It's Wednesday, and you know it's $10 series time today… After contributing a piece about Warsaw in this weekly feature, Or of My Path in the World is once again here to talk about how you can travel on a budget in another city in Europe.
And this time, Or is going to share with us how you could travel around Vienna, the capital city of Austria, without breaking your bank.
As its capital, it's obvious why Vienna is one of the best cities to visit in Austria. It's an elegant city perfect for architecture, culture, and history lovers as it's home to some of the top landmarks and museums in the country.
Unfortunately, Vienna is not a budget-friendly city. Yes, you can find a lot of free things to do and see, but if you want to visit these landmarks and museums, you'll have to spend quite a few Euros, with or without a city pass.
Trying to make the most of $10 (a little less than €8.5) in Vienna can be a bit tricky, but here's a suggestion you'll hopefully like.
Did you know?
The snow globe, one of the most famous souvenirs for travelers, was invented in Austria when Erwin Perzy was trying to improve the light bulb in 1900. He added water and semolina flakes, hoping that the light would bounce off and cast a brighter glow. While as you could see it didn't happen, the effect was striking that the mass production for the snow globes started in Vienna 5 years later by his company, Original Vienna Snow Globes. The company is still running until this very day, that it's run by his grandson, Erwin Perzy III.
The Schönbrunn Palace Complex Gardens
Probably the most visited attraction in Vienna, the Schönbrunn Palace is a baroque-style royal palace (with over 1400 rooms) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to centuries ago.
It was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, so you can imagine how impressive it is. Now, $10 won't even get into the palace, but the palace's complex is free to explore. This means you can see the palace on the outside and stroll through some of its gardens without spending any money.
That said, the complex includes a few paid points of interest like the Imperial Carriage Museum, a zoo, and a few private gardens.
For €4.5 you can visit either the Orangery Garden (the second-largest Baroque orangery in Europe) or the Privy Garden (once the imperial family’s private garden).
Cafe Demel, Vienna.
Espresso at Cafe Demel
It's impossible not to love the Viennese coffee culture. Many old coffee houses in the city look like palaces and have become cultural institutions, the coffee, and cakes, as well as desserts, are exquisite. And the best part is that a purchase of one single cup of coffee lets you spend as much time as you want in these gorgeous spaces.
It's not for nothing that UNESCO declared the Viennese coffee houses as National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The thing is that these places can be quite pricey.
Demel is one of the most famous spots in the city, and it's especially known for its cakes and apple strudel, which are all D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!
Yet, with what we have left from our $10, you can only have a small espresso for €3.9, but Demel is worth visiting even if you're just having a cup of coffee.
A Few Free Things to Do in Vienna
Luckily, Vienna is a stunning city that also offers quite a few free things to do and see, so here are some suggestions:
The Hundertwasserhaus, a colorful, quirky residential house designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
St. Stephen's Cathedral and the city center.
Walk the Vienna Ringstrasse, a circular avenue that passes through some of the city's oldest and most important buildings, including the Vienna State Opera, the Palace of Justice, the Town Hall, and the Austrian Parliament Building.
The Spittelberg quarter.
Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna.
Contributor: Or from My Path in the World
Or is a passionate traveler with a big love for Europe. Instead of ticking items off the bucket list, she's always looking to experience each destination to the fullest. She shares her tips and experiences through her blog at My Path in the World.
