WELCOME TO HOTEL SACHER VIENNA

Welcome to Vienna's iconic Hotel Sacher, a landmark that epitomizes the city's rich history, architectural splendor, and cultural significance.

Established by Eduard Sacher, the son of Franz Sacher—the creator of the renowned Sachertorte—the hotel quickly became a nexus for Vienna's elite. Eduard was born in Hungary and honed his culinary skills through apprenticeships in Vienna, Paris, and London. Upon returning to Vienna, he opened a delicatessen and wine shop, which laid the foundation for the future hotel. Eduard's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence set the stage for the establishment's esteemed reputation.

At the age of 37 Eduard married Anna Fuchs, a butcher's daughter from Vienna. After Eduard's death, Anna assumed control of the hotel. Known for her distinctive style—often seen with a cigar in hand and accompanied by her French bulldogs—Anna's leadership solidified the hotel's status as a premier destination for high society. Under her guidance, the Hotel Sacher became a hub for aristocrats, diplomats, and artists, reflecting Vienna's vibrant cultural scene.

Situated at Philharmonikerstraße 4, directly opposite the Vienna State Opera, Hotel Sacher's exterior showcases a Baroque façade that exudes 19th-century elegance. Inside, guests are greeted by opulent interiors featuring rich velvet drapes, dark wood paneling, and intricate chandeliers. Notably, the Anna Sacher restaurant boasts chandeliers designed by Ludwig Lobmeyr, exemplifying the hotel's commitment to preserving its historical charm.

Beyond its luxurious accommodations, Hotel Sacher has been a backdrop for various films, including the classic "The Third Man" and the more recent "Woman in Gold." Its proximity to cultural landmarks like the Vienna State Opera and the Albertina Museum further cements its status as a cultural hub.

The hotel's art collection is a testament to Vienna's artistic heritage, featuring works from the 19th century that adorn its walls. This collection offers guests a glimpse into the city's rich cultural past, seamlessly integrated into the hotel's luxurious ambiance.

No discussion of Hotel Sacher is complete without mentioning the Original Sacher-Torte. Created by Franz Sacher, this decadent chocolate cake with apricot filling has become a symbol of Viennese confectionery excellence. Visitors can savor this delicacy at the hotel's café, indulging in a tradition that has delighted palates for generations.

Over the years, the Gürtler family acquired the hotel, ensuring it remained a family-owned establishment. Today, under the stewardship of Alexandra and Georg Gürtler, along with Alexandra's husband, Matthias Winkler, Hotel Sacher continues to blend its historic charm with modern luxury, offering guests an unparalleled Viennese experience.

In essence, Hotel Sacher stands as a living monument to Vienna's illustrious past, where history, art, and hospitality converge to create an unforgettable experience for all who pass through its storied doors.

We hope you enjoy your stay and rest of this guide’s introduction to our neighborhood.

Vienna is a city where history is not just preserved—it is alive. Every square, every street corner whispers stories of emperors, composers, and revolutionaries. And here, where the elegant Hotel Sacher now stands, once stood one of Vienna’s most significant musical landmarks: the Theater am Kärntnertor.

Built in 1709 near the Carinthian Gate, this grand theater was more than just a performance space—it was a cultural institution at the heart of imperial Vienna. It was here that nobility and commoners alike gathered to witness the latest operas, dramas, and symphonies, a place where music was not just entertainment but a force that shaped the very identity of the city.

For over a century, the Theater am Kärntnertor played host to some of the most celebrated composers in history. Mozart’s operas filled its halls. Rossini’s lively works graced its stage. And in 1824, it became the setting for one of the most extraordinary moments in musical history—the premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

By the time of this performance, Ludwig van Beethoven was completely deaf. He could not hear the music he was conducting, nor the thunderous applause that followed. The audience, overwhelmed by the sheer power of his composition, rose in an ovation so rapturous that the contralto soloist, Carolina Unger, had to turn him around so he could witness the waves of admiration sweeping through the theater. Ode to Joy—a melody that would later become the anthem of the European Union—was first heard here, echoing through these very streets.

