Slowly but surely over the last 4 years of living here, the city has unveiled itself – the village-like districts, hipster hangouts and multicultural areas where real life bubbles away. I certainly had no idea of what the locals actually did in this beautiful, quiet and calm city. Moving to Vienna in 2012, I was convinced the city was one of the most boring in Europe – all I could see were architectural wonders and white palaces, but no spirit. Where to Stay in Vienna: An Introduction from Our Vienna Expert, Carly We hope this helps you see the main Vienna highlights, while also uncovering some hidden gems. While we want this guide to answer one main question for you – where should I stay in Vienna? – we also want to help you get to know each of the Vienna neighborhoods covered.īecause of this, we’ve tried to give you suggestions for your trip within each section. Indeed, your experience in Vienna will be somewhat shaped by the area you stay, so it’s worth taking the time to choose wisely. Staying in or exploring some of these other Vienna neighborhoods will help you get off the beaten path, save bit of cash, and get a taste of local life. Should you have a bit more time, there are many other areas to stay in Vienna that might suit your needs. If you’re visiting Vienna on a short trip, Vienna 1 (Innere Stadt) is the most convenient part of the city to stay. And we’re definitely guilty of lightening our wallets along Mariahilfestraße. The MuseumsQuartier’s vibrant cultural scene is impossible not to love. Neubau’s young, hip vibe, and Wieden’s multicultural and laid-back atmosphere feel a world away from the Innere Stadt. Yes, we love the historic Innere Stadt, where you’ll find the best sights, and can experience Vienna’s famous café culture at Central Café and Demel. Now that we live a 2-hour train ride from Vienna in Budapest, we’ve been back to the city several times. To be honest, that’s how we felt when we visited Vienna for the first time back in 2014, while we were living in Prague.Īs we blitzed across town to the main tourist attractions, we missed the chance to experience local life. Elegant, historical and filled to the brim with cultural experiences, Vienna sits at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists.ĭespite this, Vienna also has a reputation as being cold, sterile, and – ahem – kind of boring. Short on time? Skip ahead to our top hotel recommendations.

We’ve since done a substantial update, partnering with a local Viennese writer to add additional neighborhoods and city highlights to help you plan your trip, and adding information from our own visits to Vienna. This guide was originally written in 2016 by Carly Hulls, an Australian expat living in Vienna.

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