wien.

All this talk of Harry Lime (I'm a total Third Man freak) has me itching to return to Vienna for the 3rd time, sigh. I was just there in April and think I may spend a couple of days there again next May. It's fairly compact and easy to explore the main area on foot or with the tram, what you see depends on your preferences.

Vienna, Vienna, Vienna.....stay 2 nights if possible, you won't be sorry. !!

Vienna! Truly beautiful city with lots to see and do. Stay as long as you can! It has beautiful museums, great cafes, wonderful churches and shopping! Touring the palaces and seeing great buildings! I can't wait to go back to Vienna!

I have recently spent time in both of these cities and I would say Vienna. We are actually planning to back and spend more time there.

Vienna!! Zurich is boring. I had problem occupying the 6 hours I was there. I windowed shop along the main drag and walked around the lake. I have been to other parts of CH and just didn't find Zurich appealing.