A place with lots of culture and mainly music (obviously). You can fill every evening by a different concert if that is your thing. If you’re not doing anything in particular, the architecture is a wonder just to look at. This blog is short and sweet.
Activities
Concerts
Go straight to the tourist information in the centre of Vienna and book yourself tickets to some concerts. They are moderately priced and really give you the Vienna vibe. There are many going on every night (from amateur to professional) and I would go back again just to experience some more.
Clock Museum
Yes – it was like watching the clock! Every clock you name it, and they have it. I believe most people will find this boring other than the selection of watches in one room. However, it is amazing how there are some multi-century-old grandfather clocks that look as good as new. Something to do if you’re at a loose end.
Museum of Music
If you’re a music lover, the Museum of Music is a treasure trove you simply can’t miss. This place truly has it all, from fascinating exhibits that explore the lives of legendary composers to displays of original sheet music and rare instruments. Every corner of the museum feels like an ode to the universal language of music. You could stay here for a substantial portion of the day.
The final exhibit is a ‘Conductor Simulator.’ Armed with a motion-tracking baton, you get to step into the shoes of a conductor, controlling the speed and flow of an orchestra through a video projection. The musicians on screen react in real-time to your direction—speed up too much, and they’ll give you exasperated looks or even complain! Drag your tempo too slow, and frustration brews in the orchestra pit. It’s all delightfully immersive, down to the digital tablet in front of you, which displays the sheet music perfectly synchronized with the orchestra’s performance.
While it’s an unforgettable experience, be prepared to vie for your turn. Parents often push their toddlers before everyone else, which can be… chaotic, to say the least. Picture tiny hands shaking the baton like they’re trying to get ketchup out of a bottle, sending the musicians storming off in protest!
Christmas Markets
Although not as many or expansive as other cities, there is slightly better quality here. I purchased a beautiful music-box Christmas tree which plays ‘We Wish you a merry Christmas’.
Danube Tower
Inexpensive and offers a great view over the Danube and city (weather dependent). My only gripe is that it is out of the way on the other side of the river, and we had to take a taxi to get there.
Hotel
I stayed in the H+ Hotel Wien. It’s a long walk into the centre, but it was a decent hotel. The room was large – the bed could fit 3 people. The en suite also had a massive shower area and tiled. Our room came with bed and breakfast. The breakfast was excellent and set us up for the day – saving us money eating out unnecessarily.
Gallery
