Language: German    |    Currency: Euros (€)    |    Local time: UTC +1:00   |    Avg. Flight time: 2.0 hrs

Deal pricing is accurate as of 9:00am GMT today.

Even Viennese horses go dancing, in a city where the Winter Ball Season lasts for months. And, if that’s not your thing, just swap the Blue Danube for the real Danube and paint the town red on Donaukanal, a former arm of the famous river which is lined with bars, clubs and restaurants.

And what’s that? The city offers the “world’s best quality of life”? Yes, that’s Vienna in 2017 too. Happily, the charming locals like to share their good fortune, and if a holiday here doesn’t leave Wien Für Immer (Vienna Forever) engraved on your heart, they’ll want to know why. 

Vienna owns ‘The Kiss’ and loves lovers

Any time’s right for a romantic weekend in Vienna. Fall into each other’s arms on Rathausplatz’s frosty winter ice rinks, or stroll hand in hand down cherry blossom-strewn Hainburger Weg in spring. If you’re there on New Year’s Eve you could learn to waltz in front of St Stephen’s Cathedral: lessons are free, just bring a partner and feet.

For more highbrow pursuits, head to Belvedere Palace and sigh in front of ‘The Kiss’, then lounge around languidly on the Museum Quarter’s street art. After that you could go over your Vienna holiday plans at Café Landtmann – if you’re lucky you might even manage to bag what was Freud’s favourite table.

Vienna’s great for any size of break

The historic Innere Stadt could have been built with an eye on 21st-century Vienna city breaks. Compact to a fault, packed with big-ticket attractions and home to more legendary coffee houses, theatres and glossy shopping streets than really seems fair, this bite-size centre’s a neat fit for short holidays.

With more than a weekend in Vienna to spare, seek out the city’s coolest quarters. 

Hip Margareten is best for lavish Art-Deco design and the vast Naschmarkt flea market. Serious shoppers in Vienna will go for the heady mix of cute pop-ups and department store giants in Mariahilf. And, if you’re on a budget, Donauinsel is the city island to cast away on for the price of a U-Bahn ticket.  

When to go

Springtime in Vienna is all mild, blossomy prettiness, while autumn brings you gentle mists, giving you the perfect excuse for hot chocolate with whipped cream in cosy cafés. What’s more, both are great seasons for flight deals to Vienna.

Come summer, cheap Vienna holidays are trickier to find. Don’t avoid this time, just book wisely and remember: Donaukanal beaches and coffee on the hoof cost next to nothing. 

Winter holidays in Vienna are about Christmas markets and action-packed ice rinks, making it a bit of a festive legend. If your pockets are deep, Innere Stadt hotels are luxurious and lovely in December. But even a winter holiday is workable on a budget; book rooms outside the city centre, hunt down hotels offering cheap Vienna packages and browse the markets with caution.

Events for your diary

Feel like celebrating? Vienna 2017 has it covered. If you like fun for no money, try the massive Danube Island Festival in June, which has entertainment for all ages. July’s blazing Festival of Lights is free too.

Holiday in Vienna in autumn and you’ll want tickets for September’s Summerbreak, but with over 400 DJs, plus parades and performances, they’re worth every cent.