Watch performances at Austrian opera houses for surprises—and listen to “The Blue Danube” in Vienna subway toilets!

For Taiwanese accustomed to mostly free or low-cost entry at museums and art galleries, visiting Europe can come as a shock. Attractions like the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Paris Opera House in France, and the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands all charge admission. Moreover, using public restrooms in Europe often comes with an “extra fee.”

Graz, Austria’s second-largest city. (Photo provided by Dazi Images / Shutterstock)

But sometimes travel brings unexpected delights. Travel writer “Hsiao Yao” recently shared her experience from a trip to Austria last year when she had the good fortune to visit the renowned “Graz Opera House.” In addition to admiring the exquisitely crafted architecture and design, she also enjoyed a fantastic performance for free that day. What’s more, Hsiao Yao used a restroom in the Vienna subway—though it cost €0.7 (about NT$24), she was treated to a rendition of “The Blue Danube” in a stunningly beautiful restroom, adding an extra little joy to her journey.

The scenic riverside views along Graz’s Murinsel. (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

● Enjoying Architecture and Scenic Views in Graz

Hsiao Yao, who plans European self-guided trips every year, visited Austria last summer and stopped by the country’s second-largest city, Graz. This well-preserved destination boasts an excellent atmosphere, with a castle hill right in the city center covered in lush greenery—so much to explore that you could spend all day there.

The classical town hall and fountain at Hauptplatz. (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

Hsiao Yao wandered along the Murinsel, enjoying the riverside scenery, visited the classical town hall and fountain at Hauptplatz, admired the “Painted House” featuring 18th-century painter Johann Mayr’s artwork, and was fascinated by the fantastical exterior of the Modern Art Gallery—all leaving her with a wonderful impression of this beautiful city.

Inside the Graz Opera House, a court-like venue with meticulously carved yet elegantly simple décor, she also caught a free, captivating performance. (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

● A Spectacular Performance at the Graz Opera House—Stepping into an 18th-Century Court

Additionally, art-loving Hsiao Yao visited the Graz Opera House (Graz Opernhaus). Designed by Viennese architects Büros Fellner & Helmer, this neo-Baroque opera house was built for Graz. It opened on September 16, 1899, with a performance of Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell.

The auditorium and stage of the Graz Opera House. (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

On November 1, 1944, during World War II, its main façade and roof were damaged by bombs. Since the damage was relatively minor, it continued to be used after the war, though the façade and porch were simplified. The interior, however, escaped simplification and retained its magnificent grand staircase and a stunning auditorium that seats 1,800. A glass bridge was added in the 1980s.

That day at the Graz Opera House, Hsiao Yao saw a court-like venue with exquisitely crafted but elegantly simple décor. She also enjoyed a free, spectacular show where actors in costumes descended the theater stairs—every move was “performance,” while stirring music echoed through the space, making her feel as if she had stepped into an 18th-century Austrian royal court via a time machine.

Vienna, known as the “City of Music,” features palaces and castles with unique charm. (Photo provided by Dazi Images / Shutterstock)

● Vienna Has Surprises Too—Listening to “The Blue Danube” in the Subway

In addition to visiting Graz, Hsiao Yao also traveled to Austria’s capital, Vienna. In the “City of Music,” she admired iconic architecture, explored how the city’s food, scenery, and artistic atmosphere nurtured world-class musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert.

Traces of “music” can be found everywhere in Vienna. (Photo provided by Dazi Images / Shutterstock)

Starting from the Hofburg Palace, she admired the opulent Baroque buildings left from the imperial era, took boat rides to enjoy the city’s beauty, tasted Vienna’s specialty foods, and explored the Salzkammergut region to witness the dreamy lakes and mountain landscapes of the Alps.

Vienna truly lives up to its title as the “City of Music”—even taking the subway brings surprises. The “restrooms” inside historic buildings are also a highlight. Hsiao Yao paid €0.7 (about NT$24) for some relief here and was greeted by a stunningly beautiful restroom. As she imagined the daily life of princesses and noblewomen in courts of old, she also listened to the classic piece “The Blue Danube.”

Restrooms in the Vienna subway charge €0.7 and offer not only breathtaking architecture but also the chance to listen to the classic tune “The Blue Danube.” (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

● Restrooms as Tourist Attractions—Travel Differently

In fact, many travelers to Europe are puzzled by the need to pay extra for using restrooms. But actually, these facilities operate on a “user pays” principle. Sometimes, using a restroom can bring unexpected surprises—it might just become another “tourist attraction”!

Art masterpieces can even be admired in Vienna subway restrooms. (Photo provided by Hsiao Yao)

Travel doesn’t need any special purpose. With an idea, even solo travelers can “just go.” Along the way, we encounter all kinds of people, events, and things. Interacting with them can make our journeys even more beautiful and heartwarming.