Home Austria Where to Stay in Vienna for Hesitant First Timers

Where to Stay in Vienna for Hesitant First Timers

by David
Graben, Where to Stay in Vienna

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Visiting Austria means some time in Vienna is almost inevitable, right? The Austrian capital is the nation’s largest city and a pretty big deal on the world stage. It’s been repeatedly listed as the most liveable city in the world and also an exceedingly popular choice for tourists to Europe. That being said, identifying where to stay in Vienna can be a real challenge for those unfamiliar with the city.

Travel to any major European city for the first time and you’re bound to feel overwhelmed when searching for accommodation. Sure you may want to stay somewhere central, but can you afford it? You might find a cheap place, but it’s off in an odd area? Will you be able to reach all the sights and attractions, not to mention find somewhere to eat?

All of these questions are perfectly justified, which is why I’ve done my best to help smooth the process along for those visiting Vienna for the first time.

Stephansplatz, Where to Stay in Vienna

Since I haven’t stayed in all of the hotels, guesthouses and hostels across Vienna, I’ll keep things broad. What follows is a breakdown of the various districts/neighbourhoods in Vienna that you may be looking at, with an idea of what attractions and restaurants are there, plus the general types of accommodation available. Hopefully, this will make deciding where to stay in Vienna at Christmas or any time of year much less stressful.

 

Understand the City of Vienna

Burgtheater, Where to Stay in Vienna

Before choosing accommodation in Vienna, it helps to have a basic understanding of the city’s layout. Made up of 23 districts, their numbering starts with the 1st District at the centre, the 2nd through 9th circling clockwise around the city centre and the others increasing in number as they spiral outwards. Known as a Bezirk in German, you can identify which district you’re in by the number shown on street signs or the post code (e.g. 1030 is the 3rd District).

What makes understanding the city’s layout so valuable is that Vienna’s exceptional public transport network makes getting about the city super easy. For instance, even in the most off-peak times, you may have to wait 5 minutes for a U-Bahn underground train. I’d challenge anyone to identify a place within the main part of the city that isn’t easily accessible by either train, tram or bus. By the way, a great app for helping you navigate this network is VOR A Nach B.

 

1st District – Inner City

Heldenplatz, Where to Stay in Vienna

Probably the most obvious choice for where to stay in Vienna is the city’s centre. The Inner Stadt also know as the 1st District, includes Vienna’s Old Town and everything within the Ringstraße. Of course, you’ll find many of the city’s attractions and landmarks in the city centre, like Stephansdom, Graben, the Hofburg Palace and the State Opera.

Understandably, for such a great location, you’re going to pay for it. The Inner Stadt is home to some of Vienna’s most high-end hotels such as the Palais Coburg Residenz, Hotel Sacher Wien and Hotel Topazz. Without question, this is where to stay if you want to experience proper Viennese luxury.

Staying at the centre of things means you can walk to plenty of attractions, not to mention shopping streets like Kohlmarkt and Kärntnerstraße. It should come as no surprise that you’ll also find plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in the city centre.

Maria Theresin Platz, Vienna Neighbourhoods

The 1st District is also exceptionally well-connected with public transport, with several underground lines passing through and around the area. Also handy are the trams that run around the ring and off into neighbouring districts. Worth noting is that the district is not great for driving, with one way streets and dead ends. I’d suggest finding a parking house in the centre and walking the rest of the way.

Staying There: Here you’ll find the hotels and accommodation available in the 1st District.

 

2nd District – Leopoldstadt

Leopoldstadt, Where to Stay in Vienna

Wedged between the Danube River and the Danube Canal is the 2nd District of Leopoldstadt. Once the city’s Jewish Quarter, the neighbourhood has gradually transformed into a fairly middle class area. Spanning from the northeast to the east of the city centre, this is the largest of Vienna’s districts owing to the immense Prater.

A park where the royal hunting grounds used to be, the Prater is not only a park ideal for walking and cycling but also home to the Prater Amusement Park. Another unusual spot in the 2nd District is the Augarten, with its indestructible flak tower from WWII. Besides the towers, it’s yet another immense green space available close by to those that stay in Leopoldstadt. Effectively, if you want to stay in the middle of the city but not feel like you are, the 2nd District may be the way to go.

