Where to stay in Vienna for first time visitors

So, you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna for first-time visitors. Allow me to assist!

In this post, I’m going to take you across Vienna Austria, from its central areas of Innere Stadt and Leopoldstadt to its quieter suburbs.

We’ll look at what each place has to offer and a variety of places for you to stay to make the most of your trip to the beautiful and historic Vienna.

Things to do in Vienna

Vienna’s architecture, from the opera houses and theatres to the palaces and government buildings, is second to none.

During your stay, you can sample so much great local Viennese food at its award-winning restaurants, and learn about its deep history at some of the most stunning and exciting museums and galleries around.

Best places to stay in Vienna

Here are the main districts of Vienna, and what each of them has to offer:

• Innere Stadt: The very heart of the city
• Leopoldstadt: Home to the Volksprater amusement park
• Landstrasse: Seat of Belvedere Castle
• Wieden: Home to the Vienna Museum
• Margareten: A busy residential area
• Mariahilf: Sits beside the valley of the Vienna River
• Neubau: Home to the museum quarter
• Josefstadt: Home to the parliament buildings
• Alsergrund: Where you’ll find many theatres and museums

Where to stay in Vienna for first-time visitors

Because Vienna is a compact city filled with so much arts and culture, location really comes down to price.

You can stay in any of the districts I’ve mentioned and not have to worry about missing out on things to see and do.

I’ve also emphasized private apartments rather than hotels.

Where to Stay in Innere Stadt

The very heart of the city

Staying in Innere Stadt means having the best shopping streets at your fingertips.

The best luxury hotels and the finest architecture are all here and within walking distance, meaning you won’t be relying on the train.

Luxury – Grand Hotel Wien

This beautiful 5-star hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Vienna. It has a long history which dates back more than a century.

There are four restaurants, a bar, and a coffee lounge. To top it all off, weekend breakfasts come with champagne!

I was lucky enough to stay at the Grand Hotel Wien, and you can read my review for more details and photos right here. Prices start at $475 for a two-person twin or double room.

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Mid-range – Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth

This is a great 4-star hotel for couples. You can find so much of what makes Vienna great right on this hotel’s doorstep.

There’s the famous Kärtner Straße shopping street, the State Opera House, and the Imperial Palace. Prices for a twin or double room start at $198!

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Budget – Top Location Vienna Marc Aurel

This private apartment is ideal if you’re a family looking for a reasonable place to stay in the heart of Vienna.

On the same street, you’ll find a host of great restaurants to enjoy during your stay, and easy access to the metro. The apartment is available starting at $203.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Innere Stadt

Pros:

• You’re in the center of everything
• The best shopping, restaurants, and cafes are at your fingertips
• Easy access to the biggest tourist attractions

Cons:

• Even budget hotels can be overpriced
• It’s busy and full of tourists year-round

Where to Stay in Leopoldstadt:

Home to the Wurstelprater amusement park

The location of this awesome amusement park in the heart of the city means that this is an ideal location for families to bring their children.

It’s close to the city center, meaning you have the greatest variety of tourist attractions and an amusement park to top it all off!

Luxury – Apartment Giuliano Vienna

This stunning Vienna accommodation is in a great location, less than a mile away from Danube Island.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Vienna, this area is ideal. It’s a great place to make you feel at home in Vienna. Prices start at $225.

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Mid-range – Vienna Life

This minimalist Vienna accommodation has sweet and comfortable furnishings. It’s located a short walk from Vienna Prater Amusement Park. Prices for a family start at $203.

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Budget – Austria Classic Hotel Wien

This Vienna hotel is one of the most beautiful buildings you could stay in. To boot, it’s a very reasonably priced hotel for how stunning it is!

The hotel also has a breakfast buffet and a rooftop terrace for guests to enjoy the city skyline at night! Prices for a double room start at $101.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Leopoldstadt

Pros:

• You’re on the doorstep of a fantastic amusement park
• Great location for families with children
• You’re still in the center and close to all the tourist attractions

Cons:

• The amusement park makes things very busy
• Not as suitable for senior travelers

Where to Stay in Landstrasse

Seat of Belvedere Palace and Hundertwasser House

Landstrasse is full of deep local history. Belvedere is the peak of this: a luxurious palace with open grounds and gardens.

It’s the crown jewel of the city, making Landstrasse the best area to stay if you’re a history buff.

Luxury – Flagship Lofts

Located less than a mile from both Stadtpark and Belvedere Palace, this Vienna apartment is perfectly located for you if you love history and relaxing spots.

Prices for this luxury Vienna apartment start at $263 for a family of three.

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Mid-range – Hotel Spiess & Spiess

This is one of the best mid-range hotels in Vienna, with soundproofing, air-conditioning, and underfloor heating.

