I actually found the place by luck, I didn’t ask anyone for directions, I just drove my car up and down the peninsula of Nouadhibou. I wanted to get an overview of one of the most dilapidated cities I had ever seen. This is where Iron Ore Train ends, one of the longest trains in the world, which makes Nouadhibou the most important area in poor Mauritania.

When A White Western Woman Enters The Office Of The Mauritanian Railway Authorities.

So here I was, walking into the shed of the Mauritanian Railway Authorities to enquire about the possibility to transport my car and myself to Choum, approximately 500 km east of Nouadhibou. The deal was done in the blink of an eye. With one place still available, I could put my car on the train. I only had to decide immediately, since the train was about to leave. I quickly checked my water and food supply, which would last for some days and gave it a go. 120 Euros for the car plus myself was a fair price and within the next couple of minutes, my car was loaded and tied to a platform for vehicles. My ticket said no passengers in the car, but nobody obliged when I asked if I could spend the journey in or on the car. I started making arrangements for the coming 30 hours: water, food, snacks were all at hand, towel, toothbrush and toilet paper on the dashboard, cameras and mobile phone as well within easy reach. Check, check, double check.

It took hours of turning switches, pulling the wagons and platforms up and down the tracks, back and forth to have them all in right position ready for the long journey East. Finally, around 8pm, after seven hours of waiting (talk about an immediate decision making), everything was set and the train took off honking repeatedly, taking the endless semicircle track out of Nouadhibou.

A Long, Rocking Night, The Most Beautiful Sunrise And A Frustrating Awakening.

Even with 40° Celsius during daytime, temperatures drop fast and I was happy that I had blankets and a sleeping bag nearby. Lying outstretched in the back of my station wagon, the night was almost comfortable… well not really, but better than expected. Nights in the desert are cold and pitch-black. I knew this from my trips across the Sahara Desert in the 70s & 80s and so I wasn’t able to see anything when the train stopped at night. I just heard voices somewhere in the distance. The position of my platform was near the end of the train, so I was not bothered by anyone during the night.

Morning arrived and I watched a beautiful sunrise while the train tugged leisurely into Choum. The wind had covered everything with layers of sand mixed with dust of iron ore from the wagons. Choum was actually the place where I had planned to get off, but I quickly realised that there was no loading off point for cars. “Sorry Madam, next stop for unloading cars is Zouérat” I was told, though in the guys in Nouadhibou had told me otherwise. Unloading cars in Choum was only recently stopped, so there was no chance for me to get off here. This was a bit upsetting, because it would put me approximately 200 km in the wrong direction, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I sat back down on top of my car and looked into the Mauritanian desert.

The toilet situation was a bit of a hassle. It was a new experience for sure. Hanging out of the car, hanging on to the platform needed concentration, one wrong move and you could fall off. I got the hang of it after a couple of times.

From Hero To Zero.

Another few hours further, with lots of stops in between, the train finally pulled into Zouérat. Again, the turning of switches, pulling and pushing of wagons took two hours until my platform finally came to a halt somewhere in the middle of nowhere. All I could see was how the Diesel locomotive pulled away.

Close by, though lightyears away, I could see the unloading facility for cars. Another platform was already loaded for the trip back to Nouadhibou, while my car was just a stone throw away, without a chance of getting off. This was very annoying and put my patience to the test. I asked several officers and workers when my car would be unloaded and I got the same answer every time “In a while Madam”. In Africa, “in a while” can mean one hour, five hours, 12 hours or more than 24 hours. Time runs slow here. So, after waiting another three hours in the soaring heat, with someone occasionally walking by, noticing my impatience yet not doing anything, my nerves went rock bottom. I stepped down from platform and walked along the railway tracks up to the station office and demanded to speak to the station master.

Mauritanians are generally very polite people but are definitely not used to talking to Western (female) tourists. The country is dominated by males, especially in this business. Politeness is very helpful and I demanded politely to see the station master. It took a while until one of the men started to move to show me the way to his office. After a couple of minutes, this guy came out of his office with some other officers in tow, and was frankly quite irritated to see a Western woman demanding to speak to him. I explained my situation and he and the others didn’t seem to be bothered at all and said that my car would be unloaded in a while. Then it was over, my nerves collapsed and I started crying.

