What to Do on Your Year Abroad in Vienna

By Laura Kabelka

From Klimt and Freud to hot-dog stands and Schnitzel, Austria’s capital city offers a very broad range of events and activities for tourists and locals alike. If you get the chance to spend some time abroad studying in Vienna as part of a study abroad program, you should seize the opportunity and pack your bags.

Here are some recommendations about where to go, what to see and what to eat when on your year abroad in Vienna:       

The sights you absolutely have to see

Vienna is one of those cities where sightseeing is a great form of getting to know your way around and beautiful, historic buildings are pretty much everywhere in the inner districts. Merely by going for a stroll in the first district you’ll see the stunning Parliament, County Hall and Votiv Church along the “Ring”, and during summer the parks flourish with flowers and open-air music events, breathing soul into the city.

The Albertina and the Leopold Museum are also highly recommendable, especially if you’re interested in Klimt, Schiele, Picasso or Monet. The Leopold Museum is located in the Museums Quartier (MQ), which is also home to the Kunsthalle Wien or the MUMOK and located right at the beginning of the popular shopping street Mariahilfer Straße. The MQ is also a great spot to just go for a meal or a drink with friends. Spritz wine is a local specialty and comes in various forms, but the most common is white wine with sparkling water, which is very light and refreshing; for the non-alcoholic option a soda zitron might be the best choice on a sunny day (or an almdudler, of course).       

When it comes to the Palace of Schönbrunn, you don’t need to be a history nerd to love Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph’s former summer residence. The palace is simply stunning, surrounded by a grand park with a beautiful view over Vienna; you can even find the zoo right on its doorstep. The little hike up to the Café Gloriette should be rewarded with a tasty apfelstrudl and a melange.

Lastly, don’t miss the Belvedere, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and a visit to the opera.

Living like a local while studying in Vienna

Eventually, moving to another city is not only about visiting all the big museums and impressive buildings. Instead, you want to get a feel for the place you’re staying, find new favorite bars, restaurants and social haunts. When studying in Vienna, you’ll find it’s a city ready to satisfy every need and desire you have during your stay. A must-try is the classic Viennese schnitzel with potato salad at a Heuriger, a traditional restaurant. Notoriously, typical Viennese waiters are described as harsh and biting, but if you challenge yourself to raise a smile you might come to adore their tartness. Fear not vegans, there are also a number of great options available to you, especially in the trendy districts like the sixth, seventh and eighth.

Even though the Naschmarkt is recommended in every tourist guide and is always pretty crowded, it’s still a place worth going to regularly. Whether it be for food or drinks in one of the international restaurants, or for a stroll along the many little stands offering falafel, hummus, antipasti or fresh fruits and vegetables. The merchants will not let you pass without trying a little appetizer or paying you a compliment. If you know what you want and where to go, you can get goods for a fantastic deal there. For those who cannot handle all the tourists, the Brunnenmarkt is a chilled version of the Naschmarkt. Wherever you go, don’t miss out on Austrian cheese.        

Whether it be summer or winter, the County Hall Square is home to many events, from food festivals and ice skating to open-air cinemas and if you like second-hand markets and vintage fashion, you should really check out the Neubaugasse flea market and the seventh district in general at some point. If you’re into theme parks, you should spend an afternoon at the popular Prater and take a ride on the big wheel with a great view over the city.

In summer, going for a barbeque at the Danube island might be a nice plan for a relaxed afternoon with friends.           

Where to eat and drink

Being a rather big city, Vienna plays host to a variety of different cuisines and, after trying other national dishes like kaiserschmarrn, spätzle and knödl, you shouldn’t be afraid to branch out and try some food from other countries too. Apart from the Naschmarkt, where you can get anything from Japanese to Mediterranean food, the Croatian restaurant Konoba has amazing fish platters and great service. Also, the Vietnamese restaurant Nguyens Pho House is highly recommendable, especially for its inexpensive lunch menu and the unbeatable soups.

Generally speaking, the Gumpendorfer Straße in the sixth district and the Donaukanal are the real deal for foodies. Watch out for further food events that frequently take place at the MQ like Veganmania or the ice cream festival at Burggarten.

When it comes to drinking, everyone from wine-lovers and beer fans to cocktail enthusiasts or coffee specialists is well looked-after. For younger people, the Zollergasse is a suitable street to go for drinks and great coffee is available at every corner in the inner districts. If you prefer sipping a hot drink in a traditional café you might want to visit Café Central, Café Landtmann or Café Sperl.

Another specialty drink to try is a sparkling fruit wine called most, while in winter you should definitely enjoy a warm mulled wine at one of the many Christmas markets all over Vienna. Wherever you go, don’t forget to tip the waiters. Ten percent is average in Austria and giving less means you didn’t like the service.

Depending on what time of the year you are studying in Vienna, you will see different faces of this beautiful city. From below-freezing temperatures in winter to hot and vivid summer nights, Vienna is full of surprises. One thing is for sure: you will not get bored here.

Laura Kabelka works in Communication and Marketing at StudentJob AT.