Vienna is a cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant international community. As the regional headquarters of many global organizations, it’s a hub for business and diplomacy. The city is incredibly diverse, with 23 unique districts, each with its charm and character. The central districts are easy to navigate, with English widely spoken and plenty of tourist-friendly amenities. Whether you’re looking to explore the historic city center or discover the hidden gems of the outer districts, Vienna is a safe, welcoming destination that leaves a lasting impression.
District 1: Historic City Center
Vienna’s Historic City Center is a must-visit for anyone touring the city. This district is rich in history and is home to some of Vienna’s most iconic buildings, including the State Opera House, the Hofburg, and the Parliament Building. Visitors can stroll along the boulevard that encircles the city center.
There are many 5-star hotels and major sights in this area. Shopaholics will enjoy the two shopping streets, Kärnterstrasse and Graben, while culture enthusiasts will appreciate the Burgtheater and the University. The heart of Vienna, however, is located in Stephansplatz, where the magnificent St. Stephens Cathedral stands tall and proud. A visit to Vienna would not be complete without experiencing the magic of the city center.
District 2: Leopoldstadt
Leopoldstadt, is a vibrant and historic neighborhood. It offers a range of attractions and activities for locals and tourists. Leopoldstadt is home to the city’s largest park, which stretches from the Praterstern Metro and Train Station to the Ernst Happel Stadium. The park provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.
One of the most popular destinations in Leopoldstadt is the Wurstelprater Amusement Park, located next to the bustling Praterstern transportation hub. This iconic park features a range of thrilling rides, games, and attractions that will delight visitors of all ages.
Leopoldstadt has a rich history as the former Jewish quarter of Vienna. Visitors can explore the area’s rich cultural heritage by visiting the synagogues and kosher bakeries.
Leopoldstadt landmarks and attractions include the Augarten Park, Palais Augarten and Porcelain Factory, Wiener Sängerknaben, Carmelite Church, Karmelitermarkt, Corn Exchange, and Kirche St. Leopold. If you’re interested in history and culture or simply enjoying the great outdoors, Leopoldstadt is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Vienna.
District 3: Landstrasse
The Landstrasse is next to the city center, on the right side of the Danube Canal.
The Belvedere Palace with its stunning gardens and impressive art collection is a must-visit attraction. But there is so much more to see in Landstrasse, from the quirky and colorful Hundertwasserhaus Wien to the modern and innovative Kunsthaus Wien. Check out the Akademietheater and Konzerthaus for world-class performances and cultural events.
Landstrasse also offers a glimpse into Vienna’s industrial past. Old factory buildings and warehouses have been repurposed into trendy shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Belvedere Palace’s gardens and other parks provide a peaceful escape for nature lovers.
Landstrasse has a small-town feel with friendly locals and a tight-knit community.
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District 4: Wieden
Wieden was officially founded as a district in 1850. Despite being close to the city’s center, it retains its unique charm and atmosphere.
One of the most noteworthy landmarks in Wieden is Karlsplatz. Karlsplatz is home to the famous Karlskirche, a baroque church considered one of the city’s most important religious buildings. The Vienna University of Technology is also located on Karlsplatz, making it a hub of academic activity.
Other attractions within the neighborhood include Theklakirche, Paulanerkirche, and Elisabethkirche, three historic churches that showcase Vienna’s rich religious history. The Naschmarkt, one of the city’s largest outdoor markets, has a variety of stalls selling fresh produce, meats, and other goods.
The Vienna Museum features the city’s history and culture. Visitors can learn about Vienna’s past and present through displays and interactive exhibits.
District 5: Margareten
Margareten has a rich history intertwined with that of Wieden. It is home to the highly acclaimed Austrian Society and Economy Museum, famous for developing the Vienna Method for data display.
The district has a deep-rooted history of labor and worker movements, which shaped the district’s identity before World War II. Unfortunately, Margareten suffered severe damage during the war and required extensive repairs.
Despite the challenges faced during the war, Margareten has managed to maintain its beauty and charm. Its proximity to the city center makes it an attractive option for those looking for affordable rentals.
Margareten is rich in history and culture, with a strong sense of community and resilience. It is a great place to visit or call home for those looking to experience a piece of Vienna’s vibrant past.
