Vienna/Outer West

The Western part of Vienna reaches up to the hilly forest of the Wienerwald (which used to be the imperial hunting ground and hence wasn't cut) and contains very diversified districts. From the mixed urban arealike Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus (15) to the newly hyped and multicultural Ottakring (16) to the upper class Döbling (19) on the adjacent side of the Danube famous for its vineyards, 19th-century villas, working class history and architecture, as well as its upper-class neighbourhoods.

Vienna, being the capital of Austria, is easily reachable, see the main article for information on how to reach it.
used to be the main train station for trains coming from German destinations until 2014 when the new central station was opened. Today, Westbahnhof is the terminus for suburban trains and train services from Salzburg and Linz operated by the private Westbahn rail company.
is a smaller train station for trains coming from Krems, Tulln or the Waldviertel region.

The Western districts are easily accessible by public transport. One can take either the subways (Hütteldorf and Heiligenstadt) or (Ottakring). The subway is going all along the border of the outer west and inner west districts. The suburban train line S45 crosses all western districts coming from south Hütteldorf up to Heiligenstadt. Plus there are many tram and bus lines operating.

Museums

• Technisches Museum Wien

  phone: +43 1 89998 0
  address: Mariahilfer Straße 212, Penzing
  This museum exhibits machines, transportations, electronic equipment, and the like from their first design up to their current form. The museum is huge at 22,000 m² and requires at least two hours to go through.

Architecture

• Kirche am Steinhof

  phone: +43 1 910 60-11204
  address: Baumgartner Höhe 1, Penzing
  Opened in 1907 as part of the largest mental hospital and sanatorium of its time in Europe, this Art Nouveau church was constructed by the Viennese master architect Otto Wagner, and is the most well-known example of Jugendstil sacral architecture.

• Wagner Villa

  phone: +43 1 91 48 575
  address: Hüttelbergstraße 26, Penzing
  You can see his private lodging in a very eccentric design. The villa is in the woods. In the rooms some paintings of Fuchs are exhibited, a painter who bought the house from the Wagner family. His paintings were surprisingly influenced by the style of the villa.

• Karl Marx-Hof

  phone: +43 664 88540888
  address: Heiligenstädter Strasse 82, Döbling
  Built between 1927 and 1930 by the Otto Wagner's student Karl Ehn, the Karl Marx-Hof is a public housing complex (called "Gemeindebau" in Vienna), from the time of the social-democratic public housing programme during Austria's First Republic. With its 1382 Apartments and roughly 1,1 km in length, Marx-Hof is the world's longest contiguous public housing complex and probably Vienna's most famous "Gemeindebau". The permanent exhibit Red Vienna (in Wash House #2) is devoted to the history of Red Vienna, a period of one-party rule by the Social Democrats from 1919-1934. The non-exhibit parts of the building are still used as housing, so please respect the residents' privacy. Guided tours (German only) are offered on Sundays at 13:00, with no reservations required.

Historic sites

• Beethoven Wohnung Heiligenstadt

  phone: +43 1 370 54 08
  address: Probusgasse 6
  One of Beethoven's many residences within the city. While living here he composed his Symphony No. 2 in D major (Op. 36), as well as several other works.

• Türkenschanzpark

  phone: +43 1 4000-8042
  address: Währing
  A lovely park, inaugurated in 1888 by Austrian emperor Franz Joseph. The park is at the site of and named after a Turkish entrenchment ("Türken-Schanze") of the first Turkish siege on Vienna in 1529. It is close to the University of Agriculture, and features a variety of botanic rarities from all continents.

Religious buildings

• St. Leopoldskirche

  address: Nasenweg, Döbling
  Dedicated to the patron saint of Vienna, this small church was first established in 1679, and its current appearance dates to the first part of the 18th century. The building is on top of 425-m-high Leopoldsberg, with lovely views of Vienna and the surrounding area. Due to ongoing restoration work of the nearby medieval fortress, as of 2013 the church is not open to the public.

