I flew to Vienna in August 2024 with my girlfriend, Emma, with one event at the centre of it all: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. We're both fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work remotely, so we booked a 5-week stay in an apartment in Vienna. When the concert dates were cancelled, it broke our hearts. But we were already there, and Emma had done a lot of planning, so we decided to make the most of it.

The cancelled show was around the middle of our stay, so we'd already spent some time discovering the sights. Vienna was our home base for a slow, curious stay, and we used the city’s excellent transit to hop out to nearby highlights. From this Torontonian's perspective, Vienna’s public transport felt fast, frequent, and easy to navigate. That alone made long-term travel feel surprisingly low effort.

Where we stayed and why location mattered

Emma did most of the research on the apartment, and she focused on accessibility to transit. That paid off. Because we booked a place in the center of the city, we could rely on trams for short hops and the subway for longer cross-city journeys. For example, taking the subway out to Augarten to tour the porcelain manufactory was quick and predictable, and the tram network made evenings and market runs effortless.

If you’re staying a week or longer in Vienna, pick a place near a U-Bahn station. You’ll save time and skip roundabout routes, which matters when you want to squeeze in museums, day trips, and relaxed mornings. If you can, find somewhere close to a local market: with smaller fridges and storage than we may be used to in North America, you'll likely make fewer, smaller grocery runs through the week.

If you're someone like me who doesn't handle heat well, you may want to splurge on a place with air conditioning. As it was, we kept the fans running and the windows open at all times, which created some new issues, as window screens aren't a guarantee in older European buildings, letting bugs inside easily. Still, the nights were usually cool and calm, and we'd wake up every morning to the bells of a nearby church.

Highlights in Vienna

The city itself is beautiful; some of my favourite experiences from our stay were the museums, shops, and gardens. Whether you choose Schönbrunn or Belvedere, setting aside time for one major palace visit is worth it. The art, gardens, and architecture give a good counterpoint to the city’s modern transit convenience.

Walking Tours

There are plenty of walking tours available, but we knew we wanted specifically to delve into the history of espionage in Vienna. Some flashy headlines will tell you that Vienna is the "Espionage Capital of the World". Our tour guide was knowledgeable and extremely friendly. He seemed to find a point of connection with every person on the tour and quickly made us all feel involved. 

He took us through some notable locations from throughout Vienna's history, talking about the various ways spies and spycraft have shaped the city.

He also told us part of the history of how Vienna got its believed spy status: a mathematician estimated that a certain number of diplomats and staff should be required to run the various embassies and offices in Vienna, while the actual count is much higher. Are all of those extra staff spies? Obviously, we can't say. But it was still fun to mull over.

Albertina Museum

After the announcement that the tour dates were cancelled for Vienna, a lot of local businesses did their best to accommodate the disappointed Swifties. One of those was the Albertina museum: anyone with a ticket had free admission for the weekend.

I’m a fan of accessible, well-curated art. The Albertina’s collection and rotating exhibits were a calm way to spend an afternoon, even while crowds of tourists were descending on the city. It also helped that it was air-conditioned (any fellow travellers to Europe in the summer know what I'm talking about).

If you're a fan of museums, it's worth nothing that most of the museums in Vienna have a slightly different schedule than we might be used to in North America. It's fairly common for businesses to close in the early evening and be closed on Sundays, while museums and other attractions would normally be open all weekend. To make up for the day off, we noticed that most museums seem to switch their schedules to being closed Mondays and Tuesdays for a makeshift weekend. Be careful to check the hours before you plan your visits.

Augarten Porcelain Manufactory

This trip happened because of a personal tradition Emma keeps: she likes to collect small pieces of pottery as souvenirs. In searching for places we might find locally-made pottery, I found Augarten Porcelain Manufactory, the oldest operating porcelain manufactory in Europe.

The website lists the times of tours and says that they operate on a "first come, first served" basis, but it also says that English tours are available on request. We chose to roll the dice and got supremely lucky, but if you're looking for one of the tours, I suggest calling ahead to make sure you have an English-speaking guide. Fortunately, our guide spoke English, and we happened to be the only two people on our tour, so we had a true personalized experience. Hearing those stories in an intimate setting made the visit feel special, and, since the manufactory is still working today, you can see artisans at work when tours are available.

Outside Vienna

If you've got a bit more time in Austria, there are plenty of ways to get around and see the sights. We were able to rent a car, book and train, and take a river cruise to a few different places we wanted to visit outside of the city.

Salzburg weekend: Sound of Music and fortress views

We took the high-speed rail to Salzburg for a weekend. The train ride was comfortable and fast, and it’s a straightforward way to add a mountain escape to a Vienna trip. In Salzburg we did the Sound of Music bus tour. Our guide struck a perfect balance between serious fan energy and playful hosting, which made the route feel fun even if you’re only casual about the film.

The highlight in Salzburg was Fortress Hohensalzburg, which crowns the city and gives the Alps-meets-Baroque scenery that Salzburg is famous for. Also, Salzburg’s mountain air was a welcome break from the August heat in Vienna. If you’re sensitive to heat, plan Salzburg or another alpine stop as a cool-down day trip or overnight.

On the Danube: a river cruise to Melk Abbey

Another day we took a river cruise on the Danube to Melk. The abbey there is one of those sights that looks like it belongs in a postcard and the ride along the river gives a different view of Austrian countryside than trains do. Melk Abbey’s baroque interior and library are worth the visit if you like history and architecture. The cruise itself is relaxing, and it’s a good way to see the Wachau region without the logistics of driving.

Practical tips for a long Vienna stay

• Transit passes: Depending on how often you’ll use public transport, a multi-day or monthly pass can save both money and time. With five weeks, a longer pass or a reliable pay-as-you-go option is worth considering.

• Book small guided tours in advance: We requested English for the Augarten tour and scored private attention. For small-group experiences like that, emailing ahead helped secure the language option and a better time slot.

• Plan for heat in summer: Vienna can get warm. If you don’t enjoy heat, aim for morning or evening activities, and schedule alpine day trips like Salzburg to get cooler air.

• Rail day trips: High-speed rail connects Vienna to Salzburg and other Austrian cities. Trains are fast and straightforward, so they’re perfect for weekend escapes.

Final thoughts

Even with major plans changing, a long stay in Vienna rewards flexibility. The city’s transit system makes day trips practical, and there’s enough variety to make a five-week visit feel fresh rather than repetitive. Whether you’re there for a concert, a festival, or just a long getaway, Vienna works as a strategic base for exploring art, history, and the Danube valley.

FAQs

How do I get from Vienna to Salzburg and how long does it take?

High-speed trains run frequently between Vienna and Salzburg. The journey is typically around 2.5 to 3 hours on the fastest services. Booking seats in advance is smart for weekends and summer travel, but trains are frequent enough that you can usually find flexible options.

How should I plan for Vienna in August weather-wise?

August can be hot. Pack light layers, plan indoor museum visits during the hottest hours, and use tram or subway travel to limit long midday walks. Consider a day trip to Salzburg or the Alps for cooler air.

What neighborhoods are best for a longer stay in Vienna?

Choose a place close to a U-Bahn station and near local tram lines. Central districts close to the Ring, the MuseumsQuartier, or the Naschmarkt give quick access to museums, markets, and a wide selection of cafes. If you prefer quieter residential vibes, look slightly outside the center but still near a subway line.

Any tips for booking small guided tours in Vienna?

Email ahead when you need a tour in English. Small venues like the Augarten manufactory often accommodate language requests with advance notice. Also, traveling in shoulder-season months can make getting private or almost-private tours easier and less expensive.