Recommended Small Hotels in Vienna’s old city
Small Hotels in Vienna's old city - our top 10 Choosing the perfect hotel in Vienna can make or break your vacation! This list may hopefully give you some inspiration…
Vienna's culinary secrets tour | Culinary History Tour
Secret Vienna Popular Tours
Looking for a tour in Vienna? Learn about our popular tours! Here's an overview of our Secret Vienna popular tours to help you select the best tour for you. Hopefully…
Museumsquartier Secret Vienna
The story of the Museums Quartier
You must visit the Museums Quartier if you are into contemporary art! I am sure some of you have walked past or even visited Vienna’s Museums Quartier (MQ) before. Today…
Secrets In The Heart Of Vienna
The beauty of old Vienna
Travel back in time - Old Vienna Most of you know about our city’s history. About our traditions and the places, where we can still experience old Vienna. We at…
Austria’s Drugstore Museum
The Drugstore Museum in Vienna
Looking for a different museum? Visit the Drugstore Museum in Vienna! Located in Vienna’s 9th district, in the Währinger Straße 14, Austria’s Drugstore Museum has a long history, tracing back…
Snow Globe Museum Vienna Secret Vienna
Snow Globe Museum
Vienna's Snow Globe Museum is definitely worth the visit! It was the year 1900 as Erwin Perzy created the first ever snow globe. His first design was the basilica Maria…
Cafe Korb Secret Vienna
The story of Cafe Korb
Just like the Café Demel, the Café Korb is one of our traditional coffee houses, located in the first district. The place where the Café Korb is located is full…
Alma Mahler-Werfel
The life of Alma Mahler-Werfel
Let us tell you the story of one impressive woman - Alma Mahler-Werfel Alma Mahler-Werfel is a rather controversial woman. Her entourage described her as ‘femme fatale’. They saw her…
Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg
Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg
Learn more about Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg - Napoleon's secret lover Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg was born in 1785. Perhaps you have heard of her before, but her relationship with…
The Kahlenberg Cemetery
The story of the Kahlenberg Cemetery
Have you ever visited the Kahlenberg Cemetery? Maybe after reading this you will! Would you think of cemeteries if somebody asked you to describe Vienna’s charm? Many tourists that come…
Maria Antonia And The Diamond Necklace
Maria Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace
Marie Antoinette's fascinating diamond necklace Marie Antoinette is usually thought quintessentially French. Tied to the French Revolution, and famous for her “let them eat cake!” proclamation. Which she most likely…
The Lengths And Depths Of Viennese Escalators
The lengths and depths of Viennese escalators
Vienna's escalators - lengths and depths Everyday the residents of Vienna take the public transportation to work or to school. A large share of these commutes are taking place on…
The Story Of E. Braun & Co.
The story of E. Braun & Co.
E. Braun & Co. - a traditional company dating back to the 1800s When walking along the Graben, you have most likely seen the famous clothing company H&M. And perhaps…
The Story Of The Christian Brandstätter Verlag
The story of the Christian Brandstätter Verlag
Christian Brandstätter - more than just a lover of Vienna If you are interested in “Vienna 1900” or Jugendstil, chances are you have come across books published by the Christian…
Riding The ‘bim’, Vienna Style Tram
Riding the ‘bim’, Vienna style
Vienna's bim Have you ever heard the Viennese refer to the tram, or Strassenbahn, as a “bim” and wondered what they were on about? Why call a tram a bim,…
Crocodiles In The Donaukanal
Crocodiles in the Donaukanal
Crocodiles in the Donaukanal - who would have thought There are any number of things one might expect to fish out of the Donaukanal, but crocodiles in the Donaukanal? What…
The Story Of The Ottakringer Brauwerk Brewery
The story of the Ottakringer Brauwerk brewery
The Ottakringer Brauwerk - the perfect spot for Craft Beer lovers It is likely that our readers have had a craft beer already. But if you live in Vienna perhaps,…
The Story Of The “heumühle”
