A Guide to Vienna by Artist Max Freund

 

A Guide to Vienna by Artist Max Freund

Max Freund is a multidisciplinary artist based in Vienna. He shares his favourite places in this quietly creative city, from canal-side gatherings to culture and retail.

Vienna may be known for its grand cultural institutions, but much of its creative character is found on a smaller scale. Independent galleries, neighbourhood cinemas, record shops and bookshops sit alongside places that have become gathering points for the city’s creative communities. Together, they reveal a side of Vienna shaped by individual passions, unexpected encounters and ideas given the space to develop at their own pace.

It is this spirit that inspired The Creative Clubhouse, a series in collaboration with Wilde and Roadbook exploring cities through the people who help shape their creative character. Bringing together local artists, designers and makers, the Creative Clubhouse is an invitation to experience a city through the details they notice, the neighbourhoods they return to and the places that continue to inspire them.

Following the first Creative Clubhouse in Porto, the series travelled to Vienna for its second chapter. It is a city where contrasts sit comfortably alongside one another: grand cultural institutions and small independent projects, historic streets and contemporary creative communities, a slower pace of life and an ever-evolving cultural scene.

To see Vienna through a different lens, we asked multidisciplinary artist Max Freund to share the places he finds himself drawn back to. From the banks of the Danube and nostalgic amusement parks to independent bookshops, neighbourhood restaurants and modern art, this is Vienna through Max’s eyes — and an invitation to discover the creative life unfolding beyond the city’s more familiar landmarks.

“I often reflect on how Vienna is a city of contrasts: small, yet somehow large; diverse but well-balanced; welcoming, yet direct and unapologetically honest. It is warm and deeply comforting, with a certain melancholic coolness.

Historic corners of the city seem timeless, encouraging a slow pace, while each small neighbourhood has its own unique character and life. Vienna feels a little behind the rush of the world, with a certain charming indifference.

And yet Vienna is overflowing with culture. It is not like other major European cities that can feel driven by trends, hype, or explosive change. Something is always happening somewhere, from major cultural institutions to small, independent projects. It doesn’t have to be the Kunsthistorisches Museum, although it's wonderful. It can be the Circus Museum, Alt & Neu Record Store or simply the life around Meidlinger Markt, initiated by people who passionately pursue their interests on a small scale, without seeking much in return.

Danube Canal

Donaukanal, Vienna

This branch of the Danube River, which flows through the city centre between the 1st and 2nd districts, is one of Vienna’s prime social and creative spaces. It’s a promenade of bars and restaurants (some on permanently moored boats). The best thing to do is bring your own drink and find a spot by the river, or watch the salsa dancers outdoors opposite the Urania.

Danube Island

Donauinsel, Vienna

Follow the Danube Canal, and you’ll eventually reach the 21-kilometre-long recreational Danube Island, where you can leave the murmurs of the city behind. During the summer, the Viennese treat it as their sea, taking a dip or bathing along its banks.

Wurstelprater

Kratky-Baschik-Weg 16, 1020 Vienna

At the northern tip of the 6 sq km Prater Park is the Wurstelprater amusement park, considered the nostalgic soul of Vienna. There’s a pick of rollercoasters, trains, adrenaline rides and fun houses, with my personal favourite being the iconic Praterturm chain swing, offering an incredible view over Vienna. At 117 metres, it’s almost twice the height of the Wiener Riesenrad big wheel, and definitely a little more daring. Alternatively, you can enjoy the more leisurely Blumenrad Ferris wheel, which takes you up into the heights at a slower pace, before snacking on traditional langos.

The attractions are closed during winter, but it is still worth taking a walk among its curiosities. Beyond the fun of the fair, you can stroll along the tree-lined Prater Hauptallee path and immerse yourself in the peaceful oasis of the surrounding parkland.

Gartenbaukino

Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna

Aside from lingering in living room cafés, Vienna's landmark cinemas (kinos) are just as much a part of the city’s social life. The Gartenbaukino, in particular, is a 1960s movie-theatre institution. Step into its retro wood-and-chrome-decked bar before taking one of 736 seats in the city’s last remaining large single-screen cinema hall.

Softcover

Stumpergasse 53/55, 1060 Vienna

In the creative 6th district is Softcover, the place to shop for speciality art and photography books and independently printed zines. It’s like a mini gallery of books curated on neat wooden shelves against a whitewashed wall, while chairs encourage you to sit and savour the work.

Am Nordpol 3

Nordpolstraße 3, 1020 Vienna

Am Nordpol 3 is a charming example of Vienna’s traditional Gasthaus culture. It's an authentic setting, serving home-cooked Bohemian (Czech) cuisine from potato dumplings to pan-fried schnitzel, but its decor is what also makes it special: a rustic, worn-wood interior is filled with contemporary artworks, all painted by the owner.

mumok (Museum of Modern Art)

Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna

Vienna’s contemporary art scene finds clever ways to meld with its centuries-old setting. One of the best examples is the MuseumsQuartier cultural complex, which repurposes what was once the Baroque Imperial stables. Resembling a huge black block, mumok is one of two additional buildings added to the courtyard, housing modern works. It’s the perfect contrast to the Kunsthistorisches (Art History) and Naturhistorisches (Natural History Museum), just across the street.

Uppers & Downers

Kirchengasse 43, 1070 Vienna

Uppers & Downers combines a concept store and gallery space with all the artistic flair you would expect of the 7th district. There’s a striking zigzag black-and-white floor, neatly curated shelves of accessories, clothing rails organised by colour, and pocket gallery walls. With regular artist collabs, you’ll find merch and one-off pieces to take home.

The Creative Clubhouse is a series by Wilde and Roadbook celebrating the people, places and ideas shaping Europe’s creative cities. Through gatherings, conversations and local guides, we invite artists, designers and makers to share what inspires them, offering a different way to experience a city, one rooted in curiosity, creativity and the everyday.