Where to stay in Vienna

[Valerie]

Hey there,
We're planning for a trip to spend a couple days in Vienna before going on to Slovakia and Bryan's ancestral town. As we've never been, and a search hasn't really given me much info, I'm curious from those who know the city, is it best to stay right in the heart, near the Cathedral? Or is there a different district that is better for a short stay? (Keeping in mind that Bryan has some mobility issues.) Any hotel or NON Airbnb suggestions welcome.

Grazie. Danke.

 

[NoSpin]

We spent the Christmas of 2022 and 2023 in Vienna. On the first stay we were at the Ritz Carlton, and in 2023 at the Hotel Bristol. I always stayed at Marriott properties when I traveled for business, so I mostly stay with them now because of my upgraded status. We traveled with another couple and both times they stayed at the Sacher Hotel, which was obscenely expensive. Of course you have to take into account that this was Christmas so probably the highest rate period of the year.

All three hotels border on the center of activity and I think are ideal if one has mobility issues. All three of these hotels are right at the start of a broad and flat pedestrian street that ends at St. Stephans. Although there are trolleys that run a circle around the city center. Any hotel you find along this route would be good to stay at location wise.

I can't speak about outside the city center. The only time we venutred out was to go to the Schonbrunn Palace. Of course at Christmastime we were going to all the Christmas markets. I don't know any other districts, but I just don't think you can do better than to be in or immediately adjacent to the city center ringed by the trolley line.

 

[Valerie]

A great start @NoSpin, thanks!

 

[Sandrac]

Hello Valerie,
I've stayed a few times in Vienna and always in the center - District 1, with Stephansplatz and many of the museums. It made things very easy for everything that I wanted to see and do - especially for a short visit.

 

[wco81]

Yeah that area is also beautifully lit up at night, especially around the Holidays.

 

[Valerie]

Great, thanks. If you have hotel suggestions, or must-see sights, cafes, etc, bring 'em on! We will only have a couple days this time around, so have to narrow down to first-time essentials.

 

[wco81]

There used to be a tram which ran around the ring road circling the center. On this ring road are many stately buildings.

Ringstrasse tour

You can experience the most beautiful boulevard in the world on foot or on board of a tram.

www.wien.info

It used to be a tour with an audio guide but apparently the tour is no longer offered. But I think there is a regular tram which runs around the ring road. Or you can walk much of it.

Ringstrasse tour

You can experience the most beautiful boulevard in the world on foot or on board of a tram.

www.wien.info

You have the famous museums and palaces but I’ve only walked through the Hofburg Palace complex, never went inside. I think the Parliament or City Hall offers tours, not sure about the Opera building, which is more beautiful than La Scala in Milan or the Berlin opera building.

The schnitzel is suppose to be the big deal dish but not a fan of breaded pork or chicken.

 

[NoSpin]

As I mentioned above, the Schonbruun Palace, and also the Belvedere Palace. If you like horses, we went to a Spanish Riding School performance. There are several museums next to the trolley line. We didn't go in because there was a Christmas Market inbetween the two of them.

 

[Sandrac]

If you're an opera fan, I'd really recommend the guided tour of the Vienna State Opera house (and if you have time, a performance). I'm sorry I have no hotel recommendations. I have stayed in the Hotel Bristol, which is lovely but very expensive (it was a work trip) and I wouldn't recommend other hotels I've stayed in.

 

[daydreamer]

This June, I spent five lovely days in Vienna. Along with the previous suggestions, I would add the Kunsthistoriches Art Museum and the stunning National Library, Prunksaal. I enjoyed lunch (actually a Viennese pastry and coffee) at both Kurkonditorei Oberlaa and Cafe L. Heiner.
We stayed in District 1 at Hotel Am Stephansplatz. I highly recommend the hotel for its great location, lovely rooms and substantial breakfast. After having to cancel planned trips to Vienna in 2020 (Covid lockdown) and 2022 (travel restrictions), it was a treat.