From their famous music scene (think: Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna State Opera) to several free festivals in the summer, Vienna should be on your must-see list for coming year.

Music fans should note that Vienna will be celebrating a number of note-able anniversaries. 2017 marks 150 years of the Blue Danube waltz and 175 years of the Vienna Philharmonic. Music fans will be in heaven with literally thousands of concerts taking place across the city throughout 2017. You can check the calendar on the Visit Vienna Tourism website to see what’s on tap.

Related:EuroCheapo’s top 20 budget hotels in Vienna

Top reasons to visit Vienna in 2017

Here are a just a few of the reasons we think you should visit Vienna in 2017:

1. Viennese Modernism of Egon Schiele

February 22 – June 18, 2017

A new exhibition celebrating the influence of Viennese Modernism will be on display at the Albertina from February 22 to June 18, 2017. The exhibit features masterpieces by Egon Schiele, a protege of Gustav Klimt known for passionate works of art. The exhibit celebrates his work and life in a major show commemorating the 100th anniversary of his death at the age of 28.

The Maria Theresa Monument in Vienna. Photo: Katharine Hunter

2. 300 Years of Maria Theresa

June 30 – November 5, 2017

This is the first-ever exhibition to explore the relationship between Maria Theresa (the only female ruler of the Hapsburg dominions) to the visual arts. Entitled “300 Years of Maria Theresa: Strategist – Mother – Reformer,” this groundbreaking exhibit will take place at four venues throughout Vienna.

3. Music Film Festival at City Hall

July 1 – September 3, 2017

Attracting over 500,000 attendees, this outdoor summer festival brings film, music, and food to the heart of Vienna. Located on Rathausplatz, the Music Film Festival allows visitors to catch films on everything from opera to pop, while noshing on culinary treats from over 25 food vendors. The best part for Cheapos? All of the screening are free!

Related: 5 Cheap eats in Vienna

The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) before the opening curtain. Photo: Roman B

4. Vienna State Opera

Seeing an opera in Vienna is a breathtaking experience, and should really be a required activity, as the Vienna State Opera schedule is always filled with memorable performances (and Cheapos can always score cheap seats). Productions on tap for 2017 include classics such as Turandot, Parsifal, Tosca, Otello, Faust and Don Pasquale, among many others.

5. 2017 Danube Island Festival

June 23 – 25

Danube Island transforms into a giant outdoor party for more than 3 million visitors every summer. The 2017 Danube Island Festival features live entertainment spanning a variety of genres on over a dozen stages. This all-ages festival also wins points for budget travelers — admission is free!

6. Vienna Boys Choir

Two of the most famous Austrian cultural institutions join forces for “A Tribute to Vienna.” In between beautiful songs by the Vienna Boys Choir, the Spanish Riding School performs highlights from the “Ballet of the White Stallions.” Performances take place in May, June, September, and October.

Christmas World at Vienna City Hall Square. Photo: Nico P

7. Vienna Christmas World

November 17 – December 26, 2017

It’s never too early to start making plans to visit one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets. The 2017 Vienna Christmas World at City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) kicks off on November 17 and runs through December 26th.

More help with your trip to Vienna

Looking for more ways to save when you visit Vienna? Be sure to stop by our guide to budget hotels in Vienna, and check out these additional posts in our Vienna blog.

The post 7 Reasons to visit Vienna in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From an unforgettable (and free!) summer evening concert at Schönbrunn Palace’s Gardens to a brand new 48-hour tourist card that offers an incredible value, it’s time to think about adding Vienna, Austria to your 2014 travel plans. And be sure to keep reading for an affordable hotel option that offers something truly different!

All city public transit is included with the new 48-hour Vienna Card. Photo: Luca Sartoni

New 48-hour tourist card launches April 1

In years past, visitors to Vienna only had the option of getting a 72-hour tourist card, but that all changes on April 1, 2014. Perfect for those in town for a quick two-day trip, the soon-to-be-launched 48-hour Vienna Card offers all of the same perks as before, but for a cheaper price (€18.90). If you plan on riding public transit during your stay, it almost pays for itself, since fares are a little over €2 each way. Enjoy unlimited travel on all city public transit including buses, trams and subways within the city borders (Zone 100). You can hop on and off as you please, without having to worry about not having an extra single ticket in your pocket.

The Vienna Card also gives you discounts on 210 attractions and musuems around the city. Good luck trying to cram all of them in during your 48-hour period, but even if you hit a handful, you’ll save big because discounts range from 10% to 40% off regular admission prices.

And when you get hungry or thirsty, you can even show your card and score savings of up to 25% for some authentic Austrian fare at local coffeehouses, restaurants and wine taverns. We always like to eat cheap in Vienna, but this card allows you to splurge a bit without hurting your budget. We’ll drink to that.

The Summer Night Concert finale in 2009. Photo: dorena-wm

Summer Night Concert on May 29

A true highlight of the summer season, this annual event draws thousands of music fans to Schönbrunn Palace for an epic night of live sounds from the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Christoph Eschenbach. This year’s Summer Night Concert takes place on May 29, 2014 and stars piano superstar Lang Lang.

The best part? It’s totally free. Seeing an unforgettable concert performed in front of an UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site will cost you nothing, so you’ll have extra euros to spend on an Austrian beer or glass of wine after the show. And it’s not the only freebie taking to the stage in Vienna throughout the summer. Check out EuroCheapo’s report from last year.

Cafe Goldegg is your breakfast hangout when you stay at Urbanauts. Photo: melquiades1898

Cool sleeps: Urbanauts Street Lofts

This boutique hotel is not new (it opened in 2011), but the innovative concept is still a pleasant surprise to many savvy travelers. Empty retail spaces on the ground level have been revamped into hip hotel rooms at Urbanauts Street Lofts. There’s no central lobby, but that’s the fun—you enter right into your room from the city street. The local block is literally your hallway, the cafe down the road is your breakfast room, and the sleek bar a few doors down is your hotel lounge.

Rates start at a surprisingly reasonable €120, on the higher range of typical cheapo stays, but a great deal for Vienna. If you’re up for a unique way to experience the city, this is the hotel for you. Of course if that’s a little out of your price range (or comfort zone), EuroCheapo has plenty of other great stays in Vienna that start as low as $55 per night.

The post Visiting Vienna: Free concerts, cool hotels and a new tourist card appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.