Hiking at the Wilhelminenberg

Ottakring cemetery

Latest when leafs change colour and morning fog creates a mystical atmosphere you know it – autumn starts and the hot summer days are over. At the same time the sun tries once more to retrieve summer times during the warmer day times in the afternoon. Latest when the sun goes down and Vienna is wrapped in a cool evening air you definitely know its autumn. Exactly during this time of the year we experience the need to spend the last warm hours in nature. That’s the time when you can see families collecting coloured leafs and chestnuts. Others work out or undertake a hike through the nature. If you decide for a city trip then this can get tricky. On the one hand you want to visit all the sights but on the other hand you do not want to experience the last warm days surrounded by concrete. For our guest the Palace Hostel Vienna offers a perfect balance between the two too different looking activities. Situated on the Wilhelminenberg you can combine both activities during a hike through the area. Along the city path 4a it is possible for you to get to know the green Ottakring in addition to the Brunnenmarkt and its trendy corners.

 

 

 

 

Kuffner observatory

We start our hike at the Palace Hostel Vienna und start at the beginning on a path through the surrounding vineyards. We roam through the vineyards of the Leitner winemaker and meanwhile enjoy the view on Vienna. Via the Paulinensteig we walk towards the Ottakringer cemetery. The cemetery with its gravestones covered by moss, its special crypts and its countless memorials is worth seeing all year round and during a walk through the areal you divine the long history of Vienna’s oldest cemetery. We leave the cemetery via the exit at the Johann Staud Straße and walk a view steps to the Kuffner observatory. Built by the end of the 19th century it soon was considered as one of the most important observatory of its time. Many famous astronomers spent their time in Ottakring and the Kuffner observatory. Today the observatory still has its old tools installed. Today the observatory can be visited and the entry is free but the organisation is happy if you leave a small donation there. After a short visit we walk up the Wilhelminenberg towards the fire station. But we decided to do not take the direct path but to pass by the extraordinary church at the Steinhofgründe. Built by Otto Wagner as a Jugendstil church it is situated within a big park called Steinhofgründe. We pass the church and hike through the big park before we arrive at the fire station. Back at the station we follow the road until we reach the Palace Hostel Vienna again. After such a hike we deserved a snack. We decided to visit the restaurant Villa Aurora. There we whiled away the evening with Austrian dishes and great views.

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Jewish Vienna – a split of past and present

 

Only few metropolises in Europe can offer you such a long and extensive Jewish history like Vienna. Until the German annexation of Austria in 1938 more than 140.000 Jews lived in Vienna. While many Jews had to fled because of racist reasons in the following years Vienna still stayed connected to its Jewish culture. After the difficult reprocessing of the historical events the Jewish life was again integrated into Vienna’s daily life. Unfortunately the Jewish community – nowadays with 7.000 members – could never reach its size again. Even if the community stayed small it was totally integrated into Vienna and in 2012 the first Eruv was built in the city. This new awareness – combined with interesting relict of past days – make the Jewish Vienna a visitor’s hotspot every year. Today one can easily spent a whole day in Vienna to getting to know the Jewish Vienna. This was reason enough for us to get to know the Jewish history of Vienna and give you an insight.

 

Jewish Museum and Museum am Judenplatz

Get to know Viennese Jewish history at Museum am Judenplatz

Get to know Viennese Jewish history at Museum am Judenplatz

To understand better the Jewish Vienna and its historical background before and after the Third Reich we decided to start our day with a visit of the Jewish Museum and the Museum am Judenplatz. After costly renovations the museum was reopened in October 2011. Today visitors can experience the Jewish history at two sites within Vienna’s city centre. At the Jewish Museum near the Café Hawelka the exhibition called “Our City!” dedicates itself to the modern history of Jewish Vienna after 1945. Otherwise at the Museum am Judenplatz the Jewish history before 1938 is broached. The museum tries to give its visitors an understanding of the rise of Vienna as one of the main Jewish metropolis in Vienna and the Jewish every day life from medieval times to the time just before the annexation. Furthermore both museums offer interesting subjects and nearly endless historical contents which are displayed within special exhibitions. For us the Museum am Judenplatz was especially interesting. Especially the integration of ruins of an old synagogue within the museum combined with the historical information of the medieval rising of the Jewish community and the vandalism after 1938 gave an interesting point of view on the topic. The memorial of Rachel Whiteread in front of the museum brings a special atmosphere to the spot and lets visitors not forget the frightful acts which had taken place not so long ago.

