Spring in Vienna: A perfect day

Finally, it's getting warmer! Our recommendation for a spring excursion: Through the 2nd district from the colorful Karmelitermarkt to the idyllic Augarten. Don't forget your sunglasses!

Morning: Lively market and special museums

Marketplaces have always been an important social (and culinary) meeting point. That is also particularly true of the Karmelitermarkt in Leopoldstadt. That's why the best way for you to start the day is by strolling past the colorful market booths, sampling the assorted kinds of food now and again, and watching the lively goings on. The area around the marketplace, the Karmeliterviertel, also invites you to go exploring.

Spring is the ideal time to try something new. Why not visit a somewhat unusual museum? The Museum of Crime, just around the corner, is definitely one of them. It presents the history of the judiciary and police as well as criminality from the late Middle Ages to the present day. And all in one of the district's oldest buildings, which has stood here since 1685. Or walk to the Augarten and visit the Porcelain Museum and the related Augarten Porcelain Manufactory. That's a real traditional business, where handicrafts have been pursued for over 300 years.

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The colorful Karmelitermarkt... – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

In the Museum of Crime... – © Kriminalmuseum

Skull — ... there are some gruesome exhibits. – © Wiener Kriminalmuseum

View of the building of the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory — The Augarten is known for porcelain. – © Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten

Porcelain Museum in the Augarten — The Porcelain Museum offers an insight into the handicrafts... – © Augarten Porzellan

Figure of “Vanity” — ... and shows true masterpieces. – © Alice Schnür-Wala

Afternoon: Convivial or sporty

The Augarten and its 52 acres is one of Vienna's larger parks. It has enough space for all leisure pursuits to take place alongside each other. Simply take a seat on a park bench or lie down on the lawn and watch the many ways this green oasis is used by the visitors. People come here to relax, walk, play sports, and gossip or pursue hobbies like yoga, playing frisbee, dancing, and even chivalrous show sword fighting. Located right in the Augarten, the Schankwirtschaft provides refreshing drinks on the weekend.

If you're a sporty type, Vienna has wonderful cycle paths to offer you, especially in the spring. Thanks to the many Wien Mobile bike stations, you won't need your own bicycle either. From the Augarten outlet, for example, the Kirschenhain cherry tree park on Danube Island can be reached by bike in a gentle half hour. With a little luck, you'll catch the pink-red blossom time.

Bike tour recommendations

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The Augarten: A meeting point for recreation and sport... – © Franz Pfluegl / picturedesk.com

WienMobil Bicycles — For active types: Simply rent a Wien Mobil bicycle... – © Wiener Linien/Alexandra Gritsevskaja

Group of trees on Danube Island, in the background the Kahlenberg — ... and ride to Danube Island. – © WienTourismus/Julian Mullan

Evening: Tasting, listening or seeing

For dinner, we recommend the restaurant Sperling right in the Augarten. Creative and seasonally changing dishes are served, as well as down-to-earth dishes such as schnitzel and steak. You can find mixed international cuisine – and all in organic quality – on Karmelitermarkt in the restaurant tewa.

MuTh stands for music and theater. This concert hall is the living room of the Vienna Boys' Choir and is located at the lower end of the Augarten. But not only does the famous choir perform here: Like the name says, a range of events and concert evenings take place here. Actually, the word "Tanz" (dance) had to be integrated into the name because of the many events of this kind on the program.

As the evenings get longer and warmer, an outdoor activity is another way to round off the day. You can enjoy a really nice walk along the Danube Canal, which you can reach in about ten minutes through the 2nd district. There's a unique atmosphere here during a golden sunset or in the blue twilight – thanks to its proximity to the water and the skyline of the inner city.