Why You'll Love Vienna!

Flying to Europe? It can be tempting to visit three cities in seven days. But I would suggest you do one, at the most two, keeping at least three full days in hand to explore a city in all its varied glory. And if it’s a city like Vienna, even seven days can seem too short. Here are my picks of the best Vienna experiences.

- Shubhra Krishan

Take A Fiaker Ride

Horse-drawn carriage rides can seem like a tourist trap. But I was compelled to rethink this opinion when a Vienna resident recommended the ride to me. “It’s the best way to see Vienna,” she said. “Whenever my relatives come here, I take them on a fiaker ride. They love it.”

So will you! Though the two-horse carriage ride is a tad expensive at €50 for 20 minutes, it is a cosy, romantic experience, with the clop-clopping of hooves whisking you back to the 1700s. You can book a short ride or a long one, and it’s easy to spot fiaker stands at key points in the city.

Enjoy A Superb Indian Lunch At The Train Station

If you’re staying longer than three days, you will likely start craving spicy food. When that happens, hop on to a tram or train to Hauptbahnhof, one of Vienna’s arterial train stations. Here, on Level 1 is Chutney, a quick-serve Indian counter, where you get better chana poori than you find in India! There’s also palak-paneer and chicken-mango curry with rice, and delicious mango lassi. The best part: it’s inexpensive and very filling.

Spend An Afternoon At Prater