Where: Jewish Museum, Dorotheergasse, 1010 Vienna – Museum am Judenplatz, Judenplatz, 1010 Vienna

When: Jewish Museum: Sun – Fri: 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. – Museum am Judenplatz: Sun – Thu: 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m., Fri: 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Admission: Adults: € 10,-; Students: € 5,–; admission to both museum within 4 days

How to get there: Both museums are located close to the metro station Stephansplatz. You can reach it from Palace Hostel Vienna directly with the U3 from Ottakring. From Hostel Wien Hütteldorf you can reach Stephansplatz with the U4 and U1.

 

Synagogue at the Stadttempel

The only synagogue which remained after 1945

The only synagogue which remained after 1945

The only remaining synagogue after 1945 was the synagogue at the Stadttempel. Its special location within apartment houses made it resistant against the vandalism of the Nazis. The synagogue was build by the famous Viennese architect Josef Kornhäusel in 1825/26 as a classical Biedermeier work. It was in combination with the memorial for the victims of the Shoa opened to the public in 2002. The synagogue can only be visited within a guided group. The tours start every Monday to Thursday at 11.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.

Where: Stadttempel, Seitenstettengasse 4, 1010 Vienna

When: only as a guided tour – tours: Mon – Thu: 11.30 a.m. & 2.00 p.m.

Admission: tour price: € 5,–

How to get there: The Stadttempel is situated within an apartment district close to the metro station Schwedenplatz. From Palace Hostel Vienna you can reach the metro station with the U3 and U1. From Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf you can take the U4 and U1.

 

Sigmund Freud Museum

Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna

Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna

One of the most famous Jewish characters of the city is beyond doubt Sigmund Freud. The founder of the psychoanalysis and one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century moved with his family to Vienna when he was four years and spent nearly his whole life in here. Only one year before he died and only a few months after the German annexation Freud fled to London. We wanted to learn more about this exceptionally gifted person and therefore we set out for his former apartment at the Berggasse 19. The museum is located in the former apartment of Freud where he spent most of his lifetime and where nearly all of his work was written. Furthermore a psychoanalytic research centre with more than 35.000 subjects is connected to the museum. You unfortunately cannot find the famous couch on which Freud’s patients took place. When Freud fled to Vienna he was able to take a bigger part of his furniture with him. That’s why you have to visit the Freud museum in London when you want to see his couch.

Where: Berggasse 19, 1090 Vienna

When: daily from 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

Admission: Adults: € 9,– – Students: € 6,50,–

How to get there: From Palace Hostel Vienna you can reach the Sigmund Freud museum by taking U3 and U2 to Schottentor. From Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf it’s the best way to take U4 to Schottenring.

 

Memorial Museum

Mystical aura at the Memorial Museum

Mystical aura at the Memorial Museum

Our final stop during our tour through Jewish Vienna was a visit to the Memorial Museum. You can only visit the museum on appointment but it offers you an interesting and also sad insight into the life of the Jewish community during the years 1938/39. After the November progrom the British government loosen the visa regulations for Jewish under 18 to guarantee a secure emigration from Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia. As a result the Kindertransports were organised. Without their parents, only one suitcase and few memories more than 10.000 children set out for a better life in Great Britain. Spread on 24 trains the children left their families and friends back with the friable feeling of possibly never seeing them again to start a new and better life for them in Great Britain. In spite of the plan of bringing the children back to their families after the war many of them never left their host families in Great Britain as they were parentless after the war. At the museum you can find countless exhibits, suitcases and utensils which children took with them and much more combined with aplenty of background knowledge.

