A Weekend in Vienna from Cyprus: Flights, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Vienna is all imperial grandeur and unhurried rituals: palace tours, slices of cake in historic coffee houses and evenings of classical music. It's a favourite winter escape from Cyprus, when the Christmas markets fill the squares with lights and mulled wine.

How do you get to Vienna from Cyprus?

There are direct flights to Vienna year-round from both of Cyprus's airports, and the flight takes about 3 hours 20 minutes. From Larnaca, Austrian Airlines and Ryanair fly to Vienna. From Paphos, Ryanair flies the route. Book early for December, when Christmas market weekends are in high demand. Routes and schedules change by season, so check with the airline before booking.

From Vienna International Airport, the City Airport Train (CAT) runs non-stop to Wien Mitte on the edge of the old town. The S7 suburban train also runs to Wien Mitte, more slowly but for less, and ÖBB Railjet trains run to Wien Hauptbahnhof, the main station. Airport buses and taxis are also available.

Is Vienna good for a weekend?

Vienna suits culture lovers, music fans, couples and families. It's clean, safe and easy to get around, with excellent trams, buses and an underground (U-Bahn).

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are mild and good for walking and gardens. Summers can be warm, and winters are cold, often near freezing, so pack properly. Late November and December bring the Christmas markets, the most popular time for weekend trips from Cyprus.

What to do in Vienna in a weekend

Day 1

Start at St Stephen's Cathedral in the heart of the Innere Stadt, then walk through the old town to the Hofburg, the former imperial palace, with its Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments. Stop for coffee and cake in a classic Viennese coffee house. In the evening, see a performance at the Vienna State Opera or a classical concert.

Day 2

Spend the morning at Schönbrunn Palace, touring the state rooms and walking through the gardens up to the Gloriette for the view. In the afternoon, browse the Naschmarkt, then visit the MuseumsQuartier or the Kunsthistorisches Museum. In season, finish at a Christmas market such as the one in front of the City Hall (Rathaus).

If you have a third day

See Klimt's The Kiss at the Belvedere, ride the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, or take a day trip to Bratislava.

Where to stay in Vienna

• Innere Stadt (1st district): central and historic, ideal for first-timers.
• Neubau (7th district): creative and stylish, good for couples and independent shops.
• Leopoldstadt (2nd district): close to the Prater and well connected, good for families.
• Wieden and Mariahilf (4th and 6th districts): near the Naschmarkt, with plenty of places to eat.

What to eat

• Wiener Schnitzel: a thin breaded veal cutlet, Vienna's signature dish.
• Sachertorte: a rich chocolate cake with apricot jam.
• Apfelstrudel: apple strudel, often served warm.
• Tafelspitz: boiled beef with apple and horseradish sauces.
• Würstel: sausages from a street stand, a classic late-night snack.
• Grüner Veltliner: Austria's crisp white wine, served in wine taverns (Heurigen).

Practical tips for travellers from Cyprus

• Currency: the euro, as in Cyprus.
• Language: German. English is widely spoken.
• Time difference: Vienna is 1 hour behind Cyprus.
• Passport/ID: bring a valid passport or EU ID card. Cyprus isn't in Schengen yet, so there are passport checks even within the EU. Non-EU residents should check the entry rules for their nationality.
• Mobile roaming: EU roaming rules apply, so your Cyprus plan works as it does at home.
• Local tip: in a traditional coffee house you can linger as long as you like over one coffee, which comes with a glass of water. Most shops close on Sundays, so plan any shopping for Saturday.

Looking for more ideas? See our weekend getaways from Cyprus.