Wieden

About this district

Wieden is one of Vienna's smallest districts - and one with the best ratio of location, life and price. Between the Karlskirche and the Naschmarkt lies the Freihausviertel with cafés, vintage shops and small galleries, while the Technical University brings a young, international crowd. You are a few minutes' walk from tourist Vienna, yet staying in a neighborhood where the city's everyday life actually happens.

The hotel scene is down-to-earth and clever: Hotel Schani right at the main station - formally already in the 10th district - is known as one of the city's most digital hotels with self check-in, Pakat Suites caters to longer stays with generous suites and kitchenettes, and the Garner Hotel Vienna (formerly Novum Hotel Congress) on Wiedner Gürtel and the Sommerhotel Wieden offer solid rooms at a fair rate. You won't find luxury palaces in Wieden - but the price of one four-star night in the first district often buys you several nights here.

The connections are hard to beat: U1, U2 and U4 meet at Karlsplatz, plus several tram lines towards the Ring. For much of your trip you won't need transit at all: the Naschmarkt, Karlskirche and the State Opera are a few minutes on foot, Stephansplatz about a quarter of an hour. The U1 also gets you to the main railway station quickly - handy if you arrive or leave by train.

Food-wise Wieden takes care of itself: the Naschmarkt sits right on the district border - shopping and eating on weekdays, a flea market at the western end on Saturdays, only the restaurants open on Sundays. In the Freihausviertel you find wine bars and small kitchens in the evening where more Viennese than English is spoken. There is a reason many places to stay here offer a kitchenette instead of a breakfast room: breakfast is better handled in one of the surrounding cafés. And when you need a break, Resselpark by the Karlskirche is the quarter's quickest green escape.

Wieden suits city travelers who want to stay central and lively but not in the middle of the tourist stream - and anyone who would rather browse the Naschmarkt in the morning than queue at a hotel buffet. Young couples, solo travelers and self-caterers are in exactly the right place. If you expect classic hotel comfort with concierge and grand lobby, or need total silence at night, the first or third district is a better bet - around the Naschmarkt and Karlsplatz there is always something going on.

Hip & student. You'll find 4 hotels and 2 sights here.