According to a new survey, Austria’s capital city, Vienna, tops the list on the best cities to live in the world. For the nineth year running, the annual Mercer Quality of Living Survey has crowned the Austrian capital ‘The Best City’ on the globe for quality of living .
Scoring full points in regards to healthcare, stability, education and infrastructure, the city received the highest score for “liveability” out of 140 cities. Overall, it received a whopping 99.1 out of 100 percentage points, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) annual survey found. The only other European city to grace the top 10 list was Copenhagen, Denmark, which came in ninth place.
Vienna is beautiful all year round, however, it is particularly special in summer. Gloriously hot, with temperatures in July and August teetering around a scorching 27 degrees Celsius, you are guaranteed rich pickings of activities, as well as a healthy tan.
The Schönbrunn Summer Concert
A prodigious classic concert palace which once was the exalted former imperial grounds, swells with a gigantic crowd of spectators. Perfect for classical music lovers (of which there are plenty in Vienna) it is one of the most important events of the year. Free of charge for all, it also a great option if visiting on a shoestring.
The Vast Amount of Parks
Whether you want to indulge in a spot of sunbathing or play a game of rounders, you are certainly guaranteed to find a spot in one of Vienna’s numerous parks. Stadtpark is best for light strolls, while the colossal Prater is fantastic for dog walking, playing sports or bike riding. An afternoon spent outdoors on a sunny day is a perfect way to enjoy Vienna. The Autgerten, an enclosed park located in the Leopoldstadt neighbourhood, is one of the most peaceful open spaces in the city. Located next to a Baroque palace, the landscape creates a strange juxtaposition due to the brutalist Flak towers that loom in the background. Between June and July, an open-air cinema opens in the park, screening a mix of current and classic films.
The Cycling Trails
With clearly marked and generously sized cycling lanes, cyclists find it less tedious to make it around Vienna. More so , hiring is inexpensive. The paths along the canal or the New Danube make excellent routes, while more ambitious bikers can check out trails in the city outskirts.
The Ice Cream
Perhaps it’s an overstatement but, Vienna is probably Venice’s rival when it comes to gelato! There’s numerous palours to sample located both in central areas and the outskirts. Tichy – Eisspezialitäten, is a favourite. Located in the 10th district on the city’s outskirts, it is a dear and besought hotspot, known for its vast variety of flavours and the ubiquitous eismarillenknödel (iced apricot dumplings). Vegan ice cream has also become a big deal here – the Veganitisa palours are some of the best.
The Canal
The Danube Canal has become a hotspot for Vienna’s younger crowd, who gather at its edges for evening drinks. As well as containing countless bars and restaurants along the strip, it is a top spot for watching the sun go down on a summer evening.