Vienna Survival Series – Sightseeing. Photo: Eurovision Ireland

Grüsse aus Wien! Eurovision Ireland is already here on the ground in stunning Vienna, bringing you all the latest happenings from the rehearsals and backstage at the Wiener Stadthalle. Will you be joining us soon in the Austrian capital? Wondering where to start with it all? Welcome to our Vienna Survival Series – let us do the hard work so you can just turn up, relax and have a great time!

So you’ve come all the way to Vienna for Eurovision – are you just going to sit in your hotel room, waiting for the final? Of course not! (And if those are your plans, seriously, what’s wrong with you?!) Get out and explore! Vienna is the cultural and political heart of Austria and one of the largest cities in the whole EU. With its grand buildings, huge palaces, museums, monuments and parks, Vienna is a wonderful city to discover. Intrepid Eurovision Ireland writer James set out into the Austrian capital to give us a few sightseeing musts for Vienna – here’s what he found!

100 years ago, the Hofburg complex was the winter residence of the ruling Hapsburgs monarchs. Nowadays, the imposing collection of buildings are home to various imperial-related museums and also the official residence of the Austrian president. If you want to know another reason why a detour to the Hofburg is a must for Eurovision fans, watch James’ video!

In the south-west of the city, the huge Schönbrunn Palace was the summer retreat of the imperial family. With its sweeping grounds, impressive rooms and also the oldest zoo in Europe, you could easily spend the entire day here. You can see from the video, it certainly draws the crowds and it is MASSIVE!

Grüner Prater is a huge park, stretching for almost 3 miles along the Danube. It’s said Prater is at its best in May, so we picked the right time to be here! There’s plenty of green space if you want to relax, but also a fun fair and the Riesenrad.

Stay tuned for more Viennese delights as we explore Austria’s capital and show you the short cuts to making your Eurovision trip to Austria one to remember!

Been to Vienna before? Think there is somewhere we missed? Somewhere we should go? Let us know!

Author: James Scanlan

Source: Eurovision Ireland