There’s tons to see and do in the beautiful city of Vienna. Here’s your roundup.
Looking for a cool, new destination that has regular minyanim and kosher food? I bet Vienna, Austria hasn’t crossed your mind.
As someone who was born in Vienna, and has lived here all my life, I can give you all the info you need to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Whether you visit for two days or ten days, there’s enough to do and see to make your trip pleasant and fun.
Let’s start with some of the most popular attractions in the city:
SCHONBRUNN PALACE & ZOO
The famous summer residence of the Habsburg royal family. The palace was built in the famous Baroque style and has 1,441 rooms. If traveling with kids, the oldest zoo in the world is a must. Watch animal feedings, play at one of the multiple playgrounds located in the zoo, and pull your little ones around in a special zoo-cart.
OLD CITY
The 1st district has a lot to offer. Beautiful, historic buildings such as the Rathaus (town hall), Hofburg Imperial Palace, Imperial riding school and countless museums, as well as lots of fantastic shopping. If you want to do something cool and different, visit Time Travel Vienna, where you get to experience Vienna’s history in an up-to-date, interactive way.
PRATER PARK
Located close to the Jewish neighborhood, the Prater is the park that most local families head to on Sunday afternoons for a bit of downtime. Rent bikes or rickshaws, take a ride on the famous Riesenrad (Ferris wheel), or visit the amusement park for a bit of fast-paced fun. There is no entrance fee to visit the amusement park, so stroll around, soak in the atmosphere, and choose a couple of rides.
MUSEUMS
There are too many museums in Vienna to list! But some of the more interesting ones include the House of Classical Music, Belvedere Palace/Art Gallery that houses many Klimt paintings, Museum of Illusions, and the Jewish Museum. If you want to experience Vienna’s unique Jewish history which dates back to the 13th century in a more personal way, you can book a professional tour guide to accompany you.
VIENNA PASS
If you’d like to pack in as much as possible into your visit, and save money while you’re doing it, check out the Vienna Pass. You’ll get free or discounted entrance fees at museums, palaces, and many attractions, along with free public transportation for the duration of your visit.
Now, on to the second most important thing (or the first, for some!):
RESTAURANTS
There are many kosher restaurants in Vienna. From Italian, milchig food (Novellino) to classic Viennese dishes (Alef Alef) or Asian Fusion and some of the best sushi (Mea Shearim), there is something for everyone. Both Alef Alef and the local Chabad House offer catered Shabbos meals – reservations are recommended. Updated 2024: Newer eateries include some delicious falafel (Veahavta) as well as a few sit-in cafes (Shefa Cafe), an ice cream store (Gelato Milano), and a pizza shop (Pizza Prego).
(Please check the hechsherim of the individual places to make sure they meet your standards.)
TAKE OUT and GROCERY STORES
We also have a few take-out options (Kosher Deli and Chez Berl) as well as multiple bakeries and grocery stores that carry whatever kosher products you may need. This is not a ‘rice cakes and tuna cans’ type of vacation! Enjoy breakfast at the local Bakery Ohel or have it delivered to your hotel/apartment.
If you’re planning a bit of a longer stay, you might want to consider some day trips to surrounding cities:
SALZBURG
The Sound of Music. Need I say more? Interesting fact: The movie, which is very popular in America, is barely known to native Austrians. But for true fans, the city of Salzburg offers many Sound of Music tours and shows. Salzburg is located close to the Alps and is surrounded by the most beautiful views.
BRATISLAVA/PRESSBURG
The kever of the Chasam Sofer is located only an hour from Vienna. You can get there by car service or by bus. For those that prefer to travel in style, I’d suggest the Twin City Liner – an express boat that journeys up the Danube River.
BUDAPEST
The capital city of Hungary is only a 2.5-hour drive from Vienna and offers lots of beautiful sights, as well as some kosher restaurants. Get on the Hop-on-Hop-off bus to see all the sights in one day!
DESIGNER OUTLETS PARNDORF
If you enjoy some shopping, a visit to the nearby designer outlets is a must. Located only 45 minutes from the city, on the way to Bratislava or Budapest, the McArthur Glen designer outlets boast brand-name outlets of most high-fashion designers.
GETTING AROUND
Vienna has a fantastic, user-friendly public transportation system. The subways (or U-Bahn, as they’re called here), trams, and buses are all interconnected, taking you wherever you want to go. Download the Wien Mobil app to help you plan out your routes.
It’s usually not worth it to rent a car since parking can be hard to come by in the city.
All this is truly just a fraction of what Vienna has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a couple’s getaway or a fun destination for a family vacation – we’ve got it all!
Looking forward to welcoming you! Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or just leave them in the comments below!
Would you have Shabbat meals at the Chabad or a pre paid restaurant. What would you suggest?