Vienna’s sights in the vicinity of the Grand Ferdinand

Less than 5 minutes from the Grand Ferdinand

Cafe Schwarzenberg (Kärntner Ring 17, 1 minute walk) is the culmination of Viennese coffeehouse tradition. The café on Ringstraße (the Ring Boulevard) was built in 1861 and is loved by locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy the cultural events. Cafe Schwarzenberg regularly puts on vernissages, concerts and book readings.

Close to the Schwarzenberg one can find Café Imperial (Kärntner Ring 16, 2 minute walk), where Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler and Karl Kraus once lodged. While the guest are different now, the Imperial Torte has remained unchanged. Make sure to give that legendary cake a try!

Experience Irish pub life in Vienna

Flanagans Irish Pub (Schwarzenbergstrasse 1-3, 3 minute walk) is an Irish pub that once stood in Cork, Ireland, where it was disassembled, only to be reassembled right here in Vienna. Ever since 1996 it has been a fixture of the Vienna nightlife. Patrons come by for a cosy beer with friends, to enjoy the Irish cuisine, repair a hangover with a traditional Irish breakfast or to obsess over the live broadcasts of football matches.

A cultural fixture close to the hotel is Wiener Musikverein (Musikvereinsplatz 1, 4 minute walk). The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Society of Music Enthusiasts in Vienna) has been putting on concerts for more than 200 years. Since 1870 the concerts are held in the Musikverein concert halls, a building especially designed by Danish architect Theophil von Hansen.

Impressive acoustics and architecture: The Golden Hall

Today the Musikverein comprises seven concert halls, where music lovers can experience both classical and modern music, early music and 20th-century classical music. The Great Hall, often called The Golden Hall, is particularly impressive, not just because it’s visually imposing, but also because it is treated as one of the concert halls with the best acoustics worldwide. It is also known for the traditional and world-famous Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.

From the Grand Ferdinand to sports and culture in only 5 minutes

Going to Stadtpark (City Park, 5 minute walk from the hotel) one can find plenty to do. Take a leisurely walk through the expansive grounds and stop for breakfast at Meierei or at the high-end Restaurant Steirereck for a gourmet meal.

Across the street from Stadtpark things will get moving again on the ice skating rink of Vienna Eislaufverein (Lothringerstraße 22). The season starts at the end of October and usually runs until the beginning of March.

Only one house over from the ice rink Konzerthaus Wien (Lothringerstraße 20) offers a diverse concert repertoire, from classical to jazz and pop music, as well as shows specifically targeted at children. If that’s still not enough choice, you can always head on to Akademietheater Wien (Lisztstraße 1), right around the corner from Konzerthaus and maybe catch one of the premieres so often featured on their programme.

The famous Vienna State Opera (Opernring 2) is also only a 5 minute walk from the Grand Ferdinand. Persevering through a long opera in the standing room only area and bonding with fellow fans is a special experience for opera lovers. Musical fans, on the other hand, should head to Ronacher (Seilerstätte 9, 6 minute walk).

Varied entertainment in Vienna, within reach in 6 to 10 minutes

Stefan Zweig is just one of the many famous authors who loved Vienna. At the Literature Museum (Johannesgasse 6, 6 minute walk) you can learn more about the important figures of Austrian literature.

Also worth a visit is Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) at Karlsplatz. In the summer months the fountain in front of the church is a lovely sight as well. The official address of Karlskirche is Kreuzherrengasse 1, a 7 minute walk from the hotel.

Gaze at art at Albertina and MAK

Those really into art should definitely head to Albertina (Albertinaplatz 1, 9 minute walk), one of Vienna’s most renowned museums. Both its permanent and temporary exhibitions draw crowds of locals and tourists every day.

MAK (Museum Angewandter Kunst), Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts at Stubenring 5 (a 10 minute walk), particularly entices those who love modern art. Alongside exhibitions and collections MAK regularly hosts events, interactive workshops and, in the course of Biennale Vienna, also film screenings.

Exceptionally motivated pedestrians will notice that it doesn’t even take long to reach St. Stephen’s, the Secession building or the popular Naschmarkt with its market stalls and hip restaurants. Either of those is a mere 11 minute walk away from the hotel.

As you can see, Grand Ferdinand is the ideal home base for your trip. Vienna is basically lying at your feet here.