Famous for waltzes, Freud, pastries, and Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy falling in love in Before Sunrise (see image above), Vienna is a city of contrasts – where the echoes of imperial grandeur mix with a new creative energy. Known for its historic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and café culture that has long inspired philosophers and artists, Vienna is a city that reinvents its heritage through contemporary design and culture. Here’s your HERO guide to the Austrian capital. 

Ride the Giant Wheel
Not only does Vienna house some of the world’s most prestigious artwork and architecture, it’s also home to one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Prater. Opened in 1895, many of the original attractions have been preserved, including the Giant Wheel – a ferris wheel with wooden cabin booths that stands at over 200 feet tall – the wooden Auto BergBahn roller coaster, which opened in 1948, traditional carousels and more modern thrill-seeking drops. With its distinctive folk aesthetic, Prater holds a unique charm – think Wizard of Oz meets Poor Things.

Prater is located at 1020 Vienna.

Grab a drink at the American Bar
Vienna’s American Bar – located on a side street away from the crowds – exists as an unassuming gem for lovers of a good drink and a good time. Outside, a Star and Stripes facade made from onyx stones guides the way, while the bar’s ornate Art Deco interior transports you inside a Scott Fitzgerald story. At 27 square meters, it’s the smallest bar in Vienna, but also the best.

Designed by Adolf Loos as an ode to the 1920s American-style bars that swept through Europe at the time, the bar became a favourite haunt for the city’s intellectuals and artists – including, famously, Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler. It’s also said that a door downstairs used to be connected to the brothel next door (now gone), so patrons could secretly escape into the bar when required. A true institution, the American Bars’ cocktails are the best in town – we recommend the New York Flip.

Loos American Bar is located at Kärntner Durchgang 10, 1010.

Eat local delicacies at Café Prückel
Continuing the time-travel theme, follow the neon red sign and make time for a drink at Café Prückel. Built in the early 1900s and refurbished in 1954 by Oswald Haerdtyl, the café maintains the stylish mid-century aesthetic of the era – all mirrored walls, pastel tones and mood lamps. Indulge with a coffee, newspaper (or a copy of HERO!) and some delicious homemade pastries – the prückelsnitte is a classic.

Café Prückel is located at Stubenring 24, 1010.

Go crate digging at Sing Sing Records
While Vienna’s musical sensibility is famously associated with its classical legacy (and Ultravox’s 1980 hit), the city has a thriving contemporary, DIY culture you’ll discover in venues across the city. Founded in the mid-2000s, Sing Sing Records is a hub of the Vienna scene, it’s not only a great record store, but a base for the city’s sonic community, hosting listening parties, DJ nights, and intimate in-store performances. Intimate and inviting, Sing Sing boasts a vast, eclectic mix, from classics to deepcuts, spanning all genres. We spotted a rare copy of Serge Gainsbourg’s final record, You’re Under Arrest, which we’re hitting ourselves for not purchasing.

Sing Sing Records is located at Neustiftgasse 19, 1070.

Buy some designer pieces
Founded by Song Yi, Song is more of an exhibition space than a traditional boutique, blurring the boundaries between the two as an intimate celebration of artisan craft. Highly-curated, the concept store exhibits emerging artists alongside exclusive designer furniture and hand-selected fashion brands, including Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Bierendonck and John Alexander Skelton. It’s a one-stop shop for 360 lifestyle elevation.

Song is located at Praterstrasse 11-13.

Pay homage to Austria’s great artists
For a more contemporary take on the city’s art scene, head to the MuseumsQuartier. The Leopold Museum is a must-visit, not only for its collection of contemporary Austrian art – including Egon Sciele, Gustav Klimt, and Emil Jakob Schidler – but also for the building’s rooftop terrace, which boasts the best view of the city. There’s also the Mumok (Museum of Modern Art), showcasing contemporary masterpieces from artists like Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and more.

MuseumsQuartier is located at Museumsplatz 1, 1070.

Experience old-school opulence
If you wish to truly experience old-school Vienna, book a night in the opulent Grand Hotel. Built in 1872 and designed by Carl Tietz, the Grand Hotel was a favourite for aristocrats and royalty. Johann Strauss celebrated his 50-year jubilee at the grand ballroom, the crown prince Rudolf and Mary Vetsera had a love affair in the suite of Countess Larisch, and the three tenors Carreras, Pavarotti and Domingo were all regulars.

The Grand Hotel is located at Kärntner Ring 9, 1010.

Stay in a luxurious new hotel
For a more modern taste of Vienna living, spend a night in the new A by Adina hotel. Launched just this week and located in the city’s up-and-coming Donaustadt district on the banks of the Danube River, (two skate parks are located at the base of the hotel if that’s your jam) the architectural venue is situated inside the iconic 180-meter-tall Danubeflats skyscraper – Austria’s tallest residential tower – and is specifically designed with individually-shaped rooms, from panoramic 180 degree windows, to kitchenette suites, and terraces. Take your pick. The hotel also boasts a private infinity pool, saunas, and an excellent small plates and drinks bar, Lottie’s.

A by Adina Vienna is located at Canettistraße 3, 1100.

Take a dip in the Danube
In winter, Vienna gets pretty damn chilly, but in summer it gets real hot. Hundreds of kilometres to the coastline, the city of Vienna has taken matters into its own hands, transforming its iconic Danube river into a series of beaches for recreational swimming, boating and bathing. Boasting idyllic conditions, it’s a hot spot for locals, holding many memories for anyone who grew up in the city. There are different spots for different needs, so whether you want a peaceful swim to clear your mind, or to be amongst the crowds with a few beers in hand, there’s a beach for you.