Exploring Vienna’s Best Neighborhoods

Vienna is packed with history. The Austrian capital’s 23 districts burst with historical sites, museums, art exhibits, parks, and thrilling attractions lining the length of the iconic Danube River. You’ll want to be in dozens of different places at once, so choosing where to go first can be a tough choice.

Each district showcases its own unique character and undeniable charm, one regal, another trendy.

Music lovers will want to be right in the city center, where gilded opera houses and musical exhibits coexist in perfect harmony. For the shoppers and sightseers, it’s a personal paradise in the buzzing streets of Mariahilf.

Once you’ve rented your Hertz car, get started on your Austrian adventure with our guide below. 

Make Musical Memories at Innere Stadt

Music is a prominent feature in the history of this great city. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the streets of Innere Stadt. Walk the corridors of Mozarthaus and gaze in wonder at the very place where one of classical music’s most important names created melodies that have been passed down through the centuries.

If music is on your mind, the interactive, family-friendly, and fascinating House of Music will strike a chord. If you’re lucky, you might even have a chance to watch the professionals at work and indulge in a breathtaking show at the Vienna State Opera House.

While classical music is Vienna’s most famous export, it’s not the only thing the city is known for. Dance the night away at popular live jazz venue Porgy and Bess, or walk through Stadtpark, where you’ll find statues of revered historical musicians, including the marble-framed Johann Strauss.

Explore Vienna Amusements at Leopoldstadt and Prater

No trip to Vienna is complete without visiting: the fun-filled island wedged between the Danube River and Danube Canal. Dominated by the gigantic Prater Park and boasting hundreds of attractions, this thrill-a-minute region is packed with excitement around every turn.

Strike a pose with Arnold Schwarzenegger at Madame Tussauds, challenge your kids to mini golf or go-karting, or zip through the air on one of the park’s countless extreme speed rides.

Hop on the giant Ferris wheel at the park’s entrance and watch the sprawling Austrian capital stretch out before your eyes from almost 65 meters in the air. For those looking for a slower pace, the park also offers a huge meadow and forest area. Appropriately dubbed Green Prater – ideal for picnicking, hiking, and strolling under the sun.

Shops, Sights, and Smiles in Mariahilf and Wieden

If you believe the best trips are a blend of sightseeing and shopping, then Mariahilf is the place for you to explore Vienna. Bookmarking the region is the world-famous Mariahilferstrasse – the city’s longest and oldest shopping street. You’ll need a day to explore its boutiques, shops, restaurants, and undoubtedly some of the best Vienna coffee houses you’ll find.

Don’t forget to swing by Naschmarkt either. The capital’s famous market runs day and night with 120 stands delivering international cuisine. Even the pickiest palates will be delighted.

Explore the Museum Quarter

Right on the center’s edge, you’ll come across the Museumsquartier (or Museum Quarter), which as its name suggests, is home to many of the city’s best museums. Marvel at wild and wonderful exhibits at the Natural History Museum, learn a little of the city’s lesser-known modern culture at the Museum of Modern Art, or wander the prized halls of the gigantic Leopold Museum, which includes masterpieces by heralded Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.

Amble Among the Artistic at Landstrasse

Visit famous Danube-based museum Kunst Haus Wien to admire an impressive mix of contemporary photography. Designed by the Austrian-born architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the building’s black and white patchwork design is visible from a mile off, giving the city’s skyline a striking visual appeal.

Just a five-minute walk away, you can see the style on an even grander scale at Hundertwasser Village – a converted car tire factory which contains shops, cafes, boutiques, and even a rooftop forest, all behind Hundertwasser’s eclectic design. Sounds perfect for grabbing an ideal Instagram picture.

History and Royalty at Hietzing

Among the best things to do in Vienna, the Hietzing region is home to Schönbrunn Palace. Choose from a range of guided tours (including the grand tour, imperial tour, and Sisi tour) and wander its 45 Rococo-style rooms, which have lost nothing of their original glory. The palace park, open all year round, is perfect for a quick break or saunter in the sunshine, too.

Walk between the impressive statues, fountains, monuments, trees, and flowers whenever you’re seeking a quiet moment to daydream about being an Austrian royal from years gone by. You’ll find an abundance of traditional Viennese homes and mansions in this area, alongside the world’s oldest zoo and breath-taking pre-war architecture. Beauty awaits around every turn.

What’s your favorite district in Vienna? Tag us in your pictures of the city’s wonderful sights on Instagram.