Vienna, Austria: A Breathtaking Sunset, Gourmet Food, and Night Tour
#EuropeTravel #AustriaTravel #ViennaNightView
I know a place with a stunning sunset view in Vienna, Austria! Paying for a view from an observation deck? Nope! I'll tell you about a wonderful place where you can enjoy Vienna's sunset and night views for free. :)
💜 Beautiful Emotions, Kärntner Straße
Arriving in Vienna late in the afternoon on the OBB from Salzburg, I planned a night tour of Vienna on my first day. I absolutely adore night views, so I love wandering around to see the glittering lights.
After checking into my accommodation, I went straight to the subway station and purchased a single-use ticket. I stayed at the Smartment Business Wien Hauptbahnhof, and taking the U1 (red) subway line was just three stops away, and I could quickly reach Kärntner Straße.
Kärntner Straße, with the lights of the shops slowly coming on, had a wonderful atmosphere. I especially love outdoor tables, so I loved the sight of Kärntner Straße filled with them.
I wanted to join the crowd of people enjoying themselves at the outdoor tables, but I held back for a bit to catch the sunset.
🩷 Albertina Museum
I wanted to see the beautiful sunset on Kärntner Strasse, my first encounter with Vienna, up close, so I headed to the Albertina Museum.
Climbing to the top of the Albertina building, I could see the Vienna State Opera and Kärntner Strasse at a glance. The key point is that there's no admission fee. Even if you don't visit the museum, you can freely enjoy the view of Vienna from the stairs outside the building.
I usually plan to visit at least one observation deck during my travels, but most of them charge an admission fee. But what I love most about the Albertina Museum is that it's not even an observation deck, but it's more than just a free one. :)
💜 A Stunning Pink-Purple Sunset
With each step I climb, I get closer to the sky. The sunset, which had previously been a warm yellow-orange, now paints the sky with even more intense pink-purple hues, like mixing paints.
This kind of sky with such vibrant colors is something I rarely see in Korea, so it's truly awe-inspiring. The moment I arrived in Vienna, I was overwhelmed by nature's beautiful gift. I just stared at the sky until it darkened.
I'm not the only one who felt this way. Everyone here was holding their hands high above their heads, capturing this moment with their cameras. I was so happy to be in this space, I wanted to stay a little longer. :)
🩷 The Sparkling Vienna State Opera
In front of the Albertina Museum stands the Vienna State Opera. While I never got to see a concert during my entire trip to Vienna, the land of music, I was lucky enough to watch the sunset from the top of the Albertina Museum and hear the music emanating from the opera house.
It was an unexpected treat. It was so good from outside, but hearing it inside the opera house might just send shivers down your spine. Don't regret not making a reservation like I did. Be diligent and make sure to book your opera house reservation.
💜 St. Stephen's Cathedral
After a very satisfying time atop the Albertina Museum, watching the sunset and listening to music, I stopped by St. Stephen's Cathedral on my way to dinner.
When I visited, the exterior was undergoing renovations, but despite that, the grandeur of St. Stephen's Cathedral, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, was still evident. I was overwhelmed by its grandeur.
This cathedral, where Mozart's wedding and funeral took place, boasts a wealth of attractions, each space unique to its size. It's fascinating to see so much more than just a church where mass is held: gorgeous stained glass, the catacombs, multiple altars, and even a statue of Christ with a Toothache.
There are observation decks on the south and north towers, but they charge an admission fee. It's a bit disappointing to think that the cathedral has become too touristy and commercialized.
🩷 St. Peter's Cathedral
It wasn't my intention, but I stumbled upon St. Peter's Cathedral while walking to a restaurant. I couldn't just pass it by and went inside. My Vienna night tour somehow turned into a cathedral tour.
The interior was even more magnificent than I'd imagined. The architectural style was distinctly different from ours, the ornate altars, and the meticulously designed high ceilings—all of these works of art were breathtakingly beautiful, beyond words.
Today, I was lucky. After a quick tour of the interior, I was about to head out for dinner when the sound of the organ suddenly stopped me in my tracks. We were fortunate enough to attend the 7:30 pm organ concert at the cathedral. The resonance of the organ resonated beautifully throughout the cathedral.
💜 Sparky's Unlimited Bar & Grill
We didn't have a specific place in mind for our first dinner in Vienna. Gärntner Strasse and Graben Strasse were filled with outdoor tables, either in the center or on either side, so anywhere felt like a good choice.
Moreover, the brief but enchanting sunset, the nighttime glittering lights centered around the Vienna State Opera, and the sound of the organ in St. Peter's Cathedral were so exhilarating that I felt like walking down the streets of Vienna and stopping for a bite to eat.
Without any knowledge of the restaurant, I simply sat down at an empty table. True to European restaurant culture, I waited patiently for the server to arrive, scanning what everyone else was eating to decide what to eat.
Finally, I made eye contact with the server and ordered my food. The food arrived slowly, but the beer, as always, was swift. I loved that. My beer was half empty when my steak, salad brimming with arugula, and fries arrived. The food wasn't anything special, but the atmosphere was perfect, and the moment felt incredibly precious.
🩷 A Perfect Night Tour
The long train ride from Salzburg to Vienna, a hungry afternoon, and the night tour, my first stop in Vienna, were exhausting, but I didn't want to miss a single moment. It was a perfect trip.
The beautiful Vienna sunset and nightscape, the unexpectedly beautiful sounds of opera music piercing through the walls of the Opera House, and the beautiful resonance of the organ inside St. Peter's Cathedral. Even though it wasn't Christmas, I received a ton of gifts.
That feeling was captured perfectly at Sparky's Unlimited Bar & Grill, my first meal in Vienna and the end of my first trip. The outdoor atmosphere, the taste of the food, and even the time of day. So, this was the perfect Vienna night tour. :)