Steve_P

We will have 3 days in either Vienna or Munich for a stopover on a return from Warsaw. Traveling will be my wife and I and our 18 and 20 year old boys. The dates will be March 19 - March 22.

We'd love to hear which may be more enjoyable and with more to see. We love walking and like museums and tourist sites, but we also really enjoy finding beautiful streets and parks, cafes and restaurants.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Steve

Dukey1

I've been to both more than once and like both. BUT for the things you say you want to see and do, IMO, Vienna has all of those in spades. It is a much, MUCH more "grand" and still quite "imperial" city than is Munich. The Hofburg and Schonbrunn palaces along with the Kunsthistoriches Museum and the Belvedere would keep you plenty busy for a couple of days if you let them.

nytraveler

Although I love Bavaria - esp the countryside - agree that Vienna has more to see/do than does Munich itself.

kja

I agree with both Dukey1 and nytraveler -- which is why I'd go with Munich: Munich is much more easily visited in 3 days than Vienna. I'd wait to see Vienna until you can give it more time. JMO.

HuisClos

Either is a good choice, although Munich might be more appealing to your sons, I guess depending on their interests. Munich has better music for young people than Vienna, except Vienna has better music of a broader spectrum overall.

Late March the weather can be a bit wonky in either places. The Englischer Garten in summer, anyway, is fabulous, with boating on the lake. Also a couple of breweries, including the Lowenbrau, and of course the Hofbrau house is a must for boys that age. If they want to drink that is (German beer not exported has less of an alcoholic content).

On the other hand, the Prater amusement park in Vienna opens in March, and the famous giant ferris wheel is a must. Lots of cafes and things to see in Vienna, but IMO, a bit more upscale than Munich, so may not appeal as much to the "boys".

Sue_xx_yy

I'll vote for Vienna. Sooner or later your boys will be traveling independently, and for various reasons they will likely visit Munich.

Try to get a copy of "The Third Man" a great film noir set in Vienna just after the war. This will undoubtedly give your sons inspiration to visit Vienna. They are also old enough, or getting old enough, to appreciate stuff like Art Nouveau architecture.

sandralist

It's a tough call, especially without knowing your sons. It is possible that one particular aspect of either place would tip the balance -- such as the BMW museum in Munich or the pastries or the Prater of Vienna. When I was your sons' ages, I was much more fascinated by classical music in live performance than I was rock or other contemporary music, even though I listened to it on my car radio.

Vienna has such an immense, grandiose feel, and many of its sites are so large, you need the kind of travel personality that is able to take an attitude of "Let's pick a few gems to enjoy", rather than trying to "do Vienna" in 3-days and even begin to digest it all. If you like to feel you can check a place off the list without regret, then Munich is definitely more easy going that way, with a mix of smaller and larger historic sights, shopping, fried foods and beer. Just a kick back kind of place.

fourfortravel

For whatever use this may be in your planning. We moved to Vienna just before our son turned 16 a couple of years ago. He traveled to Munich for various sports and academic events in high school (including sightseeing) and en route to his summer job in Garmish, and we celebrated his 17th birthday at Oktoberfest. He is a history buff and loves the outdoors, along with the usual teenage pursuits, and so I posed the question to him. His answer? Vienna. For him, Vienna offered the vineyards for hiking and running; the museums for history; the street food, cafes, and transportation for his budget; and, Friday nights along the Donau Canal near Schwedenplatz, where most of "Die Jugend" hang out. Perhaps his decision was because of the familiarity with the city, but that was his response.

Steve_P

Thank you! I appreciate all of the great responses. My wife and I have both been to Vienna (my wife stayed there for awhile when she immigrated from Russia) and I've been to Munich. Vienna would be our clear choice if my wife did not have relatives in Munich she hasn't seen for over 25 years.

