If you are into Brutalism and would like to see something different in Vienna (apart from Schönbrunn Palace and its historic city centre …) this church is worth the journey. On the basis of a model by Fritz Wotruba, the Austrian sculptor, the church was built from 1974–76. (Photo: Thomas Ledl)

There is one thing finally that is good about vienna’s small size, to reach the river danube and its two side arms in summer, when its boiling hot, takes only few minutes. All the life is transferred from the center to the river banks, swim and barbecue in summer, ice skating in winter. If you exit the subway at Neue Donau station you will see the small tower of viennas biggest mosque that is located on the danube island. You can go there and visit, if you are lucky, you will be offered dryed figues and dates and you can watch the prayers repose themselves lying on mattrasses in the cool.

This tiny family-run Japanese restaurant right at the Naschmarket serves great authentic Japanese food. No matter which dish I tried, I loved every single one of them. Plan a little waiting time, they have only 6-9 seats, but it’s worth the wait.  By the way, take a look at the building, it’s the famous Majolica House by the famous Jugendstil architect Otto Wagner.

A newcomer to the Vienna art scene, GOMO bravely takes on a relatively art-unpopulated area near the main train station. Exhibition and performance program revolves around a distinctive aesthetics of the space (an old garage) and a large yard with plenty of greenery is used extensively and with gusto in all seasons.

Palmenhaus is a café, brasserie and bar inside a 1901-built greenhouse located in the Viennese Hofburg palace gardens. You can enjoy your coffee unter the massive steel structure on the light-filled inside of the greenhouse or – during summertime – on the outside terrace overlooking the Burggarten gardens.