Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below are London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
🫖 Afternoon Tea /Wizard Afternoon Tea, spellbindingly delicious, with a smoky cauldron on the side.
🛏️ Overnight /Key of Dreams, a luxury 24 hour immersive theatre and fine dining experience you can stay in overnight.
This Month’s Highlight
Peaky Blinders: Underworld
The one everyone’s talking about right now. Set in the historic railway arches by London Bridge, Peaky Blinders: Underworld drops you straight into Thomas Shelby’s world, starting in a full recreation of the Garrison Tavern, where you can grab a drink before finding the hidden door down into the underworld beneath. From there you’re free to explore Garrison Lane, The Bookies, Chinatown, and the Small Heath Fairground, bumping into actors, solving puzzles, and stumbling into surprises along the way. Around an hour, fully immersive, and exactly the kind of world-building the show’s fans have been waiting for. Running 13 August 2026 – 3 January 2027, from around £25.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
As someone who values style and comfort in equal measure, I’m always searching for footwear that’s versatile enough for travel, city walks, workdays, and everything in between. VIVAIA is a brand that kept popping up on my radar, marketed as sustainable, elegant, and genuinely walkable. When I had the chance to try out five of their pairs, I was curious: would they live up to the hype?
I tested them over a few weeks, rotating through different styles, weather, and occasions. Here’s my honest take on each pair.
What Makes Vivaia Different
Before getting into the individual pairs, it’s worth knowing what’s actually behind the “sustainable” label. Vivaia makes its shoes from recycled plastic bottles, spun into a breathable knit yarn, it takes around 6 bottles to make one pair of flats. They also work natural fibres like cotton and hemp into some styles. It’s not just marketing spin, it’s the reason the knit uppers on several of these pairs feel the way they do.
Best for: Anything! This are the comfiest shoes ever.
If comfort is what you’re actually shopping for, the Izabel is the one to go for. It combines the easy slip-on feel of a ballet flat with the support and sole grip of a sneaker, extra heel padding, real arch support, and a soft, roomy toe box that doesn’t dig in anywhere, which is exactly what other reviewers say too, several call them out specifically for having zero break-in period and genuinely supportive soles, not just a soft knit upper doing all the work. I took these out on a drizzly morning, my feet stayed dry, and I didn’t slip once. They’re breathable, cushioned, and machine washable, which makes them a dream for travel, and easily the pair in this lineup I’d reach for on a day where I know I’ll be on my feet for hours.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 10/10 Worth noting: Great for airports or days when weather is iffy Style tip: Works best with joggers, jeans, or anything casual-sporty
Best for: An easy everyday flat that still looks polished
The Silvie is a square-toe loafer with a barely-there 1cm heel, so it wears more like a smart flat than an actual heel. Same stretchy, sock-like knit upper as the rest of the range, with a wide toe box and a padded heel patch built in to stop any rubbing. Other reviewers consistently flag it as comfortable straight out of the box, no break-in period, even on days with a lot of walking.
Fit: Runs true to size, wide toe box Comfort: 10/10 Style tip: Works well with tailored trousers or a midi skirt for a polished-but-relaxed look
The Cristina lace-ups have a cool, Oxford-meets-sneaker vibe that’s ideal for adding polish without feeling overdressed. They’re lightweight, flexible, and sharp enough to dress up a simple outfit. However, fair warning: I got them in a lighter shade and they attracted dirt faster than I expected. They’re washable, yes, but if you’re not up for that maintenance, go darker as given how flat they are they can get dirty very quickly.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10 Worth noting: Stylish but not made for messy terrain Style tip: Pair with tailored pants or monochrome outfits for a clean, modern aesthetic
These are a standout. The Nelly Mary Janes are made with Vivaia’s AdaptAll technology, which basically means they stretch and adapt to different foot shapes, ideal if you have bunions, wide feet, or just prefer a forgiving fit. The strap gives a cute, vintage feel, but the shoe itself is ultra-modern in comfort. I wore these for a full walking day with no socks, no blisters.
Fit: Extremely forgiving, true to size Comfort: 9.5/10 Style tip: Looks great with socks and a flowy dress, or cropped denim for a casual French-girl vibe
The Maville slingbacks are the most “fashion” of the bunch, but still surprisingly wearable. I was expecting them to be stiff or too narrow, but the knit upper stretches just enough, and the slingback actually stays put. I wore them out to dinner and walked a few city blocks comfortably, which I can’t say for most pointed shoes. They’re an easy way to elevate a basic outfit, and despite the knitted style they can look very elegant with a night dress.
