Vienna is called Bécs [beːtʃ] in Hungarian, and subsequently Beč in Serbo-Croatian, due to historical influences from the 10th century when the region was under Avar or early Hungarian influence. The name likely derives from an Avar or Turkic word meaning "guardpost" or "kiln/coal burner," rather than the Slavic/German roots for "Wien".
Bécs, the Hungarian name for Vienna (borrowed into Serbo-Croatian as Beč and into Ottoman Turkish as Beç), probably derives from a word meaning "kiln", and may date from a period in the 10th century when the region came under temporary Hungarian domination.
The Austrian capital is called Wien in German and Vienna in English, and one of these versions is native to most languages. Not so here. Where “Bécs” comes from – the Hungarian version of Vienna - is disputed. It may come from the Slavic word oven, referring to the former lime-burning ovens.
Wien is simply the word for Vienna in German (the local language in Austria). You pronounce it “Veen” with a V. So Wien and Vienna are the same place. A Wiener is a male who comes from Vienna (and, crucially, not normally a sausage.
Vienna's charm extends to its affectionate nicknames and diminutives used by families and friends. Common endearments include Vi, Vivi, Enna, and the playful Vee. Some parents choose Vienna for their daughters and employ sweet diminutives such as Viennie or Vie.
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.
Many of the Jews who live in Vienna today came to the city as refugees from Eastern Europe to begin a new life in the Austrian capital. Immigrants of Jewish origin from the lands of the former Soviet Union in particular have strengthened the ranks of Vienna's Jewish population.
1 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index, Vienna frequently places as one of the world's top cities to live in. And while it's never explicitly called a 15- or 20-minute city, it nevertheless responds to the social, technological and ecological challenges that we all face.
The main unspoken rules in Croatia revolve around hospitality, dining, and respect for local customs, including always accepting extra food offered by a host (or risk offending them), the complex "fight" over paying for coffee (the inviter usually pays, but the next round is on you), and dressing modestly for religious sites, while being mindful of not bringing up the recent war unless prompted.
Croatians are a South Slav people who are closely related to Slovenians and Serbs, but separated by history, language and religion. Croatians and Slovenians are largely Roman Catholic, while the Serbs are primarily Eastern Orthodox Catholics.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
According to Addiction and Drug Coordinator Ewald Lochner, there is increased consumption of illegal substances and the presence of marginalized groups around the Gumpendorfer Gürtel and the Westbahnhof as a result of the trade.
Do you tip in Austria? It's normal to tip for good service in restaurants, bars and cafes in Austria - especially in touristy or business areas. Tips are also appreciated in hotels and serviced apartments - and other places where staff may not be so well rewarded, like spas or salons.
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.
