Where to Stay in Vienna: 7 Best Areas & Hotels

Kriszti
View from the St. Stephen's Cathedral North Tower

Are you planning a trip to Vienna? Lucky you! Vienna is one of Europe’s most exciting cities, with a wealth of history and culture around every corner.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make in planning your visit is where to stay in Vienna. To help you out, this guide will go through the best neighborhoods to stay in Vienna and what each one offers. That includes an overview of each area, hotel choices for every budget, and the pros and cons of staying there.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best places to stay in Vienna!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Vienna

Vienna is a sprawling city, and it can be difficult to decide which area is right for you. Fortunately, the city’s public transportation system makes it easy to explore all of Vienna’s neighborhoods no matter where you stay.

The city has 23 different districts, so you have a lot to choose from. Each district offers something unique, whether it’s a lively nightlife scene or a quiet residential area away from the hustle and bustle.

We’re going to go through seven of the best places to stay in Vienna, ranging from historic city centers to modern business and shopping districts. If you don’t have the time to read the full article, you can take a quick look at this summary table instead.

AreaRecommended Hotel
Innere Stadt (first-timers, sightseeing, central location, culture, )Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof
Margareten (budget-friendly, central location, atmosphere, public transport)MAXX by Steigenberger Vienna
Landstrasse (budget-friendly, sightseeing, central location, authentic)Hilton Vienna Park
Leopoldstadt (families, sightseeing, public transport, budget-friendly)SO/Vienna
Neubau (nightlife, sightseeing, culture, first-timers)Max Brown 7th District
Wieden (atmosphere, nightlife, shopping, central location)Hotel Kaiserhof Wien
Mariahilf (local experience, authentic, shopping, sightseeing )Jaz in the City Vienna

Best Areas to Stay in Vienna

If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide on where to stay in Vienna, then I’ve got you covered. This guide will go through the best neighborhoods to stay in Vienna, so you’ve got a good idea of what each one offers. 

Based on my personal experiences of visiting the city multiple times and thorough research, I’ve brought together the best options for you, so you don’t have to spend hours searching for accommodation.

1. Innere Stadt – Best place to stay in Vienna for first-timers

Innere Stadt Vienna

If it’s your first time visiting this beautiful city, then Innere Stadt is definitely the best area to stay in Vienna for you!

It’s the most central district in the city as the name translates to ‘Inner City’, so you’ll be in a great location for getting around and visiting nearby attractions. If you only have a weekend in Vienna, staying in this area will save you a lot of time you would otherwise spend commuting.

This area is where you’ll find some of Vienna’s most iconic tourist spots, including The Hofburg, St Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Austrian National Library. The Vienna State Opera is also located in the city center, and if a show’s on during your stay, then you definitely need to visit for the experience.

Another reason to stay here is that the historic center of the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its architecture, the Ringstrasse (Vienna’s ring road), and historical significance. 

As you can imagine, this neighborhood is breathtakingly beautiful, and you could spend hours here simply wandering around and admiring the views.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna, then Innere Stadt is undoubtedly one of the best options!

However, you’ll be paying for the location and convenience as hotel prices here aren’t cheap. For this reason, budget travelers may want to look elsewhere

Innere Stadt also has a very touristy feel and can get extremely busy during the evenings and weekends, so just keep that in mind. 

Pros and cons of staying in Innere Stadt

PROS

  • The most central district in Vienna
  • Plenty of fantastic attractions nearby for you to visit 

CONS

  • The hotel prices here are understandably more expensive compared to other areas
  • Very touristy, so you won’t get an authentic experience

Best places to stay in Innere Stadt 

2. Margareten – Best area to stay in Vienna for a central but cheap location

If you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna but you don’t want to pay the prices of Innere Stadt, then this area is another great option.

Also known as District 5, Margareten offers a variety of accommodation options – many of which are incredibly budget-friendly. You’ll struggle to find 5-star hotels in this area, but there are several 4-star options and even those offer very reasonably-priced rooms! 