The story of the “Heumühle”
Heumühle - a place full of history A bit hidden in the district of Vienna’s fourth district between the well-known Kettenbrückengasse and the perhaps less-known Heumühlgasse, you will find a…
The Wiener Schnitzel, By Way Of Constantinople, Paris, And Milan
The Wiener Schnitzel
If you love Wiener Schnitzel, this post is for you! Where does the Wiener Schnitzel come from? The name of course ties it to Vienna. Many say that it actually…
The Arena in Vienna
On June 27, 1976 a group of activists, referring to themselves as the Arenauten, occupied the abandoned area of the St. Marx slaughterhouse to protest the lack of alternative culture…
Mural at the Lazarist’s Chapel in Vienna
If you are into murals, this one is for you! As we have told you in the past, there is no shortage of churches in Vienna. Some are better and…
The Story of the Opernpassage
The Opernpassage, a true monument! We all know that Vienna is very well connected. And not only because of its great public transport system, but also because it has a…
Hans Makart
The story of Hans Makart
If you have lived in Vienna long enough or you are just interested in art or architecture, it is likely that you have come across the names Wagner, Klimt, Schiele,…
The Cafe Schönbergers
If you love history and coffee, the Cafe Schönbergers is the perfect spot! There are many places to drink coffee in Vienna. Some have impressive interior designs and others are…
The Story Of The Habig Hof
The story of the Habig-Hof
The Habig-Hof Perhaps some of our readers entered a coffee house one day and they were impressed. Some days ago, we felt that way. But let us start from the…
The story of the Billrothhaus
The Billrothhaus The Frankgasse in Alsergrund may not be a household name unless you live in the area. But on this street there is an organization with a long history…
The story of the Hermesvilla
It is quite impressive how some buildings in Vienna have survived the last centuries facing. One of such places is the Hermesvilla. Built in 1882-1886, at the request of the…
Viennese Cappuccinos And Italian Schnitzel
Viennese cappuccinos and Italian Schnitzel
Viennese Cappuccinos It is popularly said that, contrary to all expectations, cappuccinos originate from Vienna. And the Schnitzel comes from Italy. Is this true, or where does this notion come…
The Story Of Old Walls At The Hofburg
The story of old walls at the Hofburg
Vienna's Hofburg The Hofburg in Vienna is an interesting place. One can literally tell the history of the Habsburg empire by walking through it. Starting with the Babenberger family and…
Answering The Call Of Nature — Literally.
Vienna’s public toilets
Vienna’s public toilets aren’t just toilets – no, they are experiences! Although you may be quite skeptical of what kind of ‘experience’ that might be, its less shady gas station…
The story of the Michaelerplatz
Any visitor to Vienna will have stood for a brief moment on Michaelerplatz. You have to marvel at some of the city’s architectural wonders. Even in Roman times, the square…
Sisi The Royal Horse Whisperer
Sisi the royal horse whisperer
Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, is often depicted astride a horse in portraits, and for good reason. She was an excellent horsewoman and rider who had a particular…
On The Tabor
On the Tabor
Have you ever wandered through the 2nd district and found yourself wondering what “Am Tabor” means? If you are well-versed in battle and defense terminology from the Middle Ages, the…
The Story Of The Schottentor
The Story of the Schottentor
It is likely that everyone in Vienna has heard about the „Schottentor“. A famous spot for Vienna’s transport system, which brings together several tram lines and the metro U2. The…
The Story Of Egon Schiele
The Story of Egon Schiele
For many people Egon Schiele is a household name. In particular, if you spend a lot of time at the Museum Quartier in Vienna, it is very hard to miss…
The Story Of Niklas Meldeman’s Map
The story of Niklas Meldeman’s map
In some of our stories we have made references to the Ottoman sieges of Vienna. The first siege took place in 1529 and the second in 1683. There is information…
The Story Of The “porta Decumana”.
