Where to stay in Vienna - 5 the best districts for travelers

All Vienna districts are very different from each other. So, let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Here are the 5 best districts in Vienna for staying during a holiday or a 2-3 day transit during a trip (bonus, hotels from which it’s easier to get to the airport at night).

Innere Stadt (Inner City) – where to stay in Vienna for the first time

Did you know that the historic center of Vienna is on the UNESCO World Heritage List? Innere Stadt (Inner City) is the central district of Vienna, home to most of its historic landmarks, tourist attractions, and luxury hotels. This is the best option if you’re visiting the city for the first time, since you’ll be close to everything and at the heart of the action.

This is imperial Vienna, and it looks and feels like the former capital of a great European empire. If you like wide boulevards, grand squares, and majestic buildings all around, stay here. Not only is it beautiful here, but it’s also convenient for strolling – you can walk everywhere in 30 minutes.

This district is surrounded by the Ringstraße, which used to be the old city wall. Now, the very convenient “Ring Tram” runs along it. You can buy a ticket and ride the entire ring road, getting to know the city pleasantly. You can recognize the tram by its distinctive yellow color and the sign “Ring Tram”. During the trip, you can wear headphones with an audio guide. It is available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Hungarian, and Russian.

What to see in the Innere Stadt district:

The geographic center and historic heart of the city, this is a wonderful district where you will find a huge number of Vienna’s main sights and most of its imperial splendor. But it’s also an extremely touristy place, and some parts can be outright overrun by visitors. Nevertheless, it’s an extremely convenient base for sightseeing.

Visit Hofburg, which was the main residence of the Habsburg family until 1918. Today, it serves as the residence of the Austrian president and government, but the imperial apartments are open to visitors.
Taste a piece of the most famous Austrian cake, the Sachertorte, at the Sacher Hotel. If your budget is not enough to stay in this luxury hotel, you can visit its restaurant, where you can have coffee with Sachertorte. The recipe has remained unchanged since 1832 and has been secret since then.
Visit Stephansdom – St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the most famous religious structure in Vienna
Explore the Museum Quarter to see all its incredible works of art.
Go to the Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper). Buy standing tickets—the cheapest way to see any performance (even a premiere), buying a ticket an hour before the start. Yes, you’ll have to stand, but these are official spots that locals also use.
Volksgarten (park) – The park by the National Theater. Here you can admire the rose garden with more than 3,000 rose bushes.
Buy tickets in advance for the Albertina and Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien). There are interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, and a very fine art collection.
Burggarten Park in the English style. It houses a beautiful Art Nouveau greenhouse known as the Palm House or Butterfly House. Come and see freely flying butterflies of all kinds.

Hotels and apartments in Innere Stadt:

Of course, prices in this area are higher than elsewhere. During the day, there are a lot of people—both tourists and office workers who do not live in the center. But in the evening the crowds die down and you can sleep peacefully in your hotel, not fearing noise outside.

Motel One Wien-Staatsoper≫ – Great location, right by the opera, walking distance to everywhere. Many restaurants nearby, city center. The room is clean, quiet and cozy, newly renovated. Nice price, although the rooms are small—but it’s in the center of Vienna.
KH Opera Apartments≫ – apartment location – a few minutes to the Vienna Opera, and also a stone’s throw to other sights. The kitchen has all necessary utensils, a toaster, microwave, and I was also cheered up by the coffee machine and capsules thoughtfully left for it.
Hotel König von Ungarn≫ – wonderful hotel with a great breakfast. We liked the lounge area and how close it was to the city center. The hotel style is old world charm with modern comforts.

Wieden – the best district for youth in Vienna

Wieden is one of Vienna’s cool districts, and locals consider it the city’s first hipster district. It’s an extremely pleasant area with a laid-back atmosphere and lots of cozy cafes, interesting shops, several great markets, and plenty of beautifully preserved historic buildings.

Wieden is filled with young people, partly due to its proximity to the Technical University, and also because lately it is becoming more fashionable and attracts more and more students, young professionals, and artists. The architecture here is also lovely, with many old Baroque buildings mixed with elegant 19th-century and new constructions.