• Grinzing Parish Church

  phone: +43 1 3282566
  address: Himmelstraße 25, Döbling
  Built in the 15th century, the church was burned in 1529 and 1683, during the first and second Turkish sieges of Vienna, and severely damaged during World War II. However one treasure did survive: the organ, on which both Beethoven and Schubert used to perform. The organ was modified several times since then and had fallen into severe disrepair, but in 1997 it was completely restored by a master organ builder and is now again played regularly.

Neighbourhoods

• Grinzing

  address: Döbling
  Dating back to the times of Roman settlement in Vienna, this is the oldest neighbourhood of the Döbling district and is famous for its vineyards and "Heurige" (Austrian wine taverns).

• Wiener Stadthalle

  phone: +43 1 98 100 489
  address: Roland Rainer Platz
  The Stadthalle is a multi-functional event venue which hosts everything from a variety of music concerts to horse dressage shows. It has a busy schedule all year round, and it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015.

• Wiener Metropol

  phone: +43 1 40777407
  address: Hernalser Hauptstraße 55, Hernals
  A beautiful little theatre, mostly frequented by Viennese.

Sports and outdoor activities

• Football

  phone: +43 1 9145510
  address: Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion, Keißlergasse 6
  Has a long and vivid history in Vienna. Until about 40 years ago, Austrian football was dominated by a large number of Viennese clubs. Since then, their strength has faded, reflecting the overall decline of Austrian football compared to other European football. Today, only two Viennese clubs are left in the Austrian top football division, Rapid Vienna and Austria Magna. Rapid has won the Austrian league 31 times, more than any other club. They are known as the people's club, having working class roots and regularly attracting fairly big crowds of around 15,000. Home fixtures are played at the Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion. Season usually starts in late July and ends in May, with a break in winter from early December until late February. Tickets are available at the stadium, at various tobacco shops (Trafik) around town and also online. For a schedule of fixtures in English go to Soccer Association, click "Austria" and "Bundesliga".

• HikingThe city trails 1-8 are going into the Wienerwald. The paths are sign posted and accessible by public transport. They are not cleared in winter, use at your own risks. Fair play demands to refrain from smoking (fire danger) and not to leave litter behind.

• Mountainbike ToursThe hills in the west of Vienna have many tracks and offer a variety of technical challenges suitable for beginners up to experienced off-track mountain bikers. Coming out of the woods you get usually great views of Vienna. Have respect for other riders and walkers, keep the nature in good state, and don't leave waste behind.

• Kletterhalle Marswiese

  phone: +43 1 489717222
  address: Neuwaldegger Straße 57A, Hernals
  The climbing hall is part of the sport center Marswiese. It offers various climbing courses.

• Jörgerbad

  phone: +43 1 406 43 05
  address: Jörgerstraße 42-44, Hernals
  The swimming pool is 25 m long and has a retractable glass roof. It was built between 1912 and 1914. The bath offers a sauna and massage too.

• Döblinger Bad

  phone: +43 1 318 01 40
  address: Geweygasse 6
  The indoor pool is 25 m long, and in summer the outdoor area offers a nice view over Vienna. The temperature of the pool varies according the week.

Viewpoints

• Kahlenberg

  address: Am Kahlenberg 1, Döbling
  The hill has a beautiful view over the Viennese vineyards and down the Danube. On clear days one clearly sees the Viennese historic center including the cathedral. Many bike or hike trails into the Wienerwald start from here.

• Hermannskogel

  phone: +43 1 5123844
  address: Döbling
  With 542 m above sea level, it is the highest point of Vienna. The Habsburgerwarte, a 27-m-tall tower from 1888, on top of the Hermanskogel is open on weekends in the summer. It used to be km 0 for cartographic measurements in the Austria-Hungarian empire.

