Where to stay in Vienna – why it’s good you’ve asked a local
We get asked very often where to stay in Vienna. And while our answer usually covers the city’s inner districts (2 to 9) and a few hotel suggestions in each, we feel that there’s more to the question than an appropriate accommodation suggestion.
You see, Vienna’s districts are former villages that developed outside the inner city’s walls and, to this day, they have each retained a unique character and atmosphere. Deciding to step outside the Ringstrasse (the boulevard that replaced the city walls in the 19th century) means stepping into Vienna proper, a metropolis full of charm and authentic in its provincialism. It is for this reason that we suggest our personalized itineraries guests take at least one neighborhood walk while in Austria’s capital.
It is also for this reason that, much like when we recommended the best time to visit Vienna, we cannot be completely objective. So we won’t be. We’ll focus on the neighborhood (in Viennese: graetzel) we call home and we’ll try to convince you it is not only the best area to stay in Vienna, but it is also worthwhile spending at least a day exploring it. In doing so, you might understand more about what makes Vienna tick and you’ll definitely feel more at home in the city.
As a matter of fact, many tourists have already made Vienna their home after a few visits. They liked our city that much! If you too decide so, we recommend moving with Umzug Vienna – Full-service Umzugsfirma.
Please note that this article contains a few friendly affiliate links, which bring us a small commission when you make a purchase through them. However, the article only mentions products, services, and places we trust ourselves and can thus wholeheartedly recommend.
What I share with Brahms
Despite excellent public transportation options, there still are people in Vienna who very rarely leave their neighborhood. And why should they? Their story has blended day after day with the graetzel’s distinctive atmosphere and flavors, their colors have changed with the seasons, and memories have built bridges otherwise unfathomable in a big metropolis. More importantly, there’s as much to look forward to as there is to be remembered. I can’t think of a better feeling than when, after a few weeks’ absence, I take my first walk to check what’s new on the hood.
I can’t point for sure the moment the 5th became my home. It’s lost somewhere in between my first single apartment, weekly visits at the Naschmarkt, Sunday shopping expeditions at Turkish bakeries, our marriage reception at Café Standard, the best ice cream place, countless walks with our toddler, that new restaurant, and the place we now call home.
Speaking of which, when Johannes Brahms called Vienna “the village”, he knew exactly what he was talking about. He lived for 26 years at Karlsgasse 4 and I bet that, as he made his way home from the Musikverein, the local baker, the beautiful flower lady, the grocer would all greet him with the traditional “Gruess Gott”.
Not much has changed since then and yet, the 4th and 5th districts are nowadays one of the most “happening” areas in the city. It’s not only us and Brahms, it’s the whole of Vienna who considers this to be one of the best places to live. From proximity to the city center and old times’ charm to authentic shopping and countless restaurants, I invite you to discover Vienna’s Wieden and Margareten districts. They are our definitive answer to the question of where to stay in Vienna and you’ll find below the complete guide to this neighborhood.
Where to stay in Vienna – public transport connections to Vienna’s 4th and 5th districts
One of the reasons you should consider the Wieden/Margareten neighborhood for your stay in Vienna is the fact that it is very well connected to public transport. Several areas can be reached on foot from the Main Train Station (discussed in detail below) or from the city center. For those staying close to the districts’ outer limit (direction Guertel), tram line 18 provides a good connection to Vienna’s Main Train Station, to the U4 metro line (which connects the Schonbrunn Palace to the city center), and to tram line 62 (see next paragraph).
If you are asking yourself where to stay in Vienna to be connected to literally the entire city, the answer is definitely somewhere near the Karlsplatz (St Charles Square). This area is not only home to the baroque masterpiece that is St Charles Church (keep reading, we’ll get to it), but also to a public transport hub through which metro lines U1, U2, and U4 pass. Trams number 1, 62, and the Badner Local Tram all service the 4th/5th districts and depart from here. The U4 line has several stops that service the neighborhood (Kettenbrueckengasse/Naschmarkt, Pilgramgasse, and Margaretenguertel). You’ll get a brief overview from the map below and when in doubt, always consult the website www.vor.at for public transportation options.
Where to stay in Vienna – the best accommodation in the 4th and 5th districts
We are well aware that, when deciding where to stay in Vienna, the budget is a big part of the equation. For this reason, we have selected our best accommodation recommendations and grouped them according to price.
Where to stay in Vienna – 5* and 4* hotels in Wieden/on Wiedner Hauptstrasse
Those looking for authentic design, comfort, intimacy, and exclusivity will enjoy the 5 star hotel Das Triest -. Located within walking distance to the city center and all the main attractions, the hotel is also well-blended into Vienna’s Wieden neighborhood. The perfect balance.
