Vienna, Austria: Open For Exploration And Adventure

The Vienna Open is an annual tennis tournament held in Vienna, Austria. It is currently sponsored by Erste Bank and known as the Erste Bank Open. The tournament has been held every year since 1974 and is hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle. The Vienna Open is a hard-court tennis tournament and is part of the ATP World Tour 500 series. It is one of the leading sports events in Austria, attracting former top 10 players and Grand Slam winners. The tournament features both singles and doubles competitions, with Austrian players having lifted the singles title on multiple occasions. Outside of the tennis tournament, Vienna, Austria, has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, shopping, dining, and more.

Vienna Open tennis tournament

The Vienna Open is a professional, men's tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It is currently sponsored by Erste Bank and known as the Erste Bank Open. It is part of the ATP World Tour 500 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour. The tournament has been held annually since 1974 at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.

The Vienna Open was originally an event on the Grand Prix tennis circuit from 1974 to 1989. It has had several different names over the years, including the Stadthalle Open, the Fischer-Grand Prix (1976-1985), the CA-TennisTrophy (1986-2003), and the Bank Austria TennisTrophy (2008-2010). In 2011, it was renamed the Erste Bank Open.

Austria's most successful tennis player, Thomas Muster, never won the Vienna Open but was a runner-up on three occasions (1988, 1993, 1995) and a semi-finalist four times (1987, 1989, 1990, 1994). However, three Austrian players have won the singles title at the Vienna Open: Horst Skoff in 1988, Jürgen Melzer in 2009 and 2010, and Dominic Thiem in 2019.

The Erste Bank Open is a highly anticipated event, with tickets for the 2025 tournament already on sale. It offers an exclusive setting and a unique concept: two hours of world-class tennis in the middle of the city for as little as 10 Euros! The tournament also has a virtual fan zone, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the experience virtually.

Vienna's shops

Vienna, Austria's capital, has a vibrant shopping scene, with a mix of modern architecture and historic streets. The city offers a range of shopping experiences, from glamorous retail stores to independent designers and unique souvenirs. Here is an overview of some of the best places to shop in Vienna:

Graben

Graben is one of Vienna's most famous shopping streets, known for its glamorous retail stores and restaurants. This thoroughfare dates back to the 12th century and is lined with baroque and renaissance-era buildings. Here, you'll find prominent fashion brands such as Hermès, Max Mara, and Swatch. Graben is also home to Julius Meinl am Graben, an upmarket grocery store and cafe offering high-end chocolate, wines, and gifts. It is within walking distance of notable landmarks like the Equitable, the Jewish Museum of the City of Vienna, and St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Kärntner Strasse

Kärntner Strasse is a lively, pedestrianised shopping street in central Vienna, offering a mix of famous international brands and local boutiques. Well-known brands such as Zara, H&M, GUESS, and Hugo Boss can be found here, along with bustling department stores like Peek & Cloppenburg. The Postmodern Haas Haus at the northern end of the street provides additional dining and shopping options. Kärntner Strasse is also home to Casino Wien, where you can try your luck at roulette, blackjack, or poker.

Mariahilfer Strasse

Mariahilfer Strasse is one of Vienna's longest shopping streets, spanning 1.8 kilometres. It offers a mix of luxury retail stores, quirky designer spaces, and restaurants. While known for its upmarket brands, Mariahilfer Strasse also has high-street boutiques and charming cafes, such as Raimundhof Wien, where you can find familiar names like Urban Outfitters, H&M HOME, PUMA, and Pull & Bear.

Ferstel Passage

Ferstel Passage is a historic shopping arcade in Vienna, dating back to the 19th century. This elegant landmark houses a series of lavish boutiques offering clothing, jewellery, and homewares. It is also known for its collection of restaurants and bars, including the famous Café Central, a favourite among historical figures such as Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky.

Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt is a quintessential foodie market in Vienna, dating back to the 16th century. Operating on a farm-to-table philosophy, Naschmarkt features dozens of vendors selling fresh produce from Austria and high-quality food from around the world. In addition to the stalls, there are also sit-down restaurants and traditional Austrian cafes.