The story of the “Porta Decumana”
The Porta Decumana - a piece of Vindobona Perhaps you have noticed that the Rotenturmstraße in the city center is a construction site. It has made some headlines in the…
The Queen in Vienna
By now is it probable that you already heard the news: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6. And this happy occasion has coincided with a royal event that…
Galopprennbahn Vienna
A racetrack fit for a king
Imperial racetracks Did you know that Vienna historically had two separate horse racetracks? One for trotting (Trabrennbahn) and one for galloping (Galopprennbahn). The Galopprennbahn is the older of the two,…
Augarten, Or The Joys Of Floodplain Park
Augarten, or the joys of Floodplain Park
There are many great parks in Vienna. Surely one of the most loved and most visited is the Augarten. Located in the heart of the 2nd district, this green oasis…
The Story Of Mozart And The Organ
The Story of Mozart and the Organ
If you live in Vienna perhaps you are familiar with the online platform “Willhaben” where you can buy and sell all sorts of things. In the very old days, there…
The Misunderstood Location Of The Johannes Of Nepomuk Chapel
Johannes of Nepomuk Chapel
Johannes of Nepomuk Chapel - a chapel one needs to visit If you take tram line no. 2 or 5 to the station ‘Am Tabor’, you may notice a small…
The Story Of Frederic Morton
The Story of Frederic Morton
It is time to tell you about Frederic Morton. He was born in Vienna in October 1924 as Fritz Mandelbaum. His family escaped Vienna in June 1939 when he was…
A Trot And A Run The Trabrennbahn
A trot and a run: the Trabrennbahn
We recently told you the history of the Galopprennbahn in Vienna. As we mentioned in that story, there has historically been another horse track in the city. The Trabrennbahn. A…
Livercheese Vienna
Leberkäse: neither liver nor cheese
It may not be the most glamorous food, nor the healthiest, but sometimes it really hits the spot. I’m talking, of course, about the humble Leberkäse. But where does this…
The Global Gardens Of Schönbrunn
The Global Gardens of Schönbrunn
Nowadays it may seem completely natural to have easy access to products from all over the world. But the past it was considered a great luxury to procure certain goods…
Fire At The Hofburg Vienna
Fire at the Hofburg
November 27, 1992. A security guard raises the alarm after discovering flames in the Redouten ballrooms at the Hofburg. What followed was the largest and most dramatic firefighting operation in…
The Story Of The Kettenbrückengasse
The story of the Kettenbrückengasse
Perhaps many of you are familiar with the Kettenbrückengasse metro station. This is the one that stops right next to the famous Naschmarkt. And most likely, many also know the…
Czech Beer At The Swiss House
Czech Beer at the Schweizerhaus
A Viennese institution with a storied history. There is no shortage of such places in this city. One of the more popular ones amongst a diverse population of local residents…
Hermann Strandbar Donaukanal
The Donaukanal: from abandoned to beloved
Over the years, the Donaukanal has become one of the most popular summer hang-outs in the city. But before 2010, this part of Vienna was almost entirely devoid of any…
The Story Of May 1st
The story of May First
May First - a uniting day The story of the celebrations for May First dates back to the 19th century. It starts in the United States. The conditions for factory workers were…
The Story Of The Börsendorfersaal
The story of the Bösendorfersaal
It is likely that most of our readers have passed by the Hochhaus Herrengasse. Perhaps you did not make it to the lobby of the building. There, you will find…
The Story Of Jungmann & Neffe
The story of Jungmann & Neffe
In several of our stories we have told you about businesses that have survived the 20th century. The mere fact that these businesses made it through this period must be…
Praterstrasse 27 Wien
Zum grünen Jäger
Walking along Praterstrasse, you might come along a rather ordinary building by Viennese standards. The house in question is located at Praterstrasse 27. The cherubim reliefs lead you to believe…
The Story Of The Setagayapark
The story of the Setagayapark
The time of the cherry blossom is one of the highlights in the Japanese calendar and marks the beginning of spring. To celebrate this special time of the year, we…
The Story Of The Neue Burg
