Vienna wears its imperial past lightly — grand palaces one minute, a slow coffee and a slice of Sachertorte the next. Your German will get a warmer welcome than the city's cool reputation suggests.
- Schönbrunn Palace — the Habsburgs' summer residence, 1,441 rooms and gardens that climb to the Gloriette. Go early and walk up for the view over the whole city.
- The Belvedere — a baroque palace holding Klimt's The Kiss. Standing in front of that shimmering gold is a Vienna moment you don't forget.
- Stephansdom — the Gothic cathedral at the city's heart, with its tiled roof and a tower you can climb. The lift to the north tower skips the 343 steps.
- The Naschmarkt — Vienna's great food market: cheese, olives, Austrian and Turkish stalls. Saturday adds a sprawling flea market alongside.
- A traditional Kaffeehaus — Central or Sperl. Order "einen Melange, bitte", read a newspaper on a wooden pole, and never be rushed. It's UNESCO-listed culture.
A polite "Grüß Gott" (hello, in the Austrian way) instantly marks you as someone who tried. Practise with a German speaker below and order that Melange like a Viennese.
