5 ways to outsmart the tourist crowds in Vienna

With more and more tourists succumbing to Vienna’s old world lure there are five effective ways to stay off the tourist crowds. When visiting this top cultural capital have your cake and eat it, but do it the smart way.

Accommodation: boutique and neighbourhood

While large palace hotels undoubtedly have their charms, so do exquisite boutique hotels. In the past few years, small characterful places have mushroomed in the city center and just outside, for example The Guest House, Schreiner’s Essen und Wohnen, or the unique Graetzl Hotels.

The Guest House runs its own bakery, whereas the Schreiner family offers great food, amazing courtyard dining and exclusive accommodation in a Biedermeier pavilion (photo). Independent travellers will love the Graetzl Hotel’s refurbished street shops turned hotel rooms. Besides, hotel services such as breakfast are outsourced to local institutions, such as the neighbourhood cafe next door.  As for location,…