Where to Stay in Vienna (Best Places & Areas)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Vienna | Districts and Neighbourhoods | Tips | FAQs

I’ve visited Vienna countless times, staying in many different districts and neighborhoods. It can be hard to know where to stay in Vienna as there are lots of options!

My catch-all recommendation is Wieden, Vienna’s 4th District. Wieden is a central district with iconic attractions like Karlskirche and accommodations to suit a range of budgets.

If you’re in a rush, I recommend the hotel MOOONS Vienna in this area for its convenient location, contemporary rooms, and impressive rooftop bar. Another good option nearby is Saint SHERMIN bed breakfast & champagne.

You may wonder why my top recommendation isn’t the Innere Stadt, Vienna’s historic and cultural heart. Well, read on to find out why branching further out of the city center might be your best option, depending on what experience you want in Vienna!

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Best Places to Stay in Vienna

Just want a quick summary of the best places to stay? Here are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier
• 🗺️ Best Location – MOOONS Vienna 
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Hotel Sacher Wien
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Superbude Wien Prater 
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Boutique Hotel Kugel Wien
• 🛏️ Best Budget –  JO&JOE Vienna

Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Vienna: 

7 Best Districts and Neighbourhoods to Stay in Vienna

Vienna is made up of 23 Districts, known as Bezirke. Each District has a number and a name. Vienna’s first District is the Innere Stadt (‘Inner City’), the historic center once encircled by city walls. The numbers ascend the further away from the city center you go, but public transport makes travel between Districts easy.

Within each District, there are many neighborhoods, known as Grätzel, which are usually quite small and specific areas.

I’ll share 7 of the best Districts to stay in Vienna, and highlight some charming neighborhoods. Keep reading to learn more about where to stay in this historic yet modern city.

Wieden (4th District)

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Wieden Hotels: Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt • MOOONS Vienna • Saint SHERMIN bed breakfast & champagne

Wieden is my top catch-all recommendation for where to stay in Vienna for First-Timers. The location of Vienna’s 4th District is convenient for many travelers. Wieden is near the cultural heart of the Innere Stadt, Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station) and Belvedere in Landstraße.

Wieden boasts a wealth of culture, arts, architecture, and history. I like the more relaxed vibe and mix of tourists and locals. 

Unlike other Districts, there are accommodation options to suit a wide range of needs and budgets. MOOONS Vienna offers contemporary rooms and a spectacular roof terrace. Backpackers will love Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt, located a stone’s throw from Nachmarkt, Vienna’s largest market full of culinary delights. 

Pros of Staying in Wieden:

• Convenient location for travel and attractions
• Range of hotels
• A wealth of culture and architecture
• Great eateries and bars

Cons of Staying in Wieden:

• Fewer traditional, luxury hotels 
• Can be noisy and busy

Innere Stadt (‘Inner City’) (1st District)

👉 Best Area For Luxury Stays | ✨ Best Innere Stadt Hotels: Hotel Sacher Wien • Hotel Astoria Wien • The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

The Innere Stadt is the historic center of Vienna, once encircled by city walls. The Innere Stadt, Vienna’s 1st District, is home to numerous iconic attractions. You will undoubtedly visit this District on your trip to Vienna to sample the city’s history and culture. 

Vienna’s public transport network is great, so you’ll easily be able to travel to and from the 1st District.

Accommodation in the Innere Stadt typically caters to travelers with a bigger budget. There are many high-end hotels, perfect for luxury stays. 

The iconic Hotel Sacher Wien offers 5-star accommodation in a historic building opposite the Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera). A stay in the hotel isn’t complete without trying the original Sacher-Torte! 

Pros of Staying in Innere Stadt:

• Central location near many attractions
• The cultural heart of Vienna
• Lots of accommodation options 

Cons of Staying in Innere Stadt:

• Very busy 
• Hotels are pricey
• Not representative of local life in Vienna

Landstraße (3rd District)

👉 Best Area For Art Lovers | ✨ Best Landstraße Hotels: Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection • Moxy Vienna City East • Ruby Sofie Hotel Vienna

Landstraße is adjacent to the Innere Stadt and is Vienna’s 3rd District. Landstraße has something for everyone, from the Stadtpark (city park) to urban landscapes, palaces to diverse restaurants. Landstraße is very central and a popular tourist destination.

In particular, this District is a great place to stay for art lovers. You’ll be near impressive art collections in the iconic Belvedere Museum Wien. Stay just 5 minutes from Belvedere in the luxurious Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection. This 4-star hotel is housed in a 19th-century building and has a large private garden.