Also, Wieden is a lively nightlife district, and people come here to have a drink with friends or enjoy good music played by DJs at various bars. It also has a great location next to the Inner City, but also boasts some gems of its own.

Wieden is also well served by public transport, as its main hub, Karlsplatz, is intersected by U-Bahn lines U1, U2, and U4. Several tram lines also pass through the area. I have stayed in this district a few times because of its good atmosphere and proximity to the central district.

What to see in the Wieden district:

Admire Karlskirche (St. Charles’ Church) in Baroque style—one of Vienna’s landmarks. The square around it is also one of the city’s hotspots, and in winter it hosts a Christmas market. Classical concerts are held almost daily in the church.
Next to it is Karlsplatz—a truly nice park where you can stop and relax a bit while people-watching. Admire the Otto Wagner Pavilion, an Art Nouveau architectural gem.
Take a walk and shop at the Naschmarkt—the most famous food market in Vienna. In essence, it’s a flea market with many food stalls where you can try dishes from world cuisine and delicious local food. You can also buy goodies as gifts.
For a break from the stone architecture, choose the green Belvedere Gardens. They’re just beyond the edge of the district, on a nearby street, Landstraße.
Enjoy Viennese coffee at Sperl cafe.

Hotels and apartments in the Wieden district:

Considering how close this district is to the Inner City, Wieden is much less crowded with tourists.

Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt≫ – very cool hostel, where I have stayed repeatedly. It has dorm rooms and private double rooms. Cool cafe on the ground floor, tasty breakfasts, great atmosphere and cleanliness. Ideal location – by Naschmarkt. When checking out I also left my luggage until evening, really convenient. There is a luggage storage room with a key. There’s even a shower for guests. At reception you can get a city map, daily free city tours, and in the evening you definitely won’t be bored: open bar, you can grab a guitar, people play board games, and occasionally there are quizzes or concerts.
Austria Trend Hotel beim Theresianum Wien≫ – Very convenient location—5 minutes to the subway and a quick ride to the city center. Within walking distance to Belvedere Palace. Close to the main train station—10 minutes. Very convenient for tourists. There are restaurants, cafes, a pizzeria, a supermarket nearby.
City-Apartment in Wieden≫ – apartments not far from the central station and center. Spacious apartment with everything you need for a comfortable stay, very clean and comfortable.
Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof≫ – 1-minute walk from the station, so you can leave at the last moment before your train.
ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof≫ – this is a standard Ibis, with no unpleasant surprises, and just 5 minutes on foot.

Neubau – the coolest district in the city

If you’re looking for the “coolest” district in the city, this is it. You won’t see the perfect imperialism of the Inner City here, but you’re more likely to encounter trendy art galleries, designer clothes, and unique coffee shops and restaurants. You can also take the opportunity to buy unique vintage clothing and update your wardrobe.

Neubau is located next to the Museum Quarter and has several museums of its own. Moreover, Neubau is a great place for nightlife. There are many bars around, and in summer you can simply go for a beer in the Museum Quarter, where huge deckchairs are laid out for relaxing. Young people gather here to live and hang out.

What to see in the Neubau district:

MUMOK – this is the best modern art museum in Vienna, showcasing some of the finest examples of modern Austrian art.
The huge and incredible MuseumsQuartier covers more than 90,000 square meters and houses 60 different cultural institutions. It’s a palace complex based in former royal stables, containing spaces and exhibits on fine art, architecture, design, photography, dance, theater, music, and much more.
Visit the small Spittelberg quarter with its narrow cobblestone streets and beautifully preserved Biedermeier houses.
Check out St. Ulrich’s Church, a Baroque monument built in the 17th century.
Shop for vintage clothing on Neubaugasse—the biggest commercial street for shopping, offering a great mix of designer stores and high-end boutiques, as well as vintage shops selling secondhand items.
Visit the Leopold Museum, which houses an impressive collection of modern art.

