Oh, Vienna! The charming capital of Austria is also the classical music capital of the world, with a glorious history of legendary composers making their indelible mark on the city. Mozart, Beethoven, Hadyn, and many other famous musicians all lived in Vienna for a period of time. Surrounded by lilting melodies from the street musicians, fragrant notes of coffee from the Viennese coffee houses, and beautiful opulent palaces, one might find it hard to leave Vienna. However, if you have some time on your hands, it is worth venturing out of Vienna to discover equally charming neighboring towns and attractions, all hidden gems in their own right.
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1. Seegrotte Hinterbrühl
Worth visiting, the whole experience of taking a walk inside the mine and witnessing part of the history where Nazi’s manufactured air crafts in addition to the 10 mins boat trip in one of the largest underground lakes is all awesome. An easy 1 hour trip from Vienna u can do it by yourself, take S1 train heading to Mödling station then take bus 364 or 365 right to the entrance of the lake. Entrance fees is 10 euros be ready for 9 degrees temperature. Ayman_Garhy
Guided tours, which include a boat ride on the lake, are available. As sunlight does not reach the grotto, the temperature inside can get quite low so it is best to wear thick clothing. Also note that if you are claustrophobic, this might not be a suitable activity.
Seegrotte Hinterbrühl
Address: Grutschgasse 2a, 2371 Hinterbrühl, Austria
Entrance Fee: 10 EUR (11.20 USD)
Opening Hours: Apr to Oct 9 am - 5 pm; Nov to Mar 9 am - 3 pm
Tour Duration: Around 45 minutes
Contact: +43 2236 26364
Website: Seegrotte Hinterbrühl
Vienna Woods and Mayerling Half Day Trip (Includes Seegrotte)
Departure Point: Hotel pick-up or meet at the corner of Laxenburger Strasse / Wiedner Gurtel (about 300 meters / 984 feet from Sudtirolerplatz.)
Price: From 60.92 USD
Departure Time: 9.45 am
Duration: Around 4 hours
2. Baden bei Wien
Baden bei Wien (Baden near Vienna) was a favorite relaxing getaway destination among Vienna’s nobility back in the 19th century. Baden is German for baths, and so, just by its name, you can easily deduce that Baden bei Wien is, of course, a spa town. A 40-minute drive southwest from Vienna, the sulfurous mineral springs in Baden bei Wien are known for their curative properties, which were first enjoyed by the Romans, then Viennese royalty, and also allegedly attracted Beethoven who was searching for a cure for his deafness.
Apart from the baths, Baden bei Wien is also home to beautiful gardens, parks, and historic buildings. Beethoven-lovers can also follow in the footsteps of the composer, who lived in the town for a while, by visiting Beethoven Haus, his former residence now turned into a museum. This residence is also where his famous 9th Symphony was born. On weekends and holidays, guided tours of the museum are available at 5 pm for 2.50 EUR (2.80 USD). In the northern part of the city, the beautiful Kurpark hides the Beethoven Temple at its top. A monument to the famous composer, it also offers stunning views of the landscapes.
Surrounded by the lush Vienna woods and the rolling Alpine hills, the picturesque Baden bei Wien is the ideal place to pamper and invigorate yourself.
If you are not planning to drive, the Wiener Lokalbahnen (local train) is an affordable option with direct services from Vienna’s city center to Baden bei Wien. A single ticket costs 5.50 EUR (6.15 USD) and a day ticket, which allows stops and switches, costs 12.10 EUR (13.50 USD).
Beethoven Haus
Address: Rathausgasse 10, Baden 2500, Austria
Price: 6 EUR (6.70 USD)
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays: 10 am to 6 pm
Contact: +43 2252 86800 - 630
Website: Beethoven Haus
Roemertherme (Baths)
Address: Brusattiplatz 4, Baden 2500, Austria
Price: From 13.40 EUR (15 USD) (Adults)
Opening Hours: 9 am - 10 pm daily
Duration: Minimum of 3 hours required
Contact: +43 2252 45030
Website: Roemertherme
3. Eisenstadt
A visit in Esterhazy Palace is an historical trip, back in time into the classical heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The huge palace introduces the variuos treasures of Esterhazy family. Not to miss the wine cellar, the jewels exhibition, the cultivated garden, and mainly, the Haydn hall, the primary attraction in the palace in the birth town of the great compositor. David1947_63
Many top attractions in Eisenstadt revolve around Haydn. The house in which Haydn lived for 12 years was preserved and converted to a museum (The Haydn House). The marble tomb of Haydn lies in the Bergkirche, an 18th-century church in Eisenstadt built by Prince Paul Esterhazy. The grand Schloss Esterhazy (Esterhazy Palace) is one of the most fascinating baroque palaces in Austria and perhaps the most significant attraction in Eisenstadt. Within the palace, the elaborately frescoed Haydn Hall is a must-see. This was where Haydn conducted the orchestra almost every night during his employment at Esterházy court from 1761 to 1790. The acoustics of the hall are renowned and it is still used as a concert hall today. It is said that Haydn’s compositions sound the best in this concert hall because they were composed for its acoustics. Check out the concert programming on the official website and treat your ears to an evening of musical appreciation.