For our guests asking where to stay in Vienna, we always recommended the Motel One Wien Staatsoper. Literally at the border between the city center and the neighborhood, we are talking about, this chain hotel offers the best price/quality ratio in our opinion.
Within the same price range and in a similar area to the two hotels mentioned above, we also recommend the Hotel Kaiserhof , Hotel Johann Strauss, and Hotel Erzherzog Reiner.
Where to stay in Vienna – average-priced hotels in Vienna’s 4th and 5th districts
Your three best options for average-priced hotels in the area are listed below.
Holiday Inn Vienna City offers spotless, ambient modern rooms right on Margaretenstrasse, the beating heart of Vienna’s 5th district.
The Art Hotel Vienna is connected to the Siebenbrunnenplatz, an eclectic square rich in history and eating-out options.
Austria Trend Hotel Ananas Vienna is located in a quiet area of the 5th district, very close to an underground U4 station.
Where to stay in Vienna – apartment stays in Vienna’s 4th and 5th districts
For those searching for apartment stays, we have listed here three great options. From elegant in the 4th district VCR-Wieden to classic chic on the Wiedner Hauptstrasse Opera Studio Apartment and neighborhood convenient in the heart of the 5th district Queens Apartments, we hope you’ll find your pick among our suggestions.
Where to stay in Vienna – hostels in Vienna’s 4th and 5th districts
There are two amazing hostels in our neighborhood. Every time I pass by I am a bit jealous, I have to say, of the carefree, open, comfortable, and affordable atmosphere that characterizes these places. One of them is linked to Vienna’s most famous market – Wombat Hostels Vienna Naschmarkt, while the other Do Step Inn Central is connected to the Main Train Station, an area I decided last minute to include in this article! See more below!
Where to stay in Vienna – the Main Train Station/ Wien Hauptbahnhof
Vienna’s Main Train Station is situated at the border of Vienna’s 3rd, 4th, and 10th districts. In all honesty, this is probably the best area to stay in Vienna. It is very well connected to the airport and to the public transport (underground and tram), it offers plenty of shopping and eating opportunities even during the weekends and at night, and it features some of the newest hotels in Vienna, for every budget. Check-out the search box below to find your budget-specific accommodation in the area!
Booking.comAn added bonus to staying somewhere in this area is that you can access the Belvedere palace on foot. The Baroque masterpiece is a great place to start exploring the history of the city, with its amazing art collections, Baroque architecture, and beautiful botanical garden (entrance to the right-hand side, as you approach it from the Main Train Station). See our Instagram post below for details.
Local’s tip – for making the most out of your visit to the Belvedere palace, check-out this GUIDED TOUR BY AN ART HISTORIAN. In 2,5 hours you’ll be taken through the grounds and the history of this Baroque masterpiece, learn more about Eugene of Savoy, its original owner, and understand some of the current masterpieces on display in its art collections! Totally worth it! Trust me!
Where to stay in Vienna – beyond hotel recommendations – how to spend a day in the hood
For us, the question of where to stay in Vienna is as much about public transport and accommodation as it is about the neighborhood itself. To ease you into the charm of Vienna’s 4th and 5th districts, we have assembled our suggestions in the form of a round walk around the hood, starting and ending at Karlsplatz. You will find more information about the places mentioned in this itinerary in the last section of the article! Enjoy!
To start this tour the correct way, stop by Brahms’s statue in the Reselpark in front of the Karlskirche (remember the photo above!). The red building across the street is the Musikverein, home to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, which Brahms directed himself for several years.
Try not to get lost and it’s here that your walking tour will also finish at the end of the day.
And if you wonder why that guy dressed like Mozart is trying to sell you a Vivaldi concert ticket in the Karlskirche, well that’s because the Venetian composer died in the Gottesacker hospital that used to be next door and was buried in the nearby cemetery. The tomb was subsequently lost, but there’s a plaque to commemorate it.
Baroque and Art Nouveau masterpieces outside the former city walls
On a different note, beyond being extremely photogenic, the Karlskirche is one of the most interesting churches in Vienna! Baroque masterpiece of Johann Bernhard Fisher von Erlach, inspired by Trajan’s column and St Peter in Rome, in the care of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star, a military religious order dating back to 1233. Exceptionally, attending a concert there is a unique way to see the inside, which is otherwise only possible for a fee. Think about it, you’ll thank me at the end of the day!
