Vienna in winter

Unfortunately, there is less good news for all those hoping for a white winter landscape. Although it does snow in Vienna in winter, the snow rarely stays put. Due to the generally mild temperatures, the snow usually melts again quite quickly. In the past few years, there have only been a handful of days on which Vienna was covered in a snowy blanket. However, if you are lucky enough to visit Vienna on one of these rare days, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking sight: historic buildings, parks and streets will shine in a magical white splendour.

If you still want to experience wintery atmosphere, visit the Vienna Ice Dream on Rathausplatz. In addition to several large ice rinks, there are also dreamy paths through the Rathauspark and a viewing platform that can be skated on. There is hardly a colder place in Vienna! Punch and catering stands invite you to warm up.

Vienna's most popular sights and museums can also be experienced in winter. There are rarely any restrictions or winter closures at the major attractions, but during the Christmas and New Year holidays, it is essential to check the special opening hours.

Schönbrunn Palace and its park are also a must-see for visitors to Vienna in winter. Even when the flowers are not in bloom, the park and the buildings still exude their imperial, historical splendour. Climb the Glorietteberg and enjoy the view over Vienna or visit the animals at Schönbrunn Zoo - in winter you can often see them from a completely different perspective. Smaller areas of the park, such as the maze or the orangery garden, are closed in winter, but this does not detract from a visit.

In winter, a visit to a museum offers a welcome, warming change from the external sightseeing of historic buildings. Vienna offers a large number of museums in a wide range of fields of interest. Art lovers can visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Leopold Museum, the Albertina or the Heidi Horten Collection, all just a short walk away from each other. Science enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the Natural History Museum or the Technical Museum. Are you more interested in history? The Haus der Geschichte, the Wien Museum, the Museum of Military History or the Jewish Museum are sure to cater to your needs.

Vienna is a city of music and culture. In addition to numerous historical places where you can experience the work of various composers, such as the House of Music, the new Johann Strauss Museum - New Dimensions or places where composers lived, it is also worth attending a concert or an opera performance. Classical operas or ballets are performed almost every evening at the Vienna State Opera. It is worth buying tickets early to secure good seats. For classical concerts, visit the Musikverein Wien or the Wiener Konzerthaus. Are you more in the mood for theatre? First-class performances of classical and modern works in German can be found at the Burgtheater or the Volkstheater. A visit to any of these theatres is not only worthwhile for the excellent performances, but also for the historic and impressive interior architecture of the buildings and halls. You will feel transported to another time as soon as you enter.

Winter hiking in Vienna is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the natural, partly snow-covered landscapes of the city. The Lainzer Tiergarten, the Vienna Woods and the high-altitude trails on the Kahlenberg and Hermannskogel are particularly popular. These routes offer marvellous panoramic views over wintry Vienna. The clear, cool air and picturesque surroundings make every walk a special experience. Many paths are excellently signposted and invite you to enjoy a relaxing hike. At the end of a day's walking, the traditional Viennese wine taverns with their cosy atmosphere and culinary delights will tempt you.

City hiking trails

Vienna has 14 well-marked hiking trails that run through the city centre or the surrounding area. All start and end points are easily accessible by public transport. Even in the winter months, these hiking trails offer the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature.

City hiking trail 1 leads through vineyards and forests to the Kahlenberg, from where there is a fantastic view of the city and the Danube. Equally attractive is city hiking trail 2, which leads up to the Hermannskogel, the highest point in Vienna. Past idyllic vineyards and through dense forest, the trail runs steadily uphill and rewards hikers with impressive views and a stopover at the Cobenzl.

Lainzer Tiergarten

The Lainzer Tiergarten, a 2,450-hectare nature reserve in the west of Vienna, is another highlight for nature lovers. Originally used as an imperial hunting ground and featuring the Hermes Villa as Empress Sisi's retreat, the zoo has been open to the public since 1919. This fenced-in woodland area is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including fallow deer, wild boar and mouflon. In addition to well-signposted paths, there are two nature trails that make a visit worthwhile, especially in winter, despite shorter opening hours. Walks or hikes through this historic and natural environment offer relaxation and exciting discoveries at the same time.

The first public cinema screenings in Vienna took place in 1896. Like the rest of the world, the Viennese were enthusiastic about moving pictures and even Emperor Franz Joseph I attended a screening. At the beginning of the 20th century, the first cinemas were founded and a separate Austrian film scene was established. Even if the interest in cinema screenings has somewhat lessened compared to previous decades and most visitors now frequent large cinema chains, there are still some nostalgic arthouse cinemas in Vienna. The historic interior, the charming bars in the foyer and the fine selection of films make a visit to one of these arthouse cinemas a real experience.

Burgkino

The Burg Kino on Opernring has been delighting visitors with film screenings with original soundtracks since 1912. Films in other languages are shown with English subtitles. The cinema is particularly famous for its regular screenings of the feature film ‘The Third Man’, which was set and filmed in Vienna.

Schikaneder

Schikaneder is not only a small arthouse cinema, but also a bar and one of the most interesting places in Vienna to immerse yourself in the young, independent art and culture scene. A wide variety of furniture makes up the interior, the ambience is a little run-down and anything but perfect, but that is exactly what the Schikaneder stands for. In addition to new productions from the independent and, above all, queer scene, the cinema also shows classics and, on Sundays, the ‘Tatort’. This cinema, which has existed since 1912, is definitely unique and a special experience in Vienna.

Filmcasino

The Filmcasino was founded in 1989 in the former Margaretner Bürgerkino, which existed from 1911 until the 1970s, and established itself as one of the city's most prestigious arthouse cinemas. The interior is in the style of the 1950s and it is worth arriving a little before the film starts to enjoy a drink in the nostalgic foyer. The programme is varied, with independent films, classics, anime films, music films and documentaries playing regularly alongside current films. The programme is supplemented by a large number of specialised film festivals.

If you want to warm up between sightseeing, walking and enjoying the city with a cup of coffee, tea or a hot dish, there is no better place than a traditional Viennese coffee house. Whether steeped in tradition or socially engaged, Vienna's coffee houses are the perfect place to refuel and warm up. Here are some special recommendations:

• Café Landtmann: Stylish and classic, Café Landtmann invites you to warm up in a historic atmosphere. Since its opening in 1873, it has been a favourite meeting place for numerous famous personalities. The menu offers a wide selection of Viennese coffee specialities, tea, cakes, desserts and traditional Austrian cuisine.
• Gerstner Palais Todesco: This elegant coffee house in the Palais Todesco boasts magnificent rooms and a rich history as the imperial and royal court confectioner. Court confectioner. Gerstner has been known since imperial times for its exquisite desserts, ranging from cakes and slices to delicious main courses. Whether breakfast or dinner - every time of day is a pleasure here. Due to the popularity of the restaurant, it is advisable to book a table in advance.
• Vollpension: Vollpension in Johannesgasse combines cosiness with a good cause. This café is also a social project in which ‘baking grannies’ and ‘baking grandpas’ prepare homemade cakes, tarts, breakfasts and Buchteln. The aim is to protect pensioners from poverty and loneliness. Together with their younger colleagues, they create a warm atmosphere that invites people to relax and enjoy themselves.