Like most European cities, Vienna's accommodation options are varied and range in quality and price. Hostels, pensions and B&Bs offer affordable lodging options while luxury hotels offer guests the most modern services and amenities. According to Trip Advisor, some of Vienna's top-rated hotels are The Ring (www.theringhotel.com), Hotel Konig Von Ungarn (www.kvu.at), Grand Hotel Wien (www.grandhotelwien.com), The Rooms B&B (www.therooms.at), and Stadtnest B&B (www.stadtnest.at). The Europe-Cities Vienna website has a more complete listing of Vienna hotels.
Weiner schnitzel may come to mind when most people think of Vienna, but Vienna's dining scene is anything but traditional. Sure, you can find plenty of typical Austrian restaurants, but you'll also find foods from Peruvian to Thai to everything in between. For Japanese cuisine, head to Kojiro, for Italian try Cantinetta Antinori and for Thai, give Bangcock a try. And if you do want to try some traditional Austrian cuisine, you'll want to check out Immervoll or Purstner.
Whether you want to take in a classical concert or spend the night dancing to techno music, there's something for you in Vienna. For Arab music and belly dancers, head to Aux Gazelles (www.auxgazelles.at). For a bit of Irish ambiance, you won't want to miss Flanagan's Irish Bar (www.flanagans.at). If you want to dance the night away to techno and electronic, Flex (www.flex.at) is the place to go. If what you're seeking is a bit of laid-back jazz, Porgy & Bess Jazz & Music Club (www.porgy.at) is where it's at. And for the sophistication of an evening opera, head to the Vienna State Opera House (www.wiener-staatsopera.at).
Most historical and cultural attractions are concentrated around Vienna's historic center. Like most European cities, Vienna is steeped in history and culture. Some of the top attractions in town are Schloss Schonbunn (www.schoenbrunn.at), a former royal summertime residence known for its opulent interiors and beautiful sculpted gardens; the Kunsthistorisches Museum (www.khm.at), Vienna's premier art museum, home to works by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velazquez, Brueghel and Durer. The Baroque Schloss Belvedere (www.belvedere.at) is Vienna's second best-known palace after the Schonbunn. It was commissioned by Prince Eugene in the late 1600s. Aside from its obvious architectural value, the city's State Opera House (www.wiener-staatsopera.at) deserves a visit because of its history: It was built in the mid-1800s, destroyed by WWII bombers, and then rebuilt. Lastly, St. Stephen's Cathedral (www.stephencathedral.org), perhaps Vienna's most recognizable church, located in the city's historic center, dates back to 1137 and is built in a Romanesque and Gothic style.
Like any major international city, Vienna hosts its share of yearly events and festivals. Major events and festivals include:
Winter: The New Year's Vienna Philharmonic concert, which is broadcast all over the world; and the Vienna Opera Ball, a party that marks the beginning of the Viennese Carnival season and is held the Thursday before Ash Wednesday in the state opera house.
Spring: Day of Labour, held every May first, is when the city's left-leaning inhabitants protest the current government in front of City Hall. The Life Ball is an AIDS charity event that also functions as a large queer party. The Vienna Festival, held every May, features mostly musical acts and lasts about five weeks. The Vienna City Marathon is held every April.
Summer: The Donauinselfest, or Danube Island Festival, gets nearly 3 million visitors a year and is Vienna's largest festival, featuring free concerts and musical acts. Jazzfest presents mostly well-known jazz performers and the Klangbogen Fest is a month-long opera and classical music festival.
Fall: Viennal is Vienna's annual international film festival. The Christmas markets, or "Christkindlmarkt" as they're called in German, feature food and Christmas decoration vendors. The most popular Christmas markets take place at Rathausplatz in front of the city hall, Spittelberg and in front of Schlonn Palace.
