What are the best sites to see in Vienna and Salzburg?

Question

I'm going to Vienna for a week this summer and want recommendations as to what is the most worth seeing.

Answer 1

In Vienna, visit Mariahilferstrasse, the main walking/shopping area and of course Schonbrun Palace

Answer 2

I lived 22 years in Vienna, and not see it all :)

Best is to take your time, take it easy. Also you should not go in winter time. sightseeing is not fun with bad weather. Vienna is divided into 23 districts if I remember correct. The 1st district beeing the center, and there you got most of the cool stuff. Just for that you would need 2 weeks.

In the center, you dont need a guide. You just walk around, and you see nice things everywhere. Thatway you might come along things, not mentioned in any guide.

Sometimes its just walking the streets and stop in a place you like to have a coffee or beer. Both, have big tradition.

If you are more for wine, then you need to visit a "Heuriger" Grinzing, which at the towns border. There you get self made food and wine. But its a tourist place, and gets crowded by tourists fast, which personally I dont like.

Start with the "Ringstrasse". There you have some nice and famous buildings like Opera, Rathaus (mayor), Theatre, Uni, Parks, Heldenplatz, etc. Inside of this street you have a lot of streets, just for walking with a lot of bars, restaurants, cafes for day and night, and of course famous Kaernterstrasse, Graben, Stepahnsdom etc. (cathedral)

Then, just outside of the city is the "Hoehenstrasse".

Its a street going up to 3 mountains where you have nice views over Vienna.

If you need a rest to relax, with nice weather go to the "Donauinsel". Its an isle at the danbue river. Its a huge greenzone. When its warm enough, people like to go there for sunbath. You can also rent some small boats and such, there is also an area for fun activities, you can rent a bike and rollerblades, and at night there are bars.

(In a certain area, but only open in summer, since its open air)

Answer 3

I've spent a lot of time in Salzburg and a bit in Vienna too.  

Here are my Salzburg "top 5"

5) The Festung -  All though it looks like a castle, don't EVER call it one.  The locals get very defensive on this point!

4) Mirabelle Gardens -  Beautiful garden where some of the Sound of Music scenes were filmed.  Looks exactly the same today!

3) The Birth House of Mozart -  Not all that impressive, but great to check off the list and it's in a great 'touristy' shopping area.

2) Untersberg -  Actually a mountain just outside of Salzburg.  In the Summer a tram takes you to the top for great hiking and the best views in Austria.

1) Murphy's Law, The Shamrock, and the Augustiner.  OK, all breweries / bars, but no visit to Salzburg will be comeplete witout them!

PROST and have a blast!