• Jubiläumswarte

  address: Pelzer Rennweg, Ottakring
  A tower was erected on the 50th regency anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. The new one is 31 m high, reopened in 1956 and was renovated in 2012.

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

  address: Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Währing
  The university was founded in 1872. It has more than 10,000 students studying in departments including agriculture, forest, biotechnology, applied materials and civil engineering. Many institutes are in 19th or 18th district, but some moved to nearby town of Tulln.

• Institute of Astronomy

  address: Türkenschanzstraße 17, Währing
  It is part of the University of Vienna, inside a fabulous historic building. The park contains many rare trees. It has a mini-observatory on the roof. Guided tours are available.

• Äußere Mariahilferstraße

  address: Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  Continuation of the main shopping street coming from Neubau and Mariahilf. It is home to several hostels and plenty of immigrant shops but is also known as one of the main prostitution drags and houses some of Vienna's oddest flagship stores like the Cros store. There are a few leftist spaces on some of the cross-streets.

• Lugner City

  address: Gablenzgasse, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  Moderately sized mall housing chain stores and a cinema.

• Josef Manner & Comp AG

  phone: +43 1 488223770
  address: Wilhelminenstrasse 6, Hernals
  Factory store famous for Viennese sweets, especially wafers (Schnitten).

• Brunnenmarkt und Yppenmarkt

  address: Brunnengasse, Ottakring
  A street market with some colorful plus lively Turkish or very Austrian sellers as the Stauds fruits and vegetables, but there also cheese, fish or meat stands. Nearby the Kent Restaurant one finds many coffee places. It is the second biggest street market in Vienna.

• Nagy Hüte Zentrale

  phone: +43 1 4056629
  address: Thaliastraße 36, Ottakring
  One of the very typical traditional Viennese hat shops features many different types of hats or caps for men and women.

• Ottakringer Brauerei

  phone: +43 1 49100-900
  address: Ottakringer Straße 95, Ottakring
  The Ottakringer Brewery directly sells their different beers.

• Mechanikermeister Wolfgang Brunner

  phone: +43 4855732
  address: Degengasse 37, Ottakring
  The bike shop has bikes for beginners and advanced at good prices, and is an excellent repair center. The owner is a master craftsman in fine mechanics. You doesn't get snobby treatment for old shabby bikes – you get treated very well. The owner will give you excellent advice on how to care for your bike.

• Vinothek St. Pierre

  phone: +43 1 3679581
  address: Cobenzlgasse 4, Döbling
  The wine store sells Austrian wines including famous producers like Bründlmayer from Langenlois.

The western district of Vienna with the exception of the upscale area around Schönnbrunn has many less touristic places that serve typical Austrian food. Vegetarians may need to double check as most dishes are with meat and the vegetables are not really appreciated, sweets dishes allow an easy way out. Nevertheless, nowadays there are always some vegetarian options and on request many dishes can be cooked for vegan or vegetarian diet. In the Budget section you'll find typical student places with good food for tighter budgets.

Budget

• Kent Restaurant

  phone: +43 1 4059173
  address: Brunnengasse 67, Ottakring
  At first approach, this looks like a greasy kebab joint strictly for Turks, but struggle past the first room and you will find a large garden and huge restaurant serving moderately priced food with an infinite supply of free Turkish bread. Good for veggies and meat eaters alike. Also try the Turkish breakfast. Take out available.

• Kiang Winebar

  phone: +43 664 515 36 33
  address: Yppenplatz 11, Ottakring
  The smallest Chinese in town has street food combined with excellent Austrian wines inside of an artistic bar project.

• Pizzeria Mafiosi

  phone: +43 1 8927228
  address: Reindorfgasse 15, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus

Mid-range

• Liebstöckl & Co

  phone: +43 1 3288310
  address: Sandgasse 12, Döbling
  The tavern type restaurant has in summer time a relaxed garden. It offers typical Viennese food choices and is very popular.

