We will be in Vienna for a few days in December, looking for recommendations on the best part of town to base ourselves. We love to walk, use public transport, explore neighborhoods, be on the edge of vs middle of tourist attraction central. Especially in the winter, with the Christmas action, would love to hear from folks who have been there during this time and where you stayed!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2121 posts
Vienna’s Altstadt, or old city, is convenient for access to most attractions. The only time we needed to take the U-Bahn was to go to Schonbrunn and Belvedere Palaces..
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5513 posts
The best Christmas markets in Vienna are not in the city center, but in the districts surrounding the center. I would recommend staying in the Spittelberg area - I really like the K+K Maria Theresa, for example, but there are other options. This area also have several trams and U-bahn stops, but is also about a 7-10 minute stroll to the Ring.
I will also point you to a post I did a couple of years ago, recapping the markets in Vienna:
PS to Kenko - there is no such thing as the Altstadt in Vienna as the city center is actually quite modern compared to other European cities. The city center is referred to as the First District or the Innere Stadt. In addition, the U-bahn doesn't stop at the Belvedere - pointing this out so that it doesn't cause confusion.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2121 posts
Thanks, Emily, for the distinction. It seems references to the center encompassed by the Ringstrasse, which was created when the old medieval walls were torn down, is now referred to as the “Innere Stadt.” Years ago, it seems, “Old Town” or Altstadt was the travel guide term and it took hold to this student of history as I’m always looking for any historical architecture in large cities. And, yes, it’s the tram that goes to Belvedere Palace, not the U-Bahn.
You recommended Spittelberg as a neighborhood to stay in. Today, in googling up “Vienna’s Altstadt,” what repeatedly came up is a boutique hotel that calls itself “The Altstadt” that, in fact, is in Spittelberg!
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2275 posts
In Vienna public transport is abundant, especially within the inner city boroughs (1 to 9; inside Belt Boulevard [Gürtel]), easy to use, cheap, and safe even in the night. So the location of your accommodation is not that important.