Vienna/Inner East

Leopoldstadt (2) is the southern half of the island that is formed between the Danube and the Danube Canal. It streches from the more wild forests of the Prater in the south up through the point where the Prater becomes a more formal park and amusement park where the transportation hub Praterstern is located. Going onward to the north are several neighborhoods from the Gründerzeit with dense housing including impressive Neo-Baroque buildings. Towards the north of the district along the Danube Canal across from Schwedenplatz is the Karmeliterviertel (Karmeliter Quarter) which was once a Jewish ghetto and today is the hub of Jewish life in Vienna. This area is indeed quite diverse across the board and is becoming gentrified. At the edge of that area is the Augarten. The area past that has been hand-picked for an intense development project that will turn several former freight yards into entire new neighborhoods. Along the Danube are numerous massive housing projects from the 1920s onward.
Brigittenau (20) is the northern half of the island between the Danube and the Danube canal. It consists mostly of land gained by the regulation of the Danube in 1870-75. Hence it does not contain any distinctive historical areas.

The main train station of the area is the , 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 intersection, from which the district's main streets project in a star-like fashion. You can reach it directly from Vienna International Airport with the S7 S-Bahn. Both U-Bahn lines serving the district, and , stop at the Praterstern, and pretty much all tram lines have a terminus there.
You can access the district on foot by crossing the Donaukanal, which runs along the border between the Innere Stadt and Leopoldstadt or Brigittenau via the numerous bridges. The line, which stops along the Donaukanal, can take you to Wien Mitte/Landstrasse, where you can drop your luggage (depending on the airline you travel on) and board the City Airport Train on your way out of Vienna. Tram lines 1 and 2 also run along the Donaukanal (and along the Ring), and continue to the Inner East – the line 2 to Brigittenau, while line 1 ends up in the middle of the Prater park.

The 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). Both lines stop at the Praterstern.
The U1 is most useful to get to the Leopoldstadt from the old town and the Hauptbahnhof. U2 can be useful to get to the southern part of Donau's waterfront and the attractions there (Donaumarina), the Ernst-Happel-Stadium, as well as the Messe.
Tram lines run along the Taborstrasse/Dresdner Strasse (line 2), Wallensteinstrasse/Norwestabhnstrasse/Nordbahnstrasse (line 5), and numerous streets in the northern part of Leopoldstadt (extension of lines 2 and 5, as well as lines 31 and 33). Tram line 1 has a terminus in the southern end of the Prater park, at Prater Hauptallee.
The southern part of Leopoldstadt is scarcely served by public transportations and if you want to get in or out of there and you are not anywhere close to an U2 station, you need to use the buses, walk, drive or take a taxi.

• Prater

  phone: +43 1 4000-8042
  address: Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Wurstelprater

  phone: +43 1 728-05-16
  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.

• Riesenrad

  phone: +43 1 729 54 30
  address: Riesenradplatz 1
  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.

• Zeiss Planetarium Wien

  phone: +43 1 89 174 150 000
  address: Oswald-Thomas-Platz 1
  Offers a variety of shows, and guided tours.

• Pratermuseum

  phone: +43 1 726 76 83
  address: Oswald-Thomas-Platz 1
  A small museum devoted to the history of popular entertainment.

Johann Strauß Wohnung

phone: +43 1 214 01 21

address: Praterstraße 54, Leopoldstadt

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.

Wiener Kriminalmuseum

phone: +43 664 300 56 77

address: Große Sperlgasse 24, Leopoldstadt

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- und Clownmuseum

phone: +43 676 4068868

address: Ilgplatz 7/1, Leopoldstadt

This unusual museum houses a collection of props and costumes, with rotating exhibits.

Thyssen-Bronemisza Art Comtemporary

phone: +43 1 513 98 56-24

address: Scherzergasse 1A, Leopoldstadt

The venue formerly known as Augarten Contemporary is now operated by the TBA21 Foundation, under contract with the Belvedere Museum. The building hosts special exhibits of contemporary art by Austrian and international artists, and has a permanent exhibit of the sculptures of Gustinus Ambrosi.

