Junior Suite - Balcony View

Planning Your Trip

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Reminders of Vienna’s rich history can be seen — and heard — everywhere. From classical concerts to gilded buildings to fine dining, Vienna has a refined sense of living and the style to match it. Here’s what to pack for a stay in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Junior Suite - Balcony View
Junior Suite - Balcony View
What to Pack

A stay in Vienna wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Vienna State Opera, one of the world’s leading opera houses. If attending, pack formalwear. The opera is a decidedly elegant affair, with attendees wearing everything from gowns and fur coats to tuxes and bow ties.

Business Travel

Austrians are known for taking great pride in dressing well, a sentiment that extends into the workplace.                                       

  • Dark business suits are the norm for men, usually paired with a crisp white shirt and a solid-color tie.
  • For women, choose conservative dresses and stylish business suits worn with heels and elegant accessories.
  • Even in the summer, jackets are left on. In the winter, make sure to bring a classic full-length overcoat to keep warm.                                                
Exploring the City

With its majestic architecture, parks, museums and cafés, Vienna is described as one of the most livable cities.  

  • Shorts aren’t necessarily frowned upon but to fit in with the locals women should opt for skirts, dresses and stylish pants in the summer.    
  • Vienna gets cold in the winter but leave the bulky coat at home and pack a stylish wool jacket and layers instead.
  • If planning on being out all day, carry a small bag to hold your essentials, including a portable charger for your phone.
Day Trips

It may be hard to pry yourself away from the city, but there are many sights to see just outside Vienna.

  • A side trip to Salzburg should include a visit to Hohensalzburg Fortress, which sits high atop a hill. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb up the stairs.
  • If you visit Budapest, bring a swimsuit to experience the city’s world-famous thermal baths, some of which date back to the 16th century.
  • Melk Abbey is roughly an hour away and a must-see. Dress comfortably for the weather; however, know that shorts and bare shoulders are not allowed inside the abbey. 
Dstrikt - Outside Sitting Area
Dstrikt - Outside Sitting Area
What to Reserve

From the grand opera to historical palaces and world-class dining, Vienna is home to many extraordinary experiences. Make your stay especially memorable by booking these activities in advance.

With a history built on the arts, there is no shortage of cultural events to enjoy. Operas are a particularly hot ticket and often sell out, so book ahead of time. Another popular attraction, Schönbrunn Palace is a baroque masterpiece boasting 1,441 rooms, with 40 being open to the public. Avoid the year-round long lines by purchasing tickets in advance online.

As one of Europe’s most walkable cities, you can happily roam Vienna’s streets for hours but by the end of the day your body may need a reprieve. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a tranquil, urban retreat that serves up legendary service so you can walk away feeling relaxed and refreshed for another day of exploring. Book the luxurious Ultimate Natural Anti-Aging Ritual, which tightens and repairs the skin while restoring a youthful glow.

If you’re looking to escape the metropolis of Vienna for something a little quainter and quieter, head west to Salzburg to see the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress and admire the serene mountain landscape. Or go east into Hungary and visit Budapest, where you can spend the day relaxing in the thermal baths that made thisancient city famous. And don’t forget about the legendary Danube — so blue, it inspired a song. Contact the concierge to make travel arrangements.

Steak aficionados will want to book a table at the Dstrikt Steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, where choice cuts of farm-to-table meat are cooked over the famous Josper charcoal grill. End your meal with the famous Dstrikt cheesecake. Be aware that most restaurants are closed on Sundays. For those that are open, making an advance reservation is especially important.

Morning

Small touches. If little ones are alone, inquire about the special children’s check-in, part of the ritz kids program that encourages children to discover the sights and sounds of the hotel. The kid's concierge can recommend child-friendly activities and attractions and offer a cup of delicious hot chocolate.

Imperial splendor. Begin your sightseeing at the Hofburg, the former imperial palace that was the center of the Habsburg empire. In the private apartments, you’ll witness the lavish lifestyle of the Habsburg family on full display. The imperial treasury houses the insignia and jewels of the holy roman empire and the Habsburgs.

Horseplay. The Spanish riding school in Vienna is famous for its Lipizzan Ballet, demonstrating the exquisitely controlled, stylized jumps of classical dressage. At 10 a.M. On most days, you can see the famed stallions at their morning exercise.

 

Midday

Experience café society. Stop for a bite to eat at one of the many charming cafés and restaurants in the area. Trzesniewski is a small, popular spot serving an array of beautifully presented and scrumptious open-faced sandwiches.

 

Afternoon

Art through the ages. Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest museum in Austria, is a treasure of artworks spanning from ancient Egypt to the late 1800s. The kunstkammer chamber alone contains more than 2,100 valuable works — including carvings, paintings, sculptures and coins — and covers almost 1,000 years of history.

