An Alternative Guide to Vienna
When abroad, it can be difficult to divorce yourself from the well-trod tourist track. Many people arrive in Vienna with visions of strudel, schnitzel, classical music, and good beer. Although these things are undoubtedly wonderful perks of the city, and shouldn’t be avoided, taking a leaf out a local’s book shouldn’t go amiss either.
Swim in the River Danube
During the summer months in Vienna, there is an abundance of unusual, authentic Viennese activities you can absorb yourself in. The Danube, a thick vein of a river that runs through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, acts as a refuge from the stifling heat that hits Vienna in the summer and is a frequently visited spot for locals, who sip cans of beer and submerge themselves in the cooling waters. The Danube Island is a favourite spot and has a family beach and a climbing park.
If the exhibitionist inside you feels like emerging, then look no further for Vienna is not a city for prudes. One bank of the river is dedicated to the nudists, who strip off during the summer months for a nice, even tan. If swimming isn’t your forte, then take a bike ride along the river bank – you can even go all the way to Bratislava and beyond if feeling spritely.
This is a vibrant, developing and multicultural area of Vienna with a loud and colourful market at the weekends. The Yppenplatz piazza is frequented by locals, who hang out and sip espressos in the summertime. Try out Wetter, a restaurant that was formerly a laundrette, and still maintains an industrial design concept, serving Ligurian food, from Italy.
Walk among the vineyards and eat like a local
Go for a ramble in the hills among Vienna’s vineyards around Kahlenberg and end up at one of the cosy Heurigers, where you can indulge in a traditional Austrian dish and sample the speciality Viennese wine, Gemischter Satz. Head up to Bellevue-Höhe, where you can stand at the spot that was supposedly the Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud’s favourite haunt for philosophising – it is rumoured to be the place where he devised his infamous theory of the unconscious mind. Have a ponder yourself while gazing over the modest city skyline below.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 1061256
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload