If you are looking for the perfect autumn get-away vacation you should definitely take a closer look at The Vienna Wine Hiking Day. As the name suggests, the event takes place in Vienna, Austria, and it is an annual event in the last weekend of September and loved by both Austrians and tourists. You get to visit the local vineyards, taste samplings of the products, and maybe buy some to bring back home.
First things first. The Vienna Wine Hiking Day two day event that runs from September 28-29. The local vineyards close to the capital of Austria open up for thirsty and curious visitors. Different hiking routes are made making it possible to wander the vineyards overlooking the city. Both the local winemakers and producers of other local goods set up booths along the hiking routes selling tastings of local delicacies.
The trails vary in length and difficulty, which makes it possible to find one that fits your level even if you are a casual walker or serious hiker.
The Celts, Illyrians, and Roman legions all made wine in Vienna. The first recorded mention of vineyards in the city dates back to the 12th century. Today, Vienna is recognized globally as a notable wine region, a rarity for a major city. Actually, Vienna is the only capital in the world where vineyards are so close to the town. That makes it possible to stay in the beautiful city and join the hiking routes during the day.
It is mostly white grapes that dominate the vineyards of Vienna, the most common being Grüner Veltliner, the essential Austrian grape, along with Riesling and Chardonnay.
The wine festival runs from September 28th-29th both days from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The four routes that are made for the Weinwandertag differ in length and they are all well marked making it easy to find your way as well as enjoy the hike through the countryside overlooking Vienna.
The Weinwanderweg trail is an 11 km scenic route and it normally takes about 3 hours to walk. And the beauty of nature blends perfectly with wine tasting from wineries in Vienna along the way. What’s not to like?
Many tourists choose to visit Vienna for the Wine Hiking Days, so if you are planning a Vienna wine tour as well, booking in advance is our best piece of advice. This goes for transportation as well as accommodation and restaurant reservations if you have preferences.
You can reach Vienna by car, train or air. And you can rent a car and be the master of your own time. Car hire in Vienna is easy. You can book in advance and pick up the car at the airport. For the return of the rental car, you can drop it off at the same airport in Vienna or maybe add a little road trip to Slovakia or Hungary and drop off the car at the airport in for instance Bratislava or Budapest. Make sure to download one or two navigation apps to help you find your way around. This can suggest the best possible driving routes and give you parking tips in the city center.
When you rent a car, you can go where and when you please. Maybe you want to arrive a day or two prior to the wine festival and drive around the beautiful surroundings of Vienna. The Schönbrunn Castle for instance is a must see. The former royal castle is known to be the Austrian version of the Palace of Versailles in Paris or the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. A guided tour round the imperial suites takes about 1,5 hours and you should also go for a walk in the impressive park.
Neusiedl Lake is the only steppe lake in Central Europe and it is located near the Hungarian border. It’s an ideal destination for water sports, birdwatching, and wine tasting in the surrounding Burgenland region. You wonder what a steppe lake is? It is a flat, closed lake which is not connected to other water systems, e.g. river or sea. Instead, it disappears into small lakes, swamps and wetlands, which can be permanent or seasonal.
The traffic rules in Austria are similar to the rest of Europe – right hand driving, speed limits in urban areas 50 km/h, 110 on motorways and 130 on highways. To rent a car you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
Make a decision you will not regret – go and visit the vineyards in Vienna, Austria, for The Vienna Wine Hiking Days. Book your hotel, transportation and rental car. And when you pack, make sure to bring walking shoes for the hike but also clothes to go out for dinner in Vienna in the evening. Consider extending the trip with a couple of days for sightseeing. Enjoy.