Prater Park, Where to Stay in Vienna

Accommodation in Leopoldstadt is more aimed at the mid-range to upscale market, with quite a number of 3 and 4 star hotels. The area is also home to a great deal of apartments, perfect for large groups or those looking for more space and facilities. Despite sitting across the canal from the Inner City, the 2nd District is only a couple of U-Bahn stops away.

Staying There: Here you’ll find the apartments and hotels that are located in the 2nd District.

 

3rd District – Landstraße

Belvedere Palace Spring, When to Visit Vienna

After the city centre, the district with the most must-see attractions has to be Landstraße. The city’s 3rd District is home to icons like the Belvedere Palace and quirky buildings like the Hundertwasser Haus. Immediately east, south-east of the city centre, it is quite a residential district. However, it is home to several large shopping malls including Wien Mitte, a fairly important train station, with connections to the Vienna Airport and other cities too.

A large district, chances are if you stay here you’ll be looking to get about via public transport as options are rather spread out. Speaking of accommodation options, besides a select number of 4* hotels, most of the places to stay in Landstraße are apartments. This might be useful as there are only a moderate number of restaurants about. Worth mentioning though is that you shouldn’t discount the restaurants in Wien Mitte itself as some are quite good.

Landstrasse, Third District

Staying There: Here are the option for apartments and high-end hotels available in the 3rd District.

 

4th District – Wieden

Karlsplatz, Where to Stay in Vienna

Lying to the south of the city centre, Wieden is a bit more low-key than other neighbouring districts. With a limited number of attractions, the most iconic probably being Karlsplatz, the 4th District makes up for it with a wide range of quality restaurants.

Here you’ll find everything from traditional Viennese cafes to hipster ones, local breweries to modern brewpubs, and all the international cuisine you could expect from an international city like Vienna. Also home to the city’s Technical University, you can expect to find all the kinds of places students flock to as well.

This district’s main offering of accommodation fits in the budget to mid-range category of hotels and apartments. If the hotels of the 1st District are outside your price range, then this area can provide you with an affordable and comfortable place to stay in Vienna.

Not all that removed from the centre, it’s typically a gentle walk, quick tram or underground trip (a few stops) and you’re in the centre ready to go. This district also seems to be a great place look at for Airbnb, both in terms of location and price.

Wieden, Where to Stay in Vienna

Staying There: Here you’ll find the budget and mid-range hotels on offer in the 4th District.

 

6th District – Mariahilf

Naschmarkt Buildings, Best Places to Stay in Vienna

Positioned between one of the city’s most enduring attractions, the large Naschmarkt market, and the shopping street of Mariahilferstraße is Vienna’s 6th District. Very much a residential district, staying in Mariahilf is ideal for those looking to experience a more local side to the city. Still, there is the Naschmarkt for those who love markets or want to try local Viennese cuisine at a beisl, basically a local tavern. For shoppers, Mariahilferstraße is bound to have whatever you’re after as well, not to mention an English language cinema.

Perhaps what makes Mariahilf so appealing for some is the fact that it is bordered by two major roads, the Gürtel beltway and the road that becomes the A1 motorway. This means that if you’re driving in or out of Vienna, you’ll have an easier time getting away. If you’ve planning to visit Schönbrunn Palace, the area is also on the U-Bahn line that heads out that way.

Naschmarkt, Best Areas in Vienna to Stay

As to what kind of accommodation you can expect from Mariahilf, it’s here that you’ll find the majority of the city’s few hostels. Its other accommodation options also skew towards serviced apartments and 3/4* hotels, so there’s actually quite a broad range of digs to be found here.

Staying There: Here you’ll find the the wide range of accommodation options available in the 6th District.

 

7th District – Neubau

Neubau, Where to Stay in Vienna Austria

Another heavily residential neighbourhood that sits next to the 6th District is Neubau, the 7th District. Found behind the Museum Quarter heading away from the centre, Neubau is generally a quieter slice of Vienna local life. Interestingly, it’s often seen as the hipster, bohemian neighbourhood of Vienna, although many districts have parts that could claim that.