Style tip: Pair with straight-leg jeans or a midi skirt for an effortless dressy look Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10
Final Thoughts
VIVAIA really delivered on comfort, especially for a brand that leads with sustainability and style. All five pairs felt thoughtfully designed—nothing pinched or needed breaking in, which is rare. I especially loved how lightweight and breathable they were, making them great for warmer months and travel.
If you’re looking to invest in versatile shoes that blend fashion and function (without sacrificing your feet), these are genuinely worth a try.
Pisa is a small city, perfect to cover on foot in one day. Everyone knows it for its Leaning Tower, but there’s more to this beautiful Tuscan city than that one photo.
🚗 Getting Around / Pisa is small enough to walk in full, no need for public transport at all, it’s about 25 minutes on foot from the train station to Piazza dei Miracoli.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re doing Pisa as a day trip and don’t want to lug your bags around, no stress, there are luggage storage points near the station. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Pisa Bucket List: 16 Things to Do
1. Take a Walking Tour of Pisa
Pisa grew from a Roman colony into a powerful maritime republic long before that tower ever started leaning, and a walking tour is the easiest way to actually understand that history rather than just photograph it. A good one covers Piazza dei Cavalieri, the narrow streets of Borgo Stretto where Galileo Galilei was born, and Piazza delle Vettovaglie, an old market square the Medici turned into a Renaissance cloister. Book this 2-hour walking tour of Pisa.
2. Take Ridiculous Photos with the Leaning Tower
No shame here. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173 as the bell tower of the Duomo, and it was built on sandy ground, so it started leaning even before construction finished. After many attempts to correct it, some of which actually made it worse, engineers finally stabilised it between 1993 and 2001, settling the tilt at its current 3.97 degrees, officially stable for at least another 300 years. Book skip-the-line entry if you want to climb the 294 steps to the top, worth booking well ahead as slots are limited. The tower is the only monument in the square you pay for separately, and it has to be booked online in advance no matter what.
3. Explore the Duomo di Pisa
The Duomo is a medieval cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, construction began in 1064 under Buscheto, though it was Rainaldo who’s credited with the impressive facade of white and grey stone. Entrance is free, but you still need to collect a free timed-entry ticket at the office in the square, it’s not a walk-straight-in kind of free. If you’ve already bought a ticket to any other monument in the complex, that covers your Duomo entry too. If you’d rather skip the ticket office altogether, book a combined Leaning Tower and Cathedral entrance ticket in advance.
4. Visit the Baptistery
The Baptistery, right in the same square, is the largest in Italy, built around the same time as the Tower. Its double dome design gives it remarkable acoustics, every half hour or so a guardian sings a few notes and the reverberation is genuinely worth the wait to hear.
5. Wander the Camposanto
The Camposanto is the monumental cemetery within the same complex, built in 1277 to give the graves next to the cathedral a more orderly setting. Mathematician Fibonacci, of the sequence you learned in school, is buried here. It’s filled with frescoes, sarcophagi, and arches, quieter and far less crowded than the Tower itself. Money-saving tip: a combined ticket covering the Baptistery, Camposanto, and the Opera del Duomo and Sinopie museums costs around €10-11, far cheaper than paying for each separately, buy it at the ticket office in the square or book it online in advance.
6. Wander Piazza dei Cavalieri
A 10-minute walk from the Tower, Piazza dei Cavalieri is the university heart of the city, free of the souvenir shops that crowd Piazza dei Miracoli. Cosimo I de’ Medici had it redesigned by Vasari in the 16th century to headquarter the Knights of St. Stephen, a Tuscan naval military order, and the Palazzo della Carovana they trained in still has the most elaborate sgraffito facade in all of Italy. The statue in the centre of the square is Cosimo I himself, dressed as the order’s Grand Master with a foot resting on a dolphin, a nod to Pisa’s old maritime power. The Palazzo is now home to the Scuola Normale, one of Italy’s most prestigious universities. If you’re here on the second weekend of the month, there’s a genuinely good antiques and flea market too.
7. Explore the Orto Botanico
The Orto Botanico di Pisa is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, founded in 1544, and a quiet, green escape if you need a break from the crowds around the Tower, just a few minutes’ walk south of it. Expect a botanical school, tranquil lakes, greenhouses, and a proper mix of trees, flowers, and herbs. Entry costs around €6, but it’s free on the first Sunday of every month.