Where: Radetzkystraße 5, 1030 Vienna

When: Mon – Fri, on appointment

How to get there: Take the U3 from Palace Hostel Vienna and the U4 from Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf nonstop to Wien Mitte.

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Donauauen National Park

Vienna – the city of music – is mainly famous for its cultural heritage, magnificent buildings and imperialistic charm. But not far from Vienna you can discover more than you can expect at the beginning. Just one hour from Vienna you can find Austria’s biggest floodplain forest along the Danube. You can easily reach it by taking your own car or the bus to the visitor’s centre. During hikes and boat rides through the floodplain forest you can expect recreation for the city and interesting facts. We found out two great tours for you. They suit every backpacker’s budget and offer you a great diversion in a fascinating surrounding.

 

Boat trip from Vienna

Scenery within the National Park

Scenery within the National Park

The easiest way to get there is by taking a boat trip from the Danube channel. Directly from Vienna you can cruise along the Danube into the national park. As soon as you reach the national park you can explore the beautiful meadowy countryside Thereby you hike on tiny paths through dense branches for one hour. During this one hour hike you will learn a lot about the flora and fauna of the national park. Afterwards you get on the boat again to head back to Vienna.

Starting point: Danube channel Vienna, near Salztorbrücke

How to get there: From Palace Hostel take the U3 from Ottakring to Stephansplatz and from there take U1 to Schwedenplatz – From Hostel Hütteldorf you can take the U4 directly to Schwedenplatz.

Price: € 11,-

 

Exploring trip through the meadowy countryside

Boat trip in the National Park

Boat trip in the National Park

If you have your own car or you would like to explore Austria with the Bus you can reach the national park’s headquarter individually. Therefore you have to get to the U2 station Aspernstraße. From there you take bus 391 directly to Orth an der Donau. At the schlossOrth you can find the visitors centre and the museum of the national park. There you can choose from array of excursions. We opt for a rubber boat trip along the Danube and its branches. During this trip you firstly explore the meadowy countryside by foot and by boat. After the exhausting paddling you can relax during the return journey along the main branch of the Danube. Thereby you drift along the forests and buckle on lonely beaches – a perfect possibility to enjoy the scenery of the national park.

Starting point: Visitors centre schlossOrth at Orth an der Donau

How to get there: From Palace Hostel take U3 and U2 to Aspernstraße from there you take Bus 391 to Orth. From Hostel Hütteldorf you take U4 and U2 to Aspernstraße and from there you take Bus 391 to Orth

Price: € 27,- (students: € 19,-)

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Eurovision Song Contest – first appearances

The Finish punk band PKN

On Monday the first bands came together at the Wiener Stadthalle and started to practice for the ESC. The delegations of Belgium, Armenia, Moldova, Greece, Estonia, Finland and Netherlands were the first one who could enter the spectacular stage. Meanwhile the interviews were the most interesting part of the event. While Eduard Romanyuta from Moldova was brightly speaking of a childhood dream coming true Loic Nottet from Belgium seemed a bit nervous or even shy. Also Trijntje Oosterhuis from the Netherlands was speaking of a childhood dream coming true. However she really set the cat among the pigeons with her dress giving a real deep insight. After being asked if she would be nervous because of the fact that her country was last year ranked as second behind Austria she easily answered that an artist should never feel scared about any situation however she is aware of her responsibility. With the Estonian duo Elina Born and Stig Rästa as well as the Finnish punk band PKN two favourites could also practice. Especially the only 85 seconds appearance of PKN was kept in mind. During the interview with the band consisting of musicians with mental impairments the interpreter had to struggle a bit sometime.

An outstanding Monday @ Cafe Leopold

In the evening the first Eurovision night took place at the Cafe Leopold. Especially fans really enjoy those events as it is one of the few moments where they can find artists within the crowd. Also that time. The Armenian delegation was one of the first guests. A bit later fans had also the possibility to meet the artist form Montenegro, Azerbaijan and San Marino. While the ESC expert Marco Scheuder mixed ESC classics with modern beats the main act and Viennese DJ duo Möwe took care and changed an average Monday into a weekend Saturday.

