Lilia who works in our MEININGER Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi knows Vienna very well and gives us some insider’s tipps. We are sure your next trip will be a lot of fun grace to her tips.
What’s your name and what’s your job at MEININGER?
My name is Lilia and I work at the reception at the MEININGER Hotel Vienna Downtown Sissi.
What is the question most guests ask you in the hotel?
Most guests come to the reception and after the check in they want to discover the city and they want to know where the St. Stephen’s Cathedral is located – of course.
What is typical about Vienna?
Except of Schnitzel and the beautiful Viennese coffeehouse, there is a “Würstelstand” in every corner. One of the most famous ones, directly next to the opera, is called “Bitzinger”. Hot, fatty Käsekrainer (also known as “Eitrige”): these are quite thick sausages with cheese filling. You need to taste them at least once!
What do you have to experience in Vienna?
Vienna has a lot to offer and there are many greats things to discover. There is always something going on and everybody will find something to his taste. If you have just a few days to discover Vienna, you should try to see the hotspots. If you are in Vienna on Saturdays, the Naschmarkt is a must-see. If you visit the opera and you need to go to the toilet, check out the opera toilet. I have never been accompanied so musically in a bathroom.
For sure, only a few people have the chance to go to the opera, but almost everybody would love to see an opera performance. During summer, you can watch the opera live on screen – for free, in the middle of the city and in a nice atmosphere.
What’s your insider tip for Vienna?
There are incredibly numerous ice cream parlours, but there is only one that convinced me as a non-ice-cream-lover: Zanoni & Zanoni! It is cheap, friendly and absolutely delicious and very central next to the Schwedenplatz. And the huge selection convinced me, too.
Who wants to be sportive, I recommend climbing up the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Many, many stairs, but the hike is worth the effort because of the beautiful view after the long hike along the never ending spiral stairs. And if somebody come across your way downstairs and he asks you how long he has to go, just say “It’s just around the corner”.