Accommodation in Neubau district:

Urban Boutique Hotel≫ – Clean, comfortable, right by the subway, you can walk to the center, tasty and varied breakfast. Also nearby are a grocery store, cafes, and in general, it’s a pedestrian street. The rooms are small, but everything is provided, even a hairdryer, and the rooms are warm.
ARCOTEL Wimberger Wien≫ – new modern hotel, convenient location, private parking (€28/day), cleanliness, everything is convenient. Subway and a square nearby. Breakfast is excellent, everything is fresh, lots of options, nice interior.
Ruby Marie Hotel Vienna≫ – Very cool location, near the center, you can walk everywhere, also with a tram stop on the other side, you can get to the station. Extremely atmospheric terrace where you can try tasty coffee in the morning.

Leopoldstadt – the best district in Vienna for families

The large district of Leopoldstadt – is actually an island located in the center of Vienna, situated across the Danube Canal from the Inner City. Leopoldstadt was almost completely destroyed during World War II, and it has changed tremendously. Today, fashionable cafes line its streets, and there are several great open spaces.

Leopoldstadt is a great choice if you want to stay in the center but away from the most touristy and busy areas of the city. There are lots of huge beautiful parks here, so this district will appeal to families with children. It’s also a lively multicultural district with great restaurants, unique shops, and more affordable accommodation options.

Vienna with Children

Vienna is a great city for holidays with children. Plan to visit the following interesting places:

Schönbrunn Palace with maze and zoo
House of Music
House of the Sea
Natural History Museum
Prater Amusement Park
Technical Museum
Time Travel Vienna

What to see in the Leopoldstadt district:

Prater—the most famous amusement park in Vienna, which will delight children and their parents alike. Ride the roller coasters, visit Madame Tussauds Museum, and see the city from the giant Ferris wheel, which has been running since 1897.
Augarten—a large park in Leopoldstadt is a great place to stroll in warm weather when you need to escape the city hustle. Also, in summer evenings, there is an open-air cinema in the park.
On Saturdays, you should visit Karmelitermarkt—one of the best markets in the city, where you can buy food or things for a picnic. The market is open daily, but on Saturdays there’s a really great farmers’ market that’s worth a special trip.
Stroll along the beautiful Praterstrasse street.
Take a walking tour along the Danube Canal where you’ll find bustling bars that fill up with people in the evenings.
Visit Austria’s national football stadium, Ernst Happel Stadion.

Hotels and apartments in Leopoldstadt district:

Family Apartment≫ – Great location close to public transportation, making it easy to get around Vienna. Easy self check-in—pick up keys from the box with a code. Convenient for those with a late arriving flight. The apartment is cozy, beds are comfortable, and you can make tea and coffee.
Augarten Apartments≫ – Great apartment, impeccably clean, in a wonderful location, close enough to get to the city but in a quiet district. Very comfortable beds, there is a kitchen, and a Spar store not far if you need groceries.
Novotel Suites Wien City Donau≫ – Very convenient location near subway U1, 10 minutes to Stephansplatz. Large two-level parking right in the building for €25 per day. Amazing breakfasts even with red fish for €24 per person; kids eat for free. Large terrace for breakfasts. Extremely attentive staff ready to help with any needs.

Landstraße – budget accommodation option in Vienna

Landstraße is located a bit further from the center of Vienna, but it’s still a very interesting place to visit. The architecture there is quite different from that found in the Inner City. It’s a less grand, less imperial residential district ignored by most tourists. This is a quiet area with few major attractions or events but offers understated, calm, and mostly local Vienna.

This district is unlikely to suit a short trip to Vienna. But if you’re coming for a week, especially with kids, look toward Landstraße for comfort and lower accommodation prices. The district is well connected by public transport, but it’s better to stay in the northern part, closer to the Inner City. The train line to the airport also stops at Wien Mitte, which is nearby, so getting to and from the airport will be very simple.

Landstraße is located a bit farther from the center of events in Vienna, but it is still a very interesting place to visit. The architecture there is quite different from what you find in the Inner City. Less grand, less imperial, perhaps more down-to-earth.

