More and more travelers are seeking a green approach when it comes to traveling these days with cities like Vienna at the forefront of it all. From eco-friendly hotels, to farm to table restaurants, and sustainable fashion designers and stores, there is no shortage of environmentally conscious businesses here. What’s more, Vienna is one of the largest organic farmers in the entire country. Three of their city farms cultivates over 2,000 acres of organic land, aiming at minimizing their environmental impact. So, if having a healthy and sustainable holiday sounds enticing, then Vienna is the perfect place to visit. There is a reason it’s nicknamed “Sustainable Vienna” after all.
To Stay
As sustainable travel increases in demand, luxury hotels have been scrambling in response. However, Hotel Topazz of the LENIKUS Hotels was Vienna’s first green luxury boutique hotel. Although eco-friendly in its practices, luxury is certainly not sacrificed.
Situated in the historic center of Vienna, Hotel Topazz is lavish in touch with an array of resourceful amenities. What makes this hotel special from many others in the area is that they practice with a green thumb. Once considered unthinkable in luxury travel, Hotel Topazz proves that it’s possible for luxury and eco-friendly practices to seamlessly coexist. The hotel was built using all green materials wherever possible while also using low-energy sources. They also serve locally sourced food in their sister hotel/restaurant across the street, Cafe Bar Bloom at Hotel Lameé. Their ability to combine 5-star services with an environmentally conscious approach has deemed Hotel Topazz a pioneer in Europe’s elite hotel crowd. As a perfect place to relax with all the luxury feels, you can feel good knowing you’re in a green space.
To Eat
Vienna’s organic restaurant scene is growing. With 130 of Vienna’s establishments carrying the ecotourism logo, this city is in the midst of reinventing their dining scene. A new group of restaurants have been seen popping up with initiatives to enhance the quality of life in Vienna. Dishes that once consisted of a revolving rotation of schnitzel and bakery goods, are now replaced with innovative dishes from world-renowned chefs. These inventive new restaurants are now paying close attention to the environment and overall well-being of its guests.
As a hidden gem found in Vienna, head chef Kristijan Bacvanin of the restaurant Labstelle prides itself on creating honest, not boring, food. Their urban cuisine roots itself in an understanding of exactly where their food comes from. With a firm belief that everything that can be made home-made should be…well, home-made, you’ll find just that. Everything from their own baked bread, hand-made syrups, pickled and marinated vegetables, fishes and meats are all handled with extreme care and cooked with the top ingredients.
A strong belief in slow food and sustainability, they’ve created short transport routes and curate their meats in their own smokehouse in a vaulted cellar. Fresh and refined, their food is truly just a stone’s throw from the cellar to the kitchen.
To Do
Vienna has made it quite easy to go about the city with a green thumb. One can easily experience the city by foot through walking the parks and the metropolitan area, as it’s made up of plenty of green spaces.
Of course, taking the metro and underground systems are great for the environment, but if you are feeling lazy and rather take a taxi, no fear! Vienna allows people to ask for an “Eco-Taxi” by dialing “40100”. These taxis are easily identified by their “Green Taxi” sign. What’s even better is that there is no difference in price.
Another great way to see Vienna is by bicycle. The cycle paths in Vienna are plenty and there is no shortage of rental stations for bikes and e-bikes all over. Most bike routes also have free charging stations. Citybikes is another great option and can be found at the over 120 bike stations within Vienna from just €2.50 a day.
You can also head out near the Danube River and rent kayaks and sailboats. The Vienna National Park Boat is a great option to explore the park’s landscape and learn about the wetland ecosystem and unique plant and animal life of the region.
To Shop
The city is not only sustainable in terms of activities and its food scene, but also in fashion. Places such as Greenground offers modern fashion made from organic materials. They are well-versed in fashion items such as their trendy vegan bags made completely from recycled polyester. Zerum is great Austrian store that produces fashion all through sustainable and ecologically fair methods. Another stylish concept store to check out is ebenBERG. This small, but chic store manufactures certified biological cotton. Producing an array of some of the trendiest organic designer labels in the world, ebenBERG is top in it’s fair trade game.
With a plethora of eco-friendly options to choose from, the city of Vienna is quite the trailblazer in this arena. With a goal to minimize the impact of their carbon footprints, Vienna’s businesses have taken on the responsibility of producing resourceful ways to preserve life here; without having to sacrifice the characteristics of Austrian culture. Through providing green ways to experience the city, the Viennese people have made it a priority to not only take care of the well-being of their people but those who come to visit.
