Vienna

Vienna, a historical centre which can be called the city of the Sacher cake and culture. At first sight, Vienna might appear like a business city, with little space for babies but luckily, it’s the opposite. The Austrian (not Australian) capital is clean, not overly noisy, nor hectic. It appears as if the majority of the city knows exactly what to do and...

Vienna, a historical centre which can be called the city of the Sacher cake and culture. At first sight, Vienna might appear like a business city, with little space for babies but luckily, it’s the opposite. The Austrian (not Australian) capital is clean, not overly noisy, nor hectic. It appears as if the majority of the city knows exactly what to do and when which leads to a flawless flow of life without stress.

Locals will not immediately help you with the buggy, but if asked, they will always comply. Since almost everyone has at least basic knowledge of English you don’t have to worry about your German. As in any other European capital rich in history, count with barriers and cobble stoned pavements when strolling around the city centre.

The airport is located approximately 20 km from the centre and you’ll get to and from there most conveniently using the local train (children ride for free) or there is this so-called barrier-free “Post bus”. Of course you can also take a taxi or rent a car. Be aware that parking in Vienna is paid and that you will most likely need to use the indoor carparks since the parking zones within the city centre are designated for locals only. Generally, it’s recommended to leave your car in any of the suburban areas and use the public transport for getting to the city.

The public transport is convenient and includes buses, trams and subways. Be careful when using trams; there are four types of the carts but only one of them is barrier-free and the doors are very narrow, which can make entering with a buggy quite an “experience”. On the other hand, most of the city buses and subway stations are barrier-free and the network is pretty dense. The most touristy way to get around is to use the “Hop on-Hop off” buses, but if you really want to enjoy the city, take a stroll and experience the true “Mozart” atmosphere.

The St. Stephen’s cathedral with its majestic architecture is for sure a place to visit, however it is not too baby friendly. You can either climb the 343 steps of the South Tower or take the lift up the top of the North Tower. The catacombs are quite interesting to visit as well, but be prepared to leave the buggy outside. Visit the Dolly and Toy museum full of toys from last century and don’t miss the Ankeruhr (Anker clock), which shows figures of important personas from Vienna’s history (daily at noon). The Hofburg palace is only a 10 minutes’ walk from the St. Stephen’s cathedral and is for sure a place to spend half day in with the Spanish Riding School, the Lipizzaner Museum, the People’s garden and the Treasury. Within the city centre there are not too many parks, however we recommend visiting the Burggarten (Castle gardens) or the Stadtpark (City park) with a nicely equipped playground.

For outdoor fun, visit Prater, the oldest amusement park in central Europe, take a tour and stroll in Schönbrunn and its adjacent park, or relax along the Danube river and its canal.