No trip to Vienna is complete without a visit to the Albertina. One of the city’s most famous museums, it occupies a former Habsburg palace and is named after its founder, Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen. Best known for its impressive collection of graphic art, it houses masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Picasso, Klimt and Schiele,  making it a must for art lovers.

The historic Viennese glassmaker Lobmeyr has been making drinking glasses feel like tiny works of art since 1823. Once a supplier to the imperial court, the family-run house still creates its delicate crystal by hand. Stop by its store on Kärntner Straße and, once you’ve browsed the shelves, head upstairs to the second floor, where the Lobmeyr archive and museum offers a fascinating glimpse into centuries of Viennese glassmaking, with historic pieces and treasures from the house’s past.

Step into the Blaue Bar at Hotel Sacher, where royal-blue walls, crystal chandeliers and velvet booths make even a quick drink feel like an occasion. Right opposite the Vienna State Opera, it’s perfect for a pre-show cocktail or a late-night one, with Sacher-inspired creations bringing chocolate and apricot into the mix. 

Vienna’s grand dame of old-world glamour, Hotel Sacher is all chandeliers, marble and plenty of red velvet. Opened in 1876, its sweetest legacy dates back even further: the Original Sacher-Torte was created in 1832 by 16-year-old Franz Sacher. Naturally, a slice with a dollop of whipped cream at Café Sacher is practically compulsory – consider it research.