District 6: Mariahilf
Mariahilf is a bustling district in Vienna that offers a mix of residential buildings, commercial spaces, and attractions. With over 31,000 people, Mariahilf is a densely populated area in Vienna.
Established in 1850, Mariahilf has a rich history and is near the city center. One of the district’s main attractions is the popular shopping and dining area along Mariahilfer Strasse, which is always bustling with locals and tourists. In addition to shopping and dining, Mariahilf is home to the Haus des Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo, an aquarium that offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages.
District 7: Neubau
Neubau, Vienna’s seventh district, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in culture and the arts. It offers a unique blend of shopping, residential buildings, and cultural institutions.
The MuseumsQuartier is one of the largest complexes of museums and galleries. It is the highlight of the district and home to numerous cultural institutions like the Leopold Museum, MUMOK, Kunsthalle Vienna, Architekturzentrum, ZOOM Kindermuseum, and MQ POINT. Visitors can enjoy the area’s cafes, bars, and restaurants. Catch some street performances in and around the MuseumsQuartier in the summer months.
District 8: Josefstadt
If you’re planning a visit to Vienna, don’t miss out on exploring the charming district of Josefstadt. It has noteworthy landmarks despite being the smallest of Vienna’s districts.
Located adjacent to the Rathaus and near the Austrian Parliament and the University of Vienna, Josefstadt is a residential area but offers plenty to see and do. Established in 1850, the district was named after the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I. Josefstadt has several stunning palaces like Palais Schönborn, which houses the Österreichische Volkskundemuseum, a museum dedicated to folk art and culture. Be sure to visit Palais Auersperg, Palais Trautson, Palais Damian, and Palais Strozzi.
District 9: Alsergrund
Alsergrund has a rich history and attractions to explore. As the last of the inner districts, it completes the circle around the city center and is home to several important institutions, including the General Hospital and Vienna Medical University district. One of the main draws is Sigmund Freud’s Museum, which provides insight into the life and work of the famous psychoanalyst.
In addition to these notable landmarks, Alsergrund boasts several other attractions worth visiting. The Votivkirche Church is a stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture, while Palais Liechtenstein is a majestic palace owned by the royal family of Liechtenstein. The district is also home to Rossauer Kaserne, a large building that served as a military base.
District 10: Favoriten
Vienna’s multicultural district, Favoriten, is one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. Also, the Favoritenstrasse is surrounded by kebab shops, restaurants, and halal snacks.
The modern central station creates a complete urban center with new residential complexes, headquarters, commercial facilities, and parks.
The large green area around the Hotel Laaer Berg includes Therme Wien and the leisure park Bohemian Prater.
Favoriten is by far one of the largest and most populated districts. It is in the southern part of the province of Vienna. On its northern border are the train station, Vienna Main Station, and the Wiener Therme in its southern part.
District 11: Simmering
Simmering has several churches, museums, schools, old castles, and four cemeteries, including the Vienna Central Cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in Europe. It’s a large neighborhood near Favoriten and on the right bank of the Danube Canal. It is one of Vienna’s oldest districts, with written records dating back to the early 11th century. The unique sites include the Gasometer City and the Vienna Central Cemetery, where around three million people are buried. Other sights in the area include the 18th-century Altsimmering Parish Church, Herderpark, and Hyblerpark.
District 12: Meidling
Meidlin is southwest of the districts, south of Wien River, west of the Gurtel, and southeast of Schönbrunn Palace. When it comes to sports, Meidling is represented by FC Dynamo Meidling. It is a densely populated urban region with many residential buildings, facilities, and extensive recreation areas and parks.
Sebastian Kurz, former Chancellor of Austria, lives in Meidling, where he was born and raised. The many attractions in this area include the Südwestfriedhof, the second largest castle in Germany, Altmannsdorf Castle, and Schloss Hetzendorf, an educational center.
District 13: Hietzing
Hietzing is located in the western part of the Vienna urban area on the south bank of the Wien River. Schönbrunn Palace is listed as one of its top attractions. Schönbrunn Palace is not only an attraction but is probably the greenest district of Vienna. Hietzing is a densely populated urban area with many residential buildings but has large areas of Vienna Woods.
District 14: Penzing
The communities of Penzing, Breitensee, Baumgarten, Hütteldorf, and Hadersdorf Weidlingau make up the 14th borough of Vienna, Penzing. It has a boundary with Purkersdorf and Mauerbach in the west.