Goldenes Quartier Wien

Goldenes Quartier Wien is an upmarket shopping neighbourhood in Innere Stadt, featuring around 20 flagship stores from acclaimed brands such as Prada, Valentino, and Bottega Veneta. It also offers a selection of upscale restaurants, including The Bank and Cafe am Hof, known for its handmade pastries and specialty coffee. Goldenes Quartier Wien is within walking distance of landmarks such as St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Column of The Trinity.

Donau Zentrum

Donau Zentrum is one of the largest shopping malls in Vienna, located on Wagramer Street, about 6.6 kilometres northeast of the city centre. With over 260 stores, it offers a wide range of clothing retailers, beauty products, restaurants, and a movie theatre.

Vienna's museums

Vienna is a cultural powerhouse, with more than 100 museums to explore. The city is a paradise for art lovers, with many world-renowned artworks. Here is a guide to Vienna's incredible museums:

Art Museums

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is a must-see. This Art History Museum, built in 1891, houses the globe's largest collection of Bruegels, as well as the Kunstkammer chamber of wonders, a coin collection, Egyptian artefacts, and Greek and Roman antiquities.

The Albertina is another key museum, with a vast collection of art, including the famous Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare. The permanent display features Monet, Picasso, Cézanne, and Chagall, and its special exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, from Renaissance etchings to contemporary sculpture.

The Belvedere group has three locations. The Upper Palace features medieval to contemporary art, including a leading collection of Klimt paintings, such as The Kiss. The Lower Palace showcases medieval art and special exhibitions, and Belvedere 21 is dedicated to contemporary art.

The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien focuses on contemporary artistic life, while The Heidi Horten Collection displays modern and contemporary art assembled by billionaire Heidi Goëss-Horten, including works by top artists.

The Albertina Modern, as the name suggests, is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The MuseumsQuartier, or MQ, is a hub for contemporary culture, with exhibition spaces, cafes, bars, shops, and several museums, including:

• The Leopold Museum, renowned for its Schiele and Klimt collections.
• The mumok (museum of modern art).
• The Kunsthalle, with a focus on contemporary art.
• The Kunst Haus Wien, which includes the Hundertwasser Museum, exhibiting art with an environmental focus, and the unique building is worth seeing too.

The Wien Museum MUSA hosts special exhibitions, often connected to Vienna, and showcases new artists.

The Ernst Fuchs Museum, located in the restored Otto Wagner Villa, displays the art, design, decor, and character of the Austrian artist, Ernst Fuchs.

The Dom Museum houses treasures from Stephansdom cathedral and some modern art, with exhibitions juxtaposing the two.

The Gemäldegallerie, at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, is home to Bosch’s The Last Judgment and other old master paintings, presented alongside contemporary works.

The Schottenstift Museum, the abbey’s in-house museum, exhibits secular and ecclesiastical treasures, including the 15th-century Schottenaltar panels.

The MAK Museum of Applied Arts covers applied arts and design, with innovative special exhibitions featuring contemporary artists.

The Austrian Architecture Museum, located in the MuseumsQuartier, focuses on architectural design.

The Möbelmuseum Wien, or Vienna Furniture Museum, displays antique furniture that will delight antique enthusiasts.

The WAGNER:WERK is a unique museum exploring the history of the postal savings bank and its famous building, a significant moment in modern architecture.

The Augarten Porcelain Museum showcases classic and contemporary porcelain pieces.

The FOTO ARSENAL WIEN is a new institution with contemporary photo exhibitions.

Westlicht hosts a camera museum and photography exhibitions, including the annual World Press Photo winners.