8. Admire the “Tuttomondo” by Keith Haring
A few metres from the station, in Vittorio Emanuele II square, you’ll find the Parish of San Antonio Abad, home to Tuttomondo, a mural by Keith Haring painted in 1989, just months before he died. It’s made up of 30 interlocking figures representing peace and harmony in the world.
9. Admire the Architecture Along the Arno River
Follow the river past Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, a tiny Gothic gem right on the riverbank that once housed a thorn supposedly from Christ’s crown of thorns, brought to Pisa in the 1300s (the relic itself has since moved to the church of Santa Chiara, but the building’s still worth the stop for the facade alone), Ponte Solferino (lovely views of the colourful houses), Palazzo Agostini, also known as Palazzo dell’Ussero, with its curious 15th-century brick facade, and Piazza Garibaldi. Continue to Ponte di Mezzo, overlooking Piazza XX Settembre and Pisa’s City Hall, past Palazzo Gambacorti, a 14th-century Gothic building with a clock tower and loggia, and Palazzo Blu, the dusty light-blue palace that stands out from Pisa’s earth-toned streets. Entry to the permanent collection is free, which is unusually generous, while the temporary exhibitions run around €5 for adults.
10. Have Mind-Blowing Gelato
I had the best gelato of my life in Pisa, at Gelateria De’ Coltelli by the river. I saw so many locals having gelato there, not tourists, which is why I picked it, and it turned out to be genuinely delicious, they even do a pistachio vegan flavour, which is unheard of.
11. Eat and Shop at Borgo Stretto
After visiting the Arno, walk through Borgo Stretto, one of the liveliest and most picturesque streets in Pisa, where the true charm of the city comes out. It’s also full of good restaurants and cheaper than the more touristy areas near the Tower, and it’s where Galileo Galilei was born, keep an eye out for the marker.
If you need a bit of green space and free wifi at the same time, Giardino Scotto is a genuine oasis of tranquillity in Pisa.
14. Visit the Basilica of San Piero a Grado
Slightly outside the centre, the Romanesque Basilica of San Piero a Grado is a true pilgrimage site that few tourists ever find, away from the crowds of Piazza dei Miracoli, with beautiful mosaics and altars inside. Take extra-urban bus 10 (towards Livorno) or 20 (towards Calambrone) to get there.
15. Make Your Own Pasta
For something a bit different, book a hands-on pasta-making class at a traditional farmhouse in the Tuscan hills, about 15 minutes outside Pisa. You knead and shape the dough yourself, then sit down to eat what you made with the day’s sauce and a glass of local wine, optionally with a walk round the farm’s own vegetable garden first.
16. Kayak Along the River Arno
For a proper change of pace, get on the water itself with a kayak tour on the River Arno. An instructor teaches you the basics before you paddle past the Benedictine Monastery, Santa Maria della Spina, and Palazzo Blu, the same riverside landmarks from the Arno walk, just seen from a completely different angle, sunset slots are the ones to grab if you can.
Best Day Trips from Pisa
Lucca
Just 20-25 minutes away by train, Lucca is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in Tuscany, a beautifully preserved walled city where you can walk, cycle, or just wander the ramparts that still fully encircle the historic centre. Trains run roughly every half hour, so there’s no need to book anything in advance, though you can check times and prices on Trainline. If you’d rather make the journey itself part of the day, book a self-guided bike ride from Pisa to Lucca along the Puccini Trail, a scenic route along the Serchio River, with the option to bike back or return by train.
Chianti Wine Tasting
If you want to see the Tuscan countryside without renting a car, a half-day trip into the Chianti hills covers vineyards, olive groves, and a proper wine tasting with the winery owner. Book a half-day Chianti wine tasting tour from Pisa or Lucca.
Florence
Florence is only about an hour away on a direct train, and it’s an easy one to do independently, no tour needed unless you specifically want a guide for the Uffizi or Accademia. Trains run frequently throughout the day from Pisa Centrale, book yours on Trainline. It’s usually the other way round, Pisa is normally the day trip people tack onto a Florence base, but it works both ways, and there’s a well-reviewed day trip from Florence covering Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano with lunch if you’d rather have it all sorted for you.
