Day 338–339: Vienna

Weather Update: Morning Cloudy with Sun later in the day. High 13c

Elevation 151 to 572 Metres or 495 to 1,778 ft

This is a long read, so you might want to break it up over a couple of days. I've been a bit lazy with my head spinning with thoughts of whether I should do the blog or not. You want to get out and about, but the idea of spending several hours or more at the end of the day is very daunting. It will be good when I take a break to recharge my batteries.

Day 338–339: Arrival in Vienna

I set off for Vienna via Flixbus. The tram took me most of the way, and I eventually arrived at the central bus station. Prague had been overcast and dull, but as we crossed into Austria, the clouds cleared, and sunshine bathed the countryside—even if it was a little chilly, with a high of 13°C.

Finding the hostel was straightforward, but getting inside was another story. I had the code, but the door wouldn’t budge. After a bit of confusion with the receptionist, I realised I needed to press a tick after entering the code. Once inside, I grabbed a Doner kebab nearby. It was a bit dry, and I left some of the bread behind—a lesson for next time about European kebab servings.

I spent the rest of the evening catching up on my blog and planning the next day, losing track of time until past midnight.

Vienna City Hall — A Gothic Gem

I made my way to Vienna City Hall, hoping to see inside, but unfortunately, the building was closed when I arrived. I felt a bit disappointed, having imagined exploring the grand halls and staircases. I later found out that free guided tours in German are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1 pm—so I booked to return on Monday.

Even from the outside, however, the neo-Gothic masterpiece demanded attention. Standing proudly along the Ringstrasse, its five towers rise like a crown over Vienna, the tallest topped by the famous “City Hall Man,” a miniature armoured sentinel watching over the city since 1882. I enjoyed studying the façade, with its carved figures of emperors, virtues like Power and Justice, and even Vindobona, the ancient Roman ancestor of Vienna. I took a slow walk around the exterior, imagining the stories the stone might whisper.

Travel Tip: Free guided tours in German are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1 pm but get your ticket when they open at 9am on the day. Audio guides are available in several languages, and you’ll need to leave your passport as a deposit.

Burgtheater — Vienna’s Legendary Stage

From City Hall, I walked across the square to the Burgtheater, a theatre I’d been eager to visit. Stepping inside, I was greeted by roped-off areas limiting me to the lobby. I felt a pang of disappointment—I had hoped to explore more—but learning the theatre’s history made the visit worthwhile.

Founded in 1741 by Empress Maria Theresa, the theatre moved to its current Italian Renaissance-style building in 1888, designed by Karl von Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper. I imagined the excitement of its revolving stage, once the largest in Europe, and admired the lobby’s sweeping staircases adorned with frescoes by Gustav and Ernst Klimt and Franz Matsch—including Gustav Klimt’s only self-portrait. Knowing that Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Beethoven’s First Symphony premiered here made me feel part of centuries of Viennese culture.

Travel Tip: Tickets for shows start around €25, with same-day deals often half price. Daily tours in German and English showcase behind-the-scenes areas, and select shows include English subtitles.

Votive Church — A Neo-Gothic Marvel

While exploring Vienna’s central area, I came across the Votive Church. The closer I got, the more majestic it appeared. I was eager to enter, but the interior wasn’t quite what I expected. While the exterior gleamed, the inside was dark, its walls blackened by centuries of wear.

I considered paying extra (€27) to access more areas or even the catacombs, but with my budget in mind, I made the most of what I could see. Even from difficult angles, I captured photos and enjoyed the quiet, reflective atmosphere that many visitors skip.

I learned that the church was built following the 1853 assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph, led by his brother Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, to thank God. Dedicated in 1879 on the Emperor and Empress Elisabeth’s silver anniversary, it was one of the first buildings on the Ringstraße and originally served as a garrison church. Made of white sandstone, it requires constant upkeep and has been restored extensively after World War II damage.

Even without exploring the catacombs or attending the evening light show, I appreciated what I could see. For those curious, there’s a video online of the Creation of Light, offering a glimpse of the church’s hidden beauty. Copy and Paste. https://youtu.be/QyCT8fMrAiY

Sigmund Freud Museum — Where Psychoanalysis Began

Next, I wandered toward the Sigmund Freud Museum, the former residence of Vienna’s most famous psychologist. Freud lived here for over five decades, working and receiving patients from 1891 until 1938, when he fled Nazi persecution.

