The real Vienna, 5 must-see districts that take you beyond the usual tourist attractions
These parts of the Austrian capital invite you to look beyond its landmarks and get a taste of life in the city as lived by the Viennese
St Stephen’s Cathedral, Belvedere Palace, the Albertina art museum, the Vienna State Opera: these are some of the many must-sees in Vienna, especially for those travelling to the Austrian capital for the first time.
But then what? What is there to do once the classic sightseeing tour is behind you? Perhaps dig deeper to ferret out the city’s dynamics? For this, you must head to the “Grätzl”, or local neighbourhoods where the Viennese live, dine and socialise.
There you can experience what their daily lifestyle looks like. Here are some suggested tours of everyday Viennese neighbourhoods.
1. Meidlinger Markt
The Meidlinger Markt in Vienna’s 12th district, a half-hour walk from the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, is where a visitor can concentrate best on what the Viennese love: dining.
On a Food Safari guided tour, you will be brought to a street market and to a host with long blond hair, Max Kern. Under the open sky, he serves up a Brettl-Jause – a cheesy snack on a simple wooden slab.
“Our specialities come from small Austrian producers with the highest standards,” he says.
While enjoying the snack with a glass of white wine – a favoured daytime drink in Vienna – the guest sits in the centre of the market, watching the activity and farmers selling their produce.