• Ottakringer Landhaus

  phone: +43 1 4852344
  address: Albrechtskreithgasse 38, Ottakring
  The place at the border between Ottakring and Hernals has a very Viennese charm for the food choice and for the service. In summer time you can sit outside in a court. The tavern-type restaurant has excellent local Viennese white wine choice and local food choice. It is recommended to reserv your table as it fills rapidly.

• Salettl Pavillon

  phone: +43 1 4792222
  address: Hartäckerstrasse 80, Döbling
  The restaurant next to the Bodenkultur university sees many students visitors. It has a great view plus romantic garden. It is a smokers place.

• Schutzhaus am Heuberg

  phone: +43 1 48 98 210
  address: Röntgengasse 39, Hernals
  The restaurant serves Austrian and Indian food. This unusual combination is an integration project.

• Schutzhaus Waidäcker

  phone: +43 1 4169856
  address: Steinlegasse 35, Ottakring
  The place has a very rustic charm and serves rural specialities from around Austria. Vegetarian choices are limited.

• Villa Aurora

  phone: +43 1 4893333
  address: Wilhelminenstraße 237, Ottakring
  The location has a great view over Vienna and offers specific Austrian food. The villa was built in 1785.

• Wetter

  phone: +43 1 406 07 75
  address: Yppenplatz Payergasse 13, Ottakring
  The cook Raetus Wetter serves wonderful Italian food with daily adapted choices.

Splurge

• Hill Restaurant

  phone: +43 1 320 11 11
  address: Sieveringer Straße 137, Döbling
  The restaurant has several vegetarian entrées and good Austrian desserts like "Topfenschmarren".

• Klee am Hanslteich

  phone: +43 1 480 51 50
  address: Amund­sen­straße 10, Alsergrund
  Monika Wlaschek opened this outdoor lounge with view on a small pond. It is on the Stadtwanderweg 3.

• Pfarrwirt

  phone: +43 1 370 73 73
  address: Pfarrplatz 5, Döbling
  This highly-acclaimed establishment is operated by the winery Mayer am Pfarrplatz (see listing below). Part of the restaurant is housed in a 12th-century building known as the 'Beethoven House', as it was the composer's residence during the summer of 1817. Reservations recommended.

• Schrammelbeisl

  phone: +43 1 4025800
  address: Kalvarienberggasse 51, Hernals
  Christoph Stepan is cooking food at this revived tavern from the nearby Waldviertel region (meat from Litschau).

• Wirtshaus Steirerstöckl

  phone: +43 1 440 49 43
  address: Pötzleinsdorferstraße 127
  Built as a hiking lodge, this rustic Gasthaus is in the Wienerwald on the outskirts of the city. It serves classic Styrian food and wine, and also offers a few modern dishes for vegetarians. During nice weather meals can be enjoyed in the pleasant garden. Reservations recommended.

• Zum Schwammerl

  phone: +43 1 3206635
  address: Silbergasse 21, Döbling
  The restaurant zum Schwammerl is serving seasonal Viennese food plus regional wines.

The hills up to the Wienerwald hold many vineyards. Hence they contain many popular places called Heurigen that sell the white wine mixed with water and serve some cold food with it. Of course the western district of Vienna contain many different coffee places too.

Heurigen

• 10er Marie

  phone: +43 1 489 46 47
  address: Ottakringer Str. 222-224
  The Heuriger, dating back to 1740, serves typical Viennese food.

• Heuriger Hirt

  phone: +43 1 3189641
  address: Eiserne Handgasse 165, Döbling
  The Heuriger Hirt has a great view over the Danube and is hidden in middle of vineyards in a steep section of the Leopoldsberg hill.

• Heuriger Sissi Huber

  phone: +43 1 485 81 80
  address: Roterdstraße 5, Ottakring
  The Heuriger has a great view over Vienna. It serves also vegetarian sides.

• Mayer am Pfarrplatz

  phone: +43 1 370 33 61
  address: Pfarrplatz 2, Döbling
  A traditional winery since 1683, operating a popular Heuriger (wine garden) and highly-acclaimed restaurant (see listing above).

