Vienna, Austria

Nearby areas in Vienna, Austria

The capital of Austria is separated into 23 Bezirke, or districts, the most important being District 1 the Innere Stadt (inner city), enclosed by the Ringstrasse and the Danube Canal. Districts 2-9 lie clockwise around the Ringstrasse, and Districts 10-23 lie further outside these districts in another circle. Most districts have their own distinct flavor; such as Districts 10-12 being a densely populated residential section for blue-collar workers, and District 9 as the Academic quarter.

Innere Stadt (District 1)

Roughly the size of Medieval Vienna, the compact center of the city is home to the most beautiful monuments, churches, palaces, and museums at every turn. The center of the center is Stephansplatz, the crowded pedestrian square around Stephansdom (St. Stephan's Cathedral), which is the only remaining building from the Middle Ages. Any street in the Innere Stadt will delight, but Kärtnerstrasse is a pedestrianized highway of shops and street performers, that leads to the Vienna State Opera House and the Ringstrasse. Visitors spend most of their time in this section of town, walking from the Hofburg Palace to the Rathaus (City Hall), to the beautiful Naturhistorisches (Natural History) and Kunsthistorisches (Art History) museums, amongst dozens of other tremendous buildings.

Leopoldstadt (District 2)

On the opposite of the Danube Canal, this section was once the thriving center of Vienna's Jewish community, and is also home to the enormous yet pretty Prater park, where sits an amusement park, sports facilities, and a giant ferris wheel that provides an all-encompassing view of the entire city.

Landstrasse (District 3)

The main attraction in this section is the Belvedere, built in 1723 for Prince Eugene Savoy, with beautiful gardens and baroque architecture. Yet the Schwarzenburg Palace and the Konzerthaus (Concert House) can't be missed either. Leisurely strolls are also offered here in the refreshing Stadtpark (City Park).

Wieden (District 4)

The center of this little neighborhood is Karlsplatz, a modern city square dominated by Karlskirche, built by Emperor Karl IV in 1713. The Secession Building, which housed Vienna Art Nouveau movement, and the Museum of the City of Vienna, can also be found here. The grand Kärtnerstrasse of the Innere Stadt turns into Wieder Hauptstrasse in this district and leads to Vienna's main southern train station, the Südbanhof.

Margareten (District 5)

A little farther from the Innere Stadt, this little district is more residential and has the historic homes of Franz Schubert and Christoph Gluck.

Mariahilf (District 6)

This hearty neighborhood comes upon the Mariahilferstrasse, one of the busiest shopping streets in Vienna. More shopping can be found at the large Naschmarkt (Produce Market), and on Saturdays at the nearby Flohmarkt (Flea Market).

Neubau (District 7)

This picturesque but vibrant community borders the Museum Quarter and is an ideal place to find accommodations, with easy access to the Innere Stadt, and compelling sites of its own, such as the Spittleburg quarter, with many boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries.

Josefstadt (District 8)

The smallest district in Vienna has the oldest and nicest theater, the Josefstadt Theater, and sits behind city hall.

Alsergrund (District 9)

Often referred to as the academic quarter, here the University of Vienna and the Freud Museum can be found, along with the Federal Museum of Modern Art inside Lichenstein Palace.

Districts 10 through 23 are not as easily accessible, and are mainly suburbs or industrial parks. However, Schloss Schönbrunn, another Hapsburg Palace, is located in District 13, Hietzing. In District 22, Donaustadt, Donau Park and the modern business complex UNO-City sit on the far side of town.

For more information about Vienna, Austria

Austrian National Tourist Office Head Office Vienna Margaretenstrasse 1, phone 43-1-588-66-0, fax 43-1-588-66-20, email oeinfo@oewwien.via.at.

Chicago

500 North Michigan Avenue #1950, Chicago, Il 60611, phone 312-644-8029, fax 312-644-6526, email chicago@ahst.chicago.wk.or.at.

Los Angeles

6520 Platt Avenue PMB 561, West Hills, CA 91307-3218, phone 818-999-4030.

New York

PO Box 1142, New York, NY 10108-1142, phone 212-944-6880, fax 212-730-4568, email info@oewncy.com.