Besides being near the shops found on Mariahilferstraße, Neubau isn’t the kind of area you’ll likely spend much time out and about in. However, Neubau is home to quite a pleasant, low-key Christmas market centred on Spittelberggasse. Don’t expect many tourists here at all, especially compared to the crowds at the major ones in the 1st District.

Spittelberggasse, Where to Stay in Vienna

No, the big upside to staying in Neubau is that it is home to a really welcome mix of hotels, apartments and guest houses. That coupled with the number of local restaurants makes it a versatile neighbourhood to stay in, with plenty of buses and trams to take you into the city centre.

Staying There: Here you’ll find the apartments, hotels and guesthouses available in the 7th District.

 

10th District – Favoriten

Business District, Where to Stay in Vienna

A somewhat up-and-coming district in Vienna (if you can believe that in a millenia-old city) is the Favoriten district. Situated in and around the city’s Hauptbahnhof train station, in recent years the 10th District has been developed as a modern business precinct.

Of course, there are also the older parts of the neighbourhood as well, but the new development is hard to miss. The nature of the area means that there really aren’t any attractions to be found and you’ll need to take public transport to see more of the city.

With a focus on business travellers mostly, choices of accommodation in the 10th District are predominantly business hotels and serviced apartments. In fact, Favoriten may have the greatest density of apartments anywhere in Vienna. Having access to your own cooking facilities is probably a good thing here as food options out here seem a bit lighter than elsewhere. Still, in Favoriten you’re right by the city’s main train station, not to mention U-Bahn and tram lines.

Staying There: Here are the many business hotels and serviced apartments on offer in the 10th District.

 


If you’ve been before, where do you think the best place to stay in Vienna is? Which district of Vienna most appeals to you? Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

 

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10 comments

RobRob @TravelLatte(.net) May 11, 2018 - 11:07 pm

I suppose actually staying in Belvedere Palace is not an option? Darn… We are big fans of starting in the city center – or as close to it as we can afford. In most European cities, that’s a pretty good bet for being able to see most everything. We haven’t been to Vienna, so the overview of neighborhoods is really helpful. As always, thanks for your insights!

Reply
Anda May 12, 2018 - 1:05 am

I pinned your post for later, David. I may be visiting Vienna this coming fall and your post will come in very handy if I end up going there. I’ve only spent two days in Vienna many, many years ago, so I’m very eager to go back.

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California Globetrotter May 12, 2018 - 7:52 am

This definitely would have been helpful the first few times we visited! I didn’t know that there were technically 23 districts! But as we have a car, staying a bit further out is important for parking, but with the transportation system, it’s never a problem! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard, David!

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Anisa May 12, 2018 - 8:16 am

This is helpful, I have not been to Vienna yet. I would like to stay in the Inner City to be close to everything but I will have to find a deal. If not, you gave me plenty of other ideas for areas to stay. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!

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Lisa Marie May 13, 2018 - 3:20 pm

Being from Vienna myself I really loved your post. Sums up everything perfectly 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard

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Chelsea May 15, 2018 - 12:45 am

I hope to be able to visit Vienna someday. This is a very useful guide! #theweeklypostcard

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charlotteontheroad May 16, 2018 - 9:29 am

Such a beautiful City, I really fell in love with it. Nice post, thank you!

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Staci May 16, 2018 - 6:30 pm

Very useful. Thanks for sharing – Vienna may be in my near future but I know next to nothing about it! #TheWeeklyPostcard

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Anna May 19, 2018 - 4:34 am

Such a great description of Vienna´s neighborhoods – I wish I’ve read it back when we traveled there! Such a beautiful city, but the hotel stay could be quite pricy… Mariahilf looks lovely! #TheWeeklyPostcard

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Devi July 1, 2019 - 6:50 am

Hi.. really informative!!. I will be going this dec. I think for a first timer with 2 kids 11 n 13 most likely 1st district will be my choice.

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