Visiting Vienna over Easter

Hello!

I have been debating if I should travel to somewhere like Vienna (and maybe Bratislava, if there is enough time) during the four day weekend of Easter (March 21-24). But I recall that Germans love closing down everything during holidays. Should I assume Austrians are the same? Do any of you know if anything will be open during Easter weekend? Would it be worthwhile to visit during that time?

Thanks for the input!

Related topic: Vienna – tips for visitors

Related topic: Weekend in Vienna

Related topic: Irish pubs in Vienna

More or less ... but Vienna is always worth a visit

As far as I know, Good Friday is not a holiday in Austria, so the only day it would really hit you is the Monday.

Most museums tend to be closed on Mondays anyway. But attend Easter mass at the Votivkirche, just for the music and choir.

The only things that will be closed are the shops. I assume you're not going there just to shop...?

The Augustinerkirche also puts on a phenomenal mass.

It looks like they'll be doing Haydn's Paukenmesse which alone would be worth the trip.

Late 19th century neo-gothic? no thanks...I'd go with several other options first. Like the cathedral, for example.

@ NofxMike:


Exactly.

I am not Catholic, but uh.. could I sneak into the cathedral and enjoy the music anyway?

I was planning on being there on a Saturday and Sunday. Anything to do during those times, other than mass? (I am going with some friends that dont like churches as much as I do)

Whatcha mean "other than Mass" ???

It's like saying to a bunch of prepubescent boyscouts "Anything on TV other than MacGuyver?".

other than Mass indeed...

There's no need to sneak in, and no-one will ask what your religion is, either.

Maybe you should buy a guidebook, but to throw a few ideas at you: Hundertwasserhaus and the museum around the corner, Schönbrunn, a tour of the Opera House plus of course the wonderful cafes.

I'd wager that most people attending those masses aren't Catholic either. For the most part, the people go for the music (just watch the people in front for when to sit, stand, kneel and shake hands).

Here's a couple of ideas I sent to someone else recently.

Basically the centre of Vienna, known as the 1st district sits inside a ring road. In here there's plenty to see and do. I'll just list a few ideas both here and a little outside it and you can ask for more info if you wish.

Sight-seeing...I'll start with a walk beginning at the Cathedral in Stephansplatz

Stephansdom...big cathedral slap bang in the middle of the city. Worth and visit and worth doing the walk up the spiral staircase to the viewing area high above. Check out the photos on the building opposite the south wall of the cathedral showing what it looked like after it had been bombed during the war.

From here you can wander down Kartnerstr (lots of shops) to the end where you will find the Vienna Opera House. In all my time there and subsequent visits back I have never been inside. Shame on me. Before you get to the Operahaus on the right hand side you'll find a chocolate shop which specialises in Sachertorte. It'll blow your mind! Sachertorte is to chocolate what a threesome with the Jessicas, Alba & Simpson, is...in my head anyway.

Now walk along the ring past the Burggarten which has a statue of Mozart and a flower bed in the shape of a treble clef...good for photos. Continue on to the entrance to the Volksgarten and head inside, through the Hofburg and out the other side to the Roman ruins. The Spanish Riding School is just over to your right now on Reitschulegasse 2. I've no idea of the opening times or that kinda thing but you'll find it easily on the interwebby.

Double back to Michaelerplatz and head down Kohlmarkt to the end and right again onto Graben. Then you're straight back up to Stephansplatz again. Tis an enjoyable walk of just over 2.5km. See here for a map of the route...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1599463

For shopping, the streets I just mentioned are pretty good and contain most of the fancy designer stores. For more realistic shopping your best bet is to head to Mariahilferstr. Starting at the Museumsquartier u-bahn stop it is packed with shops & department stores for about 1.5km. My favourite store there is Peek & Cloppenberg. See link for route

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1599474

Places I can recommend to eat at...

The Gulasch Museum
http://www.gulasch.at

Pürstner - I recommend the Ratsherrenpfanne, it's fantastic
http://www.puerstner.com

Figlmüller - for the biggest schnitzel you've ever seen
http://www.figlmueller.at

Pubs to visit

First of all there is an area known as the Bermuda Triangle (Bermudadreieck) which basically consists of a little area packed with bars. See here: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1599487. Go to Zum Kuchldragoner which is about halfway up Seitenstettengasse. The owner, Ronnie, is a great guy and so long as he's not mental busy he'll look after you well. Other bars in that area worth a visit are Krah-Krah and Bermudabräu at the bottom of the hill (you'll understand when you get there). If you fancy a snack, order a Mailänder Toast in Krah-Krah. You won't regret it. Also, I can't remember the new name but there's a bar beside the Slammer Bar which is worth a visit. In the door and downstairs it opens out into a MASSIVE cellar bar. A bit on the young side at the weekends in my opinion but worth a looksee just for its sheer size. There are plenty of others you can poke your head into and see if you fancy them.

Flanagan's Irish Pub - Run by a bloke called Alan who's a top bloke.
http://www.flanagans.at

Charlie P's Irish Pub
http://www.charlieps-irishpub.at

1516 Brewing Company - across the road from Flanagan's. They brew their own beer, nuff said.

Kolar bar on Laudongasse - funky little cellary place...order a Fladen if you're hungry, they rock!
http://www.kolar-beisl.at/3kontakt.html

Centimeter - there are 7 of them in Vienna. Always good fun and some quirky stuff to order, like a wheelbarrow full of food or your own tap at the table.

Lots and lots more I can tell you but would need a better idea of what you are interested in.

I think it would be worthwhile to visit Vienna over Easter. Lots of tourists seem to come here for Easter-- I always notice lots of Italians in town around then.

Shops here are open on Good Friday but not Easter Monday. Check with specific museums for their opening hours/days. I live in Vienna and took visitors from Germany to a museum (Technische Museum-- Technical Museum) on Easter Sunday-- so there are things to do even on the holiday.

As for places to eat, there are lots of good places. I second the recommendation made by another poster for 1516. I also really like Cafe Servus on Mariahilferstrasse-- it's next to the Haydn English movie theater (u-bahn U3 Neubaugasse.) Also you will want to go to a heurigen for a real Viennese experience. Probably the easiest to reach for a tourist will be the ones in the 19th district (such as the Grinzing area.) At the heurigen you get new wine to drink and there will be a buffet of typical regional foods to choose from. I can never spell it correctly but there is this sandwich place called Trznewski with the original location around the corner from the Stephansdom area with these delicious little sandwiches that you eat, usually accompanied with a small pfiff of beer (the place is a Viennese institution.) And you can't come to Vienna without eating wienerschnitzel-- guests of ours have enjoyed Figlmueller (HUGE schnitzels) in the 1st district as well. My Austrian spouse finds it really touristy but it can also be nice to go to the Sacher Hotel for a slice of the original Sachertorte (they do have a little stuberl if you're not so dressed up.)

Mass-- You don't have to be Catholic to go to Mass at St. Stephan's or wherever, although it's best to at least respect that it is a religious service going on. I'm not Catholic but am married to a Catholic and have always felt that my presence was welcomed when I attend Mass with my family. Just keep in mind that as a non-Catholic there are things in/about the service that you shouldn't partake in (communion, for example) and be respectful and quiet during prayers, reading, etc.