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Enjoy a coffee in an imperial greenhouse
Set in the gardens on the edge of Vienna’s old city centre is the Palmenhaus – a grand and beautiful Art Nouveau greenhouse. As you sit among the draping palms and sip your coffee, you may find yourself wondering how this stunning space came to be and what it once was. Well, it used to be a relaxation space for the Habsburg emperor. That’s right – he liked to sit among the tropical foliage just like you. Perhaps enjoying a coffee, a pastry, or a classic Austrian dish, just as you can today. In summer, the Palmenhaus also boasts a beautiful al fresco terrace overlooking what were once the royal gardens. Next to the coffeehouse is a butterfly sanctuary housed in the same elegant glass-and-iron building – the Schmetterlinghaus – which is also well worth a visit.
Check out the longest building in the world (which kind of looks like a Soviet castle fortress)
It spans four tram stops, stretches for over half a mile (more than a kilometre), and is one of the finest examples of Socialist utopian architecture. Karl-Marx-Hof was built as low-cost social housing for the working class, a purpose it still serves to this day. And while simply walking along the outside of this enormous building is impressive because of its scale and distinctive appearance, you’ll only truly understand why it’s worth travelling to the outer districts of the city to see it if you know a little about its history. Karl-Marx-Hof not only looks like a fortress, but also served as one during the Austrian Civil War. During the conflict, Nationalist and Marxist forces clashed here. The insurgents of the uprising barricaded themselves inside the building and only surrendered after the army and police bombarded it.
Waltz at a Viennese Ball
Vienna’s celebration of Carnival is a world away from the lively street parties associated with places like Brazil and Germany. In Vienna, Carnival means dressing up in tailcoats and ball gowns and waltzing the night away in grand, regal halls. If you haven’t heard of a Viennese ball, it is one of the best-preserved and most vibrant traditional events in Central Europe, with a history stretching back hundreds of years. These elegant occasions take place throughout January and February, and many have their own theme, such as the Coffeehouse Owners’ Ball, the Jägerball (Hunters’ Ball), or the Blumenball (Flower Ball), where the town hall is transformed into a sea of flowers. The themes come from the organisations or guilds that once arranged them. You need to dress appropriately to avoid the risk of being turned away — and yes, it really happens — as most balls enforce a strict dress code. Men are generally expected to wear bow ties rather than regular ties, and if full evening dress is required, carrying white gloves is often compulsory.
Learn the art of making Apfelstrudel the traditional way from an expert in the field
If you’re a fan of this fruity, flaky treat, you’re going to love this experience, and it definitely deserves a place on your “must-do in Vienna” list. In the so-called Hofbackstube of the elegant Café Residenz, you can sign up for a strudel-baking masterclass. That’s right — under the guidance of a master baker, you can learn the secrets of stretching the dough paper-thin without tearing it, as well as which spices to use in the apple filling. It’s exactly the sort of skill that will impress your guests at your next dinner party. And as a bonus, the pastry chefs are not only excellent at making strudel, but also wonderfully entertaining.
Check out the world’s largest collection of Egon Schiele
If you’re the kind of culture lover who finds beauty in the unusual and seeks out artists who captured the human body in its rawest form, you’ve probably heard of Egon Schiele, one of the major figurative painters of the 20th century. Located in Vienna’s cultural heart, the MuseumsQuartier, the Leopold Museum houses the largest collection of Egon Schiele’s works in the world. You could easily spend days simply standing in front of hundreds of his paintings. And to complement your time with Schiele, you can also spend some time with his mentor, Gustav Klimt, whose works are also featured in the Leopold Museum.
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There’s nothing we love more at Vienna a la carte tours than giving people unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Vienna. We’ll not only ensure you enjoy the best and most distinctive things this city has to offer, but our expert guides will also share the stories and insights that make these experiences even more special. Ask us here about booking a tailor-made tour!