Exceptionally, we cannot recommend enough VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS IN THE KARLSKIRCHE!
Now direct your steps and gaze towards the two Art Nouveau/Jugendstil Pavilions, designed by Otto Wagner in the 1890s to provide access to Vienna’s newly built metro line. You will see the characteristic green metalwork and stylized golden flowers at several other metro stations across the city, especially on the U4 line, but the Karlsplatz Pavilions and their location just outside the former medieval walls are representative for the transformations Vienna was undergoing at the time.
Quite fittingly, your next stop is the Secession building, another Viennese Art Nouveau masterpiece. Built under the motto “to each era its art; to art its freedom” and home to the Association of Visual Artists, it is the city’s oldest independent exhibition space. It houses Klimt’s famous “ Beethoven Frieze”, an artistic commentary on the ninth symphony.
Speaking of which, Beethoven’s 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th symphonies, as well as the first version of Fidelio, premiered at the Theater an der Wien nearby. Nowadays framed by a modern exterior, the inside of the theater still bears witness to its 200 years history – a great venue for modern reinterpretations of opera classics.
The Naschmarkt – culinary delights
As you enter the Naschmarkt, it’s going to be hard not to surrender to the flavors for the rest of the day. From local cheese, oil, wine, and honey shops, to Turkish home-cooked meals, Indian spices and ingredients, and Vietnamese specialties, a wide array of cafes and restaurants, brunch spots and wine bars, make sure to keep your eyes and palate enchanted for hours.
The Naschmarkt open-air market has been in existence since the 16th century, taking its current form in the 1920s. A traditional mingling pot for visitors, expats, and locals alike, you’ll find here stalls with fresh produce, regional Austrian specialties, and a wide selection of ethnic foods from all over the world. One can also browse through clothing boutiques or look for bargains at the Saturday flea market.
Time for a break? Fully noted!
NENI am Naschmarkt serves middle eastern cuisine that reminds of the energy and pulse of the markets of Marrakesh or the souks of Tel Aviv. Particularly their burgers and brunches are very sought after by the Viennese! Enjoy!
As you get ready to leave the Naschmarkt, do not miss the two Jugendstil masterpieces at Kettenbrückengasse 38 and 40, two very impressive apartment blocks designed by, you guessed it, Otto Wagner in 1899.
Culture aficionados beware – it’s museum time!
Whenever I leave the market to head back home, passing by the small museum dedicated to Schubert’s last residence at Kettenbrückengasse 6, I realize again how little has changed over the last few centuries. On any city stroll, one can drop by both the house where Schubert was born (Nußdorfer Straße 54, in the 9th district) or his brother’s former residence where the composer took his last breath 31 years later.
Our personal recommendation for an authentic museum visit is the Third Man Museum – a privately curated collection, owned by a very friendly couple, that covers movie memorabilia as well as mementos of Vienna’s history of the last century.
Speaking of unique Viennese museums, the Chimney Sweepers Museum is also located on your route. Be sure to check at the end of this article for details and opening times of all the museums.
Enough museums? How about some (window) shopping?
One of the main reasons I love the neighborhood I live in is the small boutique shops that still give it its timeless charm. From antique shops and bookshops to modern art galleries and design shops, you can find everything you want. I have assembled below a list of my favorite shopping venues.
Now let’s dig out some more history! And a snack!
As you walk up Margaretenstrasse, you will reach the Margaretenplatz, the beating heart of the hood. Its name is derived from that of St Margaret, miraculously able to lead dragons on a leash, whose statue is in the center of the square.
Several beautiful architectural testimonials to Vienna’s rich past are clustered here. The Schlossquadrat, a labyrinth of inner courtyards that used to belong to a castle, nowadays hosts four restaurants (the Silberwirt, Gergely’s, Margareta, and Cuadro) and is one of the locals’ favorite dining venues. On this very spot used to stand the Margareten Castle (Schloss) dating back to the 1400s, which proudly stood up to two Turkish sieges in 1529 and 1683. Later, the city administration bought the premises and rented it out, establishing it as a culinary hotspot for the past 200 years.
The Margaretenhof, an apartment building/cottage fusion idea of the late-historicist period was built in 1884/1885.
Across the street from both the Schlossquadrat and Margaretenhof is our favorite neighborhood Italian eatery, Dai Golosi. It offers a daily menu, weekly dishes, legendary breakfasts, meals prepared on the spot (like pasta, bruschetta, or cold platters), the option to pre-order and take-away, great coffee, fantastic wine options, and a small but freshly stocked Alimentari (grocery shop). Everything is cooked and served in a warm, familiar atmosphere by the owners themselves, Maurizio and Yari. Do make sure to stop by and regroup, before tackling the next portion of the itinerary.
