In Vienna, DO greet people politely ("Guten Tag"), respect quietness on transport, validate transit tickets, embrace the slow cafe culture, stand on the right on escalators, and carry cash, while DON'T be loud in public, jaywalk, eat on the subway, expect fast service in cafes, or forget to separate your recycling. Be mindful of personal space and the strong local etiquette for politeness and efficiency, especially regarding greetings and public transport rules.
The big sights most people start with are Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace (home to Klimt's The Kiss), the Vienna State Opera, and the Ferris Wheel at Prater. If you're short on time, focus on a few of these and mix in some café stops for the full Vienna experience.
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 Grüß Gott and Hallo to Griaß di, Hawidere, Pfia di, Ciao, Tschüss, Babaa, and Servus—the list is long, and each phrase carries its own charm. But among them, Servus stands out.
Yes, you certainly can drink the water that comes out of the taps or use it to clean your teeth. In fact, you never realize how bad the tap water is back home until you experience the Viennese equivalent; Vienna's water supply comes almost exclusively through two direct pipelines from the Alps mountains.
VIENNA TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS | 20+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Vienna + What NOT to Do!
Are there any areas to avoid in Vienna?
Ottakring, situated in the western part of Vienna, is a diverse district known for its vibrant atmosphere. Most of Ottakring is safe. But areas around the Ottakring U-Bahn station and Gürtel Street are sketchy. Especially at night, you might encounter drunk people or people fighting.
This being said, here is what you should not miss when it comes to Vienna's traditional food: Wiener Schnitzel, Spare Ribs, Tafelspitz, Goulash, Würst, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce, and Sachertorte.
How much should you tip? When tipping serving staff, Austrians normally add 5% to 15% to the bill so it's rounded up to a convenient number. If the bill is 9 Euro, maybe round up to 10. If it's 25, round up to 28.
Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is common. Be careful on public transport and in areas popular with tourists. Take care using ATMs. Avalanches, flash floods and mudslides occur in alpine areas.
Popular items to buy in Vienna include Mozartkugeln (chocolate pralines), Sachertorte (famous chocolate cake), and Austrian wines. Traditional Viennese porcelain, Gustav Klimt-inspired souvenirs, and handmade crystal glassware also make great gifts.
It is completely prohibited to import drugs, pornography, firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, cold weapons, rare and endangered plants, animals and birds, various products made from rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Is it illegal to drink alcohol in public in Vienna?
Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 are allowed to consume alcohol in private but not in pub- lic places. Adults age 18 and over are allowed to con- sume alcohol in public and will not be persecuted.
Vienna is a large city and you'll be able to find cafes and restaurants offering different cuisines in every district. Breakfast is usually served between 7 am and 10 am, and lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service, which normally starts from 6 pm and finishes around 11 pm.