But the theater’s history was not without turmoil. In the ever-changing cultural and political landscape of the 19th century, Vienna’s theaters were often subject to shifts in royal favor and economic struggles. The Kärntnertor Theater, despite its prestige, eventually declined and was later replaced by the Vienna State Opera, a grander and more modern successor to its legacy.

Yet, the spirit of the Theater am Kärntnertor did not vanish—it merely transformed. The very site where Beethoven once stood is now home to the Hotel Sacher, a Viennese institution in its own right, world-renowned for its opulent hospitality and, of course, the iconic Sachertorte. Sitting in the hotel’s café, indulging in a slice of this famous chocolate cake, you are in the company of history itself.

As you walk these streets, you are treading the same paths as the city’s greatest artists and visionaries. The melodies of Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven still seem to hover in the air, woven into the very fabric of Vienna. And while the walls of the Theater am Kärntnertor no longer stand, its echoes remain—in the music, in the culture, and in the soul of this timeless city.

In the heart of Vienna, where grand boulevards meet imperial palaces, there is a place of quiet beauty—a retreat from the city’s regal splendor. This is the Volksgarten, a park that has been enchanting visitors since 1823. More than just a green space, it is a living testament to Vienna’s love for art, nature, and history.

Once part of the Hofburg Palace grounds, the Volksgarten was built on the site of fortifications destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars. In its place, Emperor Francis I envisioned a public park, a place where the people of Vienna could stroll, reflect, and enjoy the harmony of nature and architecture. It became one of the city’s first public gardens, marking a shift in urban planning that allowed ordinary citizens to experience the elegance once reserved for royalty.

The park’s most striking feature is its breathtaking rose gardens. During the blooming season, thousands of roses—over 3,000 varieties—fill the air with their delicate fragrance. Locals and visitors alike are drawn here, taking in the explosion of color, the carefully manicured pathways, and the timeless serenity of this oasis in the heart of the city.

At the center of the Volksgarten stands the Theseus Temple, a neoclassical gem designed by Peter von Nobile. Modeled after the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, it was originally built to house Antonio Canova’s sculpture of Theseus battling the Minotaur. Today, the temple is used for art exhibitions, continuing the Volksgarten’s tradition as a space where nature and culture intertwine.

But the park is not just a place of beauty—it has also been a backdrop for history and cinema. Over the years, its romantic pathways and elegant gardens have made it a favorite filming location. The Volksgarten has appeared in numerous Austrian and international films, often used to capture the timeless charm of Vienna. Its quiet benches and picturesque views have provided the setting for love stories, historical dramas, and even espionage thrillers.

Beyond the screen, the park has also been a gathering place for artists, poets, and musicians. In the 19th century, composers like Johann Strauss and Franz Schubert would have walked these very paths, drawing inspiration from the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of Vienna’s bustling streets. Even today, the park’s elegant atmosphere makes it a favorite spot for Viennese writers, dreamers, and romantics.

Whether you’re pausing for a quiet moment beneath the canopy of roses, admiring the symmetry of the Theseus Temple, or simply soaking in the timeless elegance of Vienna’s landscape architecture, the Volksgarten offers something special. It is not just a park—it is a piece of history, a work of art, and a space where past and present blend seamlessly into the rhythm of the city.

Vienna is a city that wears its imperial past with pride, and nowhere is that more evident than at Maria-Theresien-Platz. This grand square, perfectly symmetrical and framed by two of the city’s most magnificent museums—the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum—stands as a testament to the power, vision, and legacy of Empress Maria Theresa, one of Austria’s most formidable rulers.

