OTP’s Travel Free: Vienna
Looking for a five-finger discount in one of the most expensive capitals in Europe? Thanks to us, you no longer have to rape, pillage or steal to get in on the Austrian action. OTP scraped together a list of ten free things to do in Vienna that will keep the euros jingling in your pocket all the way to the liquor store!
Mr. Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser was a crazy fuck. While the man himself is no longer with us (RIP), his former digs are free to view in Vienna. An eccentric artist and architect who has been compared to the likes of Gaudi, Hundertwasser’s creations look like he swallowed a tab of acid, picked up a protractor and went right back to the drafting table. Bold colors, crooked lines, tree-topped roofs and terraces make his iconic house worth seeing. The coffeehouse, “Kunst und Café,” on the ground floor of the Hundertwasser House shows a free film in both English and German where the ‘Wass” personally leads you through “his” house.
Dig Graveyards?
A perfect place to work on your creep factor with no money out of pocket, the Zentralfriedhof (“Central Cemetery” in German) is home to the graves of Beethoven, Schubert and both the older and younger Strausses (Straussi?). With this roster of deceased talent, keep an ear out for “Subterranean Rigamortis, the symphony” emanating from the underworld during your visit. Besides the wealth of musical genius in the ground, there are also two Jewish parts of the cemetery. The Nazis trashed part of it during WWII, but one side is still used by Vienna’s Jewish community today.
The Hapsburgs really knew how to live. Take one stroll around the Hofburg, their former Imperial Palace, and you’ll see more wings than a bucket of KFC. The trick here, though: stay outside. The second you set foot through the many doors, you’ll be met with a hand wanting €’s. Trust us, the glory belongs to the exterior, as much has changed inside with refurbishments and there’s really nothing to see (especially for a fee). You’ll get way more of a palatial experience by viewing the buildings’ outer architecture, which still retains much of its original charm. Stumble upon the Volksgarten and you’ll find an even more beautiful place to kick back and chill for free.
Probably the best way to see all that Vienna has to offer (for free) is to hoof it around the Ringstrasse, a circular road surrounding the inner city. This popular route escorts you past many of the city’s most impressive sights, with a portion of your walk leading you along the Danube canal. For nature enthusiasts, the Ringstrasse has tons of green areas and trees, including the Stadtpark, Burggarten, Volksgarten and Rathauspark. Make it a point to cruise through Stadtpark where there are some cafes and bars to grab a quick bite or drink. Plus, if it’s cold, rainy or you’re just a whiny bitch, a tram runs this route for a small fee.
Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
Get outdoorsy the Austrian way at Schönbrunn Palace. It’s been around the block a time or two, but was first opened to the public around 1779. The Viennese have spent decades chilling at this former country estate of their beloved Hapsburg family and for good reason; it’s beautiful. Some even say the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens rival those of Versailles in France. It will cost you a royal pain in the wallet to get into the palace, but they can’t break your stride in the totally free gardens.
Take it to church! You can’t miss the Gothic and Romanesque architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral smack dab in the middle of the city center on Stephansplatz. It has survived more wars than we care to count and is a noted symbol of Vienna’s freedom. The diamond patterned roof is stunning, but trying to get to the top will land you on Cops: Vienna. Instead, climb the 343 steps to the tower-keeper’s room inside and enjoy a breathtaking city view.
If you see a sign saying ‘Museum für angewandte Kunst’ or ‘MAK,’ you’ve come to the right place. The museum is housed in a gorgeous 1880′s neo-Rennaissance building making it a total eye candy experience from the outside. If you’re looking for some shelter, entry is free on Saturdays so you can OD on arts and crafts inside, too. Rooms of permanent exhibitions are curated by a different local or international contemporary artist and change frequently. Even the museum café keeps the cool aesthetic. Designed by Austrian interiors wizard, Hermann Czech, pop in for a bite or let your stomach grumble and keep it free.
WTF are Flaktürme?
Precisely, they’re giant anti-aircraft gun towers that the Nazis erected between 1943-1944. Perfect for the modern day GI Joe looking for a dark reminder of the past, the six towers have walls that are up to 3.5 metres thick and pretty much indestructible (which explains their survival post-WWII). Only two of the towers are open to the public, the larger tower in Arenbergpark that houses an exhibition space of the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) and the one in Esterházypark that contains the Haus des Meeres aquarium and the Museum of Torture.
Everyone loves a carney. The former Imperial Hunting Ground, today the Prater houses a 12-month-long funfair. There’s a quiet stretch, too, where families hang and people jog and relax, which is boring. The fair’s most popular attraction is the giant ferris wheel, or “Riesenrad.” Built way the hell back in 1898, you have to wonder how the ancient technology measures up with today’s modern marvels. Still, people ride it, so grow a pair and give the old lady a spin! Admission to the funfair area is free, however, you must pay for each attraction.
The Naschmarkt is an open air bazaar and feels very Eastern European, with a tinge of Middle Eastern. There are tons of food stalls and vendors that offer exotic items at low prices. Shelve out a few coins and find all sorts of random shit to ram in your bag and/or stomach. The market has been around since the 16th century so even if you’re strapped for cash, just walking around will fill your face with free historic sights.
Don’t let the Hapsburg’s wealth intimidate you. If you know where to poke around, Vienna’s riches open up to even the brokest breed of backpacker.
I’m Kyle, a 2002 graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a degree in English and Art History. My studies also include time at Cambridge University, but short of picking up phrases like “cheers” and an affinity for “a good curry,” the experience was more social than academic. In addition to fashionable beers and cuisines from far-flung places, I started embracing things like currency conversions and the metric system. In other words, it was when the travel bug nestled in for the long-haul.
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For those of us wanting to see Vienna, but have little money, this is a must-read. Thanks for the info.