Taking the night train direct to Vienna for a city break

Vienna is a place of ultimate discovery. It houses world-famous artworks, the iconic Sachertorte, and Empress Sissi's summer residence. Modern buildings with majestic exteriors are also found there.

We took the Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna. We wanted to explore the city and its attractions.

What to visit

A treasure trove of art

The Belvedere is a popular museum located in the former summer residence of the Habsburgs. It is worth a visit for the two Baroque palaces and well-kept palace grounds.

These historic buildings form a complex that is truly spectacular. Alongside the (literally) dazzling The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, you can marvel at works by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Be sure to set aside at least a couple of hours for this.

If you have time to squeeze in another museum, drop by the Museum of Natural History Vienna by the Ringestrasse. Wander through 39 rooms packed with fossils, dinosaurs, taxidermized birds, corals and the world’s largest collection of meteorites. Also keep an eye out for the iconic Venus of Willendorf – it’s smaller than you might think. This is one visit that’s right out of the history books.

Schönbrunn Palace

You won't believe your eyes when you walk down the grand boulevard towards Schönbrunn Palace. Its huge, golden facade in Rococo style will draw your attention. It is truly exuberant. This palace is stunning. It was home to the famous Empress Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph. It has 1,411 rooms and a lot of pomp and circumstance.

The imperial garden is the perfect spot to take a breather amid the rose bushes, carefully trimmed hedges and royal greenhouses. You’d easily need to spend a full day here to see everything the palace has to offer.

When history meets modern design

We invite you to take a journey through Vienna during the time of Empress Sissi. This period was known for its carriage rides and opera shows. It's important to recognize the modern side of the city. There are many trendy spots that have yet to be discovered. Shining the spotlight on these places is essential.

Once upon a time, everything in Vienna was ‘imperial’. Mumok is the Museum of Modern Art. It is surrounded by hip boutique stores and modern monuments to innovative architectural practices. The twisting, turning Hundertwasser House is an absolute must-see. In fact, this colourful apartment complex (Kegelgasse 34-38) is so bold that it calls itself Vienna’s most visited building.

What to taste

Vienna is where Sachertorte was invented by Franz Sacher (around 1830). The chocolate cake is delicate. It has a refreshing layer of apricot jam in the middle. The top is covered with a thick chocolate glaze. It is definitely worth every calorie.

Visit the DEMEL bakery for the best Sachertorte. It is said that Franz's son perfected the original recipe. It is undeniable that trying a piece of Vienna's iconic dessert is a must-do. Not doing so would be a crime.

What to do

Vienna is famous for its coffee house culture. It’s so connected to the city, in fact, that it is on UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list. The organisation describes the typical Viennese coffee house as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill”.

A visit to a coffee house is a feast for the senses: the wonderful scent of freshly ground coffee beans fills your nostrils, while your eyes rove hungrily over the sumptuous interior with its crystal chandeliers, marble tables and red velvet booths. It’s all there to be enjoyed!