Inside, more than 420 items are on display, from letters and original editions of his books to photos and waiting-room furniture. I spent time absorbing the personal details of his life and work. A video room shows rare footage of the Freud family in the 1930s, adding another layer of intimacy to the experience.

Hundertwasser House -Vienna’s Psychedelic Rebel

Next, I made my way to the Hundertwasser House, which proved to be a bit tricky to reach. I took the U2 to Rathaus, switched to the U4 to Landstraße, and walked through back streets. Luckily, the sun was shining, making the walk enjoyable.

I wondered what it must feel like to live there, with tourists snapping photos every day. The building, designed in 1985 by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is a riot of colour, curves, oriel windows, loggias, gilded onion domes, ceramic columns, glass sparkles, roof gardens, and even a salvaged pre-1983 section. Hundertwasser refused payment, saying it was worth it “to prevent something ugly from going up in its place.” Mission accomplished.

I spent time taking photos and enjoying a beer at Hundertwasser Village, a quirky marketplace across the street with shops and cafés, the perfect place to rest and soak in the eccentric architecture.

Ankeruhr Clock — Vienna’s Whimsical Timepiece

After a half-hour at Hundertwasser Village, I walked toward the Anker Clock, about two kilometres away. I hopped a tram partway, then strolled the rest.

Timed perfectly for noon, I watched twelve historical figures glide across the clock face, accompanied by era-appropriate music. It’s not as grand as Prague or Gdansk’s astronomical clocks, but I loved the quirky, crowd-free charm. Nearby, the Marriage Fountain depicts the wedding of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. I wanted to photograph it, but it was covered with netting to keep pigeons away. Even obscured, it was fascinating to see Vienna’s layers of history in one spot.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral — Vienna’s Iconic Landmark

I finally made it to Stephansdom, and, as expected, it dominated the skyline. I craned my neck to take in the dizzying spire and admired the Gothic-Romanesque structure, standing proudly since 1147.

Inside, I met Pummerin, Europe’s second-largest swinging bell. Knowing that Beethoven realised he was deaf here, Haydn sang as a boy, Strauss married here twice, and Mozart, both married and buried here visited feels monumental. I also wandered past 18 altars, miraculous icons, and relics, peeking into crypts holding 11,000 souls, including Habsburg royalty.

I spent some time walking around the exterior too, taking in gargoyles, engravings, and medieval graffiti. I love imagining the stories the stones might whisper to anyone willing to stop and look.

Travel Tip: Video of Stephansdom

shows the cathedral before restoration—worth a watch to appreciate the scale and detail. For a detailed look, here’s a video: copy and paste https://youtu.be/zbd1CyuPLo4

St. Peter’s Church — A Hidden Baroque Gem

Finally, I found St. Peter’s Church, tucked tightly among Vienna’s Baroque buildings. Its best view is head-on, and I almost missed it at first glance. I tried to imagine the first church here in the 4th century and the rebuilding efforts after fire and plague.

Construction began in 1701, inspired by Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. By 1733, Vienna had its first domed Baroque beauty, with twin towers curving slightly inward—a nod to Turkish tent poles from the 1683 siege. Stepping inside, I marveled at the gold stucco, frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the high altar depicting Saint Peter and Saint John healing a beggar. Relics of Roman martyrs rested in crystal coffins around the edges, shining in soft light.

Between 1998–2004, the church was carefully restored, and every detail seemed alive again. I could have stayed hours absorbing the history and artistry.

Travel Tip: Free daily organ concerts and occasional choir performances make the church a perfect place to experience Vienna’s Baroque music tradition.

Final thoughts:

Vienna is a much loved city breathing through the incredible buildings that meet you at every street corner. I have struggled to put together this blog getting distracted easily and drifting off track. Vienna is place that needs your attention, you could be here for weeks and miss so much this city has to offer. Vienna is an expensive city demanding you pay at every entrance and staircase. I hope I have given you glimpse into Vienna and I have only scratched the surface being here for 5 days'

Andrew: inspireseniorstravel.com