The Third Man, Before Sunrise, The Living Daylights, Amadeus, even a couple of episodes of 80s TV series Dallas — what they have in common is that they were just some of the many film productions shot in Vienna. With its opulent palaces, intricately carved fountains and sculptures, streets full of character and its gorgeous setting along the banks of the Danube, it’s not really surprising that the Austrian capital is a popular backdrop for the movies. However, there’s a whole lot more to the city that has inspired countless artists and especially musicians throughout the ages.
Seeing it all in Vienna
Vienna is a sightseer’s paradise. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to famous sights such as the State Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School with its talented Lipizzaner horses and the Hofburg Palace, where a collection of museums will give you an insight into the lives of Austrian royalty back in the day. You should spend most of your time in this part of the city if you just have the weekend in Vienna. Maybe take a guided tour of the main sights and museums.
Breathing in the culture
Musicians from all over the world come to Vienna to hone their skills and grace the city’s stages. After all, this is the city where composers such as Haydn, Mahler, and Brahms lived and worked and which gave the world Strauss waltzes. It’s also where Beethoven, Schubert and Liszt studied under the Kapellmeister Antonio Salieri, perhaps best known today for his rivalry with Mozart.
Go on one of the special musicians’ walks to see where the great composers found their inspiration. Try and catch a performance by the Vienna Boys’ Choir or simply look in the local listings for a musical event that takes your fancy. Summer offers more variety, but if you’re here in January or February, you’ll have the perfect excuse to don your finest clothes and attend a glamorous Viennese ball.
Music certainly takes center stage in Vienna but the visual arts aren’t left behind. Klimt was one of the famous artists that lived and worked here and a guided art and architecture walk is a great introduction to the city that was so pivotal in the Art Nouveau movement.
Sampling the culinary delights
No weekend in Vienna is complete without a visit to a Kaffeehaus, where you can sip on a cup of Viennese blend coffee while the world goes by. Of course coffee just isn’t coffee without cake and must-try Viennese specialties include chocolaty Sachertorte and decadent Apfelstrudel. Since these aren’t really food, the calories don’t count and you can indulge without guilt. Buy a Wiener sausage from a street vendor to snack on, but when it’s time for a real meal, be sure to have a Wiener Schnitzel accompanied by a locally produced wine. Eating in Vienna may not be of the healthy kind, but it will be oh so good for your soul!
When the cameras are gone, the directors have taken their cuts and the lights have gone out, Vienna is still an amazing place. Who needs Hollywood?!