I highly recommend visiting KunstHaus Wien Museum to see the works and architecture of Viennese artist Hundertwasser (one of my Vienna highlights!)

Pros of Staying in Landstraße Neighbourhood:

• Near lots of art and culture
• Central location
• Cool mix of architecture

Cons of Staying in Landstraße Neighbourhood:

• Hotels can be pricey 
• Can get quite touristy and busy

Leopoldstadt (2nd District)

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Leopoldstadt Hotels: Superbude Wien Prater • The Social Hub Vienna • Henriette Stadthotel Vienna

Leopoldstadt is Vienna’s 2nd District and stretches between the Danube River and Donaukanal. Leopoldstadt is very central and well-connected to the Innere Stadt by public transport. 

Leopoldstadt has a hip vibe and is less touristy than Vienna’s 1st District. Accommodation is generally cheaper than in the city center, making it a good option for many travelers.

Families will love Leopoldstadt as there are some great family-friendly attractions and accommodation options. You could ride on the iconic Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel) before heading to a gorgeous family room with great facilities at Superbude Wien Prater. 

Leopoldstadt is also a great choice for business travelers as the District is home to Messe Wien (Vienna’s Exhibition Congress Centre). 

Pros of Staying in Leopoldstadt:

• Near many attractions 
• Cheaper accommodation than the city centre
• Good location with many transport links
• Lots of green space 

Cons of Staying in Leopoldstadt:

• Risk of being far from the city center (it’s a large District!)
• Some less scenic architecture (not all of Vienna is Baroque!)

Alsergrund (9th District)

👉 Best Area For Relaxed Stays | ✨ Best Alsergrund Hotels: Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna • Pension Liechtenstein • Grätzlhotel Serviten

Alsergrund has a cool mix of history, culture, food, and architecture. Alsergrund is a great choice for visitors who are looking for a more relaxed stay in Vienna. 

Vienna’s 9th District is in the north of the city and has green spaces and quiet, residential streets. Yet, it is only a short distance from the city center and is well-connected by public transport.

Alsergrund is home to many notable places, including the Sigmund Freud Museum, Liechtenstein Garden Palace, and much of the University of Vienna. 

Check out Grätzlhotel Serviten, a contemporary hotel located in the popular Servitenviertel. Servitenviertel is a charming neighborhood in Alsergrund with boutique shops and eateries like French Bistro, and La Mercerie.

Pros of Staying in Alsergrund:

• More affordable accommodation options
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Easy to travel into the city centre

Cons of Staying in Alsergrund:

• A short distance from the city center
• Can be pricey

Neubau (7th District)

👉 Best Area For Hipsters | ✨ Best Neubau Hotels: 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier • Vienna Boutique – Premium Hostel • Boutique Hotel Kugel Wien

Neubau is a very central District and is adjacent to Vienna’s Inner City. Neubau is a hip and alternative District in Vienna. You’ll have lots of cool eateries and bars on your doorstep, like vinyl-clad Radio The LabelBar. 

Vienna’s 7th District also offers some unique accommodation options. The 4-star 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier has beautifully decorated rooms and a gorgeous terrace.  For a budget stay, check out Vienna Boutique – Premium Hostel. This highly-rated hostel offers hostelers the chance to stay in a solid wooden bunk bed in a room with a chandelier!

Spittelberg is a popular neighborhood in Neubau that is quiet by day, bustling by night, and magical in winter. The Spittelberg Christmas Market is a favorite in Vienna!

Neubau is just a short walk or journey from Vienna’s top attractions like MuseumsQuartier, Wien Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), and the Rathaus (Town Hall).

Pros of Staying in Neubau:

• Central Location
• Hip eateries and bars 
• Cool accommodation options

Cons of Staying in Neubau:

• Can get busy 
• A short distance from the city center

Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus (15th District)

👉 Best Area For Backpackers | ✨ Best Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus Hotels: JO&JOE Vienna • Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner • Hotel Brauhof Wien

Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus is one of Vienna’s more underrated Districts for tourists. The cool, multicultural District offers many great places to eat and drink.

There are several highly-rated hostels in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, making it a great choice for backpackers. Check out JO&JOE Vienna, a popular hostel with a terrace, funky rooms, and karaoke! Mariahilferstrasse, a popular street for shopping and nightlife, runs through Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus and the neighboring 6th District.