My breakdown changed the entire situation. The officers stared at me and my crying, not sure whether to be astonished or shocked and immediately started talking in their local language. After a minute of discussion, the station master said I should stop crying, they will immediately start the Diesel locomotive and will unload my car within 10 minutes.

What more can I say? The station master guided me to his car, drove me back to my car and presented me with a big box of water bottles. During my breakdown, I might have also mentioned that I was running out of water, which I hoped would increase the unloading process, and he must have really felt sorry for me. It didn’t take long and my platform was towed up and down the tracks to bring me to the unloading section. The car was unlocked from the platform, I drove down and followed the station masters car until I was on the right road back to Choum where I actually had planned to get off.

This evening I stopped near a military checkpoint along the road and asked for permission to sleep nearby, since there was no hotel to be found anywhere. I set up my tent and fell asleep immediately.

The Iron Ore Train fills its 2.5 km of wagons (which is the second longest on earth) with the iron ore and then heads back to the coastal city of Nouadhibou.

The view off the coast of Mauritania’s Bay of Nouadhibou used to be spotted with rusting hulks in every direction. Today, this Ship Breaking Yard is almost gone, due to an injection of capital from the Chinese.

The Mauritanian Railways opened in 1963. It consists of a single, 704 km railway line linking the iron mining centre of Zouérat with the port of Nouadhibou.

Two or three trains make a daily departure to pick up iron ore from a mine in Eastern Mauritania.

Uploading my car onto the Iron Ore Train in Nouadhibou was already an adventure itself.

While the Iron Ore Train snakes its way through Mauritania, you’ll come across wrecks from all sorts of vehicles – here, old Diesel locomotives that were once in use have been parked.

Wrecks are a normal sight when riding through Mauritania on the Iron Ore Train.

One thing is for sure: the sunset and sunrise while on the Iron Ore Train in Mauritania were some of the most beautiful ones I have ever encountered.

Sitting on top of the Iron Ore Train, while looking at nothing around you but the Mauritanian desert, is an experience of a lifetime.

The bulk cargo train travels from the Sahara desert to the coast through dry nowhere to transport valuable minerals across Mauritania.

The Mauritania Railway serves not only as the sole connection between remote locations and the country’s only major shipping port, Nouadhibou, but as free transport for locals seeking to travel from isolated communities to the coast.

The Sahara desert lived up to its nickname, ‘the White Man’s Grave’, as temperatures during the day sore to a blistering 50° Celsius.

The Iron Ore Train is up to 2.5 kilometres long, making it one of the longest and heaviest in the world. It normally consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric EMD locomotives, around 200 cars each carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 service cars. The total traffic averages is 16.6 million tons per year.

Nouadhibou is the second largest city in Mauritania and serves as a major commercial centre and is the country’s economic capital, due to being the final stop of the Iron Ore Train.

The Capital Of Ladakh.

Leh lies at an altitude of 3.524 metres and due to the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism, the city is also known as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas. Although not as high as some of the passes across the Leh-Manali Highway, the atmosphere and especially the sky is exceptional. You’re closer to heaven and not only can you see, but feel it! Leh radiates something I can’t quite nail down. Something peaceful and mysterious at the same time. We felt like staying in an old western town with a gold-rush mood… the next three days would let us explore this amazing town and the beautiful surrounding Gompas.

Religious Tolerance And Respect For Cultures.

Even today the Jammu and Kashmir region is often in the news due to religious clashes. The dispute actually dates back to August 1947, when the partition of the Indian sub-continent led to the formation of India and Pakistan. Because of its location, Kashmir could choose to join either India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, was Hindu while the majority of the population were Muslims, therefore he wasn’t able to decide whether Kashmir should join India or Pakistan. In the end, Kashmir remained neutral. But his hopes of independence only lasted until October 1947, when Pakistan sent in Muslim tribesmen to Srinagar. The Maharaja then appealed to the Indian government for military assistance. In return, he signed the Instrument of Accession, which stated that Kashmir would join India on October 26, 1947, with a portion of it having passed to Pakistan’s control.

Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars and only this January, thousands of civilians have fled their homes, due to the clashes along the 200-kilometre stretch of the border. It’s unclear for how long this battle will continue.

