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2nd District of Vienna in Austria
Photo: Ralf Roletschek, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vienna's Inner East is an artificial island formed between the river and the Donaukanal. The island contains large expanses of parks and forests, including the famous Prater park with the permanent funfair including the Riesenrad Ferris wheel. As most of the island was only reclaimed in the late 19th century, there is much modern architecture to be found in this area as well. Administratively, the island is divided into the districts of Leopoldstadt (2) and Brigittenau (20).
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This large park began life as a carriage-riding area for the nobility, and is still a popular place to spend a weekend afternoon with family.
This year-round amusement park (map available here was established in the late 18th century, and is most famous for its Riesenrad (see listing below). The park also includes standard fun rides as well as a Madame Tussauds wax works cabinet and the Liliputbahn (a narrow-gauge railroad). Possibly the weirdest attraction though is the Kugelmugel (Antifaschismusplatz 2), a spherical house (diameter 7.68m) that, after failing to get a planning permit, declared independence from Austria. First built elsewhere and carted off to the Prater by Austrian authorities, it now sits uninhabited and fenced off with barbed wire.
Giant Ferris Wheel
An English engineering firm (Walter Basset) built the giant Ferris wheel from 1896-97. Others of the same era, built for world exhibitions and other parks in Chicago, London, Paris, etc. have long since been torn down. The Riesenrad has become a well-known symbol of Vienna, featured in many movies (most famously in The Third Man) and picture postcards. It has 15 gondolas, some of which are incredibly ornate and large enough to host an extended family inside, offering a spectacular panorama of the city. Additionally, the cabins are available to rent, for cocktails, dinners, or special events. The travelling time is 10-20 minutes.
Offers a variety of shows, and guided tours.
A small museum devoted to the history of popular entertainment.
Johann Strauss Apartment
The 'Waltz King' lived in this elegant apartment from 1863 until 1870; his most famous piece 'An der schönen blauen Donau' (The Blue Danube) was composed during his time here. Included with the items on display is one of the composer's violins.
Vienna Criminal Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of police and the justice system, from the Middle Ages until World War II. Exhibits relating to famous Viennese criminals are included.
Circus and Clown Museum
This unusual museum houses a collection of props and costumes, with rotating exhibits.
Designed by Otto Wagner, and built in 1908, this was part of a planned redevelopment of the Donaukanal. After many years of neglect the building was fully restored in 2010, and now houses a restaurant.
Flak towers
This is a pair of anti-aircraft defense towers/bunkers, built by the Luftwaffe during World War II. During construction multiple rail tracks were laid across the park, and it is believed that hundreds of war victims were buried in mass graves on the grounds, still undiscovered. At 55 m high, the round Gefechtsturm (G-Tower, or gun tower) is the highest flak tower built during the war. The pair have proven nearly impossible to remove, and are now protected because of their historic value.
At 171 metres (561 feet), the tower was Vienna's the tallest building until the DC Tower was completed across the Danube, and continues to be a poignant landmark of the district. It was designed by the architects Gustav Peichl, Boris Podrecca and Rudolf Weber. The tower has 51 floors and houses the commercial complex known as "Millennium City".
Brigittenau District Museum
This little museum tells the story of the district itself through pictures, views and models.
This Neogothic church is a landmark of the Brigittenau district. It was built between 1868 and 1874.
Neubau WU / Wirtschafts Universität Wien
This stunning new campus opened in 2013, with buildings designed by international architecture firms from Spain, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Austria. The star of the campus is theLibrary & Learning Center, designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.
Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics
The 250 kW TRIGA Mark II reactor in the Viennese Prater started operation in 1962. The reactor is a training ground for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and neighbouring countries. The Atominstitut offers guided tours for groups upon previous registration.
Krieau Race Track
In use since 1878, this race track is used for harness racing, hosting regional, national, and international races. The track schedule is available online.
Vienna Boys Choir
Founded at the pleasure of the Habsburgs. On 20 July 1498, Emperor Maximilian decided to hire six singing boys, the first permanent boys choir attached to the court. He also made arrangements for their education – fringe benefits that are difficult to get from a modern employer. The choir served the monarchy until its demise at the beginning of the First World War. The last Imperial Chaplain, Monsignor Josef Schnitt reestablished the Boys Choir in 1924 as a private institution. To earn money, the choir began to perform outside the Imperial Chapel. Even though they are a not-for-profit organization, the rising costs of educating the choristers from a very young age as well as providing music required establishing the Verein Wiener Sängerknaben necessary. The choir sings high mass every Sunday morning (Sep-Jun) at the Hofburgkapelle (Imperial Chapel) in the Imperial Palace, and appears regularly at evening concerts in the Musikverein.
Musik und Theater
A concert hall and multi-purpose auditorium for the Vienna Boys Choir, opened in 2012. A calendar of upcoming events is published here; tickets can be purchased at the door or online.
