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What to do and see in Inner City, Vienna Region: The Best Concerts & Shows
In Vienna, the coffee house isn’t just a hangout: it’s an institution. Lingering over a newspaper with a pastry and a strong espresso drink is, according to UNESCO, officially a Viennese cultural pastime. Walk off your slice of Sachertorte with a self-guided tour of the city’s stunning traditional, Secessionist, and modern architecture, such as the Imperial Palace, the State Opera House, the Kirche am Steinhof, or the Kunsthistorisches Museum, an exercise in ornate geometry.
Restaurants in Vienna
1. Classic Ensemble Vienna
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 182 reviews
Classical concerts at St.Peter's Church in Vienna. Welcome to the Saint Peter's Church, one of the most beautiful barroque churches in Vienna, built from the year 1701 to 1733 based on the plans of Lukas von Hildebrand. It was here back in the 4th century and under the roman empire where the first church was built in Vindobona, now Vienna. Since then. this worship is celebrated here. Liturgy, masses and classical music makes Peter's Church a hot spot for the locals and tourists. Also the Classic Ensemble Vienna has found his home here. Consisting of internationally renowned musicians who had many successful performances in Austria, Mexico, USA, Sweden, Germany, etc., the Classic Ensemble Vienna captivates with beautiful interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi and more. We invite you to experience this unforgettable journey.
Reviewed By _davidprimm45 - El Paso, United States
This is a classical music presentation that should not be missed. It takes place all year on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 19:30 hour on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. 18:00 hour on Saturday. The location is a short distance from U-Bahn station Stephensplatz line 1. I was very impressed because it is a very intimate concert with about 50 chairs. You are up close and personal. It takes place in the house of Mozats first apartment in Vienna. It is the oldest concert hall in Vienna where Mozart performed. Instruments played by the quartet were two violins, one viola, and one Cello. Selections included Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, and Beethoven when I attended. If you miss this concert, you are missing a gem.
2. Concerts at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
At Vienna's landmark St. Stephen's Cathedral, enjoy a classical concert with Mozart, Beethoven, Bach or Vivaldi and others. Take in the breathtaking atmosphere of one the world's most beautiful churches surrounded by wunderful classical music.
3. Wiener Staatsoper
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,016 reviews
Vienna's internationally renowned opera offers nearly 300 performances each year.
Reviewed By amandaleenj - Highlands, United States
I am so glad I heard about the Standing Room Tickets for the State Opera in Vienna! €3-€4 for a world class opera is definitely a must do! A few tips: 1-There is a side entrance for the Standing Room Tickets (on the opposite side of the Opera House from the big outdoor screen). Make sure you go in the building unless the line is already out the door. 2-The ticket window opens 80 minutes before curtain, but I was told to get there a full 2 hours before. When I arrived, I was towards the front of the line inside, but there were maybe 50 people in front of me. 3-Dress appropriately! I saw quite a few people turned away for wearing shorts (both men and women) and ripped jeans. Those were the two offenses I heard repeated over and over, so I am not sure if there are any others. 4-Bring something to do in line! I was traveling solo and was so happy to have a book with me. 5-Bring a scarf or something to tie around the railing to secure your place.
4. Deutschordenskloster 'Sala Terrena'
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By kholton52 - Chester, United Kingdom
We were pleasantly surprised by the smallness of the room with only 6 rows of seats. It made the concert so much more of a special experience. The music was great and it was nice to have a break with a drink. Really recommend.
5. Ronacher
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
CATS - A LEGEND RETURNS The most successful musical of all times at the Ronacher from autumn 2019 The Vereinigten Bühnen Wien will present the world-famous show in a new version of the original production at the Ronacher from the autumn with its première in September 2019. Breathtaking dance, legendary costumes, a magical stage design, Grammy-awarded, electrifying music and the moving world hit "Memory", which has meanwhile been sung by more than 150 world-famous artists (including Barbra Streisand and Céline Dion), make CATS an unforgettable experience. A magical theatre evening for the whole family.
6. Jazzland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By Marassa - Moscow, Russia
Perfect jazz club in a cellar, small and cozy, come early to grab a decent seat, enjoy a beer and the music!
7. Hofburg: Festsaal, Zeremoniensaal & Redoutensaal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Tiberiu_Baranyi - Timisoara, Romania
Indeed the Hofburg - or the Imperial Palace of the House of Habsburg - situated today in the historical center of Vienna, was built over several centuries. It was mentioned in writing since the XIII-th century - late 1200's - and this review is about the section facing the Heldenplatz - Heroes Square - and this section is the newest part of the complex - it is from the 19th century. (it was also planned to have a mirror wing on the other side of the Heldenplatz, but never got built and with the start of the WWI and the demise of the Habsburg dynasty it got never built) It is indeed a place/building that has a historical importance over the ages - one of the recent and most important moments was 15th of March 1938 when from the balcony of this building A. Hitler declared the Anschluss (incorporating Austria into the 3rd Reich). Today there several museums that have the home here : - Ephesos Museum - Papyrus Collection - National Library of Austria - Historic Musical Instruments Museum - Court Hunting and Armor Collection. - Vienna World Museum (in the wing closest to Burgring). So for those of you who are into history is a must see place of the Hofburg complex. To enter the museums you pay an entrance fee - and if you get a Vienna Card you have some discounts. For those of you who are into arts and architecture (this baroques palace for sure will be interesting) it is another must see attraction - amongst the many that you need to put on the must see list of landmarks in Vienna. So once the world gets back to normal this will be, again, a place worth visiting.
