Girls Getaway in Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria, is a city of elegance, history and charm- perfect for a girls’ getaway. Since we had started our trip in Budapest this was also an easy city to add on to our trip with its close proximity and convenient public transportations to get us there. From sipping coffee in classic Viennese cafes to exploring grand palaces and indulging in world-class shopping, Vienna offers an experience that blends culture, relaxation, and fun. Here’s how we made the most of our time in this stunning city.
While we were in Europe the train was down between Budapest and Austria so we had to take a bus instead. We arrived early to the station and realized just how simple this trip would be, Europe really does have public transportation figured out making it very convenient. The bus ride was direct and took us about 2 hours to get to the station in Vienna. Once we arrived we then took a taxi to where we were staying, the Vienna Marriott.
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
Morning: We arrived in Vienna mid morning and checked into the Vienna Marriott. We chose this location because it is across the street from a beautiful park, Stadtpark, and has easy access to major attractions.
Afternoon: After unpacking and getting settled into our new home for the next few days, we took a stroll through the city center. We visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral and walked through the Graben, a beautiful shopping district. We were also in the city right before Christmas, so setting up for the holidays was in full force with lights, decor and getting ready for the markets.
Evening: We enjoyed our evening with a traditional Austrian dinner at a local restaurant, Rienthaler’s Biesl. The line was long but we were able to get in after not too long. The restaurant is small and the wait to get in is worth it. Try Weiner Schnitzel or a Tafelspitz, followed by apple strudel for dessert. We then took a walk to one of Vienna’s rooftop bars, Caya Coco, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Since we were there in November it was cold and they had igloos outside complete with small heaters, blankets and couches to enjoy a drink and take in the views.
Day 2: Historical Exploration
Morning: Since we were only in Vienna for a few days and wanted to be able to see as much as possible we decided a Hop On/Off bus would be the easiest way to get this done. We were able to purchase tickets at our hotel and the pickup location was right outside the front doors to our hotel. Because of time constraints with so much to see we weren’t able to get off at every location and some we just saw from the bus. The highlights of the day were the Vienna State Opera House, Museum Quartier, Votive Church, and Hoffburg Imperial Palace.
Afternoon: We had a quick lunch from a street vendor and jumped back on the bus for one more stop, Belvedere Palace and Gardens. The palace is a stunning landmark consisting of two magnificent palaces- the Upper and Lower Belvedere. It was built in the 1800’s as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. The complex is now a museum on the inside and on the outside there are formal gardens with terraces, fountains and statues that create a breathtaking setting while also taking in city views.
Evening: We decided to take a break from the traditional cuisine and had a lovely Italian dinner at Da Capo. I had the insalata di Stagione and of course had to have pasta and chose the Spaghetti con pomodoro e basilico.
Day 3: Culture, Shopping and Relaxation
Morning: We started the day with a classic Viennese breakfast at Cafe Central, a historic cafe where Freud and Trotsky once gathered. The pastries and people watching are phenomenal.
Afternoon: This afternoon we decided to dive in Vienna’s shopping scene. We walked on the beautiful streets of Karntner StraBe and Mariahilfer StraBe stepping into small boutiques and high end designers. After a morning of shopping a coffee was in order so we went to another stop that I had on my list of “to do’s” and that was Fenster Cafe.
Evening: We started by walking though the city and had an evening cocktail at the Bank Bar located in the Park Hyatt. This is a beautiful spot that made amazing alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. This evening was rainy and since we didn’t have any reservations or plans we stopped into Bar Campari for some light dinner on the way home.
Day 4: Day trip to Bratislava
Since Bratislava is a short train ride away we decided discovering a new country would be fun for a day. You can read all about in my blog post “Bratislava in a day.” After our day trip to Bratislava we then decided to walk to the Naschmarkt for some local delicacies and unique foods. We grabbed some olives and chocolate covered almonds to snack on while on our walk back to the hotel. With a full day behind us a dinner at the Vienna Marriott followed by some sauna time was just what we needed.
Day 5: Coffee and heading home
We had a mid morning flight so before heading home we walked next door to the hotel to Elias Coffee Shop. This local stop has coffee, fresh juices and pastries. We walked through Stadtpark across the street from our hotel. This large public park was opened in 1862 and is known for its beautifully landscaped gardens, tree-lined paths and iconic monuments. The park is famous for its large statue of composer Johann Strauss II and is one of Vienna’s most photographed landmarks. It made for a lovely end to a very enjoyable trip.
The only disappointment for the whole trip was not checking before when the Christmas markets start. We ended up leaving the day they were opening but didn’t even realize this until we arrived in Vienna. If Christmas and the holiday markets are something you are interested in I would plan your trip around that as well. Hotel prices may be higher but were were able to see all that was done to create these markets and they looked beautiful and would be a fun way to spend a day in Vienna.
Vienna’s blend of culture, history and luxury makes it an ideal destination for a girls’ trip. Whether you’re bonding over shared interests in art and history or simply enjoying the pleasures of good food and shopping, Vienna promises a memorable getaway. Going in their off season was also nice, even though we missed the Christmas markets there were less people and the weather was still perfect for wandering the town, comfortably, without any plans.
The Details
What to Do
Where to Eat
Where to Stay