Vienna has always been a source of inspiration for Vogue. The city—timelessly elegant and endlessly mysterious—served as the backdrop for one of the magazine’s most legendary editorials: The Last Waltz, Mario Testino’s sweeping September 2006 spread featuring Natalia Vodianova as a modern-day empress gliding through Schönbrunn Palace and beyond. The fashion was Dior, but the spirit was pure Vienna—powdered, perfumed, slightly decadent, and utterly unforgettable. Like so much of the city’s rich history, the story seemed to move to the rhythm of a waltz.

And what a history it is. Vienna gave us Schubert’s melancholy, Mahler’s grandeur, and the whirlwind drama of Strauss. It was home to Klimt and Schiele, whose gilded masterpieces and bold lines still resonate in the city’s galleries and palaces. This is where the Secessionist movement began, where Wiener Werkstätte’s silkscreened textiles flourished, and where Josef Hoffmann’s clean geometries took shape. Here, beauty isn’t a luxury—it’s a birthright.

Yet Vienna isn’t just about the past. It’s also about indulgence. Nowhere else does café culture unfold with such grace and ritual. In Vienna, you don’t just grab coffee—you settle in. Claim a plush banquette, order an Einspänner, a slice of Sachertorte, and perhaps a copy of Die Presse. Time slows. The silver tray gleams. And suddenly, you realize how an entire philosophy of life can be written in whipped cream.

When spring arrives, the city awakens in a burst of blossoms and energy. Ball season returns, a dazzling whirl of tiaras, tuxedos, and waltzes perfected over generations. But alongside these traditions thrives something new—a vibrant creative scene of artists, chefs, designers, and musicians who give modern Vienna its dynamic edge.

To visit Vienna today is to step into a city that honors its past while constantly surprising you. It’s imperial yet irreverent, polished yet playful. It might dazzle you with porcelain and chandeliers—or simply hand you a bicycle and point you toward the nearest lake. This is the real Vienna: not frozen in time, but alive with invention, romance, and style.

### Where to Stay

Hotel Sacher
Vienna’s Hotel Sacher is a masterpiece of timeless elegance and female leadership. Founded in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, the hotel truly flourished under his formidable widow, Anna. By the early 20th century, Anna—a cigar-smoking grande dame often accompanied by her French bulldogs—had turned the Sacher into the most glamorous gathering place in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Aristocrats, artists, and politicians waltzed through its gilded halls, and her relentless attention to detail made the hotel a symbol of Viennese excellence. Her legacy proved that a hotel could be both a stage and a sanctuary.

Today, that tradition continues under Alexandra Winkler, the current owner and a member of the Gürtler family, which has owned the hotel since 1934. Winkler brings a modern touch to this icon while preserving its historic soul. The interiors remain a study in fin-de-siècle grandeur—crystal chandeliers, oil portraits, sumptuous brocades—but the service is sharp and contemporary. And of course, there’s the legendary Original Sacher-Torte, still served on silver trays in the red velvet café, still capable of pure delight. Under Winkler’s guidance, the Sacher isn’t just upholding its legacy—it’s evolving, one exquisite suite at a time.

Hotel Imperial
Built as a palace for a prince, the Hotel Imperial wears its heritage with regal flair. Gilded ceilings, parquet floors, and a grand staircase designed for dramatic entrances set the tone. Book the Royal Suite, and you’ll sleep where emperors once rested. Yet despite the grandeur, the service is warm and attentive—more like a gracious host than stiff formality. For travelers who love history, chandeliers, and caviar, there’s simply no equal.

Park Hyatt Vienna
Housed in a former bank, the Park Hyatt blends old-world grandeur with modern luxury. High ceilings, marble columns, and a stunning glass dome create an atmosphere of refined opulence. The spa, set in the building’s former vault, is a serene retreat. With its prime location and impeccable service, it’s a perfect base for exploring the city.

The Guesthouse Vienna
For a more contemporary stay, The Guesthouse Vienna offers sleek design and a relaxed vibe. Its minimalist aesthetic lets the city’s charm take center stage, while thoughtful touches—like in-room record players with local vinyl—add a personal touch. The rooftop terrace boasts stunning views of the Hofburg Palace, making it an ideal spot for evening drinks.

