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Vienna has long played muse to Vogue. The city—ever elegant, ever enigmatic—set the stage for one of the magazine’s most iconic stories: The Last Waltz, Mario Testino’s sweeping September 2006 editorial starring Natalia Vodianova as a modern-day empress gliding through Schönbrunn and beyond. The fashion was Dior, but the soul was unmistakably Viennese: powdered and perfumed, a little decadent, and entirely unforgettable. That story, like so many moments in this city’s layered history, seemed to hum in 3/4 time.
And what a history. Vienna gave the world Schubert’s melancholy, Mahler’s grandeur, and the whirling drama of Strauss. It nurtured Klimt and Schiele, whose gilded visions and raw lines still echo through the city’s galleries and palaces. It’s the birthplace of the Secessionist movement, of silkscreened Wiener Werkstätte textiles, of Josef Hoffmann’s crisp geometries. Beauty, in Vienna, is not a luxury—it’s a civic inheritance.
But there’s more than history here. There’s sugar, too. Nowhere else does café culture unfold with such precision and poetry. You don’t just pop into a coffee shop in Vienna—you settle in. You claim your banquette and order an Einspänner, a slice of Sachertorte, maybe an issue of Die Presse. Time slows. The silver tray glints. You begin to understand how an entire philosophy of life can be written in whipped cream.
Come spring, the city opens up in bloom and bustle. Ball season returns with its glittering whirl of tiaras, tuxedos, and traditional steps rehearsed across generations. And while these formalities endure, they share the stage with something newer—a pulsing creative scene of artists, chefs, designers, and musicians who lend modern Vienna its kinetic charm.
To visit Vienna now is to step into a city that remembers everything and still surprises you at every turn. It’s imperial and irreverent, polished and playful. It might dazzle you with porcelain and chandeliers—but just as likely, it will hand you a bicycle and point you toward a lake. This is the real Vienna: not preserved in amber, but alive with invention, romance, and style.
Where to Stay
Vienna’s Hotel Sacher is a testament to enduring elegance and female leadership. Founded in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, the hotel came into its own under the stewardship of his formidable widow, Anna Sacher. At the turn of the 20th century, Anna—a cigar-smoking doyenne often trailed by her beloved French bulldogs—turned the Sacher into the most glamorous gathering place in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Nobility, artists, and politicians waltzed through its gilded salons, and her rigorous attention to detail made the hotel synonymous with Viennese excellence. Her legacy set a precedent: that a hotel could be both a stage and a sanctuary.
Today, that tradition continues under Alexandra Winkler, the current proprietor and a member of the Gürtler family, which has owned the hotel since 1934. Winkler brings a modern sensibility to this icon while honoring its historic soul. The hotel’s interiors remain a study in fin-de-siècle opulence—crystal chandeliers, oil portraits, rich brocades—but service and experience are shaped with contemporary precision. And of course, there’s the Original Sacher-Torte, still served on silver trays in the red velvet café, still capable of stirring delight. Under Winkler’s stewardship, the Sacher isn’t just maintaining a legacy—it’s expanding it, one beautifully appointed suite at a time.
Originally built as a palace for a prince, the Hotel Imperial wears its legacy with appropriate splendor. Gilt ceilings, parquet floors, and a grand staircase made for dramatic entrances define the experience. If you book the Royal Suite, you’ll be sleeping in rooms where emperors once rested their heads. Yet despite the pomp, the service is gracious and warm—more attentive courtier than stiff formality. For the historically minded traveler with a love of chandeliers and caviar, there is simply no substitute.
Housed in a former bank in the Goldenes Quartier (Vienna’s glitziest shopping district), the Park Hyatt mixes Old World gravitas with contemporary elegance. The soaring marble-clad lobby still retains the cool precision of its financial past, while the rooms offer plush calm in neutral tones. There’s a subterranean spa in the old bank vault and one of the city’s most sophisticated cocktail bars just off the lobby. A hotel for those who want luxury without lace.