But on the brighter side, Leh radiated a sense of calmness. At least we had that feeling. Here you can hear the muezzin, as well as the buddhists chantings. You’ll come across mosques, before passing a Tibetian prayer wheel. The architecture in the town also shows both Buddhist and Muslim styles. So what is it, that makes it possible for Muslims and Buddhists to leave peacefully side by side? Whether this is just the calm before the storm remains a mystery…

The Himalayas Lie At Your Feet.

Leh isn’t very big and most parts can be navigated on foot – which is the best way to explore any city anyway. There are many excellent guesthouses and mid-range hotels to choose from, as well as numerous restaurants serving great Indian, Tibetan and Western food. Best food place in town is definitely World Garden Cafe, where we actually ate something after three days of crackers and rice (it’s not India without a little vomiting). The most dominant structure is definitely Leh Palace built in the same style as the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. But also worth a visit is Shanti Stupa and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. This monastery is the highest point in Leh with a fantastic birds eye view of the city. But be aware that if you’re still struggling with altitude sickness, the additional 200 metres can become a real challenge…

From just about everywhere in Leh, you can see a sweeping panoramic view of the Himalayas rising above town. Maybe it’s the vibes of these great mountains that make Leh such an incredible place!

In Leh, it’s the sights that act as a reminder of a spirit-centric population. There’s a great sense of peace in Ladakh, built on religious tolerance and respect for other cultures.

Leh Palace is the city’s dominant structure and architectural icon.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is the highest point in Leh with a fantastic birds eye view of the city. One can reach the monastery with a short car ride or by trekking up right from the city centre.

Prayer wheels can be found across Leh. For us, they radiate peace and calmness, especially when in use…

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa was founded in the early 15th century by King Tashi Namgyal.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa stands atop behind Leh Palace. Because of its position, it offers some of the most amazing views of the town.

Leh Palace is a nine-storey dun-coloured palace that has great similarity to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet).

From just about everywhere in Leh (here we were on our way to Leh Palace) you get a sweeping panoramic view of the Himalayas rising above town.

Leh’s main Bazaar and the surrounding streets have numerous shops selling souvenirs, mostly Tibetan antiques or replicas.

Tibetan handicraft items including prayer wheels, Buddhist masks and paintings can be purchased at the markets in Leh.

Since I flew into Auckland, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing would be my first hike in New Zealand as it lies on the North island. It’s supposed to be one of the (if not THE) best one-day-treks in NZ. And I have to say (so far I can only agree).

A Few Facts About The Tongariro Alpring Crossing.

The Tongariro National Park is actually New Zealand’s oldest national parks and a World Heritage site. The three peaks – Mt. Tongariro, Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngaruhoe (aka ‘Mt. Doom’) form one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of New Zealand. Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngaruhoe are still active volcanoes so one has to check the volcanic activity before attempting the track. Also, be sure to check out the weather before, since this can change in an instance. Be prepared for any weather conditions. On the day I went I was luck to have sunshine almost all the way.

• Total Length: 19.4km (without any side trips)
• Time needed: 5-8 hours (depending on your fitness and not including stops or side trips)
• Altitude: Start at Magatepopo car park approx. 1.000 metres / Red Crater approx. 1.900 metres
• Tracks: Apart from the Crossing itself, there are three additional side tracks: Soda Springs, Mt. Ngaruhoe (approx. 2.300 metres / add another 3 hours) and Mt. Tongariro (approx. 2.000 metres / add another hour and a half)
• Fitness level required: The track runs over steep volcanic terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. If you decide to hike up Mt. Ngaruhoe, you definitely be to be very fit!

Magatepopo Valley to Soda Springs (1 to 1 and a half hours).

You start your way through the Magatepopo Valley on even terrain. Then the track climbs alongside a steam and around edges of old lava flows.

Soda Springs to South Crater (1 hour).

The track climbs steadily. When gaining the 340metres to the South Crater, you’ll have  spectacular view on a clear day. Those wanting to climb up Mt. Ngaruhoe (including me), turn right at the top.

Mt. Ngaruhoe (add 3 hours).