Whether you choose classic grandeur or modern elegance, Vienna’s hotels are as much a part of the experience as the city itself. Each one tells a story—just like Vienna.Park Hyatt Vienna
Set in a former bank in Vienna’s upscale Goldenes Quartier shopping district, the Park Hyatt blends historic grandeur with modern sophistication. The soaring marble lobby still carries the crisp precision of its financial roots, while the rooms provide serene comfort in muted tones. A subterranean spa now occupies the old bank vault, and the lobby’s sleek cocktail bar is one of the city’s finest. This is luxury without fuss.

The Hoxton, Vienna
The Hoxton’s latest location takes over the 1950s Austrian Chamber of Commerce building, blending mid-century charm with contemporary energy. Terrazzo floors, cane-backed chairs, and a buzzy rooftop bar set the scene. Just outside the historic center, it’s perfect for exploring both classic Vienna and its hipper neighborhoods.

Hotel Motto
A favorite among Vienna’s fashion crowd, Hotel Motto sits on lively Mariahilfer Strasse, mixing Art Deco elegance with playful bohemian touches—think pink marble and eclectic details. The rooftop bar offers dazzling city views, while the ground-floor bakery is a local hotspot for coffee and pastries. Parisian style meets Viennese charm.

### What to See

The Spanish Riding School
Watch Lipizzaner stallions perform graceful maneuvers in a chandeliered hall built for royalty. A timeless Viennese tradition, the morning exercises or full performances at the Winter Riding School are unforgettable.

An Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper
Vienna is opera. Attending a performance at the State Opera House is a must—whether it’s Puccini, Wagner, or Mozart, the music, the frescoed ceilings, and the velvet curtains create pure magic.

A Philharmonic at the Musikverein
Hearing the Vienna Philharmonic here is like stepping inside a Stradivarius—the acoustics are unmatched, and the opulent gold-leafed hall rivals the music itself.

The Leopold Museum
Home to the world’s largest Egon Schiele collection, the Leopold showcases Vienna’s modernist edge, with works by Klimt, Kokoschka, and the Secessionists—raw, emotional, and often gilded.

Kunsthistorisches Museum
One of the world’s great art museums, built by Emperor Franz Joseph. Its treasures span Bruegel to Caravaggio, displayed in lavishly decorated rooms. Don’t miss the Kunstkammer, a dazzling cabinet of curiosities.

Vienna Secession
Above its door reads: “To every age its art, to every art its freedom.” Founded in 1897, this temple of rebellion still inspires. The gilded dome and Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze are must-sees for modernism lovers.

Otto Wagner Architecture
Vienna is dotted with Wagner’s visionary buildings—his Villa in Hütteldorf offers a glimpse of his personal utopia, while the luminous Art Nouveau Kirche am Steinhof crowns the city.

Belvedere Palace
Where Klimt’s The Kiss shines in golden splendor. The Belvedere is both a baroque masterpiece and a modern art haven, with gardens as stunning as the palaces themselves.

Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna’s answer to Versailles, Schönbrunn is a testament to imperial grandeur. Explore the Rococo rooms, lose yourself in the hedge maze, and indulge in cake at the Orangery.

Albertina Museum
A treasure trove of art, from Dürer to Monet, housed in a grand Habsburg palace. The Albertina’s collections and exhibitions are as impressive as its historic setting.A modern museum in an imperial palace—where Dürer’s hare meets Monet’s water lilies. Its collection spans centuries and styles, all framed by the grandeur of the palace itself.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)
The Gothic soul of Vienna. Climb the 343 steps of the south tower for sweeping city views, then descend into the crypt where the organs of Habsburg rulers rest in urns. It’s both eerie and sacred.

Hundertwasserhaus
A burst of surrealism in the heart of Vienna. This whimsical, colorful apartment block, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, shuns straight lines entirely—proof that architecture can be a joyful rebellion.

### Where to Drink Coffee

Café Central
Step inside and you’re walking into history. Once frequented by Freud and Trotsky, this grand café dazzles with vaulted ceilings and marble columns. The pastries are as indulgent as the setting—order the Apfelstrudel with a Wiener Melange for the full Viennese experience.