What can you see in the Landstraße district:

Spend the day at the Austrian Gallery, located in the Belvedere Summer Palace, where you can see Klimt’s famous “The Kiss”. The Belvedere complex actually consists of two castles—Lower Belvedere and Upper Belvedere. Today the castles house a large collection of Austrian and international art, including works by the Impressionists, Gustav Klimt, and medieval art.
Inside Kunst Haus Wien you’ll find the only permanent exhibition of Hundertwasser’s art, as well as temporary exhibitions of works by other artists.
Admire one of Hundertwasser’s works of modern art—Hundertwasserhaus—a residential building with multicolored facades, located at: Kegelgasse 36-38, on the corner with Lowengasse 41-43.
Learn about Austria’s military past at the Museum of Military History.
Visit the educational center and planetarium “Urania”. In summer, you can watch the popular Perseid meteor shower here.
Find great deals at Vienna’s oldest and least touristy market, Rochusmarkt. There’s a good selection of fresh produce, local goods, and tasty dishes.

Accommodation in the Landstraße district:

Lion`s Rooms n Apartments≫ – Five-room apartment, each room with a coded lock on the door handle, in the apartment there is one large kitchen and a slightly smaller one, both equipped with all necessary utensils. Bedding is clean, fresh, and snow-white. Precisely at 10:00 a woman comes and cleans the whole apartment. Contact with the owner is very simple and quick. The apartment is very easy to find with the hints the owner sends in a message on the day of arrival.
Vienna City Apartments Belvedere≫ – Great apartments with all kitchen appliances. Everything is clean. The check-in process is very convenient and automatic; the owners maintain contact and answer all questions. Very good location, 3 min. to tram stop, or 30 minutes on foot and you’re in the center of Vienna.
Ibis budget Wien Sankt Marx≫ – Clean hotel, convenient location, delicious breakfast, friendly staff, economical, not far from the train line going to the airport.

If you are in Vienna in transit – what to see in Vienna in one day

If you do not plan to stay overnight in Vienna, but you have a chance to stroll around the city, I recommend the following top-6 sights:

St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Hofburg Palace
Natural History Museum
Art History Museum
Town Hall
Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna Zoo

Except for Schönbrunn and the zoo, all the listed places are right in the city center and close to each other. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby where you can sample the famous Viennese schnitzel, Sachertorte or apple strudel.

Bonus: hotels near Vienna Airport

Where’s best to stay before a morning flight – book a hotel near the airport.

LifeHotel Vienna Airport≫ – convenient location for those traveling by car or to/from the airport. Clean and tidy rooms, good soundproofing, and friendly staff. A special plus is parking and the opportunity to leave your car safely if you plan to travel by plane. You can order a shuttle, or walk 17 minutes to the train station—which is worth considering so as not to miss the train, which runs once an hour. The airport is only 1 stop away and the journey takes only 5 minutes.
NH Vienna Airport Conference Center≫ – Ideal location if you are traveling by plane and need to stay overnight. Proximity to the airport (walkable), with absolute silence in the rooms. Beautiful rooms with a nice view. Breakfast is quite high quality.
MOXY Vienna Airport≫ – Convenient location near the airport. Small but comfortable clean room, very good sound insulation. You can have a tasty and inexpensive dinner even with a late arrival. There is climate control in the room. Free coffee at three in the morning and simple check-in.

Parking in Vienna – for those traveling to the city by car

There are special rules and short-term and long-term parking zones in Vienna. The following time limits apply in different short-term parking zones:

Districts 1 – 9 and 20: Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 09:00 to 22:00, maximum parking time – 2 hours.
Districts 10–12 and 14–19: Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 09:00 to 19:00, maximum parking time – 3 hours.
By the City Hall (Stadthalle): Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 22:00; on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 18:00 to 22:00, maximum parking time – 2 hours.

For long-term parking, use special Park&Ride car parks – the daily rate is €4.99.

Useful articles and links:

Travel medical insurance – online on the HotlineFinance
Booking hotels and apartments – Booking.com

TOP 5 districts in Vienna – where it is better to book a hotel for tourists

Innere Stadt (Inner City) – where to stay in Vienna for the first time