History & Culture Museums

The history of Vienna is dominated by the Habsburgs, and the central Hofburg complex, their former residence, now houses several museums:

• The Sisi Museum details the life of Empress Elisabeth, and a ticket includes entry to the Kaiserappartements she occupied with Emperor Franz Joseph.
• The Silberkammer is the Imperial silver collection, featuring tableware and crockery.
• The Schatzkammer, or Imperial Treasury, displays crown jewels and religious relics amassed by the ruling dynasty.
• The Imperial Armoury exhibits ceremonial and tournament armour and weapons.
• The Wagenburg, on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, showcases the Imperial carriage collection and an exhibition on Empress Elisabeth.
• The Children’s Museum, also in Schönbrunn Palace, offers a glimpse into the lives of imperial children.
• The Hermesvilla, a former summerhouse of Empress Elisabeth, is now restored and nestled in the Lainzer Tiergarten nature park.

The Wien Museum manages many sites and has a central building covering Viennese art, history, and culture.

The Jewish Museum chronicles the history of the Jewish community in Vienna and hosts wide-ranging special exhibitions.

The Weltmuseum is a modern ethnographic museum, displaying artefacts from various cultures worldwide, often alongside contemporary art.

The Volkskundemuseum, or Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art, takes an ethnographic approach.

The Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, or Museum of Military History, covers military history, featuring exhibits like the car in which Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, sparking World War I.

The House of Austrian History showcases the country's post-Habsburg narrative.

The Pratermuseum delves into the history and sociocultural significance of the famous Prater recreational area.

The Theatermuseum, in the baroque Palais Lobkowitz, which Beethoven frequented, holds temporary exhibitions on theatrical history and features a work by Klimt.

The Literature Museum takes visitors through Austrian literary history, displaying the original office of writer Franz Grillparzer.

The Sigmund Freud Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the father of psychoanalysis.

The Roman Museum offers insights into Vienna's Roman history.

Vienna's restaurants

Vienna, Austria, is home to a wide range of restaurants, from typical Viennese "Beisl" (taverns) to luxurious gourmet temples. The city's dining scene offers a full spectrum of regional and international cuisine, including classic Viennese dishes and innovative vegetarian options.

For those seeking an authentic Viennese experience, the "Beisl" is a must-try. These traditional taverns offer classic Viennese cuisine and a glimpse into local culture. One can find cosy atmospheres, hearty meals, and reasonable prices at eateries such as Mährischer Spatz and Mullers Heuriger & Weingut.

Vienna also boasts an impressive selection of Michelin-starred restaurants. While the specific restaurants were not listed, the city promises first-class dining with creative and modern cuisine.

The city also caters to those seeking international flavours. From Mediterranean cuisine at Trattoria Martinelli to Japanese specialities at DiningRuhm, one can find a diverse range of culinary delights.

In addition, Vienna has embraced the latest culinary trend of Farm-to-Table, with many restaurants emphasising natural and healthy food. This includes meat-free options, with several establishments specialising in delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Whether one is seeking classic Viennese fare, innovative gourmet experiences, international flavours, or healthy meat-free options, Vienna's dynamic restaurant scene has something for everyone.

Vienna's transport

Vienna has a well-developed public transport network, with buses, trains, trams, and underground lines that can take you almost anywhere in the city quickly and reliably. The Wiener Linien, the municipal transport authority, operates five underground lines, 29 tram lines, and 127 bus lines, 24 of which are dedicated night lines.

The city's subway system, called U-Bahn, offers a fast, reliable, and convenient means of transportation with a route length of 225 km, making it the sixth-largest tram network in the world. The Schnellbahn or S-Bahn is the local train service, and the Straßenbahn is the tram service. The Autobus is the bus service, with over 450 buses in the Wiener Linien vehicle fleet.

Tickets for the Wiener Linien can be purchased from ticket offices in the main stations, ticket machines in stations, the Wiener Linien online store or app, and from Trafik newsagents/tobacconists. Single tickets cost €2.40 and must be validated before boarding by stamping the ticket at the blue machines located at the entrance of underground stations, as well as on buses and trams. There are also passes available for 24 and 72 hours, or as weekly, monthly, or annual passes.

Vienna's public transport system is known for being cheap, frequent, fast, clean, efficient, and rarely overcrowded. The city operates on an honesty system, with no ticket barriers at stations and no formal, permanent ticket checks. However, there may be undercover agents checking tickets, and travelling without a valid ticket incurs a fine.

Frequently asked questions