Vienna’s 15th District is further out of the city center but is still well-connected by public transport and near major attractions like Schönbrunn Palace. 

Westbahnhof, a major train station in Vienna, is in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. Vienna is a very safe city to visit, however – like in most cities – it’s best to avoid areas near major train stations at night.

Pros of Staying in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus Neighbourhood:

• Great hostel options
• More affordable accommodation (more for your money!)
• Good transport links
• Quieter area

Cons of Staying in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus Neighbourhood:

• Distance from the city center 
• Fewer tourist attractions 
• Some run-down streets near the railway lines

Tips for Staying in Vienna

Use Public Transport

Vienna has a great public transport network and is well-connected by trains, trams, buses, and underground lines. Most of Vienna’s public transport is run by Wiener Linien. Check out the different ticket options available, such as 24 or 48 hours. If you buy a paper ticket, don’t forget to validate it when you start your journey!

Vienna City Card 

The Vienna City Card is a great option for tourists. The Vienna City Card includes travel on public transport and discounts at attractions, restaurants, and hotels. You can get a Vienna City Card for 24, 48, or 72 hours.

Hire a Bike

There is incredible cycling infrastructure in Vienna. If you are a confident and experienced cyclist, consider hiring a bike and exploring the city like a local! I recommend using the public bike rental service WienMobil Rad. But watch out for the tramlines when cycling!

Think Twice Before Renting a Private Apartment  

Vienna has limits on the number of days homeowners can rent out their homes on a short-term basis. These regulations aim to balance out the housing market and counteract the negative impacts that short-term lets have had on the city.

Avoid contributing to the negative impacts of the boom of short-term holiday rentals, and opt to stay in one of Vienna’s incredible hotels, hostels, or serviced holiday apartments. 

Soak Up Some Culture

Vienna has a wealth of culture and arts–from performances in the Musikverein to Modern art in the Albertina, world-famous masterpieces in Belvedere to unique architecture by Hundertwasser. Make sure you check out some of Vienna’s impressive cultural offerings!

Learn Some German

Vienna is a popular tourist destination and an international city, so English is widely spoken. But learning some German will enhance your trip! I recommend learning a few words to exchange when you’re out and about and to help you understand signs and things around you. Viel Spaß (Have fun)!

Visit More of Austria

Many international visitors to Austria just visit Vienna and Salzburg. But there are so many more incredible places to see! If you’re traveling to Vienna, why not take the time to see more of Austria? For example, pay a visit to Graz, Austria’s second city.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Vienna for first-timers?

Wieden and the Innere Stadt are the best areas to stay in Vienna for first-timers. The Innere Stadt is the cultural heart of the city and has many iconic attractions on the doorstep. Wieden is very central whilst offering visitors a better insight into the diversity of Vienna’s architecture, culture, and cuisine.

What are safe areas to stay in Vienna?

Vienna is often ranked as one of the safest, and most liveable, cities in the world. Vienna is a very safe city to visit and crime rates are low. There are no no-go areas in Vienna. Like in any city, take precautions to keep you and your valuables safe, especially at night. And take care walking on cobbled streets!

What are the best parts of Vienna to stay with kids? 

Leopoldstadt is the best part of Vienna to stay with kids. Leopoldstadt is home to many family-friendly attractions like Prater (Vienna’s iconic amusement park) and Madame Tussauds. 
There are some great accommodation options offering family rooms, like Superbude Wien Prater.

What are the best parts of Vienna for luxury? 

The Innere Stadt is home to many 5-star, luxury hotels in traditional, historic buildings. Hotel Sacher Wien is an iconic luxury hotel in Vienna’s City Centre. In the less touristy district of Alsergrund, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna offers 5-star stays in a gorgeous, recently renovated historic building. 

What are the best parts of Vienna to stay on a budget? 

Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus and Alsergrund are the best parts of Vienna to stay on a budget. Both Districts offer great budget accommodation options and have many affordable eating options. 

What are the best parts of Vienna to stay when Interrailing? 

Wieden or Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus are the best parts of Vienna to stay when Interrailing. Wieden is near Vienna’s Central Train Station whilst Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus is home to Vienna’s West Bahnhof. Both Districts have awesome hostels, restaurants, and bars.

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Vienna is an impressive city that attracts many visitors, from budget backpackers to wealthy pensioners. I recommend deciding where to stay in Vienna based on your travel wishes and budget and don’t be afraid to venture beyond the Inner City.