Café Hawelka
A bohemian hideout since the post-war years, Café Hawelka has long been a gathering spot for artists and thinkers. The dim lighting and quirky art create the perfect mood for lingering over a Buchtel (sweet yeast bun) and soaking in the creative vibe.

Café Sperl
Frozen in the 19th century, Café Sperl charms with its original furnishings, billiard tables, and Thonet chairs. Sip a Verlängerter and nibble on a slice of Sperltorte while watching the world drift by.

Café Prückel
A mid-century gem blending 1950s style with classic coffeehouse tradition. Sunlight streams through the large windows, making it ideal for people-watching. Try their Einspänner—strong black coffee crowned with whipped cream.

Café Schwarzenberg
The oldest café on the Ringstrasse, exuding timeless elegance with wood-paneled walls and crystal chandeliers. Pair a slice of Esterházy cake with a Wiener Kaffee for a taste of old-world luxury.

Café Museum
Designed by Adolf Loos in 1899, this was a favorite of Klimt and Schiele. Its minimalist interiors and prime location near the Secession make it a quiet retreat for a Melange and a glimpse into Vienna’s artistic past.

Café Mozart
Just steps from the Opera House, this café has drawn musicians and writers for generations. On warm days, the terrace is perfect for enjoying a Mozartkugel with their signature coffee blend.

Café-Restaurant at the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Set beneath the museum’s grand dome, this café rivals the art on display. Marble columns and gilded details create a regal backdrop for a Melange and a delicate pastry—an elegant pause between masterpieces.

American Bar (Loos Bar)
Not a coffeehouse, but a must-visit. Designed by Adolf Loos in 1908, this tiny, moody bar is a modernist masterpiece. Sip a classic cocktail under soft lighting—it feels like a scene from a 1920s film.

### Where to Eat

Zum Schwarzen Kameel
A Viennese icon since 1618, famous for its open-faced sandwiches piled high with roast beef, smoked salmon, and more. The sidewalk tables buzz with locals, while the upstairs dining room serves refined Austrian classics. A glass of Grüner Veltliner and a bite here is pure bliss.

Meierei im Stad
(Note: The original text was cut off here, so this section remains incomplete.)Nestled in the leafy Stadtpark, Meierei is the laid-back little sister of the renowned Steirereck. Stop by for breakfast or a light lunch and linger over their impressive cheese selection—over 150 varieties served with such care that even a simple sandwich feels extraordinary. On sunny days, the canal-side terrace is pure Viennese perfection.

Neni at Naschmarkt
A vibrant reflection of Vienna’s multicultural flair, Neni serves bold Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. The lively vibe matches the energy of the nearby flea market. Go for a spread of mezze and enjoy a shared feast.

Café Ansari
Mixing Georgian flavors with global influences, Café Ansari offers a sleek, minimalist dining space. Don’t miss the khachapuri—a gooey, cheese-stuffed bread that’s a taste of Tbilisi in Vienna.

Hotel Sacher
Dining here is as much about culture as it is about food. Start with the legendary Original Sacher-Torte in the historic Café Sacher, then savor Austrian classics in the opulent Rote Bar or Grüne Bar, both adorned with chandeliers and fine art. For cocktails, the intimate Blaue Bar, lined with velvet, is a favorite pre- or post-opera stop. Upstairs, Café Bel Étage offers a quieter retreat for coffee and relaxation. Every bite at Sacher comes with a side of history.

Marktwirtschaft
A champion of local and organic produce, Marktwirtschaft doubles as a market and a dining spot. Their daily vegan menus highlight seasonal ingredients, making it a go-to for mindful eaters.

Heuer am Karlsplatz
Next to the Kunsthalle, Heuer draws Vienna’s creative crowd. The menu leans into fermented and pickled flavors, adding depth to modern dishes. Their inventive cocktails keep the place buzzing from brunch till late.

Salonplafond
Inside the Museum of Applied Arts, Salonplafond blends Austrian and international cuisine in a chic setting. The open kitchen lets diners watch the chefs at work, and their schnitzel puts a contemporary spin on the classic.

Demel Café
A pastry shop fit for royalty, Demel has been crafting exquisite sweets since 1786. Peek through the glass as artisans shape delicate confections, and be sure to try the Anna Torte—a decadent chocolate and nougat masterpiece.