But this week a lot more will come. The whole week you can find many great events and jam sessions within Vienna’s calendar. Today the artists of Slovenia, Albania, the Czech Republic and Georgia take part in a jam session at the Albertina. And on Friday you can enjoy the delegations of Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark at the Nordic Night at the Chaya Fuera.

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Vienna’s hottest summer bars

Finally the cold months of the year are gone and spring is awaiting us with longer and warmer days. At the same time most of us experience their first summer feelings and we can’t wait to spend the first long nights under a starry sky with cocktails, summer music and a deck chair on the beach. And therefore you don’t even have to travel to the sea. Vienna with its beach and summer bars offers you exactly what you are looking for. For everyone who hasn’t taken notice of them yet we want to give some information on the hottest summer bars of the city. Whether you are searching for a modern Austrian bar or you are searching for some Mediterranean feeling your search will definitely end at the Danube Canal ;)

 

Strandbar Herrmann

beach bar vienna, beach bar danube canal, strandbar herrmann

Relaxing atmosphere at the Herrmann Strandbar

The most famous beach bar in Vienna lies directly at the end of the Danube Canal. Directly situated at the Danube the Strandbar Hermann offers you everything you expect of a classic beach bar. Whether you like to enjoy in a deck chair with some friends or you relax in one of the hammocks this beach bar is the right choice. Thanks to a vide variety of cocktails and a daily changing menu it is easily possible to try something new even if you are not a newbie. The in-house beach with its great views over historical and new buildings completes the chilled atmosphere.

 

The Badeschiff

Badeschiff, boat danube canal, ship danube canal, boat vienna, urban garden, urban camping

You cannot miss it – the Badeschiff

urban garden, urban camping, urban camping vienna, urban camping danube, camping vienna

Urban Camping at the Badeschiff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a stone’s throw away from the Strandbar Hermann you can find the Badeschiff. If you stroll along the Danube Canal you won’t miss the Badeschiff. Just beside the Schwedenplatz the Badeschiff lies calm on the Danube. The Badeschiff offers you countless possibilities – so you can relax, enjoy or even sleep on board. The pool at the end of the boat is definitely the highlight of the bar. After some relaxation on the deck you can easily enjoy some swimming or you can relax in the pool while overlooking Vienna. The in-house “Craft Kammer” offers its guests more than 25 crafts from Austria, Belgium, England, the USA and many other countries. As an Urban tavern the Badeschiff regales its guests with delicious dishes from the oven. You can for example enjoy roasted pork or different strudels. If you are even too tired to leave you can also sleep at the Badeshiff at the end of the day. On the sun deck of the boat you can relax within the Urban Garden and there you can also find Urban Camping.

 

Sand in the City

beach feeling, beach city, beach vienna, beach city centre

Sand in the City promises beach feeling in the city

You can find Vienna’s biggest sandbox directly behind the Ringstraße within the 3rd district. More based on the concept of a food court you can find countless seats in the centre surrounded by many bars and different providers at the beach club. You may have seen this concept before in Asia. With this concept on thing is certain – you will definitely find something you like. The choices range from a beer bar, Shisha and Mexican Bars, to the Freiwild @ the beach. Themed as “Streetfood of the world with the cool sprit of Austria” the star rated gourmet restaurant offers its guest a private pop up tent with a private outdoor area and comfortable interior. Beside the culinary offer the Sand in the City also offers you the possibility to use one of the two available beach volleyball sites. You just have to reserve a site online at www.beachvolleywien.at and then you can enjoy the sites from 5.00 to 11.00 pm including floodlight.

