In the middle of winter when the days are dark or cold and you want to make your escape, you can either head to the opposite side of the world in the hope of some sunshine (which means a long journey) or you can double down on winter and head to a place that really knows how to do the season very well. If it’s the latter case then pack your thermals and head to Vienna!

The heart of Vienna is quite compact, so getting a central hotel, on the south side of the river (we stayed at the Mercure Vienna first) will mean that you can pretty much explore all the sights on foot.

Stephansdom & Surrounds

Starting at St Stephen’s Cathedral, where you can head up (into the towers) or down (into the catacombs) or keep your feet at ground level for this rebuilt 12th century church

it survived 800 years without a scratch and then was burnt down with just a couple weeks of WWII left!

Nearby the cathedral make a visit to Mozart’s apartment, part of the Vienna museum and a nice overview of the city’s famous musical son.

Just to the north of the Cathedral you’ll find the Ankeruhr Vienna, an ornate clock from the early 20th Century that has local personalities trroping by every hour and a whole party of Vienna’s famous coming out at noon.

On the opposite side of the cathedral visit the Graben area where you’ll get shopping of an upmarket sort and for the gourmands among you a trip to Julius Meinl for gastronomic shopping delights…and as much sauerkraut as you could ever want!

All this food will get your tummy ready for some lunch, so head across to Plachutta for a traditional Viennese lunch of Tafelspitz – boiled beef – it does not sound too appetising but is very tasty and provides for several meals in one – the beef, the soup and the marrow on toast, perfect for when it is cold outside!

Kärntner Str to the Opera

Continue your tour by heading along the main pedestrian artery of the city – Kärntner Str – you’ll get luxury shops, punctuated with all the baroque and renaissance you could ever want.

You can easily while away a few hours popping in and out of shops and cafes before finishing up at the State Opera.

Get yourself dressed up for a must do trip to the Opera. Book your tickets in advance and enjoy the opulence and drama of one of the world’s classic operas.

The Hofbrug

The Imperial Palace is a huge complex that houses multiple museums,

the Spanish riding school and the Hofmusikkapelle where, on sundays you can celebrate mass to the accompaniment of the Vienna Boy’s Choir.

With our bellies calling to us again take a side visit to the Cafe Central for the ultimate selection of cakes and coffee,

back in the 19th century day it was the home of the literati, now it attracts a more instagramable crowd…but the cakes are still delicious nonetheless!

Schönbrunn Palace

One of the top sights of the city, an imperial summer residence that started as a lodge, but had Versailles in its sights. There are various tours of the interior to enjoy (but no pictures!) to get your fill of Stucco, gold leaf, walnut and all sorts of precious decoration.

It’s the outdoors of the palace that is one of the highlights, with a zoo, maze, fountains, Japanese garden and all sorts, however it is a summer residence, and arriving in the middle of winter will mean that the gardens are a bit sparse at this time of year!

To get here from the centre, pick up the u-bahn from Karlsplatz for a short ride to Schönbrunn and it’s very twee station, and then a short walk to the ‘lodge’.

East-side wheels and organics

Save some time in your visit to head to the east of the centre to add a bit more colour and fun to your trip.

The Prater is Vienna’s spot for some fun, with numerous fairground rides and the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel that was rotating to it’s 65 metre height back in 1897 when the idea of such a wheel was just a glint in London’s eye!

Head back across the river to the colourful Hundertwasser House, Vienna’s answer to Gaudi like architecture for this apartment block that you can visit during the day…poetically described by google as an ‘organic apartment block with forest roof-top’.

Heading back into the centre stop by for lunch at Gasthaus Pöschl for some traditional schnitzel and beer…yum, yum!

So that wraps up our little winter visit to Vienna, a tale of food, drink and culture, enjoy!