The Steinhof Park, the Dehnepark, and a section of the Wienerwald are green spaces that make up a sizable chunk of the district. In 1938, Penzing and Hietzing were split into two districts. The neighborhood’s most well-known landmark is Otto Wagner’s Kirche am Steinhof. Kirche am Steinhof is situated on the northern bank of the Wien River.
District 15: Rudolfsheim Funfhaus
Rudolfsheim Fünfhaus is a small district bordered by six other local Vienna districts.
Rudolfsheim Fünfhaus is in the west of Innere Stadt, the heart of Vienna. Its eastern neighbors are Neubau and Mariahilf, its western neighbors are Penzing and Ottakring and its southern neighbors are Meidling and Hietzing.
It is Vienna’s district with a large proportion of residents who were born abroad. Westbahnhof, one of the major train stations, is located in this district.
District 16: Ottakring
This district is north of Penzing, south of Hernals, and west of the central districts.
Ottakring features several densely populated metropolitan neighborhoods with numerous residences. In 1892, it was created from the separate communities of Ottakring and Neulerchenfeld.
Ottakring is a bustling community known for its brewery and significant Balkan immigration, especially from the former Yugoslavia. The district experienced the “Red Vienna” era’s population and development boom in the 1920s. Today, Brunnenmarkt is a legitimate rival to the well-known Naschmarkt, and the neighborhood has several charming locations.
District 17: Hernals
This 17th district stretches out towards Vienna’s northwest suburbs. It is located in the northwest of the city along the canals of the Als River.
The Kalvarienbergkirche, Sühnekirche, and Marienpfarre are three of the most well-known churches in the area. Schloss Neuwaldegg, a palace with a park, is another worthwhile attraction. There is one large museum in the area, the Hernals District Museum, where visitors can also discover more about two of the most well-known locals, folk song composers Johann and Josef Schrammel.
District 18: Wahring
Währing is located in Vienna’s northwest, close to the Vienna Woods, and is part of the city’s 18th district.
The previous suburbs of Währing, Weinhaus, Gersthof, Pötzleinsdorf, Neustift am Walde, and Salmannsdorf were combined to establish it in 1892.
The Kalvarienbergkirche, Sühnekirche, and Marienpfarre are three of the most well-known churches in the area. Castle Neuwaldegg, a
palace with a park is another worthwhile attraction.
District 19: Dobling
Döbling is situated north of the Alsergrund and Währing districts, on the edge of the central districts. Döbling borders the Vienna Woods and has densely populated urban neighborhoods with numerous residential structures. It is also home to the priciest residential areas, including Grinzing, Sievering, Neustift am Walde, and Kaasgraben.
District 20: Brigittenau
Brigittenau is situated between the Danube and the Danube Canal and north of the core districts. It is a densely populated urban neighborhood with many residential structures. The Brigitta Chapel, erected between 1645 and 1651, gave the place its name.
The district is a substantial area of land protected by the Danube Regulation Act of 1870. Most of the main streets bear the names of commissioners who served on the commission. The Millennium Tower is the most well-known landmark. Also, located there is Adolf Hitler’s former residence in Vienna, the Meldemannstrasse dormitory.
District 21: Floridsdorf
Floridsdorf includes seven once-autonomous neighborhoods including Floridsdorf, Donaufeld, Greater Jedlersdorf, Jedlesee, Leopoldau, Stammersdorf, and Strebersdorf.
It consists of both residential and commercial districts. In general, this area could be referred to as a suburb. The Donaufeld church or Mautner Schlössl and the district museum are two of the few sights to see in this area.
District 22: Donaustadt
The largest district of Vienna, Donaustadt, is situated on the left bank of the Danube and makes up roughly a quarter of the total area of the city. It is home to the Vienna International Centre, Vienna’s biggest convention center. The United Nations Headquarters is also located in this district. Alte Donau (Old Danube) is a popular recreation area. There are national parks and several public parks throughout the district.
District 23: Liesing
The 23rd district of Vienna is called Liesing. It is located on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria. This is the district with the lowest population density in the south.
The Wotruba Church, built of concrete blocks is located in Liesing. Simple Viennese cuisine and regional wines are offered at rustic Heuriger pubs close to the Wienerwald forest.
