VIENNA

Halal-friendly holidays

Flights to Vienna International Airport (VIE) are available from most major cities worldwide. The City Airport Train is the easiest and most hassle-free option to get to the city from the airport and only takes around 16 minutes. Other public transport such as buses and taxis are also available.

As for most European countries, April, May, June and September are the best months to visit Vienna. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds, which means cheaper prices and fewer queues.

Muslims make up around 13% of the population of Vienna, which gives any Muslim-traveller confidence to travel hassle-free to the non-Muslim country of Austria with ease. Women in hijab are not frowned upon, there is halal food and there are mosques or prayer facilities scattered throughout the city. Vienna is known as a family-friendly city with lots of green spaces making it a comfortable area to enjoy the clean fresh air and participate in activities like the locals. Be sure to visit the Islamic Centre Vienna, the largest mosque in Austria with a 32 metre high minaret. There is no better way to meet the local Austrian Muslims as well as Muslim tourists than to perform your prayer in the congregation.

Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Vienna and one of the most important cultural sites in Austria. The beautiful and imposing palace features courtyards with stunning greenery and waterfalls, and is steeped in history and culture. Dating back to 1700, the baroque architecture was once a home for royalty, and its passageways and courtyards will lead you on your very own noble journey. Mozart performed in the Palace Orangery in 1786, and concerts are still held there today.

St. Stephen's Cathedral
The icon and heart of Vienna lies in the St. Stephen's Cathedral. The cathedral, the main building that makes up the Vienna skyline, was originally built in the 12th century. Although nothing of the original architecture has survived to this day, the cathedral's baroque structure is a sight worth seeing. Outside St. Stephen's Cathedral, visitors can admire the imposing towers and colourful roof tiles.

Hofburg
One of the largest palaces in the world, the Hofburg was built in the 13th century during the Habsburg dynasty. It served as a winter residence for the princes and is now the residence and place of work of the Austrian Federal President. The beautiful and intricate structures carved into the walls and fountain features scattered throughout the complex are an awe-inspiring sight.

Prater Amusement Park
The amusement park Prater is open all year round. Founded in 1766, it dates back to the time of the Austrian Empire. To this day, it brings joy to the public and makes for good family fun. All family members can enjoy the rides at the Prater and there are souvenir shops, a Madame Tussaud wax cabinet and a gallery.

Naschmarkt
Vienna's largest and most popular market began with humble beginnings as a milk bottle market in the 16th century. Today, the bustling marketplace is home to around 120 stalls selling a variety of items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, home decor, souvenirs and tea stalls, and even has an excellent range of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world from Indian to Vietnamese. Tourists especially mention the spice, tea, souvenir and falafel stalls as a must-see.

While there is a wide range of halal food options in Vienna with more than 50 restaurants and various cuisines including Arabic, Turkish and Persian, you may have trouble finding authentic Austrian halal food. If you want to eat like the locals, you can try the Wiener Schnitzel at the Levante Turkish Restaurant, where you can choose between halal chicken or veal Schnitzel. The number of coffee houses that serve drinks with delicious Strudels (layered pastry with a filling) and cakes are plentiful.

Tip: Make sure there is no alcohol in the sweet treats. Some hotels in Vienna also offer halal dining options if you order your food in advance.

There are numerous properties on Halalbooking in Vienna that will cater to your halal holiday needs.Halalbooking has halal friendly filters that you can use to customise your search to find your ideal accommodation for your stay in Vienna. Be sure to keep your stomach satisfied with hotels that serve halal food on-site or have halal food nearby so you never have to look too far for your next meal. Alcohol-free properties and rooms are also available. While you'll spend most of your time exploring busy Vienna, it's nice to come home after a long day and enjoy luxurious facilities like spas and pools that you can only enjoy on holiday. There are some hotels that offer such facilities where modest swimwear is now permitted and are fully-secluded. As usual with Halalbooking, guests can feel secure in their booking with the options of ‘Free Cancellation’ and ‘Book Now, Pay Later’.