A little more detail about us: we have traveled with the kids quite a bit since the youngest was 7. In Europe, they've been to China, Great Britain, Bulgaria, France and Russia. They are both very comfortable just getting out and walking all day to see whatever there is to see. They love museums (both art and historical) and learning the history of a place. Wherever we go, we anticipate getting a private guide, and focusing on a few highlights, and then spending a good part of our time walking through neighborhoods and finding nice cafes and restaurants. We would love to see a good concert or show. We all love contemporary music but the kids also can enjoy classical (the youngest is a ballet dancer) if it is in a cool place.

The older one is in college and the younger will start next fall. I expect that both will study abroad at some point and I'm sure both of them will have other opportunities to see Austria and Germany.

I would love suggestions for either locale of the things you would absolutely want to see/do if you only have a few days to do it.

Thank you so much for your guidance!

Steve

sandralist

For Munich, it it were just me and not thinking of the rest of the family, I would pick the Lenbachhaus in Munich, the Asamkirche, the Bavarian National Museum and the Glyptothek. The market area around St Anna (Lehel) is a nice tucked away neighborhood for a brunch, away from the more touristy parts of Munich. If the weather permitted, a bike ride around the Englischer Gardens on a weekend especially.

For Vienna, I would want to see the Kunsthistoriches museum, the Secessionist building (and the Otto Wagner train stations pavillions nearby), the National Library, and the Belvedere. I would want to take the tram around the Ringstrasse and go to the Prater if the weatehr is nice. If there on a Sunday night, I would go to a historic cafe with Sunday night music (Cafe Schwarzenberg is a fairly un-touristy venue) . And would also sample lots and lots of pastries. if I were traveling with a dancer, I might suggest we take an hour's worth of waltz lessons. (You can google up how to do this.)

Dukey1

Frankly, Steve, it would have been helpful had we KNOWN you have already been to both cities.

Gary_Mc

We first visited Vienna in the 1980's and I loved the town and I looked forward to returning in 2012 during Advent season. We had these fond memories of the earlier time. In 2012 we enjoyed ourselves, especially on a visit to the Schönbrunn palace and gardens. The Christmas Markets were great. Still, the town no longer resonated with us. We had trouble finding friendly places to eat. Smoking was still allowed in restaurants. Watch for cover-charge fees for just sitting in a restaurant that add to the bill. It might just have been the season.

We visited Munich on the same trip and had a very positive impression. There are several restaurants there that we like. We had more fun at the Schwabbing Christmas market. People seemed friendlier and less money-grubbing. Though my wife does not drink, we still enjoyed the "beer culture" more. Hard to put a finger on.

annw

In Munich, a beer garden for sure -- so different culturally than drinking in the US.

In Vienna, in addition to seeing the Opera House (cheap standing room tickets) and the cathedral for a concert, a street car ride on the ring around the city, the usual museums, white stallions, etc. cafes for coffee and pastries, we also enjoyed the Freud Museum.

bon_voyage

My visit to the Deutsches Museum of science and technology in Munich more than 20 years ago remains a travel memory highlight--it was terrific!

Steve_P

Thank you for the great suggestions! The kids seem more excited about Vienna, and that's probably what we'll do on this trip.

Dukey1, I hadn't noted that we had been there before because my trips were in 1974 and 1979. I remembered some things about Vienna but certainly not anything to base a decision on. For Munich, I was 19 then and recall little other than the Hofbrauhaus.

My wife was in Vienna during her emigration from Russia to the United States. She was with her 6 year old son (now my 31 year old son) and her entire possessions consisted of $200 and 2 suitcases. She recognized he beauty of Vienna but certainly didn't have much of a tourist experience.

AisleSeat

Steve, you can't go wrong with either choice. Both cities have lots of attractions.

If I was 18-20 years old I would go to Munich. It is, IMHO, a more "fun" city.. Between the Deutsches Museum, the BMW Museum and the Hofbrau Haus added to art museums the Englisher Garten and Nymphenburger Palace you could have a super visit. Side trips to Dachau and Salzburg could add even more.

Whichever way you go, have a great trip.

sandralist

I'm not surprised your young people are more excited by the idea of a trip to Vienna. If I was 18-20, I'd be more excited by that prospect too. Compared to Munich, I found it much more fun to be there. But you know your customers best! Have a great time.