At the heart of the square, a towering monument commands attention. Seated regally atop her pedestal, Maria Theresa is depicted in bronze, her gaze steady, her scepter in hand, exuding the authority that defined her 40-year reign. She was the only female ruler of the Habsburg Empire, a woman who defied expectations and led with intelligence, strength, and an unwavering commitment to her people. It was under her rule that Austria underwent sweeping reforms in education, military organization, and cultural patronage.

Surrounding the empress are allegorical figures representing the ideals she championed—justice, wisdom, and strength—along with statues of her most trusted generals and advisors. But perhaps the most striking detail is the presence of one of her greatest legacies: the flourishing of the arts and sciences in Vienna, symbolized by the two magnificent museums flanking the square.

To one side, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, an opulent temple of art, houses masterpieces by Titian, Rembrandt, and Velázquez, along with the treasures of the Habsburgs, amassed over centuries of patronage. Across from it, the Naturhistorisches Museum stands as a monument to scientific exploration, home to one of the world’s largest collections of fossils, minerals, and meteorites. These twin buildings, designed to mirror each other, reflect the grandeur of 19th-century Vienna, when Emperor Franz Joseph I sought to transform the city into a showcase of imperial power and cultural achievement.

Maria-Theresien-Platz is more than just a beautiful square—it is a living monument to an era when Vienna was the heart of a vast empire, a place where art, science, and politics intertwined to shape European history. It is a space where past and present merge, where the grandeur of the Habsburgs meets the daily rhythms of modern Vienna.

As you walk through the square, take a moment to admire the symmetry, the scale, and the artistry that went into its design. Imagine the processions, the royal gatherings, the intellectual debates that once took place here. And know that you are standing in a place where history still breathes, where the echoes of an empire linger in stone, bronze, and the spirit of Vienna itself.

Vienna and Mozart—the two are inseparable. This city was not just his home; it was his stage, his inspiration, and the place where his genius reached its peak. And here, in a quiet street just steps from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, stands Mozarthaus Vienna—the only surviving residence of the great composer.

From 1784 to 1787, this elegant apartment was where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived, worked, and entertained. He was at the height of his career, composing some of his most famous works. Imagine these very rooms filled with the sound of his piano, noble patrons discussing commissions over glasses of wine, and Mozart himself—brilliant, eccentric, and often struggling financially despite his fame.

During these years, Mozart composed The Marriage of Figaro, an opera that was as revolutionary as it was entertaining. Based on a banned French play that criticized the aristocracy, the opera cleverly disguised its social commentary beneath humor and dazzling music. Vienna’s audiences adored it, and it remains one of the most performed operas in the world today.

Beyond Figaro, Mozart was also writing some of his greatest chamber music, including the "Haydn" string quartets, dedicated to his friend and mentor Joseph Haydn. He also composed Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, a piece so powerful that it later became a favorite of Beethoven, who saw Mozart as both an idol and a rival.

Despite his growing fame, Mozart lived a lavish lifestyle, often spending beyond his means. He and his wife, Constanze, hosted extravagant parties, where guests would hear the latest compositions performed live by the maestro himself. His love for socializing, music, and the occasional game of billiards made this apartment a vibrant cultural hub.

But Vienna was also a city of fierce competition. Antonio Salieri, the imperial court composer, was one of his professional rivals. Though the legend of Salieri’s jealousy leading to Mozart’s downfall was dramatized in the film Amadeus (1984), the truth is more nuanced—they respected each other, and Salieri even taught Mozart’s son.

Speaking of Amadeus, while the film was mostly shot in Prague, it captures the essence of 18th-century Vienna—the candlelit concert halls, the elaborate costumes, and, of course, Mozart’s larger-than-life personality. The movie portrays him as a mischievous genius, a characterization not far from the truth. Contemporary accounts describe his infectious laughter, his playful sense of humor, and his childlike enthusiasm for life, even as he dealt with growing debts and professional struggles.

Today, as you walk through Mozarthaus, you’ll see original manuscripts, letters, and instruments that bring his world to life. His presence lingers in these halls—the echoes of his melodies, the energy of his restless creativity. In these very rooms, he transformed Vienna into the musical capital of the world, a legacy that still defines the city.

