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Where to Stay in Vienna: Best Areas & Hotels from a Local

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on

Vienna is a fantastic place to visit, but it’s also a big city, and choosing where to stay can be confusing, especially if it’s your first time here.

The city is divided into 23 districts, each with its own number and name. You’ll see the district number on every street sign, which helps you figure out where you are.

For your first visit to Vienna I recommend staying in one of the inner districts (those numbered 1 through 9). They’re central and close to everything you’ll want to see.

I live in the 19th district, which feels more like a small town than part of Austria’s capital. It’s perfect for everyday life, but for a holiday, I’d stay closer to the centre.

This guide breaks down where to stay in Vienna, with pros and cons for each district and honest hotel recommendations to help you choose the right spot.

How the Districts of Vienna Work

Simple illustrated map of Vienna showing its 23 districts outlined and numbered, with “Vienna Districts” labeled at the top left and “veganerlust.com” noted at the bottom right.

Vienna’s 23 districts are numbered in a spiral pattern, starting with the 1st district, Innere Stadt, right at the historic center. From there, the numbers wind outward in a clockwise direction, like a snail shell.

You’ll notice district numbers on all street signs, which is super helpful for navigating. For example, if you’re in the 7th district (Neubau), every street sign will clearly show a “7”. It’s a simple system, once you know what to look for.

In general, Vienna is very safe for a city of its size. But like in any larger city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially near major tourist attractions, where pickpocketing can happen (like in every big city).

1st District – Innere Stadt: Classic Vienna

Sunny city square in Vienna with historic cream-colored buildings, ornate facades, and a large fountain surrounded by people, set against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Neuer Markt in the 1st district

Best for: First-time visitors, culture lovers, travellers who want to walk everywhere.

If it’s your first time in Vienna and you want to be surrounded by history, culture, and famous sights, the 1st district (Innere Stadt) is where you’ll want to stay.

This is the historic heart of the city, with everything from St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace to elegant cafés, museums, and shopping streets just a short walk away.

1. Innere Stadt

Pros

  • Walk to most major sights
  • Gorgeous historic architecture
  • Excellent restaurants, shops, and museums
  • Super well-connected by public transport

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Can get very busy with tourists
  • Not much local or residential feel

Hotel Recommendations

Luxury:

  • Hotel Sacher: Historic, luxurious, and home to the original Sacher Torte. It can’t get more iconic (or more touristy) than this.
  • Hotel Imperial: Perfect if you want to sleep in a former Viennese palace. Elegant, opulent, and steeped in history, many famous guests have stayed here.

Midrange:

  • Hotel Astoria Vienna: Located in a historic building but with a modern design. A great balance between classic charm and comfort.

Affordable-but-Stylish:

  • Grand Ferdinand Vienna: Incredible value for money. It looks absolutely stunning, has a rooftop pool, and is located just a short walk from Karlsplatz and the city park. If I were picking a hotel for myself in this district, this would be it.

7th District – Neubau: Creative & Cool

Wide view of the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna, showing a large open courtyard with people walking, outdoor seating, and colorful modern lounge chairs set against the backdrop of historic baroque buildings with red rooftops.
The courtyard at the Museums Quarter

Best for: Vegans, creative travellers, art lovers, café hoppers, younger couples.

Neubau is one of the most vibrant and creative districts in Vienna. It’s home to the MuseumsQuartier, tons of indie boutiques, concept stores, and some of the city’s best vegan restaurants and cafés.

I especially love the tree-lined side streets, where you’ll find bars and cafés with their outside sitting areas, perfect for a warm evening.

7. Neubau

Pros

  • Right next to the MuseumsQuartier
  • Great vegan food options and independent shops
  • Walkable to the historic old town
  • Lots of trees, outdoor seating, and great atmosphere

Cons:

  • Not the traditional, beautiful architecture
  • Some streets can be loud at night

Hotel Recommendations

Luxury:

  • Hotel Sans Souci Wien: Right around the corner from the MuseumsQuartier, this luxury hotel has a gorgeous spa area with a pool and sauna.

Midrange:

  • Hotel Gilbert: Just behind MuseumsQuartier, this hotel has a minimalist, elegant design and a beautiful green facade. It’s sustainability-focused (which I love), though their vegan options are a bit limited for breakfast and lunch.

Affordable-but-Stylish:

  • 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier: It feels almost wrong to put this under “budget,” but the price-to-style ratio is amazing. Super creative interiors, a rooftop terrace with views, and vegan-friendly breakfast make it a great choice.

2nd District – Leopoldstadt: Green, Spacious, and Local

The Donaukanal winds through Vienna with colorful graffiti covering the canal walls and a mix of historic and modern buildings, including a round observatory tower and glass high-rise, lining the banks.

Best for: Travellers who want local vibes with city access and the contrast between old world charm and modern architecture.

Leopoldstadt is a large, varied district just across the Danube Canal. I recommend staying near Karmelitermarkt, it’s close enough to walk to the centre, feels lively but local, and has great cafés, like my favourite vegan breakfast spot, Bistro Deppat.