After about one hour I got to the base of the volcano and decided to conquer ‘Mt. Doom’. So with about 20kg of camera equipment as well as water & food supplies, I went on my way with a few other crazy peeps. Oh and it was quite a way. There is no marked route up the top, so you just have to find your own way (which is not too difficult I might add). The first 30 minutes are not too difficult, but once you get to the steep way up, be sure to have both hands ready. The rocks are super sharp and lose and the way up very tough. About half-way in, I realised that this was also the way down, which made me a bit nervous. So after about 2 and a half hours, I reached the crater (which is not the top top yet) and had to rest for a while. I then continued to the top and have to admit that I was pretty proud of myself for doing this without any training before. The defend only took me about 30 minutes. You pretty much run down the loose scoria and hope for the best. I fell once and my leg looked pretty bad afterwards, so watch your step! Was is worth it? Heck yeah. Would I do it again? Yes, but with less equipment because those 20kg really killed me in the end.

Mt. Ngauruhoe on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

The view from the top of Mt. Ngauruhoe on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

Up on Mt. Ngauruhoe on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

South Crater to Red Crater (45 minutes to 1 hour).

You follow the route to a ridge leading put to the Red Crater. It’s not really a crater but basin. Looking in, you’ll see the very unusual formation. Yeah well, we all can guess what it reminds you of, but lets just leave it at that… From here, you can take the trip to the summit of Mt. Tongariro. I left that one out since my legs where already shaky at that point.

The Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

Red Crater to Emerald Lakes (15 minutes).

The summit of the Red Crater is the highest point during the Crossing. From here, it continuously descends. From the Red Crater to the Emerald Lakes the terrain is very lose again and you really have to watch your step carefully.

Emerald Lakes on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

Emerald Lakes to Ketetahi Hut (1 hour to 1 and a half hour).

The Crossing continues to the Blue Lake and the track slides around the flanks of the North Crater and then defends to Ketetahi Hut. This is was the first time when my legs really started getting to me…

Blue Lake on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi Car Park (1 and a half to 2 hours).

Continue along the track which defends through tussock slopes to the forest bush line. You’ll be surprised by the quick scenery change, which is a lovely sight at the end of the track again. Still, these last 2 hours where the hardest ones for me. I just wanted it all to come to an end…

The walk down to Ketetahi Hut on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand.

Obviously there are many more sights and places to be seen in Vienna, if you want more info, feel free to contact me via a comment below or an e-mail through the contact form (even when it comes to touristy places).

#1 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Ring Tour.

The Ringstraße is the road surrounding the inner city (1st district) of Vienna with some of the most famous sight like the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament and City Hall. While wondering the street, take a side track into the lovely Burggarten to either rest a bit or to enjoy a cup of coffee in the Palmenhaus. Further along the way, you will come to the Votivkirche and then to the Danube Channel with many restaurants.
The Ring is definitely one of my favourite places in Vienna, simply because of the impressive buildings built around it and the atmosphere along the way…

I’m a huge Opera fan, and therefore the Vienna State Opera is almost my second home…

The famous Hofburg palace was the Habsburgers winter residence, as the Schönbrunn Palace was their summer residence.

Just across the Hofburg palace sits the Austrian Parliament with the Pallas Athena fountain in front of the main entrance.

#2 Must Visit When In Vienna: One, Or two, Or three Coffee Houses.

As a Viennese, I love a good cup of coffee. The Viennese Coffee House Culture is world famous – and since 2011 even an UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The Viennese coffeehouse is described in this inventory as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.” And oh is that true! I wrote a separate article on my top 10 favourite coffee houses. Of course there are many more, but I think this gives you a goof impression on traditional and modern ones in all areas ov Vienna.

#3 Must Visit When In Vienna: Twin City Liner.

Vienna and Bratislava are the capital cities with the shortest reaching distance (in Europe). So, if you’re staying in Vienna for more than just the weekend, be sure to hop on the Twin City Liner to take a cruise to Bratislava. It only takes 75 minutes in each direction and you can check out two capitals in just one day.

