The historic city of music on the Danube, Vienna is steeped in the heritage of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss and Mahler. Naturally, music is the hottest part of the Austrian soul.
Among the imperial palaces of the Habsburg dynasty, cathedrals, museums and galleries are preparing for a noteworthy architectural fever.
But modern Vienna blends in with its historical past, creating a wonderful European cultural city for leisure, awaiting the GLBT traveler.
Known for its excellent cafe culture and imperial nostalgia, Vienna boasts a significant scene for gays and lesbians. With a cafe on every corner serving Viennese coffee dishes and much more, some of these coffee houses were in demand by our community. Plus, numerous cocktail bars, nightclubs, restaurants, shops and resorts want to welcome the gay tourist and make them feel at home.
But even outside the obvious places for gays and lesbians, Vienna has a very strange history. For centuries, homosexuals have left their distinctive marks in Austrian art, culture and politics, sometimes insignificant, but always noticeable. Often a gay visitor faces the truth about a historical figure when he discovers that he or she is a “family”.
A couple of excursions in Vienna combines the gay history of the city with a fascinating walking tour of the old city. They can be found in the “Viennese Viennese Handbook”, published by a gay-friendly Viennese tourism board and available by mail prior to your visit on request or on their website for immediate download.
One tour starts at the Belvedere Palace, the summer residence of the gay prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), the other begins at the famous Vienna State Opera House, which was built by architects who were both business and life partners. Each of these tours will provide an exciting retrospective of the gay past in Vienna, when you discover the current gay community. Even Franz Schubert earns his place on the tour along with several other famous names of the Austrian royal family.
With over one hundred and twenty museums, galleries and palaces that can be visited during your stay, this is a city that can offer all desires and curiosities. Anyone with an inquiring mind or sense of adventure will be blinded by everything in Vienna.
The Boulevard Ringstrasse - once a showcase of the monarchy - completely surrounds the historic center of the city. A sightseeing tour of the tramway around the “ring” is a five-kilometer stretch of magnificent buildings, including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna State Opera, the mayor's office, the university, and several museums and galleries. The golden statue of Johann Strauss and the Mozart Memorial are located in beautiful parks along the Ringstrasse.
With so much history to explore, it’s hard to decide where to start. However, several places stand out as priorities for a memorable learning experience.
The house of music is the duty to understand everything that musical notes or dozens mean for Vienna and the whole world. With more than 5,000 square meters of space located in the historic palace of the Arch-Duke Karl of the Hapsburg dynasty, this practical exhibit tracks the science of music, the great composers and musicians of the past and today's musicians. You can even be a virtual conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic, and the orchestra obeys your teams and gives you a reaction to your musical talent - applause or mockery! After your tour in the attic of the building, you can find Cantino cafe, where you can enjoy tapas and other delicacies, surrounded by views of the city and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
The Austrian National Library is the country's largest scientific library, and the building was commissioned by Emporer Charles VI, completed in 1726 and decorated with frescoes until 1730. The Baroque State Hall is one of the most aesthetic historical libraries in the world. Together with marble floors and statues, bookcases with nuts, which can hold about 200,000 books and frescoed ceilings, are a fascinating example of an 18th century baroque library, which today is kept in immaculate condition. Only the pastoral grandeur of this building is worthy of a trip to Vienna.
Schönbrunn Palace plus the Imperial apartments in the Hofburg were the summer residence of the Habsburgs and only fifteen minutes from the old town. Of the 1,444 rooms in the palace complex, forty state rooms in the main building are now open to guests. The neighborhood includes architectural features such as the Gloriette, the Neptune Fountain and the Roman ruins, which can be seen in their historically authentic state. Labyrinth, Labyrinth and Natural Gardens occupy 2,700 square meters with many playful activities to discover and explore. It is a World Cultural Heritage Site and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Vienna, and in one round you will understand how it deserves this distinction.
The characteristic interconnected Museums Quartier is distinguished by an exciting combination of architecture from different eras. Here you will also find the modern facilities of the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. Admire the work of Andy Warhol or modernist artists from Klimt to Kokoschka or dine in the exclusive restaurant Die Halle or in one of the many cafes in the complex. Throughout the year, there is a wide range of exhibits and events to enjoy this ensemble of buildings, both inside and outside.
A must-see is the Museum of Applied Arts and the restaurant on the first floor of Osterreicher im Mak, which serves local Viennese cuisine, including a wild game. The restaurant's philosophy is to serve moderately priced, modestly distributed dishes, which allows you to take two or even three dishes. An excellent wine bottle with chandeliers above the central bar underlines the historic ceiling, and the Ring Window (small steel balcony) is the perfect place for a leisurely drink at any time of the day. Here the great atmosphere and exquisite food are guaranteed by the owner and renamed to Chef Helmut Osterreicher.