You’ll also find the Wiener Prater amusement park here, but I wouldn’t recommend staying nearby. It’s further out and less convenient for sightseeing.

What I love about this area is the contrast between modern and historic Vienna, you’ll spot modern skyscrapers just around the corner of grand old buildings. And in summer, the Donaukanal is the place to be, with lots of cool bars right by the river.

2. Leopoldstadt

Pros

  • Walkable to the city centre
  • Great summer atmosphere along Donaukanal
  • Mix of modern and historic Vienna
  • Good value accommodation options

Cons:

  • Large district, stay near Karmelitermarkt if possible
  • Praterstern station had a reputation in the past, but today it feels safe with a no-alcohol zone and regular patrols

Hotel Recommendations

Luxury:

  • SO/ Vienna: A design hotel with cool architecture, unique room options (like a full black suite), a gym, spa, and a restaurant with panoramic views. Depending on your room category, you might enjoy one of the best views in Vienna.

Midrange:

  • Hotel Stefanie: Vienna’s oldest hotel, offers classic style that feels like stepping back to imperial times. If you’re curious to experience old-world charm without the luxury price tag, this is the spot.

Affordable-but-Stylish:

  • Henriette Stadthotel Vienna: A sustainable hotel within walking distance of the centre and right by a U-Bahn stop. Their eco-conscious focus and vegan-friendly breakfast make it a great option for vegan travellers.

6th District – Mariahilf: Best for Shopping

Busy shopping street scene on Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna, with crowds of pedestrians, outdoor seating, and storefronts including Levi’s and HEMA beneath tall leafy trees.
The popular shopping street, Mariahilferstraße

Best for: Shoppers and big city vibes.

Mariahilf is where Vienna’s main shopping street, Mariahilfer Straße, runs through. It borders the 1st and 7th districts, so you’re still close to all the sights, but with a more local, everyday feel. A friend of mine used to live there and she loved the area.

I recommend staying in the northeast part of the district, closer to the city centre. It’s more walkable, has better cafés, and still gives you easy access to all the shops.

6. Mariahilf

Pros

  • Near Mariahilfer Straße (Vienna’s main shopping street) and Naschmarkt (popular market)
  • Close to sights and great transport links
  • Trendy cafés

Cons:

  • Can be crowded and noisy along the main shopping street
  • Some areas further south feel less charming

Hotel Recommendations

Luxury:

  • Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol: Boutique luxury with local art and a relaxing spa area, right on Mariahilfer Straße. Very elegant, and very Viennese.

Midrange:

  • Hotel MOTTO: Located directly on Mariahilfer Straße, this hotel looks super elegant for a very reasonable price. The rooftop terrace is a highlight, offering amazing views.

Affordable-but-Stylish:

  • Hotel Josefine: Tucked away on a side street off Mariahilfer Straße, this hotel gives you a more local, neighbourhood feel. The rooms are beautifully designed and full of personality.

4th District – Wieden: Relaxed, Central & Close to Culture

Karlskirche in Vienna with its green copper dome and twin baroque columns, viewed from the square in front where people are sitting at outdoor café tables under a clear blue sky.
One column is currently under construction

Best for: Food lovers, culture fans, travellers who want a quiet but central base.

Wieden is one of those districts that quietly has it all: it’s right next to the 1st, yet feels more relaxed and local.

I recommend staying close to Karlskirche. In winter, the square in front of the church hosts one of my favourite Christmas markets, full of unique, artsy stalls, and in summer, there are often free open-air events and concerts.

Another great area is Margaretenstraße, which has a more bohemian vibe. The café Vollpension is especially popular and a super cosy atmosphere.

Wieden is also close to Belvedere Palace, making it a smart choice if you want to stay somewhere quiet, cultural, and still very central.

4. Wieden

Pros

  • Calm, residential vibe but walkable to the city centre
  • Close to Karlskirche and Belvedere Palace
  • Seasonal events and creative local spots

Cons:

  • Fewer big-name sights within the district
  • Some areas can feel a bit sleepy
  • Hotel selection is smaller than in nearby areas

Hotel Recommendations

Midrange:

  • Hotel Kaiserhof Wien: This traditional hotel is in a very quiet side street. There’s also a spa area with sauna, steam bath and fitness room.
  • Saint SHERMIN bed breakfast & champagne: This stylish B&B near Karlsplatz offers individually furnished rooms, a personal boutique feel, and a perfect location just steps from the city’s highlights.

Affordable-but-Stylish:

  • MOOONS Vienna: Although a bit further from Karlsplatz and closer to the train station, this hotel offers modern design and excellent reviews at a very affordable price. A great pick if you don’t travel far with your luggage.

8th District – Josefstadt: Quiet Charm Near the Centre

Best for: Repeat visitors, travellers who want classic Vienna charm without the crowds

Josefstadt is a small district just behind the Rathaus (City Hall), and it’s ideal if you want to be close to the centre without being in the thick of it. It has a calm, lived-in feel, with charming residential streets, little cafés, and leafy courtyards.