San Gimignano and Volterra
Nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” for its skyline of medieval towers, San Gimignano is best combined with Volterra‘s Etruscan ruins and Roman theatre on a single guided day out, neither is easily reachable by public transport from Pisa, so this one’s really a Florence-based add-on rather than a straight Pisa day trip. Book a San Gimignano and Volterra day trip with food and wine departing from Florence, worth it if you’re already planning a Florence stop.
Where to Stay in Pisa
Budget Accommodation
Casa Carducci 33: A guesthouse on a quiet central street, just a 5-10 minute walk from the Leaning Tower, with a friendly host, easy self check-in, and consistently glowing reviews for cleanliness and location. Best for: anyone who wants a genuinely well-reviewed budget stay right in the centre.
Mid-range
La Lu Cozy Rooms: A guest house owned by Luisa, a gorgeous host. It has three tastefully decorated bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and air conditioning, plus a shared room where you can relax with a coffee, tea, or herbal tea and some genuinely good cookies. Vault ceilings, a blue Smeg fridge, and views over Piazza dei Cavalieri from the windows, just a 30-second walk away. The Leaning Tower is a 10-minute walk. Best for: anyone who wants a personal, hosted stay right in the centre.
Splurge
Grand Hotel Duomo: A comfortable, classic hotel practically overlooking Piazza dei Miracoli itself, about as close to the Tower as you can get without staying inside it.
One day and one night is genuinely perfect for Pisa itself. The city is small enough that you can walk all of it, no public transport needed at all, and it’s about 25 minutes on foot from the station to Piazza dei Miracoli. Add a second day if you want to fit in Lucca or a Chianti wine trip from the Day Trips section below, or pair it with Cinque Terre or a wider Tuscany road trip rather than treating it as its own multi-day destination.
Getting To & Around Pisa
Search flights on Skyscanner, Pisa has its own airport (PSA), just a short hop from the centre. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Italy, book your train on Trainline, it’s often the easiest way in, especially if you’re combining Pisa with Florence, Cinque Terre, or a wider Tuscany trip.
Once you’re here, Pisa is small enough to walk entirely on foot, no need for buses or trams unless you’re heading slightly further out, like to the Basilica of San Piero a Grado.
Best Time to Visit Pisa
The best time to visit Pisa is spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October), pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds around the Tower. Summer gets hot and busy with day-trippers, since Pisa is such a popular add-on to Florence and Cinque Terre itineraries.
Pisa FAQs
How many days do I need in Pisa?
One day and one night is genuinely enough, it’s a small, very walkable city. Most people pair it with Florence, Cinque Terre, or a wider Tuscany trip rather than staying longer.
Do I need to book Leaning Tower tickets in advance?
Yes, especially to actually climb it, slots are limited and it does sell out in peak season. Book skip-the-line entry ahead of time rather than risk it.
Is Pisa worth visiting beyond the Leaning Tower?
Yes, the Baptistery, Camposanto, Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Orto Botanico, Keith Haring’s Tuttomondo mural, and the walk along the Arno are all genuinely worth the extra time, most visitors only see the Tower and miss the rest.
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Visiting Vienna soon, or thinking about it? If the latter, don’t think about it anymore and get tempted with the things you can do in Vienna featured in the list below. I really liked Vienna, I’ve visited twice. It has beautiful architecture and a royal feel, but is relaxed at the same time. My advice is to visit Vienna on a weekend if you live in Europe and for one or two days if you are doing a trip around Europe or Austria. Anyways, these are my bucket list items for Vienna!
🚗 Getting Around / Vienna’s city centre is extremely walkable, and the public transport (U-Bahn, trams, buses) is excellent if you need to cover more ground.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Vienna. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Vienna Bucket List: 23 Things to Do
1. Take a Walking Tour of Vienna
One of the things I love is to do a walking tour as soon as I arrive to a city to get an idea of its vibe, and what I would want to do with the rest of my time there. If you are also one of those, book this walking tour as soon as you get to Vienna.
2. Grab Lunch at the Naschmarkt
Vienna’s most popular market, the Naschmarkt, is just awesome. Stop here for lunch. There are fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and foods of all world cuisines. The Middle Eastern food on offer is amazing. Plenty of options for veggies and vegans too, like Neni am Naschmarkt.
3. Eat at a Würstelstand
Don’t worry, you’ll see Würstelstands immediately in the city, they are pretty much everywhere in Vienna. They are literally sausage stands that also sell beer (& pretzels!). I recommend the one in front of the Albertina, which you’ll quickly identify as it has a bunny on top.