The breakfast buffet includes ingredients that are locally sourced from Vienna. Prices are from $158 for two people. Definitely ideal for couples!

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Budget – Wiener Ferienwohnung

Here is one of the best cheap Vienna accommodations available in the whole city. It’s also not far from the Museum of Military History; great for all my fellow history buffs! Prices start at the incredibly reasonable $95, and the space is perfect for couples.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Landstrasse

Pros:

• A luxurious palace is a short walk away
• The best local history is nearby

Cons:

• Still busy and close to the center, but without the excitement
• Using the subway for short journeys can be a pain

Where to Stay in Wieden

Home to the Vienna Museum

The Vienna Museum covers the history of the entire city, from its conception to the modern day. Given how stunning this city is, the museum is a great eye-opener if you want to understand how it ended up as pretty as it is!

Luxury – Apartments Next to Main Station

This great apartment is equipped with everything you need for a comfy stay! Nearby is a selection of galleries and museums.

The apartments are spacious and there are open terrace areas to enjoy the sun. Prices start at $263 for a family of three.

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Mid-range – Saint Shermin Bed Breakfast & Champagne

This friendly Vienna B&B is run by a local and incredibly helpful family.

The rooms are all themed with a design inspired by the local area. St. Charles Church and the State Opera House are within walking distance. Prices start at $191 for couples and $225 for families of three.

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Budget – Hotel Kaiserhof Wien

Only a five-minute walk from the State Opera House, this hotel is in a great location for all of you art and music lovers.

There’s also a spa and a steam room that you’re free to use. The breakfast is local and traditional Viennese. Prices start at $161 for solo travelers.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Wieden

Pros:

• Close to the center but a little more peaceful
• Within walking distance of the best museum in Vienna

Cons:

• Little to do if you’re not interested in history
• Further away from the best shopping streets

Where to Stay in Margareten

A busy residential area

Maragreten is a smart place to stay in. It’s close to the center: just a short subway ride or a long walk away. It’s a simple residential area, more peaceful than the central districts, but it’s far from being out of the way.

Luxury – Smart Apartments

This two-bedroom apartment is great if you’ve got a small family or if you’re a couple looking for a relaxing getaway.

A 15-minute walk will lead you to Haus des Meeres, an area known for its hiking. Prices start at $172 for couples and $218 for a family of four.

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Mid-range – Sky9 Apartments

This mid-range apartment has all the qualities of a luxury flat. With a fancy Nespresso machine and a crazy amount of natural light, you’ll feel so at home here. Nearby is a subway station and a supermarket. Prices go from $146 for a couple.

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Budget – Lovely Apartment

This incredibly comfortable private apartment comes with sofas and a springy bed. It’s a budget apartment with all the comforts of something a little fancier. They have a bike rental facility. Prices start at just $70.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Margareten

Pros:

• A peaceful residential area away from hustle and bustle
• Ideal for introverted travelers

Cons:

• Far from the big tourist attractions
• You need to rely on the subway more

Where to stay in Mariahilf

Sits beside the valley of the Vienna River

This is a beautiful area, especially if you love to shop. Mariahilf Strasse is the city’s most beloved shopping street. The river nearby makes for wonderful and peaceful walks as well.

Luxury – Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol

This Vienna hotel is 4-star and sits directly opposite the museum quarter. It has a free sauna and bath for you to use at your leisure! The food is traditional Viennese cuisine, and the prices start at $218 for couples.

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Mid-range – Hotel Beethoven Wien

Hotel Beethoven is a stunning building built over a hundred years ago. It’s in a modern renaissance style.

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, you can even watch a free classical piano concert with a glass of champagne! That is really something else! Prices for all of this luxury start at only $178.

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Budget – Gabriel’s Apartments

If you travel for museums and shopping, as so many of us do, this apartment is in the perfect location.

The apartment itself also offers a coffee machine and is in a big, white, minimalist style. It’s a real luxury apartment for a budget price. Prices start at $152 for a couple.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Mariahilf

Pros:

• You’re right beside the best shopping street in the city
• It’s lively without being touristy

Cons:

• Less to love if you don’t enjoy shopping
• Accommodation is a little pricier in this area

Where to stay in Neubau

Home to the Museum Quarter

I know I’ve mentioned museums a few times, but Vienna really is packed with them! And nowhere more than Neubau. If you’re here to enjoy the city’s art and history, this is the area you must stay in.

Luxury – Hotel Sans Souci Wien

You can walk just five minutes from this 5-star hotel and reach the Ringstrasse Boulevard. The hotel itself has a free sauna and steam bath. There’s even a fitness center with a personal trainer. Prices start at $365 for couples.

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Mid-range – Altstadt Vienna

At this Vienna hotel you’ll be just a five-minute walk from the museum quarter. In the mornings, a gorgeous buffet is available. Prices for this wonderful mid-range hotel start at $190.

