Wondering where the best location would be in Vienna. Want to be in a location that offers best access to key sites. This is my first trip to Vienna and I only have a short weekend, so I want to maximize time.
Thanks
Posted by
Chicago/Rural WI
811 posts
It seemed to me that if you were within 1/2 to 3/4 mile or so of the Opera House then you'd be within walking distance of most major sights.
Vienna Tip #1: hotels in Vienna were on the higher end of our budget range so we used Priceline.com and got the 4-star Le Meridien (across from the Opera House) for $90/night ($104 including taxes). This was for March. Priceline isn't for everyone, as I don't know if they allow bookings with more than 2 people per room and the cancelation policy is virtually non-existent (they do offer insurance of some sort, not sure what the Ts & Cs are), but we've used it on multiple occasions and have been pleased.
Vienna Tip #2: Rick does not list this in his guidebook for some reason, but the second largest cemetery in the world is in Vienna called the Zentralfriedhof. Mozart, Brahams, Beethoven, Strauss, and many other notables are buried there. With a brief visit you might not have the time (it's HUGE), but I'm throwing it out there to put on your radar for a potential future visit.
Have fun!
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
534 posts
We stayed at the Hotel zur Wiener Staatsoper which is just around the corner from the Opera House, very close to the cathedral and a short walking distance to the palace and to the open air market. I thought it was very convienient and loved the hotel. It included a nice breakfast each morning. But it was on the spendy side. I think it was like 130E a night.
http://www.zurwienerstaatsoper.at/Ueberuns/index.jsp?switchlang=en
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
534 posts
Angela - I had no idea about the cemetary. But I was thinking one thing...I don't think Mozart has a grave. Because he died during a plague and broke - he was buried in an un-marked mass grave. There is a statue in his honor, but I don't think there is a known location for his grave.
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1634 posts
A few years ago we stayed at the Pension Pertschy. We loved it and the location so much that we just booked it again for our visit in September. A bit pricey but worth it.
Posted by
Chicago/Rural WI
811 posts
Amy, I think you're right about that - it had turned up in my research on the cemetery earlier this year but I'd forgotten. There seemed to be confusion as to where his actual remains were (they thought a different cemetery in Vienna?) so they put up the monument at Zentralfriedhof as a memorial. Thanks for the reminder!
(totally off-topic, but how about this crazy weather the past few days?! My husband and I are spending some time at our home near Whitewater and narrowly missed the tornado 2 nights ago. Too close for comfort!)
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
Listen to Angela. Thanks to her I tried on priceline and got the 5-star intercontinental for $90/night, 3 nights in mid-May.
Though it was more than a 10-minute walk to the center, it was across the street from the metro and just a couple minutes walk to the trams that ply the ringstrasse.