Otto Wagner Schützenhaus

phone: +43 1 21 24 222

address: Obere Donaustraße 26, Leopoldstadt

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.

Flaktürme VII

phone: +43 1 332 26 94 (Augarten management)

address: Augarten, Leopoldstadt

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 55m 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.

Millennium Tower

address: Handelskai 94-96, Brigittenau

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".

• Bezirksmuseum Brigittenau

  phone: +43 1 330 50 68
  address: Dresdner Straße 79, Brigittenau
  This little museum tells the story of the district itself through pictures, views and models.

• Brigittakirche

  address: Brigittaplatz, Brigittenau
  This Neogothic church is a landmark of the Brigittenau district. It was built between 1868 and 1874.

• New Campus of the Vienna University of Economics and Business

  address: Welthandelsplatz 1, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Trabrennbahn Krieau

  phone: +43 1 728 00 46
  address: Nordportalstraße 247, Leopoldstadt
  In use since 1878, this race track is used for harness racing, hosting regional, national, and international races. The track schedule is available online .

• Wiener Sängerknaben

  address: Palais Augarten, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• MuTh

  address: Obere Augartenstrasse 1E, Leopoldstadt
  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.

Kino wie noch nie

phone: +43 800 808 133

address: Obera Augartenstraße 1, Leopoldstadt

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 concerge at 19:30 before the screening.

Messe WienRun 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.

Ernst-Happel-Stadion

phone: +43 1 728 08 54

address: 2., Meiereistraße 7

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.

Main shopping streets

• Taborstraße

  address: Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Praterstraße

  address: Leopoldstadt
  There are plenty of interesting buildings and many cafes and local business located along this green boulevard.

• Wallensteinstraße

  address: Brigettenau
  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 a recent influx of Turkish immigrants has brought to the area also acclaimed restaurants can be found here.

Marketplaces

• Karmelitermarkt

  address: Im Werd / Haidgasse / Leopoldsgasse / Krummbaumgasse
  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.

• Volkertmarkt

  address: Volkertplatz
  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.

• Hannovermarkt

  address: Hannovergasse 20
  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.

• Vorgartenmarkt

  address: Ennsgasse 10
  With many food stalls selling also organic produce, one can find some nice cafés as well as a coffee speciality store.

Specific establishments

• Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten

  phone: +43 1 512 14 94
  address: Obere Augartenstraße 1, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Kexfabrik

  phone: +43 1 729 17 17
  address: Dr. Natterergasse 6
  Sells more than 700 different forms to produce "Kekse".

• Del Fabro GmbH

  phone: +43 1 330 22 00 33
  address: Nordwestbahnstr. 10, Brigittenau
  The shop sells all kinds of alcoholic drinks including many Italian red wines.

• Maß-Greißlerei Lunzer

  address: Heinestraße 35, Leopoldstadt
  Sells various organic food while making sure that the bulk is not plastic wrapped but convenient for the buyer.

• Bäckerei Fadak

  phone: +43 1 9582150
  address: Otmargasse 36, Brigittenau
  Recommended is the "Vollkorn-Fladenbrot".

• Millennium City

  phone: +43 1 24000-1000
  address: Handelskai 94-96, Brigittenau
  A medium-sized shopping mall located at the base of the Millennium Tower.

• Stadion Center

  phone: +43 1 726 51 29
  address: Olympiaplatz 2, Leopoldstadt
  A new small mall in Leopoldstadt with several lower-end clothing stores.

Budget

• Pizza Mari

  phone: +43 676 687 4994
  address: Leopoldsgasse 23a, Leopoldstadt
  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.

Mid-range

• Harvest

  phone: +43 699 15 056 221
  address: Karmeliterplatz 1
  Vegan and vegetarian café serving good food. One can choose between interesting regional and international beers and wines.