4. Watch a Show at the Vienna State Opera House
Vienna is all about music. If you stay a few days and meet some locals, you’ll almost certainly end up talking to someone who’s devoted their life to it, that’s just the city. For a budget option, head to the last-minute ticket office at the side entrance and grab a “standing only” ticket for a few euros. If you’d rather plan ahead, book a Mozart concert at the Golden Hall.
5. Walk Along the Danube
On the Vienna walking tour I did, the guide mentioned walking along the Danube was something he recommended. Essentially street artists in Vienna have an implicit agreement with the council where they have a free pass to paint the walls of the Danube’s river banks with the condition that they don’t paint the walls of the rest of the city. And the result is a colourful walk along the river.
6. Try a Pastry from Demel
Hopefully you’re visiting on a cold day, if so, get yourself a hot chocolate and a pastry from Demel, the famous, historical chocolaterie and pastry shop. Order the Anna Torte, layers of orange liqueur-spiked chocolate cream and sponge under chocolate nougat scrolls, it’s the house specialty, named after Anna Demel herself. Their own take on the Sachertorte is also genuinely a rival to Hotel Sacher’s.
7. Admire Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” at the Belvedere
Austria’s most famous painting, an Art Nouveau piece anyone who’s ever loved should see in person, hangs at the Belvedere. Don’t just go to see The Kiss though, hang around for a bit, it’s a great museum in its own right. Go first thing in the morning if you can, it’s genuinely a different museum by 11am once the tour groups descend. Book your entry ticket to skip the line.
8. Eat a Wiener Schnitzel
All non-vegetarians must try this, it’s the dish people picture when you say Vienna, and it earns the reputation. The original Wiener Schnitzel is made of veal, not pork, and eaten with potatoes, don’t let anyone serve you a pork version and call it the real thing.
9. Walk Around the Museumsquartier
The Museumsquartier is one of my favourite pockets of Vienna to just stroll through, even if museums aren’t really your thing, the courtyards alone are worth the visit. If you do want to go inside somewhere, I’d recommend the Leopold Museum. Book a skip-the-line Leopold Museum ticket.
10. Learn About Freud at the Sigmund Freud Museum
A must for psychologists or Freud fans, the Sigmund Freud Museum is where Freud lived for 47 years in Vienna and produced most of his writings.
11. Visit Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
The gorgeous baroque Schönbrunn Palace is really close to Vienna’s city centre and just a lovely visit, relax in the gardens and admire the beautiful rooms. Just don’t leave it for late afternoon, it closes at 17:30 or 18:30 depending on the time of year. The gardens themselves are free to walk, so even if you skip the paid palace interior, climb up to the Gloriette on the hill behind it, the view back over the palace and out across the city is one of the best in Vienna and costs nothing to enjoy from outside. If you’d rather skip the queues and have someone walk you through the state rooms, book a skip-the-line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens tour.
12. Admire St Stephen’s Cathedral
Probably the most original cathedral I’ve ever seen, mostly down to its ornately patterned, richly coloured roof, a genuinely unique Vienna sight. If you want to climb one of the towers, decide how you feel about stairs first, the South Tower is 343 steps with no lift, while the North Tower has an elevator and gets you to the famous Pummerin bell with a lot less effort.
13. Pass by the Hundertwasserhaus
If you like original, out-of-the-box architecture, the Hundertwasserhaus is an incredibly quirky, colourful, kitsch residential apartment complex built by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser between 1983 and 1986. He genuinely believed straight lines were “godless and immoral,” so there isn’t a single flat floor or matching window in the entire building, the floors ripple and slope on purpose, no two windows are the same shape or size, and around 250 trees and shrubs grow straight out of the rooftops, balconies, and even from inside some of the apartments. It’s still an actual residential building with real tenants, so you can only see the exterior and the public areas, but that’s honestly enough to get why it’s one of Vienna’s most photographed spots.
14. Try the Famous Sachertorte
Probably one of the most touristy things to do in Vienna, yes, but who could say no to chocolate cake? Sachertorte is a dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam on top, coated in dark chocolate icing, served with unsweetened whipped cream. Both Demel and Hotel Sacher fight for the title of “the Original Sachertorte”, try both and decide for yourself.
15. Have Coffee in a Kaffeehäuser
Coffee houses have always played a genuinely important role in Viennese culture, the meeting places for musicians, writers, philosophers, and artists for generations. Bring a book if you have one, nobody’s going to rush you out for nursing one coffee for two hours, that’s kind of the whole point. My picks: Café Schwarzenberg, Café Prückel, Café Central, Kleines Café, and Kaffee Alt Wien.
