Travel: Exploring the City of Music (Vienna)

​Vienna, a city of culture and music. Baroque streets and imperial palaces set the stage for one of the most beautiful city’s I’ve visited in Europe. The surreal streets which seem to be on exhibition all year round, turning at every corner and finding a building more illustrious then the previous one. The city is just marvelous, I cannot find any words to describe it any better.  

Rathausplatz Christmas Market, Vienna

If your spending a few days in Vienna, like many other European cities you can find the ‘Vienna pass’ which is an excellent way to explore the city. Apart from entrance to around 60 attractions you also have unlimited access to the hop-on hop-off busses, which is an experience in itself. A ferry ride on the Danube per card is also included.
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With a rich musical heritage going back centuries Vienna is the place to visit if you like classical music. After all it was the residence of so many famous composers such as Beethoven, Frans Schubert, Mozart and Joseph Hayden. There are many musical venues one can visit, such as the Vienna (gold and crystal) main Opera house, the Staatsoper and the multistage Konzerhaus where, one can go see a ballet or orchestra. Apart from the posh opera and orchestra houses you can also find many small shows at extravagant venues featuring small 10-piece orchestra’s playing some of the most famous classical music synonymous with Vienna.

Christmas Market Hopping

People shopping at Rathausplatz

​During this time of year there are many Christmas and winter markets dotted around the city. I visited quite a few while here. I had planned on visiting some of them but walking around in the streets of Vienna you might stumble upon a few wooden huts selling mulled wine in decorated mugs, arts and crafts and the most delicious foods. 

The biggest Christmas market is the one found in front of the city hall in Rathausplatz, the brightly colored trees help set a relaxed and festive mood. Stalls filled with food and artesian crafts, clothing and souvenirs are all worth a see, even though most of the craft stall sell their items at a slightly higher price then shops found in the shopping district of Vienna.

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The winter market found in Riesenradplatz is also a must see, set up in front of the Madame Tussauds museum and the Prater Ferris wheel. Both attractions which are included in the Vienna pass and a worth a visit. I assure you that walking past the food stalls you would not be able to resist leaving without something warm and delicious going down your throat.

Riesenradplatz Winter Market in the morning

Another market which will get you to stop and snoop is the one in Stephanplatz, in front of one of the most recognizable landmarks in Vienna. When you come out of the underground station (un-doubtfully the best way to travel into the city center) you are meet by the grand Romanesque Church of St. Stephan (Stephansdom) overlooking a charming little Christmas market.

Stephanplatz Christmas Market