10 Things to Do in Vienna in February

Treating yourself to a getaway to the Austrian capital in February is extremely appealing as, like the rest of the year, there are plenty of things to see and do in Vienna.

From Vienna' s majestic palaces to its impressive historic centre to the Carnival season, the Austrian capital offers plenty of festivities throughout the city at this time of year, as well as all the romance that comes with celebrating Valentine's Day in style.

This is one of Vienna's most interesting sights, so don't miss the opportunity to tour this incredible palace and its gardens. On a guided tour of Schoenbrunn Palace you will be introduced to the history of the palace and its famous inhabitants.

The Ceremonial Hall is particularly ostentatious, but the Franz Joseph and Maria Theresa's chambers are also very charming. The baroque gardens are not to be missed.

During your visit to Schoenbrunn Palace you will be able to see the magnificent snow-covered forests surrounding the palace, as well as the views from the Gloriette, with all its fountains and icy lakes.

The cultural agenda in February is quite wide and for all tastes, from classical music concerts to great operas, theatre plays and other types of shows.

Many travellers like you come every year to Vienna to appreciate in all its splendour the musical magic of outstanding authors such as Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and others, as this city is the world capital of classical music. The best places I recommend you to enjoy great classical music concerts are:

• The Musikverein
• The Konzerthaus.
• The Vienna State Opera
• The Vienna People's Opera

Because of the cold winter weather in Vienna, the best attractions in February are mainly indoors. One of the most famous is the Spanish Riding School.

When you visit you will surely appreciate the revival of all the grandeur of centuries past as you watch the training of the old Italian Lipizzaner horses while listening to classical Viennese music.

Not only can you visit the stables, but you can also watch the horses being trained or enjoy one of the scheduled shows. To round off this day of Viennese tradition, a tasty slice of the famous Sacher cake awaits you in the cafeteria.

Useful information

• Location: Michaelerplatz 1
• Price: A guided tour for adults costs around €18, while students pay only €14.
• Recommendation: This is one of the activities included in the Vienna Pass, so if you want to attend, as well as other events, I invite you to buy it.
• Timetable: there are usually guided tours at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, but it is advisable to check beforehand.

If you find yourself in Vienna on Valentine's Day, be sure to visit the distinctive Danube Tower. This is a very narrow tower, located on the Danube island, with a viewing platform about 150 metres high.

Imagine dining in the restaurant located at the top of this tower, where there is also a café and a terrace-viewpoint, which is constantly rotating almost imperceptibly, giving you a full 360-degree panoramic view of the whole city.

In case you are uncomfortable with heights, you can opt for a great dinner while taking a night cruise on the Danube, admiring the lights of Vienna from the river.

If you happen to be in Vienna on 21 February, take advantage of the great opportunity to participate in free lectures and guided tours of Vienna by professionally licensed tour guides.

This excellent idea by all Austrian tour guides is motivated by the celebration of the International Tour Guide Day.

As an added bonus, a completely different theme is chosen each year.

If you have ever dreamed of waltzing in a Viennese ballroom, this is your chance, because February is famous for being influenced by the old Viennese dance and music tradition.

Halls and salons all over the city open their doors for dance galas that will transport you back to the 19th century, the most famous being:

• The Town Hall Salon, the most traditional one to attend.
• The Johann Strauss Ball, in the famous "Kursalon Wien", where this great composer performed.
• The National Opera to be present at the famous Vienna Opera Ball, which is the most glamorous ball in Europe. You should go on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.

And if you are a beginner

If you don't know how to dance, you can find plenty of offers from dance instructors everywhere, who will teach you the basic steps of the waltz in just one hour.

February is the month of Carnival, during which you can join the huge crowds at the various costume parties, dances, processions and parades that take place all over the city. But keep in mind that the Carnival season ends on Ash Wednesday.

Also, throughout the month of February you can enjoy the traditional Viennese Carnival doughnuts, called "Faschingskrapfen", generously filled with apricot jam or custard and sprinkled with icing sugar. You can find them in every bakery in town - they are really delicious!

February is a great winter month to head to Vienna's Ice World, located in the heart of the city centre, opposite the capital's radiant City Hall.

Even if you're not a fan of ice skating or don't think an ice rink is appealing, you're sure to have a great time at the Vienna Ice Dream, which, although it starts in January, reaches its peak throughout February, offering an amazing outdoor ice skating experience.

You can't miss the gigantic two-level ice rink which, by ingeniously taking advantage of the ingeniously defined pathways in the park in front of the Town Hall, turns them into real ice rinks. You can also enjoy other smaller rinks annexed to the park, where various competitions are held every afternoon.

Useful information

• Location: Rathausplatz.
• Price: A voucher for four hours of skating for adults costs around €8, while children pay around €6. It is also possible to rent skates.
• Opening hours: between 10:00 and 22:00.

Get ready to listen to dozens of accordion geniuses, both established and up-and-coming, who are annually invited to this festival so that all spectators can celebrate their virtuosity.

This accordion music festival (Akkordeon), with the best of classical, jazz and European folk music, takes place from the second half of February to the second half of March, once a year.

These concerts are held all over the city, on more than fifteen different stages. I recommend that you book your hotel in advance, as traditionally during the festival dates many tourists come to Vienna.

If you are feeling very cold, the most tempting and delicious option is to indulge in Vienna's coffee and cake culture.

There is no greater pleasure than stepping into a coffee shop and taking the chill off with a coffee as popular as Viennese coffee, piping hot and topped with whipped cream. You can accompany it with a tasty classic dish, such as apple strudel or the famous Sacher cake - simply delicious! Among the most popular cafés are:

• Hawelka, which has its own personality.
• Café Central, where you can take part in discussions with writers and artists.
• Landtmann, where you will be surrounded by luxury to please your most exquisite tastes.

This historic city has world-famous architecture and a rich history in the arts, as well as being on the banks of the mighty Danube.

February is the ideal time to explore the old city of Vienna in peace and quiet, as there are fewer crowds. This month is the Semesterferien, when all the schools in Vienna go on holiday for 10 days, so many Viennese leave the city, allowing visitors to enjoy the city at their leisure.

As a winter month, February is cold in Vienna, although it is somewhat milder than in January. The average minimum temperature you will encounter is in the order of -1 degree Celsius, with the maximum temperature being around 4-5 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, if you plan to spend time in outdoor activities, it is highly recommended that you wear very warm and windproof clothing, especially for evening activities.

Over the course of the entire month, you may experience some light rain or snow showers on about seven days. During February the sun appears over the horizon at 7 am, setting at 5:20 pm.