Vienna's magnificent neo-Gothic City Hall is just one U2 stop from Schottenring - giving you front-row access to the Christmas Market, Film Festival, and Ice Dream rink.
The Vienna Rathaus (City Hall) is one of the most impressive civic buildings in Europe. Designed by Friedrich von Schmidt and completed in 1883, this neo-Gothic structure dominates the western side of the Ringstrasse with its soaring 98-meter central tower topped by the Rathausmann - the city's beloved iron guardian figure holding a lance and flag. The building serves as both the seat of Vienna's mayor and city council and as the city's most prominent event venue, with Rathausplatz (the square in front) hosting major public events throughout the year.
The Rathaus itself is worth visiting inside. Free guided tours (available on select weekdays) take you through the grand Festival Hall (Festsaal), the Council Chamber, and the Arcaded Courtyard (Arkadenhof), which hosts summer concerts. The building's exterior features 1,575 square meters of facade decorated with statues of notable Viennese figures, intricate tracery windows, and loggia balconies that create dramatic shadows in afternoon light.
But the Rathaus is perhaps best known for its square, Rathausplatz, which transforms throughout the year into Vienna's premier public gathering space. In November and December, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Vienna Christmas Market) fills the square with over 150 stalls selling handicrafts, ornaments, mulled wine (Gluhwein), roasted chestnuts, and traditional Austrian foods. From January to March, the Wiener Eistraum (Vienna Ice Dream) converts the square into a massive open-air ice skating rink with illuminated paths winding through the Rathauspark. In summer, the Rathausplatz Film Festival screens opera, concert, and ballet performances on a giant screen with free admission, accompanied by food stalls from international restaurants.
The Rathaus area is one of Vienna's most vibrant neighborhoods, combining government, culture, education, and entertainment. The University of Vienna's historic main building is directly across the Ring from the Rathaus, creating a lively academic atmosphere with bookshops, affordable restaurants, and student cafes. The Josefstadt neighborhood (8th district), stretching behind the Rathaus, is one of Vienna's most charming residential areas with independent boutiques, cozy wine taverns (Heurige), and the Theater in der Josefstadt, one of Austria's most respected theaters.
Old Vienna Apartments at Herminengasse 12 provides exceptionally convenient access to the Rathaus area. Schottenring station, just 1 minute from your apartment door, is on the U2 line - and Rathaus station is the very next stop. This means you can be standing in Rathausplatz in under 5 minutes from leaving your apartment. During the Christmas Market season, when accommodation near the Rathaus sells out quickly and prices soar, staying in Leopoldstadt with its direct metro connection is an especially smart choice.
The area around the Rathaus is also ideal for dining and nightlife. Rathausplatz's year-round food events provide diverse eating options, while the side streets around Josefstadter Strasse and Lange Gasse offer authentic Viennese Beisl (traditional restaurants), wine bars, and international cuisine at reasonable prices. After a late evening at the Film Festival or Christmas Market, the U2 back to Schottenring runs until after midnight, and night bus N29 covers the route when the metro stops.
By U-Bahn (approximately 5 minutes total): Walk 1 minute from Herminengasse to Schottenring U2/U4 station. Take the U2 line direction Karlsplatz and exit at the next stop, Rathaus. The station exits directly onto Rathausplatz - you emerge from underground facing the illuminated Rathaus facade. This is by far the most convenient route and the one you will use most often.
On foot (approximately 20 minutes): From Herminengasse, walk south to the Schottenring section of the Ringstrasse. Cross the Ring and continue west along Universitatsring, passing the main University of Vienna building on your left and the Votivkirche behind it. Continue along the Ring past the Burgtheater, and the Rathaus will appear on your right across the boulevard. Cross at the pedestrian crossing to reach Rathausplatz. This walk is pleasant and scenic, passing several major Ringstrasse landmarks.
By tram: Take tram 1 from the Schottenring stop in the direction of Stefan-Fadinger-Platz. Exit at Rathausplatz/Burgtheater (about 5 minutes ride). You will step off directly between the Burgtheater and the Rathaus, with the Volksgarten visible to your south. Tram 1 runs every 3-5 minutes during the day.
Christmas Market strategy: The Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is Vienna's largest and most famous Christmas market, running from mid-November to late December. It gets extremely crowded on weekend evenings. For the best experience, visit on a weekday evening (Tuesday or Wednesday are quietest) or go during the afternoon. The market opens around 10 AM and is at its most magical after dark when the Rathaus facade is fully illuminated and the tree lights are glowing. Budget about €15-20 for mulled wine and food - each mug of Gluhwein costs around €4-5, plus a refundable mug deposit of €4.
Ice skating at Eistraum: The Vienna Ice Dream operates from late January to early March and features over 9,000 square meters of ice surface, including elevated paths and winding trails through the Rathauspark. Skate rental is available on-site. Evening sessions are atmospheric with the illuminated Rathaus as backdrop. Tip: the ice surface is least crowded on weekday mornings, when you can practically have the rink to yourself.
Summer Film Festival: The Rathausplatz Film Festival runs from late June through early September with nightly screenings of opera, ballet, and concert recordings on a giant outdoor screen. Admission is completely free - just show up and find a seat in the audience area or grab food from the surrounding international food stalls and eat while watching. Screenings begin at sunset (around 9 PM in summer). The food stalls alone are worth the visit, offering cuisines from around the world at reasonable prices.
Rathaus tours: Free guided tours of the Rathaus interior are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1 PM (except during council sessions and public holidays). No reservation is needed - just show up at the main entrance. The tour takes about 50 minