We saw a great posting on this general subject three years ago but has since been shut down. We are interested in staying in Vienna for 4 to 6 weeks in May/June 2026. No car so will need to walk and take transit. And will be doing day trips outside of Vienna. Don't want to be in a high priced tourist location but do want to be in area where we can walk to and experience shops, restaurants, a grocery store, sites, etc. For example, we stayed in Trastevere while in Rome and while that area is touristy it was perfect for a six week stay. (We've heard we should stay "inside Big Belt Blvd." Is that true? And that Josefstadt is Vienna's "most desirable district."). If anyone knows Lincoln Park in Chicago, that is exactly what we would love. Thanks all.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2545 posts
I stay inside the Ringstrasse within the “ Inner Ring” when I’m in Vienna. In Vienna, almost all major attractions are here in the “ Innere Stadt” which is District 1. You will save a lot of time and the cost of taking transit by staying here. I’ve rented apartments in neighborhoods where locals live through VRBO near St. Stephen’s Cathedral with Spar supermarkets and cafes nearby. For trips outside of city, the U-Bahn at Stephansplatz and Schwedenplatz will get you from the Inner Ring to both Vienna Hauptbahnhof—the main train station—and Westbahnhof.
Josefstadt and the Neubau neighborhoods are nearby and also desirable neighborhoods.
Posted by
Magyarország / Republic of Texas
21782 posts
With 4 or 6 weeks in town, I would stay in a great and vibrant local neighborhood rather than the Ringstrasse. If you donated 8 hours a day to tourism you would finish the ringstrass in detail in less than a week.
But I'm not the right guy for the question, except to know the ringstrass would be a mistake.
With luck Emily will join the discussion soon. She is hands down the best for this decision. If she doesn't join soon, look here https://community.ricksteves.com/users/64764
Posted by
Los Angeles
1393 posts
When I was there in December I stayed at a hotel in Landstrasse and found it to be full of locals going about their lives, without the touristic crush you can encounter inside the Ring. It has excellent transportation connections. Years ago we stayed at a RS recommended hotel in Mariahilf (6th District), which we also found to be quite livable. Both areas offer good connections to both tourist attractions as well as train stations for day trips.
Posted by
Magyarország / Republic of Texas
21782 posts
Markcw, that's the area i was thinking of. I just had a brainfart. Still hope Emily finds the post. Because there have to be better than what little i know.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5592 posts
Here in Vienna, you can't walk five minutes without hitting a grocery store, restaurants and access to public transportation. That said, some areas have more charm than other.
My parents have come to Vienna routinely in the 17 years I have lived here, often staying a month in an AirBnB, so I kind of have a sense of what might work for you.
Some areas I would recommend:
1. In the First District, I like the area around Rudolfspark. The rest of this district is a zoo.
2. In the Second District, if you drew a line from Praterstern to Augarten, I would stay anywhere south of that line but particularly nice is the area adjacent to Karmelitermarkt.
3. In the Third District, I love the area right around Rochusmarkt. The stretch of Landstrasse from Rochus to Mitte is particularly fun these days. Don't go further than Rochusmarkt, though.
4. Anything in the 4th District around Schleifmuhlgasse and Paulanergasse.
5. In the 5th District, Margaretenstrasse from Pilgramgasse to Kettenbruckengasse is good - some of my favorite restaurants are along here.
6. The 6th District, is bordered by Mariahilferstrasse, the largest shopping street in Vienna if that is your thing.
7. For the 7th District, the best area and one of the most beautiful parts of Vienna is the charming Spittelberg neighborhood (eat at Amerlingbeisl).
8. Yes, the hipster haven of Josefstadt, 8th District. Anywhere from Albertgasse to the Ring is cool.
9. The 9th District is where you will find the students. 100% you want to be in the Servitenviertel - so charming and almost Paris like (probably why many French expats live in the area). Look for Servitengasse.
Some areas I would not recommend:
Anywhere in Districts 10 - 23, but especially avoid 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 21.