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Vienna
Family
Culture
Romance
On the margins of the Danube, the capital of Austria and music has endless culture, cafés and splendidly preserved gardens.
Keep counting the palaces
The Schönbrunn complex, old imperial residence, is one of the most popular sights in Vienna – containing not only gardens and but also a zoo. Mind also the Belvedere palace and museum, with many works of art from Monet to Van Gogh and Klimt. The Hofburg (Habsburg palace) and the St. Stephen Cathedral complete the essential.
And take a break to have fun
The MuseumsQuartier is a modern place dedicated to contemporanean art and gastronomy. Vienna has an intense social life, filled with bars and cafés where people drink punsch – a warm beverage of wine and brandy. And there are two absolute must-dos: the Opera (Staatsoper) and the ferris wheel at the Prater!
Culture and Business
Before leaving
Make sure you have your identity card or passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, take care of your visa or other necessary documentation ahead of time.
Climate
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone. Temperatures depend largely on altitude. In Vienna, average temperatures are around 19°C in summer and -1°C in winter.
Time zone
GMT + 1
Geography & politics
Austria is located in central Europe and is part of the European Union. It is a representative parliamentary democracy made up of nine federal states.
Tipping & paying
Some places do not accept credit card payments, so it’s recommended to always have some money. Austria is part of the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (EUR). It is common to leave a tip of 5 to 10%.
Languages & useful phrases
The official language in Austria is German, but there are other languages that are common, such as Croatian, Hungarian and Slovenian. Learning a few German phrases will definitely be useful: "Wie geht es Ihnen?" = how are you?; “bitte” = please; “danke schön” = thank you very much; “entschuldigung” = sorry.
What you should do
Be on time. Whether it is for a business meeting or a cup of coffee with a colleague, Austrians are usually never late.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t mix up Austria and Germany. Although their cultures have similar influences, they are countries with unique habits. Don’t talk about how much you or others earn—it's a taboo subject in Austria.
What to wear
Especially regarding business, Austrian culture is quite formal. Depending on the context, if you’re not sure it’s always best to choose a more conservative and professional look. Even in less formal situations, it’s important to maintain a neat and organized appearance.
First impressions
When meeting someone for the first time, greet them with a handshake. If you’re invited to someone’s house, take a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers as a thank you gesture.