It’s a great choice for couples or solo travellers who want something more relaxed and local but still within walking distance to the 1st district.

8. Josefstadt

Pros

  • Quiet and peaceful but very central
  • Authentic, residential area
  • Cool streets and lots of cafés

Cons:

  • No big sights within the district
  • Nightlife is limited
  • Hotel selection is smaller than in nearby areas

Hotel Recommendations

Josefstadt doesn’t have that many hotels, but it offers some great affordable to midrange options with excellent locations just behind the city hall:

  • ARTIST Boutique Hotel: Rooms are a bit small, but the reviews are amazing. It’s in a great location within walking distance of Vienna’s main attractions.
  • Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus: It has a lovely green courtyard and a peaceful, local atmosphere. A great base for exploring the city.
  • Fleming’s Selection Hotel Wien-City: A more upscale option within this price range. Some of the higher-category rooms offer city views and balconies.

9th District – Alsergrund: Residential & Still Central

People relaxing on the grass in a park on a sunny day with the Votivkirche in Vienna rising in the background, its twin Gothic spires and large rose window standing out against a clear blue sky.
Votivkirche with a small park in front

Best for: Visitors who want a peaceful, local vibe with easy access to the centre.

Alsergrund is a large and varied district that stretches north of the 1st district. While the northern parts can feel a bit too far out for a first-time trip, the southern end near Votivkirche and the Sigmund Freud Museum is a fantastic spot to stay.

It has a more residential feel, so it’s quieter and less touristy than nearby districts, but still within easy walking or tram distance to the centre. Hotel options here are fewer, but often more affordable.

9. Alsergrund

Pros

  • Close to sights like Votivkirche and Sigmund Freud Museum
  • Quiet, local atmosphere, yet walkable to city center
  • Often more affordable than central districts

Cons:

  • Northern parts feel too far out
  • Not many hotel options

Hotel Recommendation

  • The Harmonie Vienna, BW Premier Collection: This family-run boutique hotel is by far the best option in Alsergrund. The organic breakfast includes vegan options, and in the afternoon, they offer free tea and homemade cakes, a thoughtful touch that makes it feel extra welcoming.

3rd District – Landstraße: Palaces & Parks

A picturesque view of the Belvedere Gardens in Vienna, Austria, with vibrant flowerbeds of red, white, and yellow blossoms leading to the grand Upper Belvedere Palace in the background. The symmetrical landscaping features neatly trimmed hedges and pathways under a partly cloudy blue sky, with visitors strolling through the grounds.
The garden between Upper and Lower Belvedere

Best for: Those who prefer parks over crowds.

Landstraße is a very large district. It’s best known for two major landmarks: the elegant Belvedere Palace and the quirky, colourful Hundertwasserhaus. But these sights are quite far apart, and Hundertwasserhaus is a bit of a walk from the centre.

Personally, I don’t usually recommend Landstraße for a first visit to Vienna, it’s just a bit too far to walk to most attractions in the center. That said, it’s well connected by trams, even if U-Bahn stations are fewer and more spread out.

3. Landstraße

Pros

  • Home to Belvedere Palace and Hundertwasserhaus
  • Close to Stadtpark
  • Lots of green space and residential areas
  • Well-connected by tram

Cons:

  • Very spread out, location matters
  • Not ideal for walking to the city centre
  • Fewer U-Bahn stations
  • Fewer restaurants and cafés in some areas

Hotel Recommendations

Luxury:

  • Hotel Spiess & Spiess: A green oasis near a U-Bahn stop, with a garden and a sauna. A great pick if you want something elegant but low-key.

Midrange:

  • The Hoxton Vienna: Just next to Stadtpark, this stylish new hotel features a rooftop pool and terrace. Great location for relaxing but still connected.
  • Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna: Right next to Belvedere Palace, this hotel offers spacious rooms, a spa and fitness area.

Finding the Right Vienna District for You

Each district in Vienna offers something different, whether you want to be close to the sights, stay somewhere more relaxed, or explore the local café scene.

Take a moment to think about what matters most to you: walkability, public transport, a quieter vibe, vegan food options, or maybe a rooftop pool?

In case you haven’t found the right hotel under my recommendations, I’ve included a map below to help you find the right hotel. You can filter by price, rating, and even public transport lines to find the perfect place for your trip.

Read more about Vienna:

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Collage-style Pinterest graphic with photos of Vienna landmarks, including the Plague Column, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Mariahilfer Straße, and a riverside path, overlaid with the text “best areas & hotels to stay in Vienna.”
Best Vienna Hotels & Areas for Every Budget & Travel Style

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Austrian Veganderlust. After travelling the world and documenting her adventures on Veganderlust, she created this blog to share the beauty of her home country, Austria. Tina now focuses on helping travellers discover the best spots in Austria, including where to find the most delicious vegan food.