It’s going to lead you to Siebenbrunnenplatz (Seven Springs Square), home to the homonymous fountain, which is my favorite in the whole city. In 1850, seven small villages on the outskirts of Vienna were united to create the nowadays Margareten district. Each one of these former settlements has its representative symbol on the fountain. But the historical relevance of these springs goes back to 1562 when King Ferdinand I commissioned the first water supply to the Hofburg. The water was collected here in seven wells and passed in cast-iron pipes to a reservoir under the Augustinerbastei in the first district, from where it was forwarded to the Hofburg.
Exhausted already? I get it! It’s coffee time!
The next part of your journey, through the Wiedner Hauptstrasse and back to the 4th district, is all about coffee. Luckily for me, that’s the area where I live.
The Coffee Museum at Vogelsanggasse 36 is led by two coffee aficionados and covers the entire history of the brown bean while focusing on the world-famous “Viennese coffee house culture”, awarded intangible UNESCO cultural heritage in 2011. The museum is an information center and experience at the same time, with historical and current exhibits. Here everything can be learned about coffee – from the harvest to the steaming dish.
Further down the street, professional roasters and baristas at Schönbergers Caffe Bar offer you a wide range of choices, under the motto “life is too short for bad coffee”. Finally, a little bit to the right of the Paulaner Church is the specialty coffee shop Kaffeefabrik. Their coffee is made from freshly roasted beans they acquire themselves from farmers in Africa, India, and South America.
Now, how about that dinner?
I have to admit, most of our outings in the neighborhood are in search of food. So here are our favorite places, all on your way back to the city center on Wiedner Hauptstrasse.
LAURENZ is a newly open bier house that brews its own sorts while serving variations of flammkuchen, delicious burgers, and one of the best steaks in town!
A traditional and very famous Viennese Beisl, Rudi’s is your go-to place for high-end Austrian dining. Whether it is for a dinner on the outside/pavement terrace in summer or a St Martin’s goose in November, be sure to book ahead.
A family-owned Asian restaurant, Mishi welcomes you with affordable freshly prepared dishes. Don’t forget to check out the amazing street art on the side of their building.
The neighborhood’s typical Viennese coffee house, restaurant, and Schanigarten (outside/pavement sitting) all in one, Café Wortner has something for every taste. Next door is the neighborhood’s most popular Italian ice cream parlor.
Back to Brahms
You’ll slowly make your way back to Karlsplatz along the Wiedner Hauptstrasse, in the footstep of several famous composers. You’ll pass by the Johann Strauss Gasse, where the last home of the homonymous composer once stood at number 4. Wiedner Hauptstrasse 32 is where Christoph Willibald Gluck died on the 15th of November 1787, while at number 7 used to be Antonin Dvorak’s favorite hotel.
A more tangible expression of the area’s musicality is the elegant Mozart Fountain on Mozartgasse (to your right, crossing the Wiedner Hauptstrasse at no.29), a tribute to the Magic Flute. I feel I am in amazingly good company whenever here, as Richard Strauss also lived next door at Mozartgasse 4. Finally, on the wall of the Technical University of Vienna, at Karlsgasse 4 a plaque commemorates Brahms’ residence.
There’s only one way to end such a day in style, and that is at a classical music concert. If you don’t have pre-bought tickets at the Musikverein or the nearby Konzerthaus, the Karlskirche is always a good alternative. I told you you’re going to thank me later! Enjoy!
Where to stay in Vienna – practical information/list of places
A big part of the where to stay in Vienna puzzle is represented by the availability of authentic restaurants and shopping opportunities. Below, you will find not only a list of the places mentioned in the walking itinerary above but also some more recommendations from us.
For example, in the proximity of the Main Train Station, you can always get an authentic Austrian meal at Salm Bräu (Rennweg 8, 1030), a traditional Viennese bier house with an 85-years-old tradition connected to the garden of the Belvedere Palace.
Of course, this article will always be updated with things we’ll try ourselves stuff we did not try ourselves and report back about. At the moment, on our list are a Vietnamese eatery and a bookshop focused on Austrian culture.