 

Tel Aviv Beach

Tel Aviv Beach, Tel Aviv Vienna, tel aviv neni, tel aviv danube canal

Chilled atmosphere…

...and delecious food at the Tel Aviv

…and delecious food at the Tel Aviv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you think of beach, party and great atmosphere you also have to think of Tel Aviv. The Israeli city at the Mediterranean Sea is by now known as a party destination well beyond the Orient. At the Tel Aviv Beach they try to convey this feeling of easiness, summer and Israeli hospitality to the Viennese Danube Canal. Owned by the celebrity chef Haya Mocho the Tel Aviv Beach belongs, as some other restaurants in Vienna, Zurich and Berlin, to Neni. Therefore you can look forward to delicious Isreali and Oriental cuisine, tasty Cocktails and great music at the Tel Aviv Beach. With a bit of luck Haya Molcho maybe cooks herself behind the grill and prepares some authentic Oriental dish for you.

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Eurovision Song Contest – Construction work started!

On Tuesday it started – the Eurovision Song Contest has finally reached Vienna. On Tuesday the first trolleys arrived in Vienna to bring the first parts of the stage to the event site. During the next weeks more and more stuff will be brought to the Stadthalle and within the next weeks the team will obstruct more than 3.500 tons of material.Beside of the anticipation also the security checks are massive these days. All material which will be fixed at the ceiling has to be checked by an X-ray apparatus and all the materials which will be placed on the floor get checked by bomb-sniffing dogs. When it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest nothing is left to chance.

 

Constrction work started!

Constrction work started!

Unfortunately all the fans still cannot attend the constructions works up close. So everyone who is curious about the massive “building bridges” stage has still to wait. Should you ever forget how many more days it takes until the event, we can only recommend you to take a look at the official countdown directly in front of the city hall.

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Easter in Vienna

Every year during Easter Vienna awakes from its hibernation. The cold time of the year draws to a close and the foggy streets change to colourful streets dominated by Easter eggs and flower arrangements. Nevertheless not only the streets get more colourful also the people enjoy warmer and longer days and the city’s hustle and bustle is getting more and more. Especially during this time of the year you enjoy strolling through markets, having a sunbath during a walk or breaking the walk with a delicious Easter delicacy. Especially during this time of the year Vienna is a great trip for all visitors. Because on the one hand you can experience the Austrian culture, enjoy the warmer spring days and on the other hand you won’t find as many tourists as during the high season. Plain talking: cheap fares, short queues and a lot culture combined with vernally weather. For this reason we want to provide you with information on the best Easter markets and places within Vienna.

 

Easter market at the Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace, Easter, Vienna, Hostel Vienna, Easter in Austria

Easter time @ Schönbrunn Palace

The most famous Easter market in the city is only a few minutes away from Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf because the Easter market at the Schönbrunn Palace is like the Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf located at the U4. For our guests at the Palace Hostel Vienna the Easter market is easily accessible by combining a little walk with a ride in the U4. It takes you less than 30 minutes to the Schönbrunn Palace. Directly in front of imperial surroundings you can snatch some souvenirs, taste Austrian specialities or enjoy the great weather in one of the many sitting facilities available at the market. The huge park of the palace is the perfect place for a spring walk or an after-dinner walk and combined with the Schönbrunn Zoo it is a perfect spring day for the whole family. In more than 60 cottages the vendors sell great handcrafts. Whether you search for traditional Easter handcrafts made from wood and felt or you would like to snatch some classy Easter arrangements the 60 stalls offer you a diverse and qualitative product range. The Easter factory has a great offer especially for families. There kids can create Easter arrangements and Marzipan Easter bunnies and take them with them. But the real highlight for all the kids is the annually search for Easter nests on Holy Saturday. All kids have the possibility to take part of a huge search of Easter nests within the palace area. Great gifts and surprises await the finders.

 

Old Viennese Easter Market at the Freyung

Freyung, Easter, Old Viennese Easter Market, Vienna, Hostel Vienna, Easter eggs

Easter eggs @ Freyung

A real institution within the city centre of Vienna is the Old Viennese Easter Market at the Freyung. Situated within the city hall and St. Stephan’s Cathedral the 47 stalls offer you a great variety of products. Many cultural events at the market stage and Europe’s biggest egg mountain attract every year many visitors. For the small guests a bunny stable was built and a puppet theatre guarantees a varied programme. Especially the great location in the historic centre of Vienna and the amazing framework programme make the Old Viennese Easter Market interesting for both tourists and natives. As the city centre isn’t that big you can leave the metro at different stations to get to the market. If you arrive from Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf you should take the U4 to Karlsplatz and interchange to U1. After one station you can leave the train at Stephansplatz. From there it is only a few minutes walk to the market. If you arrive from Palace Hostel Vienna you can take the U3 directly to Herrengasse. The market is only a stone threw away from the station.