The Hofburg was the winter residence of the Habsburg royal family for over 600 years, and honestly, if you only have time for one palace in Vienna and can’t decide between this and Schönbrunn, this is the one right in the centre, no separate trip needed. Inside you’ll find the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum dedicated to the famously private Empress Elisabeth, and the Imperial Treasury. Book a skip-the-line Hofburg and Sisi Museum tour.
18. Watch the Lipizzaner Horses at the Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School, right next to the Hofburg, trains the famous white Lipizzaner horses in classical dressage, and it’s one of those things that sounds like a tourist trap on paper but genuinely isn’t, watching a performance in the baroque Winter Riding School, complete with live orchestral music, is unlike anything else on this list. Book Spanish Riding School performance tickets, worth booking 4 to 12 weeks ahead in peak season.
19. Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater
The Wiener Riesenrad, Prater’s Giant Ferris Wheel, has been turning since 1897, making it one of the oldest still-operating Ferris wheels in the world, and there’s something genuinely charming about how unhurried it feels, no fast-track queue-jumping thrill ride, just a slow, enclosed wooden cabin and a proper panoramic view over the city. Time it for just before sunset if you can, one rotation takes about 15 minutes, which is plenty of time to actually enjoy the view rather than just snap a photo and move on. Book Giant Ferris Wheel tickets.
20. Get Delightfully Weirded Out at the Narrenturm
Housed in a former 18th-century insane asylum, the Narrenturm is home to the world’s largest public collection of pathological anatomy exhibits, around 50,000 items in total, syphilitic skulls, a narwhal tusk, and taxidermied specimens included. Genuinely not for the squeamish, but unforgettable if you’re into the strange side of history.
21. Visit the Third Man Museum
Dedicated entirely to the 1949 film noir classic shot on location in Vienna, the Third Man Museum packs a private collection of memorabilia into 16 small rooms, and doubles as a genuinely fascinating window into the city’s grim post-war years. It only opens Saturday afternoons (2–6pm), or by private tour appointment, so plan around it.
22. Wander Spittelberg
Tucked just behind the Museumsquartier, Spittelberg is a pocket of narrow cobbled streets, Biedermeier-era houses, and ivy-covered courtyards, a much quieter, more residential contrast to Vienna’s grander imperial sights. It’s especially lovely (if crowded) during its Christmas market in December.
23. Go Hunting for Vienna’s Flak Towers
Six colossal grey Flak Towers (Flaktürme), built to defend the city against Allied air raids in WWII, still loom over Vienna’s skyline in pairs across three parks, deliberately left standing because they were too solidly built to safely demolish. A slightly macabre but genuinely striking scavenger hunt if you’re up for tracking down all three pairs.
Best Day Trips from Vienna
Wachau Valley
A UNESCO World Heritage stretch of the Danube, Wachau Valley is dotted with medieval castles, quaint villages, and terraced vineyards, about an hour by train from Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof or Westbahnhof to Krems or Melk. Visit Melk Abbey, stroll the romantic town of Dürnstein, and taste the region’s crisp white wines in Krems. Book a Wachau Valley day tour covering Krems, Dürnstein, and Melk if you’d rather not sort the train connections yourself.
Hallstatt and Salzburg
Salzburg on its own is generally too far for a comfortable Vienna day trip, a 3-hour drive each way, but a combined day tour that also takes in Hallstatt, the impossibly picturesque lakeside village that’s become an Instagram staple, makes the long day worth it. Book a Hallstatt and Salzburg day tour.
Vienna Woods
Right on the city’s doorstep, the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) combine forested hiking country with a genuine curiosity, Seegrotte, Europe’s largest underground lake, plus a stop for local wine tasting. Book a Vienna Woods tour with the underground lake and wine tasting.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Just an hour away by train, or about 75 minutes by high-speed catamaran along the Danube, Bratislava is a completely different country and a genuinely easy add-on, a fascinating mix of medieval charm and communist-era architecture right on the riverbank. Book a 7-hour Bratislava tour by bus and boat.
Where to Stay in Vienna
Stick to the 1st district (Innere Stadt) if you want to walk to everything, it’s the historic centre and home to the Hofburg and St Stephen’s Cathedral, though it’s also the most expensive. The 6th and 7th districts (Mariahilf and Neubau) give you the best balance of location, atmosphere, and price, and that’s exactly where Naschmarkt sits.