8. Musikverein
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,205 reviews
Reviewed By 503frederics - Belgrade, Serbia
This review will be on the long side - hoping that as a "regular" I can provide useful info/tips and help people make the best of their visit to the Musikverein. The Musikverein is one of the best classical music venues in the world. Period. Most of the negative reviews here are about the tourist concerts that also take place here on occasion. You have to know that the "real" Musikverein season runs September-June, with a scarcer offering in September and June and during school holidays. When there is no "official" concert, the hall (and part of the staff apparently) is *rented* for tourist-only "Mozart" ou "Mozart and Strauss" concerts of the ubiquitous kind. So if you come during summer, you won't be able to watch a proper concert at the Musikverein - the cultural life has moved to Salzburg or other festivals. Should you go to one of these tourist-only concerts instead? For me, the short answer is "no!". These "concerts" have nothing to do with the Musikverein's fame, and if you know anything about classical music and have ever been to a classical concert before, you WILL be disappointed. Take a guided tour of the building and look for a concert in a church (some will be "mostly for tourist" but of much better/acceptable quality, others will be genuine concerts for locals, like the great summer programme of Baroque music in the quaint Ruprechtskirche). If you know nothing about classical music, should you go? Well I would also answer "no", but if you must do it, know exactly what to expect (overpriced show, unruly audience of tour groups, bored musicians who hate churning the same tunes to an obnoxious audience day after day... READ THE REVIEWS!). The staff will be super rude *of course*: they have to manage hundreds of unruly people, many of them angry because they feel ripped-off. The regular Musikverein ushers are bona fide music lovers (I know this from my conversations with them, and from a complicit exchange once with one of them during a rehearsal, when we both recognized a piece that was *not* on the programme...), and they *hate* the tourist-only concerts. The rest of the staff are summer extras who are not part of the Musikverein and are probably underpaid/exploited. Even if they take pity on you for feeling cheated, there's nothing they can do: your money is in the hands of the "tourist concerts" companies, and will stay there. So AVOID the tourist concerts and if you are lucky to be there during the regular season, go for a real Musikverein concert instead. Availability of tickets will depend on the concert - some will be sold out months in advance, some (also good) will have tickets on sale up to the start of the performance. In any case, use the official box office on the left side of the building or the official website (musikverein.at). Agencies take a hefty commission - only use them if they happen to re-sell tickets for a sold-out concert you really want to attend. Even then, you might be better off waiting in front of the Musikverein before the concert with a homemade sign asking for a ticket, in case someone is reselling theirs... Or asking the box office again and again for returned tickets, you might get lucky. As for the seats, you get what you pay - be aware that second and third rows on the balcony will have restricted view. The "Orgelbalkon" is a bargain for music lovers BUT it comes with NO VISIBILITY at all (it's above and behind the stage). This is strictly for hardcore music lovers who cannot afford a seat with a view (and don't care). Only choose them if you are fully aware of this! Finally there are the standing tickets, a real bargain at 5 to 7 euros but the standing area is a flat room between columns in the back of the parterre, not very comfortable. In my view, it's fantastic IF AND ONLY IF you manage to secure a spot in the front, next to the railing and between two columns. Achieving this requires some planning. For some concerts without any big names it might be OK to arrive just 40 minutes or even 30 minutes before the concert, but for concerts that will draw a larger crowd 2 hours are more advisable! First you wait in front of the building (doors open 60 minutes before the show), then below the stairs either on the left or on the rights (two separate lines). You HAVE to bring your coat and bags to the cloakroom downstairs (Euros 0.85 per piece). Don't argue about this, it's compulsory everywhere in Vienna. Just do it! If you are a group, take turns to check the coats while others keep your spot in the line. If you are alone, have a friendly chat with your neighbours and/or the ushers so that they agree on your spot in the line (they will). 35 minutes or so before the concert, you will be herded upstairs and wait in line once more at the gate of the Golden Hall until the bell rings - upon which you make a run for the best spot (don't linger! the front row fills up in a matter of seconds...). That's it! If you followed these rules you should have on of the "good" standing spots for a world-class performance, at 6 euros + cloakroom fee. Can't beat that! Lastly: contrary to what some have written here, the ushers are NOT unfriendly or rude and DO NOT treat standing tickets holders as second-class citizens. The standing area regulars are a valued audience - but the system does not exist for the tourists - it's first and foremost designed for local students, retirees and music fanatics. Tourists *are* welcome, but must earn respect and show they are not the usual disruptive and casual visitor (aka "nuisance") only looking to tick a box on their to-do list. The Musikverein would do perfectly well with only the regulars and no tourists at all - so tourists are expected to do their homework and to know and heed the house rules and traditions. (For example, photo is OK only until 5 minutes before the concert - spontaneously turn off your cellphone after that because the staff is super tired of having to do the cellphone police non-stop and will not be very polite about it...). Now it's time for great music! Enjoy! :)
9. Porgy & Bess
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By Sergiu1188 - Timisoara, Romania
Went there to see the great american jazz guitarist Mike Stern. Location is great, sound is excellent, the bar services are also ok. Also lost my credit card in the club and the staff returned it to me directly to my table, after they checked my ticket reservation based on the name written on the card. The single thing I didn't liked was the temperature, it was too hot in the location. This can affect the also the artists and the equipment tunes.
10. Concerts at the Mozarthaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
The „Concerts in Mozart’s House“ take place in the house of Mozarts first apartment in Vienna, now the monastery of the “German Teotonic Order”. Mozart lived and worked here for Archbishop Colloredo in the year 1781. The “Mozart Ensemble” will enchant you with a musical program that includes well-known compositions as well as great works of famous composers like Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven, Bach etc. By performing in Austria and abroad, the “Mozart Ensemble” has established itself in the Viennese concert culture and has become an “insider tip” for visitors from all over the world.
Reviewed By YunatanY - New York City, United States
Great ambiance, coupled with historical relevance, phenomenal performances results in an unforgettable evening.