The great thing about this area is that you’ll be close to the city center district (Innere Stadt), so you’ll have easy access to some of the city’s most popular attractions.

Offering a bohemian vibe, plenty of quirky cafes and bars, and a few boutique stores, it’s a pleasant area to stay in.

It’s easily one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Vienna if you’re looking to keep costs down, but there are a couple of things you should know.

First of all, when choosing accommodation, you’ll want to avoid the area of Gürtel, which is Vienna’s red-light district.

Gürtel is essentially Vienna’s outer ring road and is located near the area of Margareten. Although it’s not an unsafe location, it’s not particularly pleasant either, and it does have a bit of a reputation. 

Secondly, the sightseeing options in this area are limited unless you make your way to the Inner City area. The only attractions you’ve really got include are the Baroque church of St Joseph and Madame Tussauds.

Pros and cons of staying in Margareten

PROS

  • Close location to the heart of Vienna – Innere Stadt
  • Great public transport links 

CONS

  • The red light district is near this area so you need to be wary of where you book accommodation
  • Sightseeing options are limited in Margareten

Best places to stay in Margareten

3. Landstrasse – Best place to stay in Vienna for budget travelers

Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna

Landstrasse is one of the best areas to stay in Vienna if you’re traveling on a budget. Although you’ll only be a short walk or metro ride from the city center, the accommodation here is very affordable.

Even the luxury hotels in this area have some fantastic deals! There are also plenty of apartments in this area if you’re looking to cook your own meals.

Known locally as District 3, Landstrasse offers a more authentic feel than some of the other neighborhoods in Vienna. It’s not as touristy as Innere Stadt and has a much more relaxed vibe.

Another great thing about Landstrasse is the variety of attractions that you’ll find nearby. This includes Belvedere Palace, Kunst Haus Wien, and Hundertwasserhaus which is one of the most colorful Instagram spots in Vienna.

So if you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna and you’re on a budget, this area is one of the best options! However, if you’re looking to party, then you may want to look elsewhere, as there aren’t many nightlife opportunities in this neighborhood.

The other thing to consider is that although you can easily walk to the city center, the transport system isn’t as advanced here. If you’re planning to visit other areas of Vienna, then just keep this in mind.

Pros and cons of staying in Landstrasse

PROS

  • Wide variety of budget-friendly accommodation options
  • Just a short walk or metro ride into the city center 

CONS

  • There are limited nightlife opportunities in this area
  • Landstrasse doesn’t offer extensive public transport links like other areas in the city

Best places to stay in Landstrasse

4. Leopoldstadt – Best area to stay in Vienna for families

Swing at the Vergnügungspark Prater in Vienna

If you’re traveling as a family, then Leopoldstadt is one of the best places to stay in Vienna! It’s still in a central location, but you’ll get to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city center, which is always great if you’ve got little ones with you.

Leopoldstadt is actually an island in the middle of the city that’s connected via bridges and roads so it’s easily accessible. Situated along the Danube Canal, this area of the city is incredibly scenic.

Not only is this area much calmer and offers a quiet atmosphere, but there are still plenty of things to do. One of the most popular attractions in Leopoldstadt is the iconic Prater theme park. 

Another great thing about Leopoldstadt is that it’s full of green spaces where you can relax, and plenty of quirky restaurants.

You’ll also find plenty of public transport links in this neighborhood but depending on where you stay within the area, it can take up to 15-20 minutes to get to the city center, so just keep that in mind.

Pros and cons of staying in Leopoldstadt

PROS

  • Very family-friendly area
  • You’ll find plenty of things to do in Leopoldstadt

CONS

  • You’ll need to use public transport to get around
  • It’s a large district, so accommodation is very widespread, keep this in mind when choosing your hotel

Best places to stay in Leopoldstadt

5. Neubau – Best place to stay in Vienna for culture 

There’s no denying that Vienna is a beautiful city, but it’s often the culture and art here that draw people in! One of the main reasons people decide to stay in Neubau is because this is where MuseumsQuartier is located. 