Filmarchiv Austria
An open-air film festival held annually from the beginning of July until mid-August, this festival hosted by the Filmarchiv Austria screens independent international films. Pre-purchased tickets can be picked up at the concierge at 19:30 before the screening.
Run by Reed Exhibitions, who operate fairgrounds throughout Austria, Vienna's fairgrounds are not as known for major events as the ones in Frankfurt, Munich or Hannover, but still play host to many events important to the Austrian, Central European and German-speaking markets. The fairgrounds were completely reconstructed at the turn of the millennium and a new rotunda with a part of the historic Messeturm lattice tower placed on top was built at the main entrance, providing a beacon visible from afar.The fairgrounds are quite large, with four main halls, a congress centre and three entrances, close to U-Bahn stations Messe/Prater and Krieau on the U2. If there is an interesting event there, this may serve as a rainy-day alternative for the Prater amusement park. Most events happen January through May and October/November. Check the calendar if the event is of interest and open to the public.
Praterstadion
Austria's biggest stadium (capacity 50.000) is frequently hosting major sports events like soccer (Austrian National Squad; Rapid Wien; Euro League and Champions League), track-and-fields, as well as the occasional concert (e.g. Bon Jovi, Helene Fischer). Vast training compound adjacent.
A very authentic and chic napolitanian pizza parlor. Large, delicious pizzas and a range of Italian food. The wine card has interesting Austrian white wine choices.
The Vegetarian Bistro
Vegan and vegetarian café serving good food. One can choose between interesting regional and international beers and wines.
Built in 1784 as a lodge for imperial hunting parties, the unusual octagonal building has served as a restaurant since the end of the monarchy. Serves traditional Austrian fare.
This tavern serves food from the nearby Waldviertel region; specialties include carp, poppy seed cake, and beer.
Decent Austro-Mex food, but come for the cocktails.
Contemporary Austrian and international food. Stylish yet informal restaurant with good lunch specials. English menu. Separate non-smoking section; takeout available.
Serves classic Viennese cuisine.
A very low-key, classy yuppie restaurant.
Large beer garden, some say they have the best beer in Vienna and they also offer traditional Austrian dishes at moderate prices. Also well-known for its excellent Stelze (knuckle of pork).
Austria's largest club. Come dressed like euro-trash to get in. Thursday is ladies' night with free entry and drinks. Popular with the young conservative working class.
A small bar with a DJ and dance floor. It is a very local place and the crowd is an array of people of all ages from the neighborhood.
An upstairs bar and its downstairs club-like half Fluc Wanne (meaning tub). Most of the club is underground in a former underpass, so do not miss it. More alternative with very diverse DJs and bands.
Vienna's edgiest hot-spot club deep inside the Prater amusement park, it can be hard to find. Ask directions or take a cab. The club is a former sauna normally with a pool and sauna area depending on the current configuration. There are several dance floors, an outdoor area and a dark room.
This Vienna Heurigen serves both excellent wines, native juices, Murauer beer and cold specialities from the Schneeberg or Carinthian Gailtal.
During the warm season, the riverbank gets incredibly lively in the evenings. Find a wide range of bars with artificial beaches serving cocktails, among them the very trendy Adria or Tel Aviv Beach. Or get some drinks from a supermarket and enjoy the party on low budget. Sit next to the river and impressive graffiti and enjoy a drink or two in the evening sun.
The 3-star seasonal hotel is open from 1 July to 30 September and has 122 non-smoking rooms en-suite with hairdryer, flat TV with satellite access and free internet, 2 handicapped-accessible rooms, garden, lift, lobby with seating, garage (extra charge), drinks and snacks machine, breakfast buffet, luggage storage, concierge service.
Situated on a corner plot between the Prater park and the Messe Wien trade fair grounds, the Motel One is a chain hotel focusing on inexpensive accommodation in pleasant, modern settings. Expect the familiar brown-and-blue theme and small but functional rooms. Some rooms have views of the Riesenrad, but as the hotel does not differentiate between its rooms, you have to negotitate with the front desk to get one. The hotel only opened in December 2013, so it is relatively new amongst Vienna's hotels.
Despite the name, the ibis Wien Messe is not really closer to the Messe than the Suite Novotel next door, and it is rather on the wide Lasallestrasse affording good connections to the Innere Stadt and Donaustadt. It is a rather modern ibis with a nice restaurant and typical ibis rooms.
The ibis budget is the ultra-low-cost version of the ibis just next door. This is a newly-built hotel rather than a converted Etap Hotel, so it features the new-style green rooms, with a shower cabin directly accessible from the room and the sink right in the room. Rooms are 15 sqm and can accommodate up to three people (third in the bunk bed), and come with free WiFi but no breakfast.
Formerly the Hotel Nordbahn, this is a good, friendly hotel and also the birthplace of Max Steiner, perhaps the most legendary of the pioneer film composers. The hotel offers 81 non-smoking rooms, all with shower or bath and WC, hairdryer, telephone, cable-TV with flat screen, radio, safety deposit box, minibar and free of charge WLAN, a small workout gym and a business-meeting room, breakfast buffet until 11:00. Most of the rooms are facing the quiet courtyard.
