Vienna is home to a number of famous tourist attractions, but what’s on offer for those who want to explore the city’s quirkier side? If you’re a solo adventurer looking to discover the hidden gems of the Austrian capital, look no further than this blog post.
Dare to Discover the Kriminalmuseum
Vienna’s Kriminalmuseum is certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, if you like learning about blood, guts and gore, it’s your dream day out. The museum is dedicated to historical murders and murderers in the city, and there are plenty of interesting artefacts on offer related to these historic events.
Follow the crime and punishment scene in Vienna from The Middle Ages up until the present day, learning about medieval torture devices, the murderers themselves and plenty more. As well as murderous crimes, you can discover the history of brothels, counterfeit money and lock-picking.
This museum makes for a fascinating day trip if you don’t mind a little gore – you won’t find a place quite like this anywhere else!
Be Amazed by Dominikanerkirche
For those looking for a quirky attraction that’s a little more culture-oriented, this stunning Dominican Church located in the city’s Old Town is a great choice. This impressive building is also known as the Church of St Maria Rotunda, and is as impressive now as it was back in the early seventeenth century.
While visiting the building, you’ll be able to enjoy the stunning Italian Baroque style architecture and look inside the six side chapels, each dedicated to a different saint. You’ll find St Catherine of Alexandria, St Catherine of Siena and St Rose of Lima among others. The enormous barrel-vaulted ceiling is covered in frescoes depicting various religious scenes.
Explore the Republic of Kugelmugel
This interesting spherical room was built in 1971 by Edwin Lipburger and his son Nikolaus Lipburger, and was originally intended to act as Edwin’s art studio. The building is made out of timber blocks covered with zinc sheet and is now a famous tourist attraction – for good reason.
When the Lipburgers were informed, shortly after the building’s completion, that it would have to be demolished, they protested by attempting to declare the structure as its own federal state. They went to the lengths of producing signs, stamps and their own currency, but Edwin was eventually sent to jail for ten weeks.
The so-called ‘republic’ now sits Vienna Prater amusement park after earning a fair number of fans thanks to Lipburger’s act of rebellion. If you’re in the city, you should definitely take the time to check it out.
Admire Plants in Palmenhaus
Nature loving holidaymakers simply must put Palmenhaus on their itineraries. The spectacular building was originally built as a greenhouse for Austrian Emperors, but is now an exotic garden open to the public, also boasting a bar, lounge and café.
The area covers around 22,000 square feet, so there’s more than enough to see if you choose to visit. As well as a large variety of exotic plants, there is also a butterfly house (Schmetterlingshaus). Enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade fare such as rolls, jams and honey before heading off to explore the rest of this iconic greenhouse attraction.
Where to Stay
City Hall Apartment – For solo travellers or small groups, this quaint, modern apartment is ideal. It’s located right in the heart of Vienna, so you’ll have easy access to all the main attractions in the area. As well as two bedrooms the apartment features a kitchen and dining space, so you can enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading out to explore.
Opera Suite – This suite is stylish and beautifully furnished, so is the perfect holiday accommodation for young solo adventurers. Its fantastic location and spacious terrace allow you to enjoy all that the city has to offer.
How to Get There
To start your quirky solo adventure, simply hop on a flight to Vienna Airport from the UK. It’ll take just 2 hours, and from there you can catch a Shuttle Direct airport transfer to your accommodation straight away if you choose to book in advance. The journey from the airport to Vienna will probably take just over half an hour.
I would definitely recommend booking your shuttle transfer before you leave for your holiday – it saves so much hassle and you’ll be able to jump right in and start exploring Austria’s quirky side.
Overview
- UK to VIE Flight Time: 2 hours
- VIE to City Distance: 22 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 32 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
At Shuttle Direct, we can guarantee our customers convenient airport transfers from airports across the globe. Whether you opt for a private transfer or a shared shuttle bus, our drivers will get you to your chosen accommodation in no time. Save yourself the stress and pre-book today.
