Everyone can use tips for how to experience Lipizzaners, Mozart, Kursalon Wien, and Hofburg treasures along the famous Ring Road Ringstrasse in your weekend in Vienna.
A weekend just isn’t enough time in an amazing historic city like Vienna. Papa Joe and I have spent less than 72 hours here over 2 visits. We pounded the pavement, cramming in every possible event and historical highlight we could. We did a lot of research to determine which of Vienna’s sights needed to be seen first. Now, we are sharing the result of that research and our highlights with you.
Almost everyone has a dream.
Some dream of careers, others dream of relationships. For me, that dream has always been travel, and particularly travel to Vienna to see Lipizzaners. Unfortunately, our travel has never allowed us to spend more than a few days in Vienna.
There are thousands of travel tips for visiting Vienna, but let me share probably the most important travel tip. The city is huge, with almost 2000 years of history, as well as being a modern metropolitan center for commerce. The tip – you WILL find something enjoyable to do. The problem we have had is how to fit the most activities into our short time in this amazing city.
Why go if you only have a weekend in Vienna?
Because there is something for everyone. Literally. Let me back up a few decades for you.
Bear with me here… I have always been an animal lover – particularly horses – especially Lipizzaners. I remember being told I would grow out of that love when I became an adult.
Maybe I will when I grow up, but being in my 50’s I think I’m a lost cause and hopelessly hooked. So how does that tie to Vienna? This is a first for me, but I have to share a video (not mine) and a little history to explain.
First – a little about the Lipizzaners. Lipizzaners were first brought to Vienna by the Hofburg family centuries ago. This generally all-white breed of horses known for arena gymnastics, calls the Spanish Riding School in Vienna home. Sure, the Lipizanners shows travel the world. For most of us, opportunities to see them are few and far between. So, the chance to smell Lipizzaner barns, see the horses’ practice, hear their grunt and snorts when landing from an arabesque – priceless.
On our first trip to Vienna in 2017, we had to cram several days worth of sightseeing into a single afternoon. You better believe part of that time in 2017 was spent wandering past the Spanish Riding School.
Yep, I got to see a Lipizanner’s butt… which did not satisfy my appetite for the breed. So, when we had the opportunity to visit Vienna again in 2018, I jumped at it. Booked a ticket for a training session, and probably bored Papa Joe to death.
Papa Joe did get to tour the Spanish Riding School and watched me try to get kicked out of the Spanish Riding School shooting these practice session photos. I would have been happy to be kicked out after watching these amazing creatures learn arabesques and leaps.
Watching the Lipizzaner riders learn along with these amazing creatures was almost as rewarding. Almost.
Having the chance to fill my Lipizzaner dream – is priceless.
But that’s my dream. What are your dreams for a weekend in Vienna?
Do you have visions of walking through Schonbrunn Palace, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, or St. Stephen’s Cathedral? How about a horse-drawn carriage ride down the famous Ring Road, Ringstrasse?
Maybe you see yourself sipping Viennese coffee at one of the famous coffee houses? Or is your vision eating strudel or schnitzel while sipping a mug of beer while watching tourists from a sidewalk cafe? How about spending an evening listening to music from Vienna’s famed sons Beethoven or Mozart at the incredible Kursalon Wien?
Results of our research.
I told you earlier we had researched Vienna extensively before visiting. The things I just listed are the most popular items in the “must-see” and “top-rated” activities in Vienna. But I know you want to make up your own mind. To help you do that, there is a summary of each of those bucket-list activities.
A Mozart concert at Kursalon Wien.
Part of my dream was to enjoy a Mozart concert in his hometown, so we enjoyed a very memorable Mozart concert. There are several venues offering Mozart concerts, most notably are the Schonbrunn Palace and the Kursalon Wien.
Logistically, we weren’t able to visit Schonbrunn Palace on either visit in Vienna, but the Kurwalon Wien was across the street from our 2018 hotel. So, a Mozart concert at the Kursalon it was.
Can you imagine walking through those doors for a Mozart concert? Not me. I also had not imagined having intermission beverages on the upstairs balcony on the right.
Now for a word of advisement. You may be thinking – why Mozart? Mozart was born in Vienna. Closing your eyes and hearing – no, feeling the chords of his music, and one can almost imagine the Vienna he grew up in. That, my friends, is a Vienna experience one can only get through immersion into Vienna’s soul. Mozart is a great way to get that experience.
What do we recommend for your weekend in Vienna?
This is a city you can visit without any research or preparation. If this is your modus operandi, be prepared to miss a lot. Do a little research on whatever aspect of this city interests you the most.
