It is the most pleasant city in the world.
In 2023 again, The Economist
magazine
once again placed Vienna at the top of its ranking of cities where life is good.
The Austrian capital's involvement in environmental matters is undoubtedly no stranger to this and has earned it another distinction, that of the greenest city in the world, according to .
With half of the territory covered in green spaces (and even vineyards), nature is practically around the corner.
The streets, moreover, tend to be left available to pedestrians and cyclists, to the point where more and more parking spaces are transformed into shared vegetable gardens cultivated by local residents.
For these reasons (and many others), Vienna is an ideal destination for an eco-responsible stay.
No more need to explode your carbon footprint to travel the 1000 km that separate it from Paris thanks to the recent night train.
Energy neutral hotel, locavore and vegetarian restaurants... Our recommendations and good addresses to discover sustainable Vienna.
Go there by train
The Paris-Vienna night train will become daily from October 2024. GEORG HOCHMUTH / APA / AFP
With Berlin, Vienna is the only European capital to be linked to Paris by night train.
Since the end of 2021, the Nightjets of the Austrian company ÖBB have been connecting the two capitals in around 15 hours, with a departure from Paris Gare de l'Est around 7 p.m., a passage to Strasbourg before midnight and an arrival in Vienna around 10 a.m.
If it currently runs at the rate of three round trips per week, it will become daily from October 2024. On board, travelers have the choice between three categories of comfort: seats, berths and private cabins, some of which have a shower.
If the train does not have a bar car, a catering service is still offered instead.
Seat from €29, berth from €49.90, bed in cabin from €89.90 per person.
Breakfast included, except for seated passengers.
Information and reservations on nightjet.com.
Traveling by public transport
Vienna's tram network has 28 lines and extends over 225 km.
JFL Photography - stock.adobe.com
Three quarters of Viennese people say they use them daily to get to their workplace, alternating with walking and cycling.
It must be said that public transport, efficient and frequent, allows easy access to all corners of the capital.
In addition to five metro lines (a sixth is expected in 2026), Vienna has a tram network totaling 225 km, the sixth most extensive in the world.
Passes allow you to use the network at will for 24, 48 and 72 hours for €8, €14.10 and €17.10 respectively.
Information on the Viennese urban transport website, Wiener Lienen.
The Vienna City Card, in addition to access to public transport, offers discounts in museums, hotels and restaurants.
About €17 for 24 hours, €25 for 48 hours or €29 for 72 hours.
Information from the tourist office.
Stay in a hotel with a neutral energy balance
The Boutiquehotel Stadthalle in Vienna in pictures
Access the slideshow (6)
Green facades, a lavender field in the interior courtyard... Upon arrival, the ecological commitment of the Boutiquehotel Stadthalle immediately convinces us.
Located away from the center, ten minutes by metro from Stephansdom, this three-star hotel is proud to present itself as the first urban hotel in Europe to have a neutral energy balance.
To achieve this performance, the establishment had, for example, to give up air conditioning in its 79 rooms;
nothing to hinder our stay, when temperatures were around 30°C in July.
Michaela Reitterer, founder of the hotel in 2002, is keen to respect the 17 sustainable development goals established by the UN, which are also displayed throughout the hotel.
Using low-energy light bulbs, wasting less food, avoiding plastic... So many environmental commitments to which are added, among others, the reuse of rainwater for toilets and the use of solar panels for heat the water.
In certain rooms, works of art made from used plastic invite us to reflect on our consumption habits.
Boutiquehotel Stadthalle
, Hackengasse 20, 1150 Vienna, Austria.
Such.
: +43 1 982 42 72. Single room from €80 per night, Economy double room from €102 per night, breakfast included.
Eat locally
At dinner time: at Tian Bistro
Tian is a well-known name among Viennese food lovers.
In addition to the restaurant located a stone's throw from Saint-Étienne Cathedral, the group has a bistro ("
more relaxed
", our waiter proudly tells us) in the bohemian district of Spittelberg.
At dinner, a unique menu composed of eight dishes to share, all vegetarian or vegan, whose locally sourced ingredients surprise with their bright colors and rare flavors.