The Hoxton’s newest outpost lands in the 1950s former headquarters of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, giving it a mid-century-meets-modern-energy makeover. Think terrazzo floors, cane-backed chairs, and a rooftop bar that’s become an instant see-and-be-seen spot. Its location—just outside the city’s historic core—makes it a great base for those looking to explore both traditional Vienna and its newer, cooler edges.
Hotel Motto is the darling of Vienna’s fashion set. Located on bustling Mariahilfer Strasse, this boutique hotel is a study in eclectic elegance—pink marble, Art Deco lines, and just a hint of bohemian irreverence. The rooftop restaurant and bar offer glittering views over the city’s rooftops, and the ground-floor boulangerie has become a must-stop for coffee and croissants, even among locals. It’s where Parisian flair meets Viennese charm.
What to See
Watch white-maned Lipizzaner stallions perform balletic feats in a chandeliered hall built for emperors. The Spanish Riding School is one of Vienna’s most exquisite cultural experiences—a living embodiment of grace, discipline, and centuries-old tradition. Morning exercises or full performances at the Winter Riding School are unforgettable.
Vienna is opera. Seeing a performance at the State Opera House is a rite of passage. Whether it’s Puccini, Wagner, or Mozart, the music swells under a ceiling fresco, velvet curtains sweep, and you’re transported—no subtitles needed.
Hearing the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein is like stepping inside a Stradivarius. The acoustics are unmatched, and the setting—gold leaf, columns, and grand chandeliers—rivals the music itself.
Home to the largest Egon Schiele collection in the world, the Leopold captures the raw, visceral side of Vienna’s modernist golden age. Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and the Secessionists are well represented here, all glowing with angst and gold leaf.
This is one of the great art museums of the world. Built by Emperor Franz Joseph, it holds treasures ranging from Bruegel to Caravaggio, in rooms as richly adorned as the paintings themselves. Don’t miss the Kunstkammer—or cabinet of curiosities—which is as dazzling and strange as a Habsburg mind.
Above the door reads: “To every age its art, to every art its freedom.” Founded in 1897, this temple to rebellion still pushes boundaries. Its gilded dome and Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze are essential pilgrimages for lovers of Viennese modernism.
Vienna is Wagner’s city—his visionary structures dot the streets like clues to a future that never quite arrived. Visit his Villa in Hütteldorf for a glimpse at his personal utopia, or marvel at Kirche am Steinhof, a luminous Art Nouveau chapel perched above the city.
Where Klimt’s The Kiss hangs in full golden glory. The Belvedere is both a baroque marvel and a modern art trove. The upper and lower palaces frame a formal garden that is itself a work of art.
The Versailles of Vienna, Schönbrunn is a masterpiece of imperial ambition. Tour the Rococo state rooms, wander the manicured maze, and imagine courtly whispers echoing through gilded halls. Then, perhaps, stop for cake in the Orangery.
A modern museum housed in an imperial palace—this is where Dürer’s hare meets Monet’s water lilies. Its collection spans centuries and styles, all anchored by the building’s stately bones.
The Gothic heart of the city. Climb the 343 steps of the south tower for a panoramic view, then descend into the crypt where Habsburg organs (literal ones) rest in urns. It’s haunting and holy, all at once.
A surrealist reverie in the middle of Vienna. This playful, colorful apartment block designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser ignores straight lines entirely and proves that architecture can be joyful rebellion.
Where to Drink Coffee
Step into Café Central, and you re stepping into history. Once the haunt of luminaries like Freud and Trotsky, this grand café exudes old-world charm with its vaulted ceilings and marble columns. The pastries are as decadent as the setting—try the Apfelstrudel paired with a Wiener Melange for the quintessential experience.
A bohemian enclave that has retained its allure since the post-war era, Café Hawelka is where artists and intellectuals have gathered for decades. The dimly lit interior, adorned with eclectic art, invites you to linger over a Buchtel (sweet yeast bun) and soak in the creative ambiance.
With its original 19th-century furnishings, Café Sperl offers a nostalgic journey into Vienna’s past. The billiard tables and Thonet chairs set the scene for a leisurely afternoon. Order a Verlängerter and a slice of Sperltorte as you watch the world go by.