The MuseumsQuartier covers an area of over 90,000 sq meters (968,751 sq ft) and is home to 60 cultural institutions, so there’s plenty to see. Some of the most popular institutions here include the Leopold Museum, Zoom Kindermuseum, and Mumok.

So if you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna and you’re interested in culture and art, then this district is the place for you!

Another fantastic reason to stay in Neubau is that there are so many nightlife opportunities. From funky bars to cozy pubs, there are plenty of places for you to grab a drink. 

You’ll also have endless options when it comes to boutique stores, trendy coffee shops, and unique restaurants. 

For so many reasons, Neubau is easily one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Vienna. Whether you’re looking to wander around the museums or enjoy a lively evening, this neighborhood has it all. 

However, due to the popularity of the area, you’ll often find that hotel prices are more expensive here compared to other neighborhoods. Although if you look closely, there are still some great bargains to be found.

Pros and cons of staying in Neubau

PROS

  • Plenty of nightlife opportunities
  • One of the best places to stay in Vienna for culture 

CONS

  • Hotel prices are often more expensive here!
  • A smaller selection of accommodation options compared to other areas of Vienna

Best places to stay in Neubau

6. Wieden – Best area to stay in Vienna for a hipster neighborhood

Karlskirche surrounded by green trees in Vienna, Austria

Of all the 23 districts in Vienna, Wieden is considered to be one of the most trendy and hipster neighborhoods in the city. This makes it a popular option for young travelers especially, with plenty of boutique stores, trendy bars, and fantastic restaurants. 

Like Neubau, you’ll also find lots of nightlife opportunities in this neighborhood, with many bars hosting DJs late into the night.

If you’re looking to be in a central location, then Wieden is one of the best places to stay in Vienna. It’s within walking distance of Innere Stadt, but this area is also home to some awesome attractions of its own.

This includes Karls Church and the main square in Wieden, which is also home to the city’s Christmas market during the winter months. If you’re heading to Vienna during the summer, then this is where the iconic Popfest is held too.

Still not convinced? Wieden is a great area for shoppers too, as you’ll find plenty of fashion boutiques and vintage clothing options. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna, then the quirky neighborhood of Wieden is honestly one of the best options! Just keep in mind that it can get pretty busy.

Pros and cons of staying in Wieden

PROS

  • Home to plenty of awesome restaurants and bars
  • Within walking distance of the city center 

CONS

  • This area’s a popular one, so it can get extremely busy at times
  • It can feel quite touristy compared to other areas of Vienna

Best places to stay in Wieden

7. Mariahilf – Best place to stay in Vienna for a local experience

Mariahilf has been a district since the 1800s, so it has plenty of history. Although it’s still within walking distance of the city center, it offers a relaxed atmosphere, rather than the hustle and bustle.

Not only can you easily access Innere Stadt, but the neighborhoods of Neubau and Wieden are close by too.

If you’re looking for a more authentic and local experience, then Mariahilf is one of the best places to stay in Vienna. You also won’t need to compromise on amenities if you stay here, as there are plenty of fantastic restaurants and cafes in the area. 

However, one of the best parts about staying in Mariahilf is the shopping opportunities. This is where Mariahilfer Strasse is located, which is the largest shopping street in the city at an impressive 1.8 km long (1.1 miles).

Other popular attractions in the area include Aqua Terra Zoo (Haus des Meeres) and Secession.

Pros and cons of staying in Mariahilf

PROS

  • Plenty of shopping opportunities 
  • Lots of amenities, including cafes and restaurants 

CONS

  • It can get extremely busy in this area
  • Accommodation can be pricey in some parts of this neighborhood

Best places to stay in Mariahilf

Planning a trip to Austria?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Austria. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

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Where to Stay in Vienna: 7 Best Areas & Hotels
Where to Stay in Vienna: 7 Best Areas & Hotels

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