Architectural glory. With its multicolored tile roof, st. Stephen’s cathedral is a symbol of Vienna and one of the most significant examples of gothic architecture in Austria. Take guided tours of the cathedral and the catacombs below, and climb the south tower’s 343 steps to reach a breathtaking view.

 

Evening

Wine and dine. Vienna is the only large metropolis in the world that produces its own wines within city limits. At a Viennese Heuriger, or wine tavern, you will find a comfortable, relaxed setting to dine and savor these local wines, many world-class.

Morning

Fun run. Go for a morning jog along the ring boulevard. The 3.5-mile circuit highlights some of Vienna’s most significant sights and monuments.

Palatial beauty. The magnificent baroque architecture and expansive garden design of schönbrunn palace will leave you awestruck. And that’s even before you see the grand and opulent staterooms. It’s no surprise that this former summer residence for the Habsburgs is a world heritage site.

 

Midday

Simple tastes.Sample traditional Viennese dishes at a Viennese bistro, or Beisl — friendly, down-to-earth eateries. At the palace, you can dine at a classic beisl, gasthaus tirolergarten.

 

Afternoon

Art, in baroque opulence. Immerse yourself in Vienna’s belvedere museum, which houses the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the medieval period to the present day, as well as works of acclaimed international artists, including Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.

Garden of delights. Relax and enjoy the views in the Belvederem palace gardens, a picturesque place encompassing three large terraces and accented with beautiful fountains, clipped hedges and baroque sculptures.

Take care. Rejuvenate at the luxurious spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Vienna. The spa’s imperial rose ritual experience is designed to relax and rebalance the body. Inspired by the Empress Elisabeth and Vienna’s rose gardens, the treatment uses rose geranium and sweet orange oils to harmonize the mind and nourish the skin.

 

Evening

Taste of Austria. Dining at the hotel’s Dstrikt steakhouse is an Austrian gastronomic journey not to be missed. The finest selection of Austrian meat is cooked on a charcoal grill and accompanied by delectable side dishes created from local foods, such as sautéed young spinach, and beer from local microbreweries.

Show time. Attend a performance at the renowned Vienna state opera. Productions range from baroque to the 21st century, and 50 operas and ballets are staged roughly 300 days per season. In April, may, June, September and December, opera and ballet performances are shown live in front of the opera house.

Morning

Market Freshat Naschmarkt. Vienna’s largest and most famous market, there are more than 100 market stands and restaurants selling viennese and international culinary specialties.

Center of culture.Museumsquartier wien is one of the largest museum centers in the world, featuring art and cultural institutions, shops, cafés and restaurants. Stroll among its eclectic architectural mix of baroque buildings and modern structures.

 

Midday

Vienna’s modern masters. The Leopold Museum is definitely worth a visit, housing one of the largest collections of Austrian modern art from artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Richard Gerstl.

 

Afternoon

Go green. Half of Vienna is devoted to green areas, much of them open to the public, including the volksgarten and its picture-perfect flower gardens, elegant fountains and gorgeous architecture.

More than coffee. Spend some time in one of vienna’s famous coffeehouses. A tradition that goes back to the late 17th century, the coffeehouse is integral to viennese culture and has been described as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.”

The sound of music. The Haus der Musik is dedicated to understanding the world of sound and Viennese music through innovative, interactive exhibits. The virtual conductor enables you to lead virtual musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic in the Blue Danube waltz, while a virtual opera stage helps you create a unique piece of music.

 

Evening

A meal to remember. Restaurant Steirereck, nestled in the greenery of Stadtpark, offers elegant white-glove culinary service. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant has been family-owned for generations and consistently mentioned as a top restaurant in Austria, if not the world.

Sip and savor. Settle in for a nightcap at the hotel’s upscale atmosphere rooftop bar, take in the spectacular views of the Vienna night and reminisce about the cultural sights of the last three days — and start planning your return.

Morning

Coffee culture. Stop in one of the old city’s coffeehouses for a truly Viennese experience. Coffeehouses are a tradition that goes back centuries and are integral to the Viennese lifestyle, described as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.”

Habsburg grandeur. Step into a fairy-tale setting in the regal Hofburg palace. The center of the Habsburg empire for 600 years, it showcases the lavish lifestyle of the imperial family. At 10 a.M. On most days, you can see the graceful white stallions of the Lipizzan ballet at their morning exercise.

Vienna’s cultural center. Spanning more than 640,000 square feet, the museumsquartier wien is one of the largest museum complexes in the world, where you can walk among an eclectic architectural mix of baroque buildings and modern structures. Its artistic atmosphere is infectious.