Here are a few of our suggestions:
- If you like history, visit the inner city and its fabulous historical buildings, including the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
- Hofburg Imperial Palace deserves its own bullet. Don’t fool yourself and think walking around the outside of the palace is good enough. The Hofburg Palace Courtyard is almost as incredible as the exterior – maybe even better. The Hofburg Family knew how to do royalty, and the Hofburg Imperial Palace is one of the architectural wonders of Vienna.
- Is music your jam? Check the city schedules for free outdoor concerts during the summer, and don’t rule out a classical musical performance at the Schonbrunn or Kursalon Wien, or basically almost anywhere else.
- For more glimpses into royalty, be sure to visit Schonbrunn Palace or any of the other historical buildings scattered throughout the city.
- Follow my footsteps if you like horses and visit the Spanish Riding School. Note – the Lipizanners do not perform on Mondays, but you may be able to attend a practice session.
- Is “free” your buzzword – do NOT miss the city’s parks. Vienna is very proud of its green space and takes meticulous care of its public parks. It was not unusual to see families playing during the day and evening, young lovers strolling, and free entertainment. I could have just spent an afternoon watching people enjoying the parks.
In short, there is something for almost everyone.
More recommendations for your weekend in Vienna.
- More history? Check out the history of 5 Anna Gasse (dates back to the last Turkish invasion) – took me 30 years, but I found it! It wasn’t breathtaking, but checking off another bucket list item was pretty cool.
- Don’t miss the Blue Danube. Some of the prettiest areas of the city lie beside the banks of the great Danube River.
- Take a carriage ride around the famous Ring Road known as Ringstrasse. A carriage ride won’t get you the best pictures of the Ringstrasse, but it will help you see all the famous sights that used to be enclosed by the ancient city walls. If you can walk the Ringstrasse, that is even better, but don’t pass up the carriage ride if you get a chance. It’s really touristy but worth the trip.
- I wasn’t joking about the schnitzel, beer, or coffee. If you are a foodie or enjoy sampling food when you travel, Vienna is a great city to indulge yourself in.
- Enjoy art? The Kunsthistorisches and Belvedere Museums are absolute treasure troves.
How to get around the city for your weekend.
Papa Joe and I are huge fans of using the local transportation. During both our visits, we explored the city using the subway and walked several miles. The subway was easy to use and full of character (not a bad thing). It even has an express line from the airport to the inner city. Bicycles were common, as were scooters and motorcycles.
For character though, my favorite was the very touristy experience of our carriage ride on the Ringstrasse.
If you follow my stories you know I’m a history buff.
I’m all about setting a goal and figuring out how to reach it……
For me, Vienna has been a 45-year goal. Getting here wasn’t easy. It took 2 short stays in the city to begin checking items off my bucket list. And I’m not done yet. Both stays were a few hours, a half-day in the middle of another trip, another tour. Part of the reason I chose those trips was the opportunity to visit Vienna. I learned quickly a weekend in Vienna is not nearly enough. If you plan your time here, you can take advantage of your time and see the things really important to you.
Nuts and Bolts for a weekend in Vienna.
Vienna is a magical, almost mysterious city. To me, the mystery is how to explore this magnificent city and experience everything it has to offer.
Be open to walking around a corner and seeing something incredible you didn’t expect. Like the film festival happening at the Rathauplatz or stumbling upon the Minoritenkirche.
Ok, that one needs a little explanation. The Minoritenkirche is one of the lesser-known churches in the Inner District of Vienna and is attributed to Saint Francis of Assissi who first donated the land in 1224.
My point is – Vienna is a city with miraculous, historical, wonderous sights around every corner. Be prepared to discover the world in Vienna!
I recommend having some activities planned before visiting Vienna.
Checking out the available tours has always been helpful for me, and I have a resource that may be able to save you some money. Find and save on Things to Do around the world.
Let’s be realistic. Your dream may not be Vienna, Mozart, Lipizzaners, Ringstrasse, or the Hofburg’s. It may be New York City, Paris, or Manilla. Regardless, most major metropolitan areas have more to offer than visitors can experience on a weekend visit.
In this city, you can do it all. And we tried. But, on a weekend there is just not enough time to do everything. And we were only able to visit 1 of the city’s 23 districts. If you need help, my Top 10 Travel Tips may be another great resource for you.
Imagine what you can explore on your adventure?
Do your research, plan some of your trips before getting there, and make sure to enjoy every last moment possible. You can always sleep when you get home!
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