5 Best hidden gems in Vienna

If you already know the typical sights in Vienna and want to experience something a bit different on your city trip to Vienna, then you’ve come to the right place.

Kahlenberg – The most beautiful viewpoint in Vienna

Whenever we asked people for their favorite spot for the best view of the city, we always got the same response: the Kahlenberg. The 480-meter-high summit is located to the northeast of the city and offers a great view of Vienna.

On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Carpathians in neighboring Slovakia. Especially at the weekend, many Viennese flock to the Kahlenberg.

Only a few hundred meters from the Kahlenberg lies the Cobenzl. This hill, officially called Latisberg, also offers a great view of Vienna.

How to get there: Take the U4 to the terminus at Heiligenstadt. From there, take bus number 38A, which stops at the Cobenzl first and then continues to the Kahlenberg.

Danube Island – The green heart of Vienna

The Danube Island is a 21-km-long and up to 250-meter-wide artificial island on the Danube. It was originally created in the 70s and 80s as a flood barrier and is now the most popular local recreational area in the city.

On the Danube Island, you can hike, bike, skate, or simply escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a picnic.

The Danube Island is the perfect place to take children: There’s a beach, a climbing park, a huge water playground, and the world’s largest trampoline park.

Danube Canal – Graffiti and beach bars

The Danube Canal is the arm of the Danube that flows right through the middle of the city. It separates the 2nd district (Leopoldstadt) from the 1st and 3rd districts.

There’s lots of graffiti and street art along the Danube Canal, and in recent years many great beach bars have sprung up. Locals are especially fond of Tel Aviv Beachand Strandbar Hermann.

Das Loft – The coolest skybar in Vienna

Das Loft is a great bar with an absolutely outstanding view of Vienna. The bar is located on the 18th floor of the Sofitel and is a real experience. Not only is the view great, the cocktails are really good too.

In addition to a bar, Das Loft also has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Both the bar and the restaurant are usually pretty crowded, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation before you go.

Franziskanerplatz – Viennese coffee house culture straight out of a picture-postcard

Franziskanerplatz is a small square in downtown Vienna. It’s just as beautiful as the rest of the city center, but still there’s something very special here: the Kleines Café.

At first glance, the Kleines Café – which literally means “small café” – seems very inconspicuous, and in fact it isn’t as huge an attraction as the famous Café Sacher, but that’s what makes it so special.

The café is cramped and smoky and looks as if time stood still decades ago. So if you want to visit a typical Viennese café away from the tourist crowds, then the Kleines Café on Franziskanerplatz is the right place for you.