You can purchase a Haydn Ticket that entitles you access to two exhibitions ; one provides an insight into Haydn’s life as a composer and the other presents the highlights of Esterhazy Palace. If your interest lies in exploring the palace, you can opt for the Palace Tour, which gives you access to the grand apartment of the Esterhazy wives.The guided tour in English starts at 1.30 pm. Both tours cost 11 EUR (12.30 USD).
Schloss Esterhazy
Address: Esterházyplatz 5, 7000 Eisenstadt
Price: 11 EUR (12.30 USD)
Opening Hours: May to Sep 10 am - 6 pm daily (Other months - 5 pm)
Contact: +43 2682 63004 – 7600
Website: Schloss Esterhazy
Haydn House
Address: Haydn-Haus Eisenstadt, Joseph Haydn-Gasse 19 & 21, 7000 Eisenstadt
Price: 5 EUR (5.60 USD)
Opening Hours: 1 Jun to 13 Nov: Mon to Sat 9 am - 5 pm, Sun & holidays 10 am - 5 pm
Contact: +43(0)2682/719-6000
Website: Haydn House
Esterhazy Exhibition Tour (German but with English language booklet)
Departure Point: Albertinaplatz in front of Café Mozart, Vienna
Price: 49 EUR (54.80 USD) - Includes bus, admission to exhibitions, and tours
Opening Hours: 9 am
Duration: Around 7 hours
Contact: +43 2682 63004-407
Website: Esterhazy Exhibition Tour
4. Melk
This HAS to be on your list for things to do in Austria. Not far from Vienna in the Wachau valley, this is one of the most beautiful and welcoming experiences you will find on your trip. Benedictine monks are committed to education and they have done everything possible to make it an enjoyable and exhilarating experience for visitors. Go on a Sunday morning and enjoy the Monks and locals at mass. John S
From March to November, you can visit the abbey with or without a guide. In March, guided tours are at 11 am and 2 pm, while daily guided tours in English are held at 10.55 am and 2.55 pm from April to October. (Do note that from November to March, visits are only possible with a guided tour.)
While the abbey may be absolutely marvelous, don’t neglect the quaint old town of Melk. On a lazy summer’s day, stroll down the winding car-free streets of the city center, check out the Town Hall, and enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the city over a cup of coffee or a cold beer.
Melk Abbey
Address: Stift Melk, Abt-Berthold-Dietmayr-Str. 1, A 3390 Melk
Price: From 11 EUR (12.30 USD)
Opening Hours: 9 am - 5.30 pm
Contact: +43(0)2752-555-0
Website: Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey and Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna
Departure Point: Central Vienna or selected Vienna hotels
Price: From 84 USD
Departure Time: 9.45 am
Duration: Around 8 hours
Website:
5. Bratislava, Slovakia
An easy 1-hour drive away from Vienna lies another capital city: the beautiful Bratislava. It is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. Also connected by the meandering Danube River, Bratislava and Vienna are two of the closest capital cities in Europe.
Blessed is Bratislava, a harmonious blend of old-world charm and picturesque nature. The pedestrian-only 18th-century old town (Staré Mesto in Slovak) is a joy to explore, with its immaculately preserved medieval center, inexpensive cafes and restaurants, and colorful buildings lining the cobbled streets. Spot the quaint little red tourist train, the only vehicle allowed within the old town, as it navigates the narrow streets. Overlooking the town from its lofty hill-top post is the iconic Bratislava Castle. The view is not only stunning, but also unique in that you can see Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary from the castle top.
If you are looking to take a break from the city and seek a breath (or many breaths) of fresh air, the Carpathian mountain range provides an easy and convenient hiking opportunity. Roughly an hour of walking from the main train station in Bratislava will transport you to the magical forested hills of the Small Carpathians, or Malé Karpaty. The incline is pretty gentle at lower elevations and nature-lovers will find it a rejuvenating experience to explore the hills surrounded by nothing but nature’s symphony.
Tip: Bratislava really comes alive during December when the spirit of Christmas fills the air. The Bratislava Christmas Market (held in the main square) is a truly magical experience and a popular event among both locals and tourists.
Bratislava Castle
Address: 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
Price: External grounds are free to enter, museum admission: 6 EUR (6.70 USD)
Opening Hours: 9 am - 9.30 pm (summer season)
Website: Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Day Trip From Vienna
Departure Address: Central Vienna Hotels
Price: From 51.09 USD
Departure Time: 8.30 am
Duration: Around 7.5 hours
Inspiration galore
It really is no wonder that a great many musical masterpieces were born, or lived, in Austria. Inspiration can be found in every corner, at every turn, as sure as the flow of the river. A mysterious underground lake, resplendent palaces, musical geniuses, relaxing thermal spas … a wealth of treasure awaits! Vienna really is a jewel in its own right, and also the perfect place from which to discover other lesser-known but equally charming places in nearby parts of Austria.
History
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