Where to stay in Vienna – our favorite restaurants in the 4th and 5th districts (see text above for details)
NENI AM NASCHMARKT
Address: Naschmarkt 510, 1060 Vienna
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 585 20 20
Open: Mo-Sa, 08:00-23:00
DAI GOLOSI
Address: Margaretenstrasse 83, 1050
Email: Mail [email protected]
Tel: +43 0664 347 24 25
Open: Mo-Fr, 08:00-21:00
Sa: 08:00-13:30
LAURENZ
Address: Wiedner Hauptstrasse 111, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 890 59 17
Open: Mo-Fr, 11:30-24:00
Sa: 17:00-24:30
RUDI’S BEISL
Address: Wiedner Hauptstrasse 88, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 544 51 02
Open: Mo-Fr, 11:00-15:00 & 18:00-23.00
MISHI
Address: Wiedner Hauptstrasse 78, 1040
Email [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 941 02 75
Open: Mo-Fr, 11:00-22:00
Su, 11:00-22.00
CAFÉ WORTNER
Address: Wiedner Hauptstrasse 55, 1040
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 945 86 83
Open: Mo-Su, 08:00-24:00
In SCHLOSSQUADRAT
SILBERWIRT
Address: Wien 5, Schlossgasse 21
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 01 544 49 07
Open: Mo-Su, 12:00-24:00
MARGARETA
Address: Wien 5, Margaretenplatz 2
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 01 544 07 22
Open: Mo-Su, 12:00-24:00
CUADRO
Address: Wien 5, Margaretenstrasse 77
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 01 544 75 50
Open: Mo-Sa, 08:00-24:00
Su and Holidays, 09:00-23:00
GERGELY’S
Address: Wien 5, Schlossgasse 21
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 01 544 07 67
Open: Di-Sa, 18:00-01:00
Where to stay in Vienna – more recommendations in the 4th and 5th districts
VEGANISTA ICE CREAM
Address: Margaretenstrasse 51, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 660 750 68 00
Open: Mo-Su, 14:00-19:00
EL BURRO – best burritos in town
Address: Margaretenstrasse 9, 1040
Email: office @ elburro.at
Tel: +43 1 58 50 699
Open: Mo-Fr, 11:30-22:00
Sa-Su and Holidays, 14:00-22.00
SENHOR VINNO – high-end authentic Portuguese dining
Address: Schwarzhorngasse 8, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 545 84 00
Open: Tu-Sa, 17:00-02:00
BRUNCH
FIGAR
Address: Schleifmühlgasse 7, 1040 Wien
Tel: +43 1 890 31 60
Open: Mo-We, 08:00-24:00
Th-Fr, 08:00-02:00
Sa, 09:00-02:00
Su, 09:00-24:00
PROPELLER
Address: Margaretenstraße 55, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +43 1 992 21 27
Open: Tu-Th, 09:00-24:00
Fr, 09:00-02:00
Sa, 10:00-02:00
So, 10:00-16:00
Where to stay in Vienna – our favorite shopping venues in the 4th and 5th districts (see text above for details)
DELICES DU MIDI (French Gourmet)
Address: Margaretenstrasse 47, 1040
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 1 585 13 16
Open: Mo, 16:00-19:00
Tu-Fr, 11:00-19:00
Sa, 10:00-18:00
GRUNDBIRA VORARLBERG (Austrian Gourmet)
Address: Margaretenstrasse 78, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 676 964 04 41
Open: Mo-Fr, 10:00-19:00
Sa, 10:00-18:00
BUCHINSEL (Bookshop – also has an English section)
Address: Margaretenstrasse 76, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 1 586 22 87
Open: Mo, 09:30-19:00
Tu-Fr, 09:30-18:00
Sa, 10:00-14:00
HEIMWEH (Home Decor and Textiles)
Address: Wiedner Hauptstrasse 81, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 664 198 7282
Open: Mo-Fr, 10:30-18:30
Sa, 10:00-16:00
Where to stay in Vienna -the best museums in the 4th and 5th districts (see text above for details)
SCHUBERT’S LAST RESIDENCE
Address: Kettenbrückengasse 6, 1040
Tel: + 43 1 581 67 30
Open: We-Th, 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00
THE THIRD MAN MUSEUM
Address: Pressgasse 25, 1040
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 1 586 48 72
Open: Sa, 14:00-18:00
COFFEE MUSEUM
Address: Vogelsanggasse 36, 1050
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 664 144 14 06 & +43 676 406 87 28
Open: Guided tours for groups of 10 persons or more are possible from 9:00 am by appointment at all times
RAUCHFANGKEHRMUSEUM (CHIMNEY SWEEPERS MUSEUM)
Address: Klagbaumgasse 4, 1040
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 43 1 734 35 40
Open: Su, 10:00-12:00