I’m going to make quite a statement, but I think this is the best hostel I’ve been in my life, and I don’t usually do hostels, or generally like them, I guess I’m too old for them at least now! But Wombats in Vienna completely exceeded my expectations. It’s really clean, the room and locker both open with a card key, which I found genuinely impressive, and every room has an ensuite bathroom. There’s a nice bar in the hostel where I met a lot of people in about two seconds, and they even give you a free welcome drink. Breakfast is excellent and cheap, and they run a free walking tour of Vienna too. It’s been a while since my own stay, but it’s clearly not a fluke, it’s still sitting at 9.1 on Hostelworld from over 34,000 reviews and ranked in Vienna’s top 12 specialty stays on Tripadvisor, so whatever they’re doing, they’re still doing it right. There’s also a second location, Wombats The Lounge, close to Westbahnhof Train Station. Best for: solo travellers and anyone who wants to actually meet people.
A small, classically styled B&B ranked #1 of 175 B&Bs and inns in Vienna on Tripadvisor, with an overall rating of 9.4/10 across review sites. Each floor has its own decor theme, expect parquet floors and genuinely comfortable beds, and there’s a warm, personal touch, afternoon coffee and cake, and complimentary house concerts with chamber music most weekends. Worth knowing: it’s central for most sights but Schönbrunn Palace itself still needs a short tram or metro ride, it’s not walkable from here despite the name.
The legendary home of the Original Sachertorte, right across from the State Opera House, about as central and iconic as Vienna gets. It opened in 1876, built by Eduard Sacher, son of the pastry chef who invented the Sachertorte, on the site of the old theatre that stood before the Opera itself. It’s still privately owned by the same family today, the Gürtlers, four generations in, one of the last privately-owned luxury hotels left in the world. Currently sits on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list and holds 3 Michelin Keys.
1 to 2 days is enough for a weekend trip if you live in Europe, hits the main sights, a coffee house, and the Sachertorte debate.
3 days is the sweet spot, adds Schönbrunn Palace properly, the Belvedere, and time to just wander without rushing.
4+ days lets you add a day trip, the Wachau Valley or Bratislava are both easy, worthwhile additions.
Getting To & Around Vienna
Within Europe, low-cost flights get you to Vienna very cheaply, search on Skyscanner, and book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups if you’d rather have it sorted in advance. Depending on where you’re coming from, the train can also make sense, both in terms of time and money, especially from nearby cities like Prague or Budapest.
Once you’re here, Vienna’s city centre is extremely walkable, and the public transport network (U-Bahn, trams, buses) is excellent whenever you need to cover more ground.
Best Time to Visit Vienna
The best time to visit Vienna is spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), mild weather and manageable crowds. Summer (June to August) is warm and busy with tourists, while winter brings the famous Christmas markets but genuinely cold temperatures, worth it if that’s your thing.
Vienna FAQs
What is the best time to visit Vienna?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer the best weather-to-crowds balance. Winter is worth it for the Christmas markets if you don’t mind the cold.
How many days do I need in Vienna?
A weekend (1 to 2 days) works if you live in Europe, but 3 days is the sweet spot for a proper first visit.
Is Vienna expensive?
Vienna is mid-range by Western European standards, not as pricey as somewhere like Paris or Zurich, but not a budget destination either. Coffee house culture and museum visits add up, but public transport and food markets like the Naschmarkt keep costs reasonable.
What’s the best day trip from Vienna?
The Wachau Valley (castles, vineyards, about an hour by train), Bratislava (a different country entirely, also about an hour), and the Vienna Woods (hiking plus an underground lake) are all genuinely easy and worthwhile on their own. Salzburg alone is too far for a comfortable day trip, a 3-hour drive each way, but a combined tour that pairs it with the lakeside village of Hallstatt makes the long day worth it if you want to tick both off.
Do I need to book museum and palace tickets in advance?
For the big ones, Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere especially, booking ahead is worth it in peak season to skip the queues. Smaller museums like the Sigmund Freud Museum or Leopold Museum are usually fine to just show up.
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Enjoyed this article? Support my work by buying me an oat cappuccino. Otherwise, do me a great favour and leave a comment, and follow me on Instagram (@travelwithpau), feel free to say hello, I don’t bite. And make sure you save the article for later on Pinterest.
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