 

Easter festival at the Prater

Easter, Prater, Easter bunnies, Vienna, Hostel Vienna, Prater Easter, Easter festival Vienna

Meet Easter bunnies at the Wiener Prater

For the fifth time the Easter festival takes part at the Prater on Easter Sunday. During that day Easter bunny and other colourful personalities await you at the amusement park. According to the motto “The Easter bunny is going on” a great and varied programme for young and old is planed. Great live music and the Punch and Judy show are also part of a great programme. A magnificent magician show and a spring parade are the highlights of the day. If you want to take part at this great festival you have to jump on a train on the 5 April. Whether you are at Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf or Palace Hostel Vienna take the U4 or U3 interchange with the U1 and leave at Praterstern. The festival is only 30 minutes away from our hostels!

 

 

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Ringstraße anniversary

This year the Viennese Ringstraße celebrates its 150 years existence. We take this opportunity to inform you a bit about the Ringstraße itself and to give you an overview on upcoming exhibitions which are focused on the Ringstraße and its history. The 5.2 kilometer boulevard is one of the most important sights of Vienna and is seen as a great starting point for the discovery of the city centre. Due to this we would like to present you some of the great sight along a great street

 

The history of the Ringstraße

Ringstraße, parliament, Hostel Vienna, Vienna

Ringstraße at the beginning of the 20 century

With the famous words „It is my will” Emperor Franz Joseph I. commissioned the demolition of the old city walls and creation of an impressive boulevard in the city centre of Vienna in 1857. In the following summer of 1858 85 projects had been submitted and the demolition was started. From the beginning on the Ringstraße was planned as a boulevard which should combine space for private transport, public transport and recreation areas. This plan was kept until today and nowadays the Viennese population can find five vast park areas which offer a huge recreation area within the city centre. Seven years after the beginning of the construction work the Ringstraße was festively inducted by Emperor Franz Joseph himself and his wife Elisabeth of Austria. Even if you could not find to many building by this time at the boulevard the boulevard was opened and the convoy moved via the new boulevard to the Prater. The final construction work was done by 1913. At this time the last representative building, the Ministery of War, was opened. Today you can countless magnificent buildings, hotels, restaurants and many sights along the boulevard. Whether you are looking for a typical Viennese coffee house, a luxury hotel or a classic Viennese dinner – the Ringstraße offers you culture, history and present at one place.

 

Anniversary exhibitions

Secession, Vienna, Ringstraße, Naschmarkt, Hostel Vienna

The Secession – too modern for the Ringstraße

Many museums in Vienna are focused on the anniversary of the Ringstraße this year. Especially this year you will have the chance to get to know as much as possible about the Ringstraße. Thereby the topics are totally different and there is something interesting for everyone. The Jewish museum for example shows the Jewish life at the Ringstraße and the role of the Jews as builders and patrons. The Secession in contrast takes a look on its own building history. The museum was originally planned at the Ringstraße but intense protests smashed those plans and the “too modern” museum was moved to the Naschmarkt where you can find it until today.

