A wet October day in Vienna felt like an invitation to slow everything down. After the pace of the previous days, we decided not to rush anywhere and instead let the city unfold gently, even under grey skies.
We started the morning at Alt & Neu Records, returning for a longer visit this time. We spent time photographing the exterior properly before stepping inside, lingering among the listening stations and shelves. Knowing its quiet role in Before Sunrise made the space feel almost suspended in time. It was easy to imagine Jesse and Céline standing just outside, hesitant and curious, unaware of how much that brief moment would come to mean. Being there again, without hurry, made it feel even more special.
From there, we walked through the main streets toward St. Rupert’s Church (Ruprechtskirche), another location tied to the film. One of the oldest churches in Vienna, its simple exterior and modest scale contrast with the weight of history it carries. In Before Sunrise, it becomes a place of pause and reflection, mirroring the quiet intimacy of the conversation unfolding between the two characters. Standing there in person, it felt grounded and understated, the kind of place that invites you to linger without asking anything in return.
We continued on through the heart of the city, streets softened by autumn colour. Leaves gathered along the edges of the pavement, yellows and browns catching against stone façades as we wandered without a fixed route. Eventually, we found ourselves inside IKEA Vienna Westbahnhof, an unexpected but fascinating stop. The vertical layout drew us upward through layers of open escalators and glass, and at the top sat JO&JOE Vienna, the hostel perched above the store. Looking down into the IKEA floors below felt surreal, a strange blend of everyday life and design curiosity tucked into the city centre.
From there, we headed toward the Austrian Parliament Building, its columns and statues standing stark against the overcast sky. The rain began to fall more heavily as we arrived, giving the marble and stone a darker, reflective quality. Despite the weather, we stopped to take photos, the figures and symmetry holding their presence even under grey light.
Seeking some shelter, we walked on toward Rathausplatz, where Circus Roncalli had set up in front of Vienna City Hall (Rathaus). The striped tents and warm lights felt especially striking against the rain and muted sky. Even in the weather, the scene carried a sense of nostalgia and charm, and we lingered just long enough to capture the contrast before moving on.
Further along, we passed the Burgtheater again, its grand façade softened by rain and movement. Trams rolled past, umbrellas dotted the street, and the city continued on around us, unbothered by the weather. We wandered through side streets and down toward the subway, letting the underground passages guide us back toward the hostel, dry at last.
That evening, we returned to the hostel for dinner, drinks, and conversation. The slower pace of the day lingered, and the rain outside made staying in feel right. It turned into a slightly later night than planned, knowing we had a later train to Prague the following day.
Vienna, especially in the rain, revealed itself as a city comfortable with stillness. Taking it slower allowed details to surface, moments to stretch, and familiar places to feel new again.
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