Hotel Stefanie claims to be the oldest hotel in Vienna, in operation for over 400 years. It features classic vienesse style, relatively small rooms of irregular shapes (most with view of a small courtyard) and sumptous breakfasts. Expect classic vienesse hospitality, with a hint of pride, rather than modern comforts.
There is a tram stop in front of the hotel and a church next door, so it is not exactly the quietest hotel in Vienna.
The Novotel is in a historic building with a modern, glazed extension on top, so it is hard to miss. Inside you will find typical Novotel rooms in the chain's older standard. Rooms that face the inner courtyard have not much of a view Otherwise there isn't much to be said about this hotel that would not apply to other Novotels.
formerly "Wien Messe"
Not to be confused with the regular Novotel in the same district, the Suite Novotel offers fully furnished apartments with a mini-kitchenette suitable for longer stays. It is located on the district's main thoroughfare, the Lasallestrasse linking the Innere Stadt with the east bank of the Donau, next door to ibis and ibis budget, although the official address is that of a side street. This is one of the older-style Suite Novotels, with somewhat outdated decor.
The addition of "Prater" to the hotel's name may be a bit confusing, as the hotel is at the southern end of the Messe Wien trade fair grounds, far away from the Prater funfair. It is also far away from pretty much everything but the Messe. Otherwise, the location is pleasant, over an artificial pond in a new block of modern buildings on the fairgrounds' edge.
The Mercure is in the northwestern part of Leopoldstadt, in an inconspicuous 1970s building close to the Donaukanal. The Superior and Privilege rooms are nice and modern, while the Standard rooms are garish with liberal use of red paint, so you will probably want to splurge on the €10 rate difference. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
The spectacular Sofitel, towering over the Donaukanal is one of the few tall buildings with direct view of the Innere Stadt and the towers of Stephansdom. Designed by the famed architect Jean Nouvel, it became a landmark itself, especially for the spectacular painted and lit ceilings over the 5th and top floors. The glazed Le Loft restaurant is visible from afar in the night and offers brilliant views throughout the days and nights so much that it is hard to get a table on most evenings. Other facilities include a spa and fitness centre and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is non-smoking throughout and accepts pets on request. Public parking €30/day.
The Hilton's name is absolutely correct, as it is the part of Vienna's waterfront. Vienna faces away from the Danube, so when staying there you are not really close to anything but the river. You do, however, get a very unusual experience for the densely built-up Vienna of staying in a waterfront hotel with relaxing terraces and even an outdoor pool. The rooms facing the river have a view of the green Donauinsel, which provides for a very non-urban experience.
It offers a mix of Jewish and ethnic businesses as well as plenty of quirky independent shops, galleries and spaces in the side streets and a few streets directly parallel to it. As you get further away from the canal there are more ethnic businesses, like African wig shops.
There are plenty of interesting buildings and many cafes and local business located along this green boulevard.
Has been revitalized through a project called Lebendige (lively). There are lots of local shops along this street including some very impressive facades and open squares. Businesses reflect the diversity that Turkish immigrants have brought to the area. Acclaimed restaurants can be found here.
Markt im Werd
This traditional fruits and vegetable market is the heart of the trendy, hip Karmeliterviertel neighbourhood. There are still some classic shops (including a horsemeat-butcher), but most of the stalls now house trendy restaurants and delicatessens. A fleamarket is here every Wednesday, and a farmers' market every Saturday.
Yet still more basic and down to earth compared to the nearby Karmelitermarkt, the heart of the Volkertviertel neighbourhood is developing rapidly into hipster-land.
When looking for a real food market, check out the Hannovermarkt. It has many stalls for fruit, vegetables, meat and fish – mostly run by migrants – and the purist will not be bothered by hipster-cafés.
With many food stalls selling also organic produce, one can find some nice cafés as well as a coffee speciality store.
Augarten Porcelain Factory
Established in 1718, this is the second-oldest porcelain factory in Europe. Even today the porcelain is still hand-painted. There is a museum onsite, as well as a gift shop, and tours of the manufacturing process are offered twice daily.
Sells more than 700 different forms to produce "Kekse".
Getränkehandel Del Fabro
The shop sells all kinds of alcoholic drinks including many Italian red wines.
Sells various organic food while making sure that the bulk is not plastic wrapped but convenient for the buyer.
Recommended is the "Vollkorn-Fladenbrot".
A medium-sized shopping mall located at the base of the Millennium Tower.
A new small mall in Leopoldstadt with several lower-end clothing stores.
The main train station of the area is the Praterstern, the ultra-modern multi-modal station opened in the new millennium, where bus, tram, U-Bahn, S-Bahn and long-distance train lines converge at a namesake…
Read in the guideThe district is served by U-Bahn lines U1 (southwest-northeast from Innere Stadt to Donaustadt) and U2 (northwest-southeast from the Ring around the Innere Stadt to Aspern in Donaustadt).
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