Modern masterpieces. Peruse one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art at the Leopold Museum, which houses intriguing works from artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Richard Gerstl.

 

Midday

A charming neighborhood. With narrow streets and alleyways and exquisitely preserved houses from the Biedermeier period, romance is in the air in the Spittelberg section. Located just outside the city center, this friendly area is ideal for wandering together among the local shops and dining in the open air.

 

Afternoon

Austrian pleasures. Travel to the edge of town to find a peaceful and slower-paced region, with large vineyards and the lush Vienna woods. Sip Viennese wine as you take in beautiful views of the city and the Danube River.

 

Evening

Ride back in time. Float above the city over a magical candlelit dinner in a private gondola on a 200-foot-high ferris wheel built in 1897. The ambiance has an element of intrigue: the wheel played a leading role in the classic mystery film “the third man.”

Morning

Browse chic boutiques. Vienna is famed for its art, but the shopping is splendid too. Treat each other to a surprise gift at one of the city’s jewelry, antique or art stores, or a high-end fashion boutique. The hotel is within walking distance of many upscale shopping districts.

Step back in time. The schönbrunn palace’s grand and opulent staterooms are well worth the stop. But the palace gardens are a dreamy place, where you can imagine you and your love in a 17th-century rendezvous among sculptured fountains, shadowed tree tunnels and gorgeous flora.

 

Midday

Culinary traditions. A Viennese bistro, or Beisl, is a cozy, down-to-earth eatery that serves traditional dishes — soup with pancake strips or dumplings, schnitzel, goulash, pastries — in a setting of dark wood paneling and basic tables and chairs.

Medieval beauty. Walk down the streets of medieval Vienna, along the narrow, cobblestone lanes around st. Stephen’s cathedral, appearing as they were centuries ago, and the winding alleyway of schönlaterngasse, the main lane of a historical neighborhood lined with colorful baroque townhouses.

 

Afternoon

Island getaway. A narrow sliver of an island, the Donauinsel is frequented by locals for recreation and affords a chance to stroll hand in hand and appreciate the beauty of Vienna away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Your carriage awaits. Snuggle in a horse-drawn carriage, known as a fiacre, as you and your sweetheart listen to the rhythmic sound of clip-clopping hooves and learn about fascinating local history. Fiacre stands are found in different parts of the city: stephansplatz, heldenplatz, albertinaplatz, petersplatz and burgtheater.

 

Evening

Relax, together. Settle in for a relaxing couple's treatment in the luxurious spa suites of the hotel. Lose yourselves in the “from Vienna with love” experience — an evening that includes mineral and steam baths, massages, champagne and dinner at Dstrikt steakhouse.

Cocktails with a view. On the eighth floor, finish your date with a nightcap at the hotel’s upscale atmosphere rooftop bar, and watch the sparkling lights of the night sky above and the city below.

Morning

To the market. Naschmarkt is Vienna’s largest and most famous market, featuring rows of stands and restaurants selling fresh produce and Viennese and international culinary specialties.

Flowers and fountains. Vienna’s Volksgarten is so inviting for a morning stroll, with scenes of perfectly manicured flower beds, elegant fountains and gorgeous architecture. Romance is in full bloom in spring and summer in the park’s rose gardens, where 400 types of roses blossom.

Cosmopolitan oasis. Have your camera ready at the nearby palm house in Burggarten. This enchanting art nouveau glass house is a tropical haven of more than 3,000 square feet in area that is home to hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies.

 

Midday

Dance the night away. The lyrical Viennese waltz is forever tied to Vienna’s rich cultural heritage — in the peak ball season of January and February, more than 450 ball events take place in the city. Try a lesson at a private studio. Also, the hotel offers guests authentic ways to experience Aball day in Viennese fashion.

 

Afternoon

A kiss to remember. Vienna’s belvedere museum houses the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the medieval period to the present day, but for lovers, one work is a must-see — Viennese artist Gustav Klimt’s captivating masterpiece “the kiss.”

Garden stroll. The Belvedere palace gardens are a magnificent accompaniment to the museum’s art, a picturesque place encompassing three large terraces and accented with beautiful fountains, clipped hedges, and baroque sculptures.

Aperitivo time. At the hotel, sit for an aperitivo in the Sicilian Pastamara – Bar Con Cucina for a coffee or negroni and prepare for the evening.

 

Evening

A night of music. Savor a performance at the renowned Vienna state opera, where passion is set to beautiful music. Productions range from baroque to the 21st century, with an emphasis on the 19th century. In April, May, June, September and December, opera and ballet performances will be shown live in front of the opera house.