Areas and suburbs in Vienna

The best places to live in Vienna

The areas and suburbs in Vienna are organised into 23 distinct districts (bezirke ), each with a unique character and an assortment of pros and cons. Each district has a name but is also universally known by its number. The first district is closest to the city centre, with the number increasing the further a district is from the centre.

Districts 1 to 9 make up the inner city of Vienna. These areas are much more densely populated than districts further away from the city centre. The major advantage of city living in Vienna is that residents have easy access to Vienna’s cultural offerings and best amenities.

While there are no areas that distinctly attract expats, young professionals tend to live closer to the city centre, while expat families tend to live in districts further afield that lie close to good international schools.

Vienna has a sophisticated transport network, so getting around isn’t much of an issue. Choosing where to live will depend significantly on your lifestyle preferences, priorities, and budget.

Lifestyle in Vienna

Below are some of the most popular areas and suburbs in Vienna.

City living in Vienna

District 1 – Innere Stadt

District 1, or the Innere Stadt, is Vienna’s most expensive area. It boasts a wide array of architectural delights, including St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace.

Developers here have created luxury apartment buildings while maintaining the historic facade of the buildings. Rental properties are hard to come by in District 1, so expect to pay a hefty price.

District 2 – Leapoldstadt

District 2, or Leopoldstadt, is significantly cheaper than District 1 and has more of a multicultural feel, having once been popular with various immigrant groups and students. Property here tends to be small, with a mix of old and new interiors. A prominent feature of this island district, located between a major river and a canal, is the Prater, a beautiful green park which was once a royal hunting ground.

Districts 3, 4 and 5 – Landstrasse, Wieden and Margareten

These urban districts are located south of District 1. You will find a greater choice of housing options in each of these areas. All of these are well situated in terms of public transport routes, so getting around won’t be a problem.

You can find certain historic sites in District 3, including the castle and gardens of Belvedere. District 4 is home to the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s largest food market.

Districts 8 and 9 – Josefstadt and Alsergrund

These areas are popular with the wealthy looking to live centrally. Josefstadt has a Bohemian feel and is located just a stone’s throw away from City Hall and Parliament in District 1. Both Josefstadt and Alsergrund are popular with students and academics because they are close to the University of Vienna.

Suburban life in Vienna

Districts 18 and 19 – Währing and Döbling

Further away from Vienna’s city centre, there are more family-friendly housing options. Districts 18 and 19 are home to some popular international schools and nurseries. Many new arrivals base themselves here because of the strong expat community surrounding these schools and the availability of houses instead of apartments.

There are also many beautiful parks in the area where you can go for a day out with the family. If you choose to live in these suburbs, you might feel a little cut-off from Viennese culture. That said, you can benefit from having a car to get around.

International Schools in Vienna