I expect that there will be quite a few Evertonians making the trip over to Vienna for Sunday’s match, which has the added attraction of being Roberto Martinez first game in charge. Having lived in Vienna for the past 8 years, I am excited about seeing The Blues play here. I am attending the match with a friend who supports Austria Vienna so, although I will be in the wrong end, I look forward to meeting some fellow Blues there.

I will come on to the football aspect later and will write a match report in Part 2 next week – can’t promise that it will be of the same standard as Ken Buckley!

This is just a short introduction to the beautiful city of Vienna, particularly places to drink and eat. I guess that most fans will just come for the day. That is a pity as lots of places are closed on Sundays. The city centre will be quieter than on other days.

The city centre is known as the 1st District (Innenstadt). It is not a large area to stroll around and is surrounded by The Ring (Ringstrasse). Its heart is Stephensplatz, a large square containing the cathedral (Stephensdom). Most fans will probably congregate there. The best places to drink are just a few minutes walk away.

Fancy a drink in a beer clinic? I strongly recommend Gosser Bierklinik. It is situated in a cobbled street (Steindelgasse) behind St Peters Church. It is an historic pub/restaurant. Plenty of beers on draught. Most Austrian beer is light coloured (Helles), but you can also get a darker beer like Mild (Dunkles) here. Good hearty Austrian food is served. I have checked and, unfortunately, it is closed on Sundays.

My next recommendation is 1516 Brewing Company, at the far end of Krugerstrasse – which comes off the main shopping street (Kartnerstrasse) just before the Opera House. They serve their own beers plus different international beers (even have a beer menu in English!).

Almost opposite is the main Irish pub, Flanagans (corner of Schwarzenbergstrasse). You will find Kilkenny and Guinness here, along with some Austrian beers. They serve British food, including Sunday roast, and you can watch Ashes cricket (if it is not all over!).

There are many other places to drink, but most of the pubs are outside the city centre. If, like me, you prefer bitter you will be unlucky unless you come across Schnitt (tastes better than it sounds!). Failing that Marzen is usually good, as is Zwickl. If anyone likes shandy, ask for Radler.

Wine drinkers will find good Austrian red and white wine, notably in restaurants, cafes (which also serve beer) or in wine taverns (Heurigen). If you are spending a few days in Vienna I suggest taking a trip out to the district of Grinzing, which contains many attractive Heurigen. It is a very attractive area, that feels quite like a village. You can reach it on a 38 Tram.

If you fancy a quick snack try a typical Austrian hot dog from a Wurtselstand. There are various flavours, including curry and cheese.

Before I move on to the football, a few tips:-

1. English is spoken widely in Vienna, particularly in the 1st District.

2. Cash is still king rather than cards, although you will be able to use them in most places.

3. You can travel all day on a 24 hour ticket, available from all stations for a few Euros.

4. Don’t forget the sun tan lotion – temperatures could be in the high 20s, even at Kick-off time (5pm).

5. One safety tip - if you are crossing The Ring to visit a park, museum etc, be sure to look both ways. This is very important as, although it is one-way for vehicles, trams run in both directions. The trams are fairly quiet, as I almost found out to my cost a few times during my early days here!

Austria Vienna (Austria Wien) comfortably won the Austrian Bundesliga last season. I have not seen them play, except bits on TV. They seem to be a well organised side. However the Austrian Bundesliga is Championship level at best. As their season begins next Saturday, this will be an important match for them. The Austrian season begins early because they have a lengthy mid-winter break.

They are a strange club as they changed their name 3 times in 14 years – originally Austria Wien, then Austria Memphis Magna (in 1999), reduced to Austria Magna, then back to Austria Wien (in 2008). Sponsorship clearly affected those changes, but can you imagine supporting Merseyside Chang United, or England Everton!

The Violets (Die Veilchen) play in all purple - another one of those teams who have spoilt their kit by reverting to one colour. They originally played in purple and white.

