Vienna: A Walkable City Break with Hidden Vineyards
Vienna, Austria, is a rare city that seamlessly blends walkability with rich culture, offering direct flights from Birmingham Airport starting at £63 with Jet2 from October 2026. Divided into 23 districts, visitors can stroll effortlessly between neighborhoods or cross the city in under an hour by tram. Beyond iconic attractions like the Hofburg and St Stephen's Cathedral, the city boasts underrated vineyards that most tourists overlook.
Affordable Wine Culture and Green Spaces
A staple beverage in Vienna is the Weißer Spritzer (white wine spritzer), often served on draught and priced between €3.90 (£3.32) and €6.00 (£5.10) for 250ml. At Strandbar Herrmann, a beach bar along the Danube, a glass costs just €4.60 (£3.91). The city also features numerous parks, such as the Burggarten, ideal for al fresco picnics with food from La Stella Italienische Apericafè.
Vineyard Experiences Beyond the City Center
Vienna's hillsides offer a retreat from urban life, with traditional Buschenschank wine taverns serving local wines. A bottle of Windischbauer Weissburgunder (pinot blanc) costs around €15 (£12.75). Other stops include Monte Nucum Buschenschank, where Grüner Veltliner bottles range from €24 (£20.41) to €27 (£22.96), and Wieninger am Nussberg, offering a fruity Wiener Riesling. Buschenschank Feuerwehr Wagner am Nussberg provides sweeping views of the Kahlenberg and Danube.
According to Ellen Jenne, a senior writer who revisited the vineyards, "Mayer am Nussberg is the ideal spot to while away the late afternoon into evening, with deckchairs overlooking undulating hills as the sun starts to set." She notes that the trek from the tram to the first stop is strenuous but worthwhile, describing it as a "Duke of Edinburgh-style" hike.
Year-Round Destination with Direct Flights
Vienna is a year-round destination, with summer vineyards complementing its famous Christmas markets. Direct flights from Birmingham Airport to Vienna are available from £63 with Jet2 from October 2026, making it an accessible and affordable city break. Jenne concludes, "I will never tire of visiting Vienna. At this stage, I'd regard myself as something of a semi-local."