• Lusthaus

  phone: +43 1 728 95 65
  address: Freudenau 254, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Möslinger

  phone: +43 1 728 01 95
  address: Stuwerstr. 14, Leopoldstadt
  This tavern serves food from the nearby Waldviertel region; specialties include carp, poppy seed cake, and beer.

• Pancho

  phone: +43 1 2125869
  address: Blumauergasse 1a, Leopoldstadt
  Decent Austro-Mex food, but come for the cocktails.

• Schöne Perle

  phone: +43 664 - 243 35 93
  address: Große Pfarrgasse 2, Leopoldstadt
  Contemporary Austrian and international food. Stylish yet informal restaurant with good lunch specials. English menu. Separate non-smoking section; takeout available.

Splurge

• Restaurant Mraz Sohn

  phone: +43 1 3304594
  address: Wallensteinstraße 59, Brigittenau
  Serves classic Viennese cuisine.

• Skopik & Lohn

  phone: +43 1 219 89 77
  address: Leopoldsgasse 17, Leopoldstadt
  A very low-key, classy yuppie restaurant.

• Schweizerhaus

  phone: +43 1 7280152 0
  address: Prater 116, Leopoldstadt
  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).

• Prater Dome

  phone: +43 1 9081192900
  address: Riesenradplatz 7, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Bricks

  phone: +43 1 216 37 01
  address: Taborstraße 38, Leopoldstadt
  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.

• Fluc und Fluc Wanne

  address: Praterstern 5, Leopoldstadt
  An upstairs bar and its downstairs club-like half Fluc Wanne (meaning tub). Most of the club is underground in an former underpass, so do not miss it. More alternative with very diverse DJs and bands.

• Pratersauna

  address: Waldsteingartenstraße 135, Leopoldstadt
  Vienna's edgiest hot-spot club located well 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.

• Café Potyka

  phone: +43 1 2120150
  address: Schmelzgasse 3
  This modern Viennese café has seats from the 1960s and serves well brewed Naber coffee.

• Schank zum Reichsapfel

  phone: +43 1 212 25 79
  address: Karmeliterplatz 3, Leopoldstadt
  This Vienna Heurigen serves both excellent wines, native juices, Murauer beer and cold specialities from the Schneeberg or Carinthian Gailtal.

• Left Bank of the Donaukanal

  address: Riverbank between Augartenbrücke and Franzensbrücke
  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.

Budget

• AllYouNeed Hotel Vienna2

*** 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.

• Motel One Wien Prater

  address: U2 Messe-Prater
  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.

• ibis Wien Messe

  address: U1 Vorgartenstrasse, the Praterstern train station within 300 m walk
  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.

• ibis budget Wien Messe

  address: Lassallestraße 7
  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.

Mid-range

• Austria Classic Hotel Wien

  phone: +43 1 211 30-0
  address: Praterstrasse 72, Leopoldstadt
  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

  address: Taborstrasse 12
  Hotel Stefanie boasts 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.

• Novotel Wien City

  address: Aspernbrückengasse 1
  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.

• Suite Novotel Wien City

  address: Radingerstrasse 2
  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.

• Courtyard by Marriott Wien Messe/Prater

  address: Trabrennstraße 4
  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.

• Mercure Wien City

  address: Hollandstraße 3
  The Mercure is in the northwestern part of Leopoldstadt, in an inconspicious 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. WiFi is free throughout the hotel.

Splurge

• Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom

  address: Praterstrasse 1
  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.

• Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront

  address: Handelskai 269
  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.

This area of Vienna is very safe, even at night, and no problems should occur here at all.
The one exception to this is the Praterstern train station, which many Viennese locals tend to avoid at night. Although it gets quite shady at night and it's best to avoid it during that time, nothing should really happen to you as long as you have basic common sense. A police station is nearby as well. Its also wise to avoid the Prater at night.

The obvious place to go next inside of Vienna is Innere Stadt. The other possibility is to continue outside the Ring to Vienna/Outer East.