While in Vienna for WordCamp Europe you’ll probably also want to get out and explore the city. Also, of course, you’ll need to eat and drink and want to enjoy the sun in our beautiful capital! We’ve gathered some recommendations for a nice (extended) weekend in Vienna. Sightseeing, local restaurants recommendations and advice on where to watchUEFA EURO 2016!

Sightseeing

How about combining sightseeing, shopping and a trip to Vienna’s green side within one day? Here’s our suggestion:

Stroll around the first district to discover Vienna’s old town. Take in the medieval alleys and lanes and peak in some romantic backyards (for example Heiligenkreuzerhof). If you fancy some shopping, you will find all sorts of shops along Graben and Kärntner Straße, both streets starting at Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral).

Head down Kärntner Straße to Karlsplatz to the famous Opera House and also make sure not to miss the baroque Karlskirche (St. Charles’s Church) located on the south side of Karlsplatz. Here you’ll also find Wien Museum, which is currently running an exhibition on Vienna’s biggest park and recreational area – the Prater.

Now you’ll probably enjoy a break from walking: Hop on tram No.1 at Karlsplatz (destination Prater Hauptallee) which will take you along some important sights: the famous Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater, on to Hundertwasser House (might be worth a detour, if you’re interested in colorful and exceptional architecture – get off at “Radetzkyplatz”) and Prater.

In Prater, head down the main Prater avenue (Prater Hauptallee) for a relaxing walk in the shade or enjoy a picnic or a nap on the lawns. At the end of the avenue, you’ll find Praterstern where you can take the subway U1 back to the city center.

Summer in Vienna

Especially in summer, Vienna is a great place to be: Open Air Cinemas, outdoor bars & restaurants all over town, the Danube, the vineyards, the parks. Our suggestions:

• Dance and have fun at the Danube Island Festival, which coincidentally takes place from 24 to 26 June, also. Admission to the festival is free, the easiest to get there is by subway U6 (“Handelskai” or “Neue Donau”) or U1 (“Donauinsel”).
• If you want to see the green side of Vienna, consider taking a trip to Grinzing (Tram 38), Nussdorf (Tram D) or Kahlenberg (Bus 39A) where you’ll experience some real Viennese wine culture. In the vineyards on the slopes of the hills surrounding Vienna, you’ll find lots of taverns (“Heurige”) offering local food (usually buffet style) and wines. Make sure to try the typical local white wine “Gemischter Satz”, a blend of different grape varieties grown in the same vineyard.
• Rent a paddle boat to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere of the Old Danube, the former path of the main river Danube. Water quality in the Old and New Danube is good, so bring your swimsuit and take a dip!

Restaurants

This selection of restaurants has been hand-picked by our team and comes with our recommendation!

Football watching

Last but not least, a list for those interested in sports – there will be loads of public screenings of the UEFA EURO 2016! The most popular spots:

• City Hall Square (Rathausplatz)
• WUK EM Quartier

A number of spots down the Donaukanal:

• Strandbar Hermann
• Adria Wien
• Badeschiff
• Flex

You’re a local and have recommendations for other attendees?

Drop them in the comments!