As you step out onto the streets of Vienna, listen closely. The city still hums with Mozart’s music—from grand opera houses to street performers playing Eine kleine Nachtmusik. His spirit is everywhere, woven into the very essence of Vienna.

So take a moment. Stand in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where Mozart and Constanze were married. Walk the same streets he did, where he hurried between performances, patrons, and creative bursts of inspiration. And know that here, in Vienna, Mozart never truly left. His music, his genius, and his laughter still linger in the air.

Vienna is a city of grandeur, where imperial history and artistic brilliance intertwine at every turn. And just a short walk from your hotel, tucked away in an unassuming corner of the city, stands the Capuchin Church—humble in appearance, yet home to one of Austria’s most significant historical sites: the Imperial Crypt.

Since 1633, this crypt has served as the final resting place for the Habsburg dynasty, the rulers who shaped Europe for over six centuries. Beneath the church’s simple façade lies a vast subterranean chamber, where the remains of emperors, empresses, and archdukes rest in elaborately crafted sarcophagi. Here, power meets mortality, and history is entombed in bronze and stone.

The journey through the crypt is a solemn one. The air is cool, the lighting dim, and as you descend into this underground mausoleum, you step into the shadows of history. Ornate coffins, many adorned with crowns and the double-headed eagle of the Habsburgs, stretch before you. Some, like that of Empress Maria Theresa, are grand and elaborate, a testament to the Baroque opulence of her reign. Others, like the tomb of Emperor Franz Joseph I, are simpler, reflecting his disciplined and pragmatic rule.

Perhaps the most striking is the sarcophagus of Empress Elisabeth—better known as Sisi. Her tragic life, marked by beauty, rebellion, and an untimely assassination, continues to captivate visitors, her final resting place drawing those who seek to understand the legend behind the empress.

In total, over 140 members of the Habsburg family rest here, spanning centuries of imperial rule. But one of the most fascinating aspects of the crypt is not just who is buried here, but how. The Habsburg burial tradition was unique: their bodies, hearts, and entrails were often separated, each placed in different churches across Vienna. It was a ritual symbolizing their devotion to both faith and empire, a final act of sacrifice in service of their dynasty.

Yet, despite the power these rulers once held, the crypt serves as a humbling reminder of the impermanence of earthly glory. Emperors who once commanded vast territories now lie in silence, their legacies left to history.

As you leave the crypt and emerge back into the bustling streets of Vienna, the contrast is striking. Life continues, the city thrives, but the echoes of the past remain. The Capuchin Church may be modest, but what lies beneath it is nothing short of extraordinary—a testament to the empire that once was, and the rulers who shaped it.

Let us invite you to embark on a delightful culinary adventure where tradition meets elegance. As you step into this exquisite dining venue, you are immediately enveloped in a sophisticated ambiance characterized by classic Viennese decor. The grand dining room features stunning crystal chandeliers and beautiful artwork, creating a luxurious setting that enhances your dining experience.

At Rote Bar, exceptional service is a hallmark of the experience. Guests consistently praise the attentive and professional staff, who are eager to provide recommendations and ensure that every detail of your meal is attended to with warmth and hospitality. This commitment to service makes every visit feel special.

The menu at Rote Bar celebrates traditional Austrian cuisine, and there are several must-try dishes that highlight the restaurant's dedication to quality. One standout is the Tafelspitz, a classic boiled beef dish served with root vegetables and a rich broth. This dish embodies the heartiness of Austrian fare and is often described as comforting and flavorful. Another favorite is the Wiener Schnitzel, renowned for its crispy texture and savory flavor—an essential experience for anyone visiting Vienna.No meal at Rote Bar would be complete without indulging in dessert. The famous Sacher Torte is a highlight on the menu, receiving rave reviews for its rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture. Served with a dollop of whipped cream, this iconic dessert is a must-try for anyone looking to experience a true taste of Vienna.