#4 Must Visit When In Vienna: Schloss Schönbrunn (Including The Zoo) & Gloriette:

Schloss Schönbrunn: Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural monuments and tourist attractions in Austria. So why am I posting it here, since I promised to stay away from typical tourist attractions … Well, because there’s more to Schloss Schönbrunn than just the (very beautiful) castle; the park around Schloss Schönbrunn is a great little oasis in an otherwise busy city. It’s perfect for long walks or a little jog. Jogging grounds in Vienna are rare, so naturally the park can get pretty crowed … best to go there early morning or late in evening.

Winter tip: The Christmas Market in front of the castle is a must for every visitor and local.

Gloriette: The Gloriette in Vienna is the largest (and therefore most well-known) gloriette worldwide and is a nice café where you can refuel your energy.

The Gloriette was built in 1775 as the last building constructed in the garden of Schönbrunn castle. it was used as a dining hall and festival hall as well as a breakfast room for emperor Franz Joseph I.

Each year the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra plays an open-air concert at Schönbrunn Palace park. The admission is free and it has been held every year (around May) since 2004. Approximately 100.000 people come here every year.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn: The famous Vienna zoo was founded in 1752, which makes it the oldest zoo in the world.

How to get there:

• If you want to see the castle, take metro line U4 station Schönbrunn. For the zoo it’s better to take the metro line U4 until Hietzing (even though you can also walk through the gardens to reach the zoo).

Today Tiergarten Schönbrunn is considered and regards itself as a scientifically administered zoo which sees its main purpose as a centre for species conservation and general nature conservation as well as in the fulfilment of the education mandate given to it by the legislation.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn is one of the few zoos worldwide to house giant pandas. Apart from these there are other zoo attractions like the rainforest house, in which the spectator is led through a simulation of the Amazon rainforest, an aquarium, which enables spectators to walk through underneath a simulation of the Amazon in flood, and, more recently, an exhibit of animals in unnatural habitats.

#5 Must Visit When In Vienna: Naschmarkt & Brunnenmarkt.

Naschmarkt: The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular market and a real hot spot. Whether you want to go out for lunch or after work-cocktails … one of the many bars/restaurants will suit you for sure. You can also buy yummy fresh fruits and vegetables from around the world, exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods, meat and seafood.

How to get there:

• The Naschmarkt is located at the Wienzeile in the 6th district of Vienna and is about 1.5 kilometres long. You can get there by metro line U4 station Kettenbrückengasse or Karlsplatz (also U1 and U2 go there).

Fresh Vegetables at the Naschmarkt in Vienna, Austria.

Brunnenmarkt: The Brunnenmarkt is the longest street market in Europe, located in the 16th district of Vienna and (in my opinion) the “new” Naschmarkt. Over the years, many lovely restaurants have popped up around the Yppenplatz, which is the extension of Brunnenmarkt. The setting around the entire area is trendy yet still very cultural, and that’s what makes Brunnenmarkt so diverse and “hot”.

How to get there:

• The Brunnenmarkt can be reached by the metro line U6 until station Thaliastrasse and then the tram line 46 until Brunnengasse.

Vegetables at the Brunnenmarket in Vienna, Austria.

#6 Must Visit When In Vienna: Lainzer Tiergarten.

The Lainzer Tiergarten is for those of who who would like to get away from all the hassle for a while. It’s a wildlife preserve in the 13th district of Vienna. Approximately 80% of it is covered in woodland, so it’s a perfect destination for long walks. Back in 1561, it was used as a fenced-in hunting ground for Ferdinand I of Austria and his family. What’s really lovely about this place is that your trip can either be topped with a yummy lunch/coffee at the café or a visit to the museum in the Hermesvilla (or both of course). Emperor Franz Josef I gave this chalet to his wife Empress Elisabeth (better known as “Sissi”) because she was a huge nature fan and wanted a place for her own. Not bad huh?

How to get there (Lainzer Tor):

• Take the tram line 60 until Hermesstraße, or bus number 55A until Lainzer Tor

Hermesvilla is a palace in the Lainzer Tiergarten, in Vienna, a former hunting area for the Habsburg nobility. Today it’s home to a café and museum great for weekend visits.

The name Hermesvilla refers to a statue of Hermes made of white marble that is located in the garden of the villa. Empress Elisabeth aka “Sisi” called it the “castle of dreams.“

The Lainzer Tiergarten is a wildlife preserve in mostly home in the 13th distinct of Vienna. 80% of it is covered in woodland with alleys for runners and walkers leading through the forest. My favourite time of the year to go there is autumn where the colours are simply amazing.