 

 

Jewish Museum

The ring – a Jewish boulevard

Dorothergasse 11, 1010 Wien

www.jmw.at

Secession

Too modern for the first row

Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Wien

www.secession.at

Sightseeing at the Ringstraße

Opera, Ringstraße, night, Hostel Vienna, Vienna

The opera @ night

For many tourists a ride in the Vienna Ring Tram is an important part of their Viennese bucket list. Similar as the famous hop-on hop-off buses you can enjoy a ride along the Ringstraße and an informative audio guide gives you information on sights and buildings along the way. If you search for a cheaper version you can also take the public tram routes 1 and 2. With only one change you can drive round the city centre. You have to miss out the audio guide on this tour but if you have a smartphone you can use our Audio guide which will give you also great information on the sights at the Ringstraße. If you decide to take a look at the sights along the Ringstraße you probably won’t stop wonder. From the Hostel Hütteldorf you can get nonstop via the U4 to Karlsplatz. There the famous Charles Church from the 18th century is waiting to be visited by you. Famous for its distinctive columns at the main entrance it is inspired by Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. Also at the metro station Karlsplatz situated you can find the Opera really close to Charles Church. Every year it is scene of countless high quality performances and the Vienna Opera Ball. If you follow the Ringstraße clockwise you will pass by the Hofburg Palace, seat of the Austrian president and formerly emperors, within a few minutes. On the opposite side of the Ringstraße you can find the Museums of Natural and Cultural History. In a row the Ringstraße leads you to city hall and passes by the Burgtheater, Austria’s most important theatre, and the parliament. The 113 metre tall city hall is one of Vienna’s most distinctive sights and offers great events at its forecourt. Experience the life ball, the Christmas market or one of the many festivals.

lifeball, city hall, vienna, hostel vienna

Lifeball @ the city hall

All of our Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) fans can find the countdown for the event also at the forecourt of the city hall. Passing by the University of Vienna and the old stock market you then reach the Danube channel. If you need a break then we recommend you to have some ice cream at the Schwedenplatz. Especially famous with locals and tourists is the Eis Greissler. A small ice cream shop half way between the Schwedenplatz and Stephansplatz. After the break you can tackle the rest of the boulevard. Following the Danube channel you pass by the police headquarter and the Museum of Applied Arts. Especially between the Museum of Applied Arts and the Opera you can find many coffee houses, restaurants and famous hotels. There you can bring your day to a perfect end by experiencing Viennese coffee house culture and lifestyle.

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Christmas in Austria

All around the world we celebrate Christmas tonight and today we want to explain you how we celebrate Christmas in Austria.

 

Holy Night – the 24th of December

Maybe this is a bit different to many other cultures but for Austrians the 24th of December is the most important day during Christmas time. Normally we celebrate Christmas among our families. Especially for our kids Christmas is a special day and they enjoy their afternoon normally with great activities. If there is some snow at Christmas time the children go for some bob sledging or they make some hand dipping candles. During this time the Christkind – our counterpart to America’s Santa Claus – is decorating the Christmas tree.

Later the day the children arrive back at home and the whole family visits the Christmas mass at church. After the mass everyone has dinner together. Every family enjoys its Christmas dinner different but in Austria there are many distinctive traditional Christmas dinner. Some families try to have a relaxed evening and have a great traditional Jause – a meal consisting of bread, cold cuts, cheese, and much more – others have a glamorous dinner Many traditional glamorous dinner are turkey, similar to the United States, but also Christmas carp or different types of deer with red cabbage and dumplings. After a long meal it is time to wait for the arrival of the Christkind. The families are playing games and spending a reflective evening, when suddenly the Christmas bell rings. The Christmas bell is a small bell brought by the Christkind and which is ringing when all the presents are laid underneath the tree. Then all the kids jump from their seats and start to run to the Christmas tree. The whole family then admires the Christmas tree enlighten by sparklers and candles and starts to sing some traditional Christmas songs. During that normally all the kids are waiting impatiently to open the Christmas presents underneath the tree. After the gift giving the kids are kept busy by the new presents and toys and the adults have time for a chat or another game before the evening ends. Some of the family members maybe join the midnight mass before they also fall asleep after a long day.