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Budget – Excellent Apartments

The name is certainly not misleading!

This selection of apartments includes a lovely garden, and each apartment includes a coffee machine. Prices start as low as $114 if you’re a solo traveler who enjoys privacy.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Neubau

Pros:

• A history-lovers dream
• A huge selection of museums and galleries all in one place

Cons:

• Not much to do if you don’t love museums
• Can feel a little out-of-the-way

Where to Stay in Josefstadt

Home to the parliament buildings

This is the district to stay in if you love your architecture. Vienna City has pulled no punches in making its government buildings as beautiful as can be.

You must take your time to explore them and take some photos, even if you don’t stay in the area.

Luxury – Ferienwohnung Schloessel 10

This beautiful apartment includes a coffee machine, fridge, and oven.

It’s a 10-minute walk from Vienna City Hall, so if you love your history and politics, this is a great location. The apartment also has a six-person capacity. Prices start at $168 for a family of six.

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Mid-range – Hotel Graf Stadion

So many of Vienna’s political and historical buildings are within walking distance of this hotel.

You can easily get to Hofburg Palace, the Parliament Building, and Burg Theatre from here. A room for two with a queen bed starts at $134 (breakfast included).

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Budget – Leo’s Supercentral  Garden Apartment

This apartment has a garden view, a barbecue, and an open terrace for you to enjoy.

The city hall and parliament buildings are within walking distance as well. For a budget apartment, it has everything you need. Prices start at $119 for solo travelers.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Josefstadt

Pros:

• Perfect for lovers of politics and architecture
• Home to the prettiest buildings in the city

Cons:

• Not much to love if you’re here to shop and enjoy the bars and cafes
• There’s less for children to love

Where to Stay in Alsergrund

Where you’ll find many theatres and museums

This area is a kind of catch-all. If you want to see some pretty buildings and learn some history, Alsergrund is great.

If you want a more budget hotel that’s still comfortable and beautiful, Alsergrund is great. It’s cheap but not nasty. It ticks every box!

Luxury – Abieshomes Serviced Apartments

This apartment is simply stunning, with modern art-inspired interiors of wood paneling and big windows. It’s in an area flooded with bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Famous shopping streets are also a short walk away. Prices for couples start at $240.

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Mid-range – Vienna 1090

If you love lots of happy, natural light and wooden furniture to give your home that country feel, this apartment is a dream. It’s great for big families and the price for a family of six starts at $230.

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Budget – H+ Hotel Wien

This hotel is all about that modern style, inside and out. It’s within walking distance of a train station, giving you access to the rest of the city with ease. If you’re a solo traveler, prices start at $81.

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Pros and Cons of Staying in Alsergrund

Pros:

• Luxury accommodation at budget prices
• A far more relaxed area to stay in

Cons:

• No big tourist attractions nearby
• You’ll be using the subway to get to the centre

FAQ – Best hotels in Vienna

Which area of Vienna is best to stay in?

For first-time visitors, staying in the Innere Stadt, or the 1st district, is ideal.

It’s the heart of Vienna, home to major sights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace. If you’re looking for a more local vibe, the districts of Leopoldstadt and Mariahilf offer great dining and shopping, plus easy access to the city’s core.

How many days are enough for Vienna?

To get a good taste of Vienna, plan for at least three to four days.

This allows you to explore the city’s imperial history, visit a few museums, enjoy its cafés, and possibly catch a performance at the opera or a concert.

If you’re a museum enthusiast or enjoy leisurely exploring, adding a day or two more would be beneficial.

Is it expensive to eat out in Vienna?

Eating out in Vienna can range from moderately expensive to high, especially in tourist-centric areas. However, you can find more affordable options like local bistros, markets, and street food vendors.

Vienna’s coffee houses offer a cozy atmosphere to enjoy a meal or coffee without breaking the bank.

What is the best area to stay in Austria?

The best area to stay in Austria depends on your interests.

For city lovers, Vienna’s Innere Stadt offers culture and history, while Salzburg’s Altstadt is perfect for music and mountain scenery.

If you’re into outdoor activities, staying in regions like Tyrol or Vorarlberg provides easy access to the Alps for hiking and skiing. Each region offers unique experiences, making Austria a diverse destination.

More stuff you’ll love:

• Vienna: 3 days in Vienna, Austria
• The Grand Hotel: Vienna’s best 5 star hotel
• Schönbrunn Palace: Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna: What to see
• Hallstatt: Hallstatt Austria: The fairy tale lake town you need to visit
• Salzburg: 10 things to do in Salzburg
• Liechtensteinklamm: Hiking the legendary Liechtensteinklamm gorge
• Hotel in Salzburg: Austria Trend Hotel has the best view in Salzburg