The story of the Neue Burg
Vienna's Neue Burg - a landmark you can not miss on your explorings! The Neue Burg… it does not matter from which direction you come to the Heldenplatz, the Neue…
Reichsbruecke Wien Secret Vienna
The crash of the Reichsbrücke
As spring arrives, people start heading out towards the Danube and other leisure areas in the city. They traveling by car across one of the many bridges spanning the land…
Vienna’s Earthly Angel Fountain
Vienna’s Engelbrunnen
Not long ago we showed you the Schutzengelbrunnen (Guardian Angel Fountain). Not far from it is a second fountain with a very similar name, Engelbrunnen. Engel means Angel in German.…
The Story Of Theophil Hansen In Vienna
The story of Theophil Hansen in Vienna
Many famous architects have left their mark in Vienna. Fischer von Erlach (father and son), the inseparable duo August Sicard von Sicardsburg & Eduard van der Nüll. Or Otto Wagner,…
The Story Of Knize Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of Knize
Some time ago we told you the story of the famous Viennese shoemaker Scheer. Now we turn our sartorial curiosity towards Knize. Vienna’s arguably most renowned men outfitter. Kniže was…
Theater Kabarett Simplicissimus
Wiener schmäh
It’s well-known that the Viennese have a particular and biting sense of humor. Elevating a sarcastic wit to a coffeehouse art form known as ‘wiener schmäh’. Alongside this Vienna has…
The Story Of The Burgtheater
The story of the Burgtheater
The actor Terrence Mann once famously said that “movies make you famous; television makes you rich; but theatre will make you good”. And if you are an actor in Vienna…
Burgplatz Hofburg Vienna Secret Vienna
Live like a king in the Hofburg
Did you know that you can live in the Hofburg or Schönbrunn? These are some of the most famous addresses in Vienna, but they are not only for the royals…
A. E. Köchert Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of the Jewelry A. E. Köchert
Hoher Markt 15. Perhaps not everyone has noticed this address as the house next to it, the Pâtisserie Oberlaa, is the famous one. It was the year 1814 when the…
The Difficult Life Of Countess Sophie Chotek
The difficult life of Countess Sophie Chotek
Many people are familiar with the story of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He had been heir to the Habsburg throne. But perhaps sometimes it is forgotten that he…
Don’t Fall In Love At The Copa, Copa Cagrana
Don’t fall in love at the Copa, Copa Cagrana
As winter wears on, many of us may start to dream of the blue waters. Maybe about white sand beaches of less land-locked countries than Austria. Vienna has its own…
The Secrets Of Katharina Schratt
The secrets of Katharina Schratt
We don’t know how many women were important in the life of the Emperor Franz Joseph. But there are at least two ladies to highlight. His wife Elisabeth and Katharina…
Fuchs Villa Villa Wagner
An Artistic Villa- Fuchs Villa
Driving into or out of Vienna in the direction of Hütteldorf, you may come across an impressive aquamarine-accented villa. It stands in relative isolation at the edges of the Vienna…
On The Line, And Other Euphemisms For Prostitution In Vienna
On the line, and other euphemisms for prostitution in Vienna
They say its the oldest profession in the world, and in Vienna it has quite a history. On the whole, prostitution has been widely tolerated if not always embraced in…
The Brunnnenmarkt
The Brunnnenmarkt
In the 16th district of Vienna – between Thaliastraße and Ottakringerstraße – you will find the longest street market in Vienna. It is at the same time one of the…
Schubert And The Three Girls’ House
Schubert and the Dreimäderlhaus
The Dreimäderlhaus Standing small and resolute next to its towering neighbor on the Mölker Bastei, the Dreimäderlhaus (3 Girls’ House) is a gem from the waning days of Josephine Classicism.…
The Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
The Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
When the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn opened its’ doors in 1882 it was one of a kind. Being the largest in the world. Today it remains in the top three worldwide while…
The Story Of Franz Wertheim
The story of Franz Wertheim
Have you ever heard of Franz Wertheim? Perhaps a name that few people are familiar with but he was famous a long time ago. Born in Krems in 1814, he…
The First Christmas Tree In Vienna