Dining on the vast terrace is an opportunity to simultaneously appreciate the neighborhood life brought to life by its theaters and art galleries.
TIAN Bistro am Spittelberg
, Schrankgasse 4, 1070 Vienna.
Such.
: +43 1 526 94 91. “Jardin du chef” menu at €54 per person (dinner only).
A shared breakfast is also offered on Saturdays (€36 per person).
On the go: at the Wiener Würstelstand
Wiener Würstelstand has two stands in Vienna, here in the center.
Vienna Tourismus / Paul Bauer
Typically Viennese, the Würstelstand refers to a traditional stand where hot sausages called “frankfurter”, “käsekrainer” or “bratwürste” are served and served in the form of a hot dog.
The Wiener Würstelstand offers these same specialties in an organic version.
The portions, rather reasonable, will probably not be enough to satisfy big eaters, but will satisfy vegetarians since meatless versions are offered.
Wiener Würstelstand, Pfeilgasse 1, 1080 Vienna, or Josef-Holaubek-Platz, 1090 Vienna.
For a frozen pleasure: at Veganista
In addition to the classic chocolate or pistachio flavors, the dozen Veganista shops scattered around the capital present on their menu ice creams with unusual flavors, such as basil or cumin, prepared every morning.
Behind the concept: two sisters, Susanna and Cecilia, vegans for 20 years, determined to offer products guaranteed without artificial colors or flavors, or flavor enhancers.
To be enjoyed on sunny days (but not only).
From €2 per scoop in a pot or cone.
The city that will never run out of water
While parts of Europe face droughts and water shortages, Vienna has nothing to fear.
For more than 150 years, the capital has had springs in the Alps from which water is transported by means of a sloping canal system that does not require pumping.
This water distribution system can be discovered by walking a dedicated hiking trail.
In addition to being abundant, the water is of exceptional quality.
Vienna is the first city in the world to have included the protection of drinking water in its constitution.
The city has 1,300 fountains, ideal for filling your water bottle wherever you are.
Take a walk in the green
In the vineyards
On the heights of Vienna, the vineyards constitute an ideal place for a walk (here the Cobenzl district).
Werbung / Dietmar Denger
“Wien” (“Vienna” in German), “wine” (“wine” in English): a similarity which reflects the unwavering relationship which links Vienna to wine.
Here, the vines extend over 600 hectares within the perimeter of the city, making it the only metropolis in the world to have such extensive viticulture.
To the north, on the right bank of the Danube, the wine districts of
Cobenzl
and
Kahlenberg
are easily accessible by tram (line 38) and bus (38A).
Wilder and less frequented, the hill of
Bisamberg
, on the left bank, also offers beautiful walks among the vineyards, always with the city center in the skyline.
Once back down, we stop at the Christ estate (
Weingut & Heuriger Christ
) for a wine tasting, also offered among the vineyards on sunny days.
At Prater Park
Stroll through the wooded paths or have fun on a carousel, Prater Park offers both!
Vienna Tourismus / Paul Bauer
Parks, forests... Half of the city's surface area is made up of green spaces.
It's difficult to choose the corner of nature to take a walk during your stay in Vienna.
Prater Park is to be preferred for more than one reason: in addition to being the largest green expanse, it is home to the oldest funfair in the city.
Its emblematic 61 meter high Ferris wheel dates from 1897, the year the park was created.
Travelers looking for peace and quiet will prefer to get away from its 250 attractions to walk among the meadows and along the waterways.
A green lung just three kilometers from Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
At the Brunnenmarkt
Away from the tourist circuits, Ypperplatz reflects the revival of the Ottakring district, to the west of the city, in full gentrification.
On weekends, its playgrounds and café terraces fill up with the slightest ray of sunshine, particularly that of Cafe CI, king of the place since 1897. Its producers' market, the Yppermarkt, which is held every Saturday, is undoubtedly the one which most highlights organic and local commitment.
Nearby, the Yppermarkt merges with the Brunnenmarkt which constitutes the largest permanent market in Europe with its 170 stalls spread over a kilometer and highlighting oriental specialties.