I had pictured Vienna differently to what I was looking at. That was my first mistake. Vienna, I was pleasantly surprised, was very different to what I thought of it. I had been under the impression it was extremely expensive and I’d have to watch my Euro very carefully if I intended to stay long – therefore it was heartwarming to know that I need not have worried that much.
Eat cheap: Like all European cities, Vienna has a famous market – that generally is most active at night, selling all types of food, excellent coffee shops for very reasonable prices. If you are watching your wallet, this could be the place you can indulge without breaking your budget. Second hand stores with fabulous deals, cheap tram-travels and delicious street food are yours for taking.
Stay in hostels: I stayed at Wombat, a hostel facing Naschmarket, Vienna’s famous market that also hosts the flea market and very close to the metro station and walking distance from Karlsplatz. It was a good thing too because I could easily wander into the market to grab a bite. There is a thing about hostels – you can get a very decent breakfast for a very reasonable price. Hostels in Vienna are clean and safe.
Shop at supermarkets: I was surprised to see exclusive Chinese supermarkets along this area, as I was to see a huge number of expat population in Vienna. Dubai, where I live, is full of expats – and I suppose I had somehow decided that expats lived in the Middle East more than any other place – but Vienna soon changed that. Shopping at supermarkets is cheap and you can buy only what you need.
Shop at second hand store: I’d never imagined myself to be looking through a second hand store in Vienna (or any other place for that matter) but when returning from the Hundertwasser House, I happened to find a delightful little second hand store and promptly bought myself a “Bavarian” type of dress. I never regretted that decision. Good value for money. There are plenty of such stores – you’ll find them tucked away in the back lanes.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
The coffee and dining scene in Vienna is one of the best. Take the schnitzel for example – it has everyone droolling over it. Like every other tourist (and local) I ate as many schnitzels i could possibly eat – chicken, pork…whatever took my fancy. Coffee – now that is another thing that not to miss. Vienna is renowned for coffee and I loved every kind of coffee and it felt a little odd asking for “Americano” in Vienna – but I suppose they were used to that kind of a request.
I love egg noodles – having eaten too much of it earlier in Germany, I craved for more of it in Vienna and finally found it in Stadtpark! It was just as delicious as in Munich.
Since it was the European summer, I was glad to be able to just walk about without worrying about the cold. I do hate it when it is cold and have to be bundled up in layers!