 

New Year’s Eve in Austria – 31st of December

Whereas Christmas is a family day New Year’s Eve is a day which is celebrated with your friends. People usually meet in the evening and have dinner together. We have some fondue together or we enjoy some Raclette – a dinner where we put a grill in the middle of the table and everyone puts meet, vegetables and much more onto it. Then we spent a lot of time together before we prepare ourselves for midnight. Nearly household in Austria switches on the radio land listens to the radio when the radio stations broadcast live from St. Stephan’s Square. At midnight then the bell of St. Stephan’s Cathedral rings 12 times and everyone is dancing a waltz to the music of the Donauwalzer. Subsequent we start to spark our fireworks and we greet the New Year. We clink glasses of Champagne and celebrate for the New Year. We also give each other lucky charm for the next year and celebrate into the early morning hours.

 

New Year’s Day – 1st of January

Worldwide known but different than The Sound of Music also Austrians watch the New Year’s concert. The classical concert is held every year at the 1st of January by the Viennese philharmonics and broadcasted to more than 90 countries worldwide. After a long New Year’s Eve we normally weak up pretty late and firstly switch on watch TV. The rest of the day we enjoy a relaxed day and relax after a long night.

 

 

 

 

Twelfth Day – 6th of January

The last Christmassy day of the year is the Twelfth day on the 6th of January. During that day the three Magi come to your house – normally some children are dressed like them – and bring you blessing for the next year. As a thank you we normally donate some money to the three Magi to support some people who are going to need some help the next year. As a holiday families spend the day together and have a nice winter day but in comparison to other cultures the Twelfth Day is not too important for Austrians.

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Christmas Markets in Vienna

Every year at this time it’s happening again. By the mid of November the Viennese Christmas markets open their gates und everyone can enjoy the most festive season of the year with some punch and sausages. There are countless spots where you can enjoy the Christmas magic and due to this we would like to present you some of them.

 

Classical & touristy – the Viennese Christmas villages

Weihnachtsdorf

Selling stand at the Viennese Christmas village

The Viennese Christmas villages are three different Christmas markets in Vienna and they are definitely some of the most famous one in Vienna. Every one of the three Christmas villages has its own character but the Christmas market between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Cultural History is definitely the most famous one. Every year numberless visitors enjoy the great atmosphere with punch, mulled wine and Christmas music. More than 70 stands, Christmas trees, decoration and the tempting aroma of ginger bread and cookies create a great ambience. One can stroll around and purchase some Christmas gifts. If you still want to do something good this year you have the chance to do so there. The pavilion is an inherent part of the Christmas market and there you can donate 2 Euros which support kids in need of help. Two other Christmas markets you can find at the old hospital and at the Belvedere Palace. A horrifying highlight of the Christmas village at the old hospital is the “Perchtenlauf” – an Austrian tradition where scary horned figures bring the winter to town. A more royal atmosphere you can find at the Belvedere Palace. Directly in front of the palace you can enjoy mulled wine and sausages while you let your gaze wander over the Christmassy decorated pond and palace garden.

 

Royal & impressive – the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn palace

Schönbrunn palace in Christmassy splendor

Directly in front of Austria’s biggest palace und only a few minutes away from Hostel Vienna Hütteldorf you can find one of the most impressive Christmas markets of Vienna. Dominated by the metres high Christmas tree and in front of imperial setting a wonderful Christmas wonderland with great products and warm drinks is built up. The varied concerts on the stage in front of the Christmas tree offer you a diverse cultural program. Beside of the diversified selling stands you can find a Christmas crib and a Christmas workshop at the market. At the workshop you can model and decorate marzipan figures with guidance. Furthermore you can tinker angels made of wood and sleaze for a good cause every Wednesday.

 

Christmas mood with great views – Christmas charm at the Wilhelminenberg

Small but nice – the Christmas charm at Wilhelminenberg

A real insider tip is the small Christmas market at the Wilhelminenberg. The Christmas charm awaits you directly at the Palace Hostel Schlossherberge and offers you a great view over the city. During punch and Raclette bread – dark bread served with melted Austrian cottage cheese – you can enjoy the Viennese sea of lights. Moreover the Christmassy music guarantees a great atmosphere. Beside of Christmassy music visitors can also listen to live music. No matter if you like Jazz or traditional Viennese sounds there’s definitely something for everyone.

 

 

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