Coincidentally it will also be the first game of any significance for their own new manager. Their previous manager was snapped up by Koln in the German Bundesliga at the end of last season.

Franz Horr Stadium (part of Generali Arena) only has a capacity of 12,500.

I have checked for directions to the ground. If you are travelling from the city centre take the U1 underground (U-Bahn) line from Stephensplatz to Reumannplatz. Then take the 67 Tram – direction Oberlaa – to the Altes Landgut stop. The ground, in Fischhofgasse, will be visible. It is 10 minutes walk away.

ps: If any other Vienna-based Evertonians wish to add to this piece, please feel free to do so!

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Reader Comments (21)

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Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
1 Posted 11/07/2013 at 17:54:20
Brilliant stuff!

Thank you so much,. Robert.

Neil Adams
2 Posted 11/07/2013 at 18:35:53
I'm not going, but based on this write-up I wish that I was! Just goes to prove that world-wide, we Blues have plenty of passion.
Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 11/07/2013 at 18:41:58
Robert, wonderful piece, if we achieve CL next season, maybe you could do a European Guide for us poor stay-at-homes who would love to travel but finances restrict us. I would love to be wandering around Vienna on Sunday, you paint such a vibrant picture of the place, you don't work for the Austrian Tourist Board do you? If not you should apply for a job with them.

Barry Rathbone
4 Posted 11/07/2013 at 18:46:37
Robert all well and good .... but are the local women real goers or what?
Dennis Stevens
5 Posted 11/07/2013 at 23:09:07
Thanks very much, Robert. Sadly, I won't be at the match but will be in Vienna for a few days in about 6 weeks time as we're holidaying in Austria this year.
Andrew Cutler
6 Posted 12/07/2013 at 02:28:42
Fabulous contribution mate...you are a top bloke. If Everton ever visit down under (NZ specifically) I will do a similar piece. Incidentally, Everton DID travel here back in 1988...was at that game at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland...happy memories
Robert Workman
7 Posted 12/07/2013 at 07:05:03
Thanks for the positive feedback. I actually tried to keep the "tourist" element down, realising that this is a football website.
Patrick - if England had qualified for EURO2008, I was going to volunteer to help out Vienna Tourist Information.
Andrew - I missed Everton in Kiwiland, was only there 1980-81.
There are a couple of other things that occurred to me since posting yesterday. If anyone has an hour to spare you could take an open-topped tourist bus and see more of the city. Departs from outside Opera House. There is also a stop in Stephensplatz. Alternatively if you have money to burn you could take a more leisurely tour in an open- topped, horse drawn carriage with a bowler hatted Fiaker. Incidentally Fiakergulasch is a very tasty dish - no connection to the horses!
Finally, if you want to take a present back home, I have found that Mozartballs are very popular with my family. They are solid chocloate balls with a slight taste of marzipan. Tip - try to buy them in a supermarket, where they are much cheaper than in the tourist shops.
My next post will be all about football - promise!
Dave Lynch
8 Posted 12/07/2013 at 10:05:29
You missed the women out for Bazza...
Anthony Lamb
9 Posted 12/07/2013 at 11:43:44
Robert - there is surely a top job awaiting you with the Austrian/Viennese Tourist Board! I have friends in Innsbruck and perhaps they could get you to do a similar promotion for the Tyrol! What a wonderfully considerate piece - I wish I was going to the game but if not I will certainly keep your guide for "future reference" !
George McKane
10 Posted 12/07/2013 at 12:14:19
Robert nice post - thank you.

I spent Boxing day up to 3rd January in Vienna - - fascinated with Viennese Culture and writers - - Roth, Zweig, Victor Frankl ( I did a performance called Mans Search for Meaning),Klimt,Hofmannstall, Bruchner, Fritz Lang,Mahler, Freud,Schnitzler, Strauss and Schubert, Otto Wagner - - went to the Opera and Ballet - - but on New Years Eve sat in a bar ( WalkAbout Bar near The Main Post Office) on my own watching Everton V Chelsea - -scereamed when we scored and the barmaid was laughing at me - - then we got beat - - sad - - but a lovely day - - went on that evening to The Opera House - - had a go on the Big Wheel a la Harry Lime - - - fantastic.