Fanny Arnstein
Fanny Arnstein and the first Christmas Tree in Vienna It is December and, as part of the tradition, presents are waiting under the Christmas tree. Do you know how the…
Franz Joseph’s Christmas Present
Franz Joseph’s Christmas present
Today is Christmas day. Following the tradition, perhaps most of you have received and given presents to friends, relatives, and many others. But on this day in 1857, one man…
Ferstel Passage Secret Vienna
The Ferstel Passage
The Palais Ferstel is one among many in Vienna that is rather unassuming. You may have walked past the Ferstel Passage many times without recognizing that it is there. That’s…
Amalienburg Hofburg Wien Secret Vienna
Die Geheimnisse der Hofburg
Amalienburg in the Hofburg
The Hofburg has a long history. Every building that is part of it has a particular story. One of the buildings that is part of what we call the Hofburg…
Kahlenberg Vienna Secret Vienna
Hand-me-down Kahlenberg
Rising gently to the north of the city, neither the Kahlenberg nor the Leopoldsberg can really be called mountains. Despite the presence of the word ‘berg’ in their names. Perhaps…
Opera Toilet Vienna
The “Opera Toilet”
As a local or visitor, it is likely you have seen it (or heard it). It is located at one of the busiest pedestrian underpasses of the city. Next to…
The Minoritenkirche Vienna
The Mismatched Harmony of the Minoritenkirche
The Minoritenkirche - a spot one shouldn't miss out on If you look up while walking the streets of Vienna, there are many wonders and oddities to discover. On nearly…
The Houses Of “generali” Vienna
The Houses of “Generali”
Generali - more than just a company name It is likely that many people have heard about the Italian insurance company Generali. The company was established in Trieste in 1831…
Nike At The Austrian Parliament
Nike at the Austrian Parliament
The Renovation of the Austrian Parliament Built in 1874-1883 by the architect Teophil Hansen, the Austrian parliament is being refurbished. This project is expected to last until 2021. During this…
Café Weidinger Vienna
Café Weidinger Vienna
There are dozens of classic coffee houses in Vienna, which are worth a visit. Probably, the most shabby, but at the same time the most charming among them, is for…
Financing The Livestock Market
Financing the livestock market – St. Marx
Some weeks ago we told you about the animal market at St. Marx. Such a large market naturally also meant that quite large sums of money regularly changed hands as…
Winter time in the Albertina museum
Albertina Exhibitions to take in When we went to visit Albertina a couple of days ago, we expected to have a relaxing, quiet museum visit with no major surprises. But…
Vienna’s Silent Jewel The Breitenseer Lichtspiele
Vienna’s Silent Jewel: The Breitenseer Lichtspiele
For cinephiles and lovers of tradition, Vienna has lots to offer. One of its most underrated cinematic jewels has to be the Breitenseer Lichtspiele. Billed as the world’s oldest continuously…
The Brick 5 Vienna
The Brick 5 in Vienna
The Brick 5 is famous as an urban space with a cool café and hip events. What not many people know is that the space has a long history of…
Vlad Dracul Dracula Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of Vlad Dracul
Vlad Dracul - the real Dracula? Count Dracula fired up people’s imagination so strongly that for many, it’s difficult to separate him from Vlad Dracul. The real-life Vlad III, ruler…
The Story Of The Virgilkapelle Vienna
The story of the Virgilkapelle
The Hidden History of the Virgilkapelle Every city has its forgotten places, tucked away beneath the streets or hidden in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered. One of Vienna’s most…
Imperial and Royal Library at Josefsplatz
The Imperial and Royal Library of Vienna
The Story Behind the Imperial and Royal Library at Josefsplatz The Imperial and Royal Library at Josefsplatz is one of Vienna’s most impressive historic sites. Today, it is known as…
The Story Of The Wuk Vienna
The story of the WUK
How the WUK Became Vienna’s Cultural Hub From bike flea markets and repair stations to concerts and nightlife, the WUK has become a much-loved part of Vienna’s cultural scene. But…
The journeys of the Donnerbrunnen
The Donnerbrunnen is back in Neuer Markt Vienna's Donnerbrunnen, the beautiful baroque fountain in Neuer Markt, has been through a lot over the centuries. Originally created in 1739 by Georg…