Cafe

• Cafe C. I.

  phone: +43 1 4031827
  address: Schnellhammergasse 16, Ottakring
  The place on the Yppenmarkt has specific vegetarian foods and attracts a mixed public. The café has existed since 1895.

• Kurkonditorei Oberlaa

  phone: +43 1 3207707
  address: Sieveringer Straße 4, Döbling
  This stylish café offers breakfast and lunch too, but it is famous for its delicious cakes and pastries. It is non-smoking.

• Aumann

  phone: +43 1 470 18 18
  address: Aumannplatz 1

Other bars

• Fischer Bräu

  phone: +43 1 3695949
  address: Billrothstrasse 17, Döbling
  The brewery brews according the "Reinheitsgebot from 1516" and offers their beers. The place is very well visited.

• Schlumberger Kellerwelten

  phone: +43 1 368 22 59-0
  address: Heiligenstädter Straße 39, Döbling
  The tour in the cellar of one of the biggest Austrian "Sekt" producers takes approximately an hour, and there are up to 5 different glasses for tasting included.

• Shiraz

  phone: +43 664 33 55 555
  address: U-Bahn Bogen (Stadtbahnbogen) 185, Döbling
  This is a small and pretty comfortable, rustic-style bar in the city railway bows. You can smoke water pipes and listen to chill-out music. The owner, a Persian, socialises with all his customers. The bar has a special atmosphere and fair prices. It is a good place to relax.

• Travel Shack Vienna

  address: Mariahilfer Gürtel 21, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  A largely young student and international backpacker bar where it's hard not to meet people.

Being less central, the stay in the outer western districts is usually cheaper, nevertheless you can reach the Vienna center in around 30 minutes. Also the western districts allow for diverse outdoor activities and have good food options. A number of hostels are in this area, which is a short train, metro or tram ride from the inner city.

Budget

• Hostel Ruthensteiner

  phone: +43 1 893 42 02
  address: Robert Hamerlinggasse 24, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  Free wifi, bar 19:00-23:00. Family-run hostel with nice rooms, a few private rooms and a separate dorm building across the street. Hostel has a pleasant outdoor courtyard attached to a kitchen, and an inside lounge that has musical instruments available for playing. A couple blocks away from the train station.

• Hostel Hütteldorf

  phone: +43 1 877 0263
  address: Schlossberggasse 8, Penzing
  HI Hostel in a peaceful neighborhood. Has free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a garden. Laundry facilities and bicycle rental available.

• Wombats City Hostel Vienna: The Base

  phone: +43 1 8972336
  address: Grangasse 6, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  It is clean and simple.

• Wombats City Hostel Vienna: The Lounge

  phone: +43 1 8972336
  address: Mariahilferstrasse 137, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  It is clean and chic with a party atmosphere. Opened 2006, it touts an imperial facade from 1880.

Mid-range

• Boutiquehotel Stadthalle

  phone: +43 1 9824272
  address: Hackengasse 20, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus

• Tourotel Wien Hotel

  phone: +43 1 8923335-0
  address: Mariahilfer Straße 156-158, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
  A nice hotel. There are often specials.

Splurge

• Landhaus Fuhrgassl-Huber

  phone: +43 1 440 30 33
  address: Rathstraße 24, Döbling
  The hotel is surrounded by wine taverns, hills and wineries. A breakfast buffet is served each morning and can be enjoyed in the courtyard during summer. Free Wi-Fi.

• Hietzing to the South contains the Schönbrunn palace
• Mariahilf, Neubau, Josefstadt, Alsergrund are the inner western districts of Vienna.
• The Innere Stadt is the historical centre of Vienna.

To the West of Vienna one finds idyllic little villages like Perchtoldsdorf or Klosterneuburg.
Austrian towns to visit next are Mödling and Krems.