Adding to the enchanting atmosphere, Rote Bar features live piano music in the evenings, creating a romantic backdrop that enhances your dining experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or enjoying an intimate dinner, this musical touch sets the perfect mood.

The restaurant maintains a smart casual dress code, adding to the refined yet relaxed vibe that makes it suitable for both formal celebrations and casual outings. Given its popularity, especially during dinner service, it’s highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure your table at this sought-after dining destination.

May we reserve a table for you at the Rote Bar?

Welcome to Restaurant Grüne Bar at Hotel Sacher Wien, a dining experience that seamlessly blends traditional elegance with modern culinary excellence. As you step into our restaurant, you'll be immediately captivated by the stunning ambiance that surrounds you.

Imagine dining beneath a magnificent Lobmeyr chandelier from 1883, its crystal droplets casting a warm, inviting glow across the room. Original paintings by Faistauer adorn the walls, adding a touch of artistic sophistication to your meal. This harmonious blend of historical charm and contemporary flair sets the perfect stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

Our menu, crafted by the talented Chef Anton Pozeg, showcases exquisite regional dishes that celebrate the best of Austrian cuisine. Each plate is a masterpiece, combining local ingredients with innovative techniques to create flavors that will delight your palate. From traditional favorites to modern interpretations, every dish tells a story of culinary passion and expertise.

To complement your meal, our knowledgeable team is on hand to guide you through our extensive wine selection. Whether you prefer a crisp white to pair with our seafood dishes or a robust red to accompany our hearty meat options, we'll help you find the perfect match to elevate your dining experience.

At Restaurant Grüne Bar, we believe that dining is not just about food—it's about creating memories. Our attentive staff ensures impeccable service, attending to your every need with warmth and professionalism. The smart casual dress code adds to the refined yet relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to feel both comfortable and elegant.

We recommend making a reservation, especially for evening dining, to secure your spot in this popular venue. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to an extraordinary meal, Restaurant Grüne Bar promises an enchanting experience that will linger in your memory long after the last bite.

Join us at Restaurant Grüne Bar, where tradition meets innovation, and every meal is a celebration of Viennese culinary artistry.

Allow us the pleasure of introducing you to Café Bel Étage, a luxurious haven nestled within our hotel. This opulent café spans two beautifully appointed floors, offering guests an exquisite setting to indulge in delicious coffee variations and delectable confections.

As you step inside, the grandeur of the Sacher Confiserie captivates you with its majestic white marble and elegant décor. Whether you choose to relax in the main café area or ascend to the intimate mezzanine, featuring the exclusive Séparées Anna Sacher and Franz Sacher, you’ll find an ambiance that perfectly balances sophistication and comfort.

Café Bel Étage is renowned for its exceptional coffee. We highly recommend trying the classic Wiener Melange, a delightful blend of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. For a richer experience, indulge in the Einspänner, a double espresso topped with luscious whipped cream.

No visit would be complete without sampling Sacher's world-famous confections. The Original Sacher-Torte is a must-try, with its rich chocolate layers and apricot jam that epitomize Viennese pastry artistry. If you prefer something lighter, the Apfelstrudel, served warm with vanilla sauce, is a perennial favorite.

The attentive staff at Café Bel Étage are dedicated to providing exemplary service, ensuring that your every need is met with grace and professionalism. Whether you're looking for recommendations or special accommodations, you can expect nothing less than exceptional hospitality.

For those seeking a more private experience, consider reserving one of the exclusive rooms in the mezzanine—ideal for special occasions or intimate gatherings.

Café Bel Étage welcomes guests daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM in an air-conditioned environment that guarantees comfort year-round. To fully enjoy this refined retreat, we recommend securing your reservation in advance through our online booking tool.

Would you like assistance in reserving a table for your visit to Café Bel Étage?