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Hotel Austria in Vienna - good location?

Posted by (Denver, CO) on

Hi everyone,

As part of a solo trip to Germany/Austria this December, I will be staying in Vienna for 6 nights. I'm thinking of staying at the Hotel Austria on Fleishmarkt - it gets great reviews on TA and Booking.com, seems nice and central, and is a 2 minute walk from the Schwedenplatz U bahn stop. In reading some guidebooks about the area though, one said that "Schwedenplatz can also be unsavory after dark".

I'm not a scaredy cat traveler, and have done solo trips to Paris and Amsterdam before and never felt unsafe. This did catch my eye though when I read it so thought I'd ask if anyone ever felt unsafe around Schwedenplatz or the Fleishmarkt area. I'm so used to using Google Street View to check out the surroundings, but I can't do that for Vienna. Any insights or advice is greatly appreciated!

Posted by
8145 posts

That underground station is on the river on the east side of "The Ring." It's a short walk to St. Stephens and not that far from the city palaces and museums of the Hapsburgs. You should find it okay.

I usually stay at K&T Boardinghouse--one subway stop west of The Ring. They're online, and have large rooms and a very good location.

Posted by
2469 posts

In June 2015, my tour hotel with RS Berlin Prague & Vienna tour was a couple blocks walk from the Schwedenplatz U bahn station. We walked around quite a bit after dark and did not feel unsafe. I stayed 3 nights after the tour ended and was out and about on the trams on the Ringstrasse after musical events. Did not feel unsafe. As David says, it is very close to the St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Enjoy! Lucky you to go in Dec. I have heard the Christmas markets in Vienna are special - that is, if that is of interest to you. I would go back to Vienna in a heartbeat.

Judy B

Posted by
5385 posts

That comment makes me laugh. Schwedenplatz is totally fine. I've been there so many times after dark (with my kids!). It is not known in Vienna as an unsafe area.

I'd like to clarify that there is no "river" at Schwedenplatz as stated above - only a canal.

Posted by
731 posts

Thank you all for the replies! It was the DK Eyewitness Travel Austria guidebook I looked at that said Schwedenplatz can be "unsavory after dark". That's the only place I saw anything remotely negative, so I'm glad you've all confirmed that there's nothing to worry about. With it getting dark so early (sunset at 4pm!) it's nice to know it's a safe area.

@Judy, yes, I'm really looking forward to the Christmas markets! I'm so excited to see all of the city - this is my first visit and the more I research the more museums go on my list! I can't wait to also just wander and have a drink in one of the beautiful old coffee houses. Hopefully 6 nights will be enough - if not, it's just an excuse to come back!

Posted by
4637 posts

I stayed in Pension Nossek, right on Graben. Possibly cannot be more central location. Big rooms with high ceiling, nice view of Graben. Very safe. Breakfast included.

Posted by
6068 posts

My daughter and I stayed at Hotel Austria last June. Very nice, great location.

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