#7 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Typical “Heuriger”.

A Heuriger is a typical Austrian wine tavern where pretty much all you get is wine and a limited variety of cold food (bread with cheese, etc.). A Heuriger isn’t open all year around; typically only two to four weeks per year. It’s a really nice experience because it’s some very traditional and typical for Austria so if you’re visiting during the “Heurigen” season, be sure to check one out. The 19th and 23rd district, as well as Perchtholdsdorf (South of Vienna) are the classical areas.

My “Heuriger” tip: Heuriger Kurt Pröglhöf (Am Goldbieglberg 5, 2380 Perchtoldsdorf) or any Heuriger in the 19th district.

A typical Heurigen get together. The name was given to Eastern-Austrian wine taverns in which wine-growers serve the most recent year’s wines.

At a Heuriger, you will only get the owners own wine, and it serves a limited selection of cold food as an evening meal, generally local, homemade products.

#8 Must Visit When In Vienna: Wiener Zentralfriedhof (Vienna Central Cemetery).

Some may find this sight a bit macabre but I think that the Zentralfriedhof is an amazing place in Vienna and therefore I want to include it. The Viennese Central Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Austria and Europe’s second largest (Hamburg-Ohlsdorf is the largest). It opened its gates in 1874 and is a great place to visit since it displays Austrian history throughout the last 200 years. The Karl-Lueger-Kirche is the Art Nouveau-style church and once of the most famous buildings at the cemetery. it’s located in the centre of the cemetery. From the Main Gate an avenue leads to the “graves of honor” reserved for famous personalities. Some of the notable persons laid to rest here are Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Johann Strauss (son and father).

My tip: Take a walk through the Jewish cemetery and you might get lucky by spotting a deer – yes, the cemetery is THAT big :)

How to get there:

• Take the metro line U3 until the station Simmering and then with the tram line 71 or 6 until Zentralfriedhof

The Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) is one of the largest cemeteries in the world, largest by number of interred in Europe and most famous cemetery among Vienna’s nearly 50 cemeteries.

Passing through Gate 1 of the Central Cemetery, the way will lead you towards the old Jewish section, a field of graves with many remarkable monuments. Among others, Arthur Schnitzler and Friedrich Torberg are interred in Group 6.

#9 Must Visit When In Vienna: Otto Wagner Church.

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church in the 14th district is an absolute must when visiting Vienna. Designed by Otto Wagner, it’s considered one of the most important Art Nouveau churches in the world. The copper-covered dome (which looks a bit like half a lemon) is visible from quite a distance.

How to get there:

• Option 1: Metro Line U4 until Unter St. Veit and then Bus 47A untilPsychiatrisches Zentrum
• Option 2: Metro Line U3 until Ottakring (last stop) and then Bus 48A (also starts from the bus station Dr. Karl Renner Ring) until Psychiatrisches Zentrum

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church is an absolute must when visiting Vienna.

#10 Must Visit When In Vienna: Haus des Meeres.

The Haus des Meeres is a public aquarium located in the 7th district of Vienna. The aquarium itself is nice, but not that special compared to other aquariums in the world. Although not too many aquariums are located inside a tall concrete flak tower built during World War II, so I guess that’s kinda special. The best part about the Haus des Meeres is the rooftop cafe/restaurant. It’s one of the only public places in the city centre where you really have a complete 360° view. It’s truly spectacular and therefore one of my favourite spots in the city!

How to get there:

• Option 1: Metro Line U3 until Neubaugasse and bus lines 13A, 14A, 57A (stop “Haus des Meeres”).

The view up from the Haus des Meeres is truly spectacular. You can see Vienna in all its beauty.

Vienna from above. On the left side you can see St. Stephens Cathedral and also Viennas highest building, the DC tower in the distance.

The Haus des Meeres offers some of the best views of Vienna. Its rooftop terraces offers a 360° view.

Other Day-Trip Possibilities Around Vienna.

• A visit to Burg Kreuzenstein
• A day trip to the world heritage site Lake Neusiedl
• An excursion to the Falkensteiner Hütte