Vienna is a much larger city with more to see and do. 3 days in Vienna is best
Thanks very much for your advice and info. :)
If you're interested in seeing some of the Austrian countryside, Salzburg is a better base than Vienna, from the perspective of both accessibility and variety. You can take half or full day coach trips from Salzburg to places like Hallstatt and St Wolfgang, or you can get yourself around by bus and/or train if you plan carefully.
I believe that the last poster is not very familiar with the many and varied sights and activites very near to Vienna.
The following all within 1 11/2 hours
Neusiedler See ( a lake) and the many wine towns near it such as Rust.
Also home to the Morbisch Festspiele- this summer presenting Wiener Blut
http://www.seefestspiele-moerbisch.at/
Also many vineyards with excelent red wines.
Schloss Hof- recently restored summer residance of the Austrian Imperial family. A baroque gem with many outbuildings including meierhof( dairy) and wintergarten
Carnuntum- ruins of a roman garrison town of 50,000 a good museum too
Klosterneuburg Abbey-
an Abbey dating from the 1100s - home to the verdun Altar- best preserved artwork of the Middle Ages.
http://www.stift-klosterneuburg.at
Vienna Woods- fantastic views of Vienna from the top of the Kahlenberg
The large number of heurigens ( wine taverns) found in all directions
The Abbey at Melk- fantastic views of the danube- beautiful Abbey and gardens.
The Wachau area of the Danube with historical towns such as Dürnstein.
the above can be connected by a very nice boat trip on the Danube.
This area famous for its white wine with many wineries and heurigens to visit and enjoy.
http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
Also fine music-in the summer
Grafenegg Music Festival August - September
Opera at St. Margarethen - this year Nabucco-
a beautiful venue.
these just a sample of the many and varied opportunities from Vienna available to the visitor.
Many others too numerous for this posting.
I believe what nonarmite was saying that Salzburg is literally on the doorstep of the Alps which Vienna certainly isn't. Personally, Salzburg is one of my favorite places in Europe, which Vienna certainly isn't. It's nice to stay in Salzburg's old town and soak up the ambience, and venture slightly afield to visit the nearby Alps in both Austria and Germany. If the visit is in the warmer months, a visit to the ice caves above Werfen shouldn't be missed, and being from Singapore this should be a unique experience.
It really boils down to whether someone likes to see a quaint town and Alpine scenery or a larger city.
Hi Vertical,
I understand being a local expert, you could recommend endless places to visit around Vienna. However, please try not to play down on the rest of TA members who are trying to give our opinions too as tourists. This has happened to me several times here and the cold remarks may give impression that people are not warm in Vienna which is not the case.
Many of us have to try to prioritise travel itinerary with restraints on the length of stay. Even having visited Vienna 4 times with 4-7 days stay each, it is never enough for me to see all places within the city.
Therefore, must see places should be recommended first for those seeking advice with short stay. If asked specifically for off the beaten path places, then you could recommend the less touristy or hidden gems you mentioned above.
Vienna has more things to do and see than Salzburg but the same can be said the other way round if one is after into scenery. I would recommend 3 days in Vienna and 2 days in Salzburg based on the constraints of time. Vienna architecture, museums and palaces are too many to cover in 2 days. Many of these are must see, world class sights.
In Salzburg, you can see the town within a day and join the sound of music tour on the second day which will bring you to few places in Salzkammergut like St Wolfgang and Mondsee which are picturesque. You save the hassle of travelling on public transportation by joining this tour.
Hallstat is difficult and time consuming to get to and almost impossible with a day trip during winter months. Unless, the person has the aim to go Hallstat, two days in Salzburg will do too.
AlexMcca:
I looked at my prior post- I think you read something into it that is not there..
I merely listed many opportunities near Vienna that other poster or posters may not know.
I believe such remarks as " Play Down " or " Cold Remarks " are not valid.
But as TA guidelines indicate - Everyone may express their own opinion ,even volunteer so called experts.
I express my opinion and will continue to do it.
Certainly no one can be expected to agree with everyone.
.
Having visited both cities recently and spending more time in Vienna, I would have done it differently. Vienna was beautiful and big, Salzburg, smaller, more intimate, and clearly not doable in just one day and it is close to the mountains. If one is interested in hiking, skiing or gorgeous scenery that is important. I am always a little surprised that when some one asks for things to do in 2 places, some one always insists on giving one sided information. Clearly it is a matter of personal preference, but loading both locations have their advantages and drawbacks. Just my humble observation.
Hi Vertical,
Thanks for you great post above.I immediately bookmarked for our trip in July.. Anybody can reasearch Sound of Music etc...
It never ceases to amaze how quickly aggro starts up in these forums..
People should just post their own opinions and NOT criticise others.
Keep up the great work.... Regards David