A mid-century modern gem, Café Prückel combines 1950s design with traditional coffeehouse culture. The large windows bathe the space in natural light, making it perfect for people-watching. Don’t miss their signature Einspänner—a strong black coffee topped with whipped cream.
As the oldest café on the Ringstrasse, Café Schwarzenberg embodies timeless elegance. The wood-paneled walls and crystal chandeliers create a refined atmosphere. Indulge in a slice of Esterházy cake alongside a classic Wiener Kaffee.
Designed by Adolf Loos in 1899, Café Museum was a favorite haunt of Vienna’s avant-garde—Klimt, Schiele, and their circle. With its understated interiors and prime location near the Secession, it’s still a go-to for a quiet Melange and a window into the city’s artistic soul.
A stone s throw from the Opera House, Café Mozart has been a favorite among musicians and writers alike. The outdoor terrace is ideal for warmer days. Pair a Mozartkugel with their house coffee for a harmonious treat.
Nestled beneath the majestic dome of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, this café offers a dining experience that rivals the art on the walls. Marble columns and gilded accents provide a palatial backdrop as you savor a mélange and a delicate pastry. It’s an oasis of calm and elegance amidst the museum’s treasures.
While not a coffee house, this intimate jewel box of a bar deserves special mention. Designed in 1908 by Adolf Loos, it’s a masterclass in modernist architecture—tiny, moody, and utterly glamorous. The cocktails are classic, the lighting low, and the atmosphere pure Old World chic. It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see a 1920s film star sipping a martini in the corner.
Where to Eat
A Viennese institution since 1618, Zum Schwarzen Kameel is beloved for its open-faced sandwiches topped with everything from roast beef to smoked salmon. The sidewalk tables buzz year-round with stylish locals and well-informed visitors, while the upstairs dining room offers a refined take on classic Austrian fare. Stop by for a glass of Grüner and a bite—you’ll never want to leave.
Tucked into the leafy Stadtpark, Meierei is the relaxed younger sibling of the acclaimed Steirereck. Come for breakfast or a light lunch and stay for their dazzling cheese selection—over 150 varieties served with the kind of attention to detail that makes even a simple sandwich feel sublime. On sunny days, the terrace by the canal is pure Viennese bliss.
A culinary melting pot reflecting the city’s diverse influences, Neni serves vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. The bustling atmosphere mirrors the energy of the adjacent flea market. Share a selection of mezze for a communal dining experience.
Blending Georgian and international cuisine, Café Ansari offers a modern dining space with minimalist design. The khachapuri—a cheese-filled bread—is a standout dish. It’s a slice of Tbilisi in the heart of Vienna.
Dining at Hotel Sacher is as much a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. Begin with a slice of the Original Sacher-Torte in the storied Café Sacher, then move on to dinner at the opulent Rote Bar or its jewel-toned counterpart, the Grüne Bar—both offering refined takes on Austrian classics beneath sparkling chandeliers and museum-worthy art. For cocktails, slip into the moody, velvet-lined Blaue Bar, a favorite pre- or post-opera haunt. And if you’re seeking a quieter corner, Café Bel Étage—tucked upstairs—offers coffee and calm in equal measure. At Sacher, every meal is served with a side of history.
Championing local and organic produce, Marktwirtschaft is both a market and a dining venue. The daily vegan menus are crafted with seasonal ingredients, ensuring freshness and flavor. It’s a haven for conscious foodies.
Situated adjacent to the Kunsthalle, Heuer is a hub for the city’s creative minds. The menu emphasizes fermented and pickled elements, adding depth to contemporary dishes. Their extensive cocktail list makes it a popular spot from brunch to late-night.
Located within the Museum of Applied Arts, Salonplafond offers a fusion of Austrian and international cuisine in a stylish setting. The open kitchen adds a dynamic touch, allowing diners to witness culinary artistry firsthand. The schnitzel here is a modern take on a classic.
A confectionery fit for royalty, Demel has been crafting exquisite pastries since 1786. Watch through glass partitions as artisans handcraft delicate confections. The Anna Torte—a chocolate and nougat creation—is a must-try.