The Dc Tower
The DC Tower- Vienna’s skyscraper
Vienna’s DC Tower – The Skyscraper That Towers Over the City When walking around Vienna, it’s always a good idea to look up—there’s so much detail on the city’s buildings…
Caspar Zumbusch Statue Vienna
The story of the “Famous” Caspar Zumbusch
Caspar Zumbusch – The Sculptor Who Shaped Vienna Have you ever heard of Caspar Zumbusch? Probably not a household name, but definitely a big deal when it comes to Vienna’s…
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi – A Baroque Painter Who Defied the Odds 400 years ago, Artemisia Gentileschi risked everything. She made history not only as one of the most accomplished female painters…
Kugelmugel Vienna
The Republic of “Kugelmugel”
The Republic of Kugelmugel – Vienna’s Strangest "Country" There are plenty of reasons to visit the Prater. You can go on a morning run or a leisurely walk. You can…
The Viehmarkt
The Viehmarkt – Vienna’s Central Livestock Market
The Viehmarkt – Vienna’s Historic Livestock Market Historically, Vienna was full of markets. Many of today’s street names reflect that past. This includes Kohlmarkt, Heumarkt, Hoher Markt, Bauernmarkt, to name…
The Story Of The Mölkerbastei
The story of the Mölkerbastei
Mölkerbastei – A Hidden Piece of Vienna’s Old City Walls We’ve previously written about the Albertina and Palais Coburg, two of the three elevated spots that remain from Vienna’s old…
The Batthyánypalais Vienna
The story of the Batthyánypalais
A friendship or a scandal at the Batthyánypalais A few days ago, your SV explorer came across a beautiful portal in Vienna’s city center. This striking entrance is part of…
Kärntnerstraße 16 Wien
The Mosaic of Kärntnerstraße
The Mosaic of Kärntnerstraße 16 - A beautiful artistic treasure! Walking along Kärntnerstraße can be a challenge! It’s one of the busiest streets in Vienna, always filled with visitors, shoppers,…
Franziskanerkirche and Vienna's oldest Organ
Franziskanerkirche and Vienna’s Oldest Organ
Learn about Vienna’s Oldest Organ in the Franziskanerkirche Franziskanerkirche (or Franciscan Church of Vienna) is one of the hidden gems of Vienna’s first district. Hidden away in a small Italianesque…
Patrick Leigh Fermor in Vienna
Patrick Leigh Fermor in Vienna
The 1930s Travel Memoir of Patrick Leigh Fermor in Vienna Vienna has always been a city filled with visitors, and many of them have left behind written memories in journals,…
The Rise And Demise Of The Zaha Hadid House
The rise and demise of the Zaha Hadid House
Zaha Hadid House – Vienna’s Ghost Building Zaha Hadid became one of the world’s most famous architects. But it took her years to get a project built, let alone to…
Double Headed Eagle
The long history of the double-headed eagle
The Double-Headed Eagle – A Symbol of Power in Austria-Hungary Eagles have long been symbols of power, strength, and dominance. Rulers throughout history have used them to project authority, and…
Puber Vienna Secret Vienna
Who is Puber?
Puber – Vienna’s Most Infamous Tagger If you were in Vienna in 2013, you surely remember Puber—his name was everywhere. Sprayed in block letters on walls, doors, and buildings, his…
The Story Of The Schweizerhof Vienna
The story of the Schweizerhof
The Schweizerhof – The Oldest Part of the Hofburg Most visitors and locals have walked along or through the Hofburg—past the former Royal and Imperial Library, the Leopoldinischer Trakt, the…
The Architects Of The Vienna Opera
The Architects of the Vienna Opera
The story of the architects of the Vienna opera – a story of triumph and tragedy We don’t have any statistics to back this up, but we’re fairly certain that…
Denzel Cars – The First Austrian Car
Denzel Cars – Austria’s First Sports Car
Denzel Cars – Austria’s First Sports Car At the end of World War II, everything in Vienna was gloom and doom, as we mentioned in a previous post. Or almost…
Habsburg Kronländer Wien - Servus
The Meaning of “Servus” – A Greeting with History
Find out the meaning of the greeting "Servus" If you’ve lived in Vienna long enough, you’ve probably noticed that there’s no shortage of ways to say hello and goodbye. From…
Habsburg Jaw Secret Vienna
Royal Inbreeding and the Habsburg Jaw
The famous Habsburg Jaw The Habsburgs were known for many things, but their good looks was not one of them. If you take a walk through the Kunsthistorisches Museum, you…
