Why You Should Spend a Long Weekend in Vienna this Halloween

"Death must be Viennese," asserted the Viennese composer and poet, Georg Kreisler. He wasn't entirely off the mark. Indeed, the Austrian capital appears to have been born with a profound connection to death and a significant fascination with all things morbid, making it the perfect place for horror hunters looking to escape all the trick or treaters this Halloween, with a handful of glittering ballrooms and handsome coffee houses thrown in for good measure.

Here's exactly how you should spend your days...

Afternoon: Arrive and Settle In

Begin your Halloween weekend in Vienna by checking into the newly opened Almanac Palais Vienna, a luxurious hotel blending historical charm with modern comforts. Located in the heart of the city, it offers easy access to many of Vienna's most hauntingly beautiful sights, as well as a well-equipped spa and its own restaurant.

Evening: A Twilight Stroll Through Blutgasse

Otherwise known as Blood Alley, this narrow, winding street in the old town is steeped in legend, its name said to reference a bloody battle fought here in the Middle Ages. As the sun sets, the dimly lit alleys take on a ghostly ambiance, perfect for setting the Halloween mood.

Dinner: Dinner at Griechenbeisl

After your stroll, head to Griechenbeisl, one of Vienna's oldest restaurants where you can savour traditional Austrian dishes in a cosy, historic setting. The wood-panelled dining rooms and flickering candlelight make for an intimate and slightly eerie dining experience - be sure to try the Wiener Schnitzel or the Tafelspitz, both local favourites.

L-R: Almanac Palais Vienna Hotel at dusk, Blutgasse aka Blood Alley & exterior of the Griechenbeisl restaurant.

Morning: Explore Vienna Central Cemetery

Take a 30-minute ride through the city’s south-eastern suburbs on tram 71 and you'll arrive at Vienna Central Cemetery. Opened in 1874 (2024 marks the 150th anniversary), it stretches across approximately 500 acres and is the last resting place of around 3 million bodies, making it Europe's largest cemetery measured by the number of interred bodies.

Not only can you discover the graves of the legendary musicians like Beethoven, Strauss, Schubert and Mozart – or rather a memorial marker for the latter, whose remains lie across town at the Marx cemetery - but fans of fine architecture are also in for a treat with the likes of the St Karl Borromäus Church, which is a jewel of Art Noveau architecture.

For a break, stop by the cemetery’s own coffeehouse, Café Zentralfriedhof, where you can enjoy a traditional Viennese coffee and cake surrounded by the serene landscape.

Lunch: Heuriger in Grinzing

Head to the nearby village of Grinzing for a leisurely lunch at one of its famous Heurigen (wine taverns). These rustic establishments serve local wines and hearty Austrian fare like Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Apfelstrudel, while the laid-back atmosphere and scenic vineyards provide a stark contrast to the morning's exploration.

Afternoon: Visit the Funeral Museum

Once refuelled, make your way back to the Central Cemetery where you'll find one of Europe's most unusual museums. Situated beneath the historic chapel of rest, this contemporary and interactive museum houses an extensive collection of over 250 original artefacts and photographs, with highlights including a heart palpitation knife and a life-saving clock - relics from an era haunted by the fear of premature burial.

You'll also be able to discover the ingenious foldaway coffin, a sustainable invention from 1784 commissioned by Emperor Joseph II, designed for repeated use.

Evening: Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile

You can't visit Vienna without sampling Tafelspitz, a classic culinary staple of boiled beef served with broth, potatoes and apple-horseradish sauce. Our favourite spot to indulge is Plachutta Wollzeile, where the elegant yet warm setting makes for a charming spot to relax after a day of exploring the city’s more macabre attractions.

L-R: Johann Strauss' grave, a heuriger in Grinzing, inside the funeral museum & traditional Viennese meal of tafelspitz.

Morning: Head to the Imperial Crypt

Start your last day with a visit to the Imperial Crypt, hidden beneath the Capuchin Church. The final resting place of 150 members of the Habsburg dynasty, including the famous Empress Sisi, the ornate sarcophagi and the sombre atmosphere make for a fascinating, if slightly eerie, experience.

Lunch: Café Central

One of Vienna’s most iconic coffeehouses, Café Central's grand interiors and rich history have made it a meeting place for intellectuals and artists since the 19th century. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of Viennese classics like goulash or a selection of pastries while soaking in the elegant surroundings.

Afternoon: Wander Around the Leopold Museum

Last but not least, the Leopold Museum is a unique treasure trove of Jugendstil (Viennese Art Noveau) which houses one of the largest collections of Austrian modern art. Here you can peruse one of Gustav Klimt's most important works, Death and Life, which, as a depiction of the human cycle of life, was completed in 1915. This painting of a grinning skull of the grim reaper, cudgel in hand and his cloak covered in what look like tiny coffins, took a whopping seven years to complete.

Evening: Departure

As your weekend draws to a close, bid farewell to Vienna with memories of its haunting beauty and a newfound appreciation for its morbid charm.

L-R: Ornate grave at the Imperial Crypt, the grand interior of the Cafe Central, Patrons viewing Klimt's Death and Life at the Leopold museum