After charming interiors, some outdoor activities may be fine. The Naschmarkt (open market) offers an exotic journey exploring everything that Austrians enjoy as local fares. Fruits and vegetables, meat and fish offer a symphony of color when you wander the market stalls and alleles, looking for everything that can be your imagination. Specialists-producers include homemade wines, oils, wines, a variety of bread (for which the Austrians are famous), pastries and other local delicacies that will inspire any sky. You can choose your snacks and eat as you go or enjoy one of the many cafes on the market.
At the edge of the market is the popular Savoy gay cafe, which opens daily at 5 pm, the perfect time to end winding among stalls to enjoy a comfortable chair and a cocktail. This traditional Viennese coffee house dates back to the era of the Empire, which immediately manifests itself when you are faced with luxurious furniture and stucco walls. On Saturdays, Savoy also opens in the morning when the eclectic flea market, popular with the gay community, takes place at the Naschmarkt.
Closer to the university, you can find one of the brightest stars in (coffee) the sky over Vienna - the posh gay café Berg. Next to the gay bookshop Lowenherz (Lionheart), this cafe has comfortable seating and huge windows offering views for those who want to see and see. Open from 10 am every day, this is a popular café plus an excellent restaurant, renamed on its Sunday brunch.
The jump bar in Vienna takes you through many charming little establishments. If you are shopping at Mariahilfer Strasse (one of the most popular and longest shopping streets in Vienna), the X Bar is located in the courtyard not far from this street. This is an ideal refuge for resting your tired legs and enjoying the temperature before your next foray into the paradise diet.
After walking through Kartner-Strasse among fashionable department stores in the inner city, you can find a gay refugee in the Verstek bar (German for “shelter”). This is probably the smallest gay bar in Vienna, cozy and cozy, within walking distance of St. Louis. Stephen's Cathedral.
After a refreshing drink or perk with a special coffee, a stroll through the exclusive Kohlmarkt will reward you with Armani, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada and many other designer shopping boutiques. There are many more areas that can boast the best professional stores that can be found anywhere in the world, and this can be an entire vacation if you have the stamina and credit cards to match.
Then take a step back in time for a special treat and be sure to visit the Wiener Schokoladekonig in the intimate old-time chocolate shop Wolfgang Leschanz .. It is located on Freytingingess 1 near St. Paul. Stephen's Cathedral, where chocolate is an art form in the Viennese tradition of incomparable gourmet sweets. Who doesn't need sugar noise every time?
For nightlife, you might want to stay at the Mango Bar, where most of the local gays start their evening. With all its mirrors, good music and a variety of cocktails, it is popular with young people. A recent addition to Vienna's gay nightlife is Felixx, which quickly became one of the bar scene tools. The central location, comfortable interior, fast and beautiful waiters create a combination that each cartridge comes to enjoy. As the evening progresses, the Nightshift and Sling clubs serve a cheerful crowd that is late and wants to go to a party before 4am or later. Each club is very popular among locals and tourists, intending to celebrate hard and enjoy the dawn with him and # 39; s invigorating sunrise.
If you've ever enjoyed your time at a gay spa, or even if this is your first time, Kaiserbrundl is a unique world-class experience. The younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph was one of the first patrons. Harmonious mood exists among the spirits of the past, immortalized in this historic building in combination with today's guests who enjoy the modern spa. This wonderful and elegant spa has a cozy restaurant / bar where outdoor clothing is an outfit, just inside the entrance, which has become a very popular meeting place for good food and after-dinner drinks. The resort itself is on three levels and includes a winter garden, a fitness studio, a swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, a fresco bar, a massage room, a video room, and much, much more. This luxury holiday is a rare experience in gay resorts, and the classic, historical European setting will amaze every guest.
Although there are no exclusive gay rooms in Vienna, there are some gay friendly places. The Alstadt Boutique Hotel is ideally located in the old town and offers chic rooms at reasonable prices, including an excellent daily gourmet breakfast buffet and afternoon cocktails in the lounge. Only forty-two rooms, each of which is unique in size with elegant furniture, designed for every taste. This means that there is an appearance that meets the requirements of every gay traveler from elegant four-poster beds to modern studio apartments. The atmosphere is a classic European guesthouse with excellent character and charm. Staying here will quickly make you realize that you are no longer on the North American continent, and you can easily plunge into a cosmopolitan mood at home, away from the main attractions and trams.
If you visit during the summer months and weather conditions, you can also enjoy the rainbow aura in the City Hall Park (on the side of the parliament building) or check out the Danube naturist area around what is called Toler Grund near the Steinsporn Bridge. Sunshine and new friends go hand in hand with your Vienna summer holiday.
Offering much more possibilities, the only way to know Vienna is to experience it for yourself, explore the many treasures and witness the rich history that is still present in the 21st century.
The greatness of the past, music from yesterday and today, Viennese cafe culture and a vibrant art community - Vienna is waiting for you
