If Viennaās not on your bucket list yet, you might wanna bump it up a few spots.
Vienna is straight-up stunningāthink imperial palaces, cosy coffee spots, and some of the best classical music vibes youāll ever feel. But before you rock up in Austriaās capital, hereās a few things I wish I knew first.
People are super friendly and a lot speak English, but learning a couple of words in German goes a long way. Even just saying āDankeā (thanks!) or āHalloā gets you a smile.
Legit one of the cleanest cities Iāve ever been to. You can walk around late at night and feel totally chill. Everything runs like clockworkāespecially the public transport.
Viennaās modern but some small cafes and bakeries still prefer cash.
Shops take Sundays seriously. Most of them are shut, so stock up on snacks the day before. But hey, itās a good excuse to slow downāgo to a museum or chill in a park.
Nothing majorājust round up the bill or leave like 5ā10%. Hand it to the person directly instead of leaving it on the table. Itās just the done thing.
The public transport is mint. Super easy to get around. Grab a 24 or 48-hour pass and youāre set. Just make sure you validate your ticket or you could cop a fine.
Yes, the Christmas markets are epic, but donāt sleep on summer here. Outdoor cafes, open-air concerts, lazy walks by the riverāit hits different.
Final Thought:
Vienna is honestly one of the most beautiful places Iāve ever been. From strolling the quiet streets to standing in front of insane buildings that look straight out of a paintingāyouāll be blown away by the elegance and charm this city gives off. Itās got that kind of beauty that just hits different.
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.