Is Vienna Worth Going To?

Vienna is worth it! Of course it depends on how much time you have, etc. You might want to buy or at least browse through Rick's coverage of Vienna in his book Germany and Austria. Classical music heritage (most of the great composers lived and/or worked in Vienna), art, coffee houses, and much more.

Susan--Kent is so right...Vienna is definitely worth it!

Absolutely worth it; we have been many times and still come back for more. Vienna was the capitol city of the Hapsburg Empire for centuries, the hub of culture and art for most of Europe during that time.

We loved Vienna and would go back again.

Susan,
My husband and I visited Vienna during the Christmas season and it was lovely. I would go again if I was in that area. It depends on where you are going. I did not include Vienna when I was in the Munich area, I spent most of my time in Bavaria and the Salzburg area. When I included Vienna, I had been in Prague(very nice)and took the train to Vienna and then did the danube river boat trip to Nuremburg.

Thank you so much for all your responses. I really appreciate it. I've been reading RS "Best of Europe" and I didn't get the sense that he loved it there. He also puts it at the bottom of his list for places to see. That, and no feedback, made me have second thoughts. Thank you all for your feedback!

Vienna is definately worth a day, and preferably two or three -- more would be excessive IMO. We were there for 2+ in early June and that was about the right length for us. We were in Europe for a month and visited lots of cities. If we were to rank them, Vienna would fall about the mid-point.

Hi Susan,

We wish we had the opportunity to go back to Vienna! We've been many times, but it's never enough.
These are some of the things we would do in (and near) Vienna:
-- Visit Schönbrunn Palace ... including the oldest zoo in Europe, on Schönbrunn grounds.
-- Grinzing (a suburb) is a vineyard village where those wine farmers sell their own wine (wonderful wine, too) and delicious food. Grinzing is an evening thing (don't go at mid-day), but take tram #38 from Schottenring (in center city) and ride to the end of the line. After enjoying the evening, return by tram #38. Under no circumstances should you drive a vehicle after a Grinzing wine visit.
-- On Saturdays next to the Naschmarkt [victual market] you could visit one of the most interesting flea markets in the world. Be sure to go early - and check the open and closing times when making your plans.
-- Ask at St. Steven's Cathedral about performances
of Gregorian chants..

Have a great visit to Vienna! P.

Thank you all so much....You've helped me a lot!

Hi Susan,

We spent 7 days in Vienna in May 2005. There was so much to see and do, and not enough time to take everything in. Here are a few things we did in Vienna that others have not mentioned: attended a performance of the Vienna Philharmonic, saw a performance of the Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School, took a day trip to the Melk abbey (using a combi ticket that covered the outbound train, admission to the abbey, and the return boatride and train ride back to Vienna), visited the Hapsburg Palace apartments and treasury, attended High Mass at the Augustiner Kirche, where a full orchestra and choir sang Mozart's Trinitatismesse, and, of course, sampled pastries galore and all sorts of coffees at Vienna's many cafes. We loved Vienna -- it's a truly marvelous city!

I've been traveling for over a month, was in Vienna just over a week ago for 5 days, loved it. I have used the Best of Europe book on my travels and I have disagreed with it a LOT. He says things like "Florence is worth one full day on a busy 3-week itinerary in Italy" - WHAT! His books have great tips and advice, esp. hidden treasures and I love the walking tours but as for deciding where to go and how long to stay, I think you'd be doing yourself a disservice by listening to what other people have to say. Rick's only one guy and he and his books may be awesome but just because he likes, for example, Brugge instead of Brussels belgium doesn't mean I will (I preferred Brussels). So, research what Vienna has to offer and see if you'd enjoy it. Use the Best of Europe book as a guide for information but don't use it as a substitute for your own likes and dislikes and opinions - that's my opinion anyway. Personally I totally skipped Germany this trip and don't regret it. Have a great time!

Vienna is intersting if you have 4 days or so, a really big city that takes some time. It's not worth it to spend a half day getting there and a half day leaving if you have less than 48 hours to be there, IMO.

Thanks Debra and Russ...and Everyone! I agree w/you Debra about taking what RS says w/a grain of salt. His info is useful but I don't always agree with him either. I lived in Paris for many years and go back every summer...I adore Paris. A lot of Rick's opinions on Paris I totally disagree with. He is obsessed w/Rue Cler area, for instance. I am not at all impressed w/Rue Cler and can't understand why he's obsessed w/it. There are more Americans there clutching their RS book, than there are French people. That's why I posted the question here, because I wanted other people's opinion. So, thank you :)
Russ, your input about time needed was also very helpful.
I appreciate everyone here who took the time to give me their feedback. Thanks very much!

We just left Vienna and decided that our 3 day trip was not enough. Next time we will use one of our timeshares and book a week. So much to do and see and it is not all in the city. Due to weather we did not get to go out of the city to see things that we wanted to see.

My wife and I have spent WEEKS in Vienna in the last few years. We still have not seen everything! I wish travelers would take time to get to know a city. A day or two simply will not suffice. Vienna is a wonderful, romantic city- full of excitement and surprises...enjoy!