Vienna recommendations

geoffraffe

Hey guys, I've booked a weekend in Vienna at the end of the month and I was looking for some recommendations of things not to miss. Are there any restaurants/cafes that you loved? I'm a bit of a foodie so this is what I plan to spend most of my money on.

If I wanted to go to an opera and liked, not loved opera, is there anything you would recommend? I don't want to spend €100 on tickets.

Also is there a particular area you might recommend for shopping. My gf like the smaller boutique shops, so any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks for your time guys.

Sandwlch

geoffraffe wrote: »

If I wanted to go to an opera and liked, not loved opera, is there anything you would recommend? I don't want to spend €100 on tickets.

Staatsoper is the main opera house. See their website. Werther, Cosi Fan Tutte, Magic Flute, La Boheme that weekend. Magic Flute the one to see if you are not a regular operagoer. Cheapest tickets can be available by queueing on the night but its a lot of hassle. Cheapish tickets at the top of the house are available to buy in advance but sell out quickly. Have a look at the online purchase. It is one of the top half dozen opera houses in the world, all the stars sing there and so 100 and more is the going rate. House itself is fine, but nothing exceptional compared to Milan, Paris and London as the other premium ticket ones in Europe.

Next option is to go to the Volksoper. See their website. Tickets much cheaper. All is in German or German translations though. No world stars, but (generally) a good standard nonethelless. And easier to get tickets for it. Carmen that weekend again a good one if not a regular. House has none of the splendor of the Staats.

Other option is Teater an der Wien. Prices inbetween the two. Historic smaller house. Castor et Pollux that weeked - for the hardcore or the adventurous only I suggest.

geoffraffe

Thanks sandwlch, I will definitely take up one of those options.

cailinoBAC

I’ve been to the opera loads of times in Vienna and always went standing (€2-€3.50 unless they’ve gone up). I went in December 2009 with my boyfriend and he wasn’t too keen on the standing, so when we were offered seats for €15 by some hawk we took them. I preferred the standing though, because you could be looking right at the stage, whereas the seats we had were right over at the side. I think if I was looking at those options, I would go for La Boheme. Even for non opera lovers there are plenty of songs you will recognise. But then, there are in the Magic Flute too, I’m just really not a big fan of that.

Can’t really talk about restaurants for a foodie, because I never had too much money when I was there, I often ate well, but can’t think of particular names, would just wander by! I love the coffee houses. Again, not really thinking of which ones now, it was 9 years ago that I lived there…check the lonely planet, that’s what I used starting off. hey list the famous ones and you should check some of those out. Watch the film Before Sunrise and check out some of the locations. Most of the things you’ll want to see are within the ring, so you can just wander and wander. That’s probably too expensive for shopping though. Mariahilfer Strasse I think was the shopping street. Also the naschmarkt for food and you’ll probably find some boutiques between the two.

Sorry for the lack of specifics! I have posted about Vienna before in more detail, so maybe had some better advice then…

Gratzi22

If coffee and cake is your thing, you have to try the Sacher Tort cake (claimed to be world famous). It is sold a a small number of shops in Vienna but the best place to have it is in the Sacher Hotel which is located adjacent to the main opera house. From what I recall it was pretty expensice though. Enjoy Vienna, absolutely stunning city.;)

geoffraffe

Thanks guys for your replies, I really appreciate it.

Could you tell me how I go about getting standing tickets for the opera and at which venue, if you don't mind me asking? Do you just turn up on the day and is it always available?

I've booked into the Sacher hotel for dinner, so bring on that tort!!

cailinoBAC

http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/tickets/Allgemein.en.php

It’s at the Staatsoper. If you are facing the opera, you should walk along the left hand side and you will see a door (and probably a queue). I have never had any problem getting a place. One girl told me one time Carreras was singing in an opera there and she queued from the morning to get a standing ticket, but something like that would be a very rare occurrence. Bring a scarf with you. You will need this to mark your place. When you have tied your scarf in place you can wander off and have a coffee or drink while waiting for the performance. There are three standing areas – the middle on the ground floor, the middle on the top floor and the side on the top floor. If you are last in the queue it might be the case that the side on the top floor is all that is left. I think the ground floor was €3.50 and the top was €2 when I was there. I preferred the top middle. You can sit down on the step if you need a rest, but you won’t see anything then (but still hear the music). So, it’s not this glamorous ‘night at the opera’ but you still see the same performance and hear the same music and if you’re not a huge opera fan and if you go along and don’t like it, at least you haven’t wasted a fortune on it. Anyway, I think it’s a great idea, not all opera fans are rich.

geoffraffe

That sounds perfect cailinoBAC, thank you so much for your help. If you're ever thinking of hitting SE Asia, or SA send me a PM and I'll tell you all I know.