For all Evertonians going you should really enjoy Vienna apart from the football and the beer it is a very visual beautiful City and easy to get around on The Tram - - recommended.

Enjoy yourselves.

Kieran Fitzgerald
11 Posted 12/07/2013 at 14:11:29
Gosser is a nice beer. It's the local stuff and if you ask for a beer in general it's what they serve you.

I know what you mean about playing down the tourist aspect Robert but they place is fabulous from that perspective as well as for the football so if you plan to go for a three or four nights you will enjoy yourself.

Kev Johnson
12 Posted 12/07/2013 at 14:15:58
Talking of cosmopolitan holiday spots, I see there was a famous European victory last night for Prestatyn - I've been there!
Gerry Quinn
13 Posted 12/07/2013 at 18:35:36
Excellent write up and brief descriptions of each topic, Robert. Enjoy yourself at thatch. You've also given me an idea to attempt the same for San Francisco...

Tommy Hesketh
14 Posted 12/07/2013 at 18:49:37
Robert,

Your right Vienna is amazing, I ran the 2003 Marathon there, special city with amazing women, well for the right price!

Dave Lawley
15 Posted 12/07/2013 at 19:14:59
Robert,

I'm not going to the game either but I might come visit Vienna after all that, top write up my friend.

Doug Nestor
16 Posted 12/07/2013 at 19:01:28
Good Idea Gerry.................................
Kevin Thompson
17 Posted 12/07/2013 at 21:35:55
KO is 4pm (UK time) Sunday, stream on EvertonTV, Note Local time of 5pm is given on some webpages of official site. Don't miss 1st half lol
Nick Bower
18 Posted 13/07/2013 at 13:44:30
Hi Guys and thanks to Robert for the excellent report on Ötziland.

I'm also living in Austria, and a mate at work in Vienna, who is a fan of the Violets has told me that entrance will be free. It is all part of FAK's "open door day" 2013. So Evertonians will just need to hitch-hike to Austria overnight and they will save themselves £££s or €€€s.

See you all there then - should be a crush now - I think they were only planning on 6,000 to 7,000 people bothering to turn up.

Gerry Morrison
19 Posted 14/07/2013 at 01:51:54
Robert, nice job mate.

I am going to be in Bratislava in a few weeks and want to visit Vienna. Is a day trip worthwhile? What is the best way to go about it?

Sorry this is not about Everton, (although I promise to wear one of our shirts walking around town.) but you seem to be the man in the know.

Robert Workman
20 Posted 15/07/2013 at 11:59:10
Gerry - a day trip to Vienna is worthwhile. The quickest way would be to take a shuttle bus. When I used to fly from Bratislava the bus stopped in the centre of Bratislava and dropped us off at Sudtiroler Platz in the south of Vienna. You then have a short walk to the U1 U-Bahn line - direction Leopoldau - as far as Stephensplatz.

As I said in my earlier piece Stephensplatz is the heart of the city. To see more take the yellow Hop On Hop Off tour bus. You can also take a tourist tram round The Ring (not normal tram as they will turn off at some stage and take you away from the centre).

With just a day you won't really have time to visit museums or palaces, but you could take a guided walking tour in English(details at Tourist information). They are very good and inexpensive. Otherwise just wander around the 1st District and hang out in The Graben (pedestrianised street that adjoins Stephensplatz) at a street cafe, with coffee and cake, for as long as you like - just watching the world go by.

I had better stop now as some ToffeeWebbers are convinced that I work for the Vienna Tourist Board - and I have a match report to write!

Enjoy Vienna and also the Old Town in Bratislava.

Gerry Morrison
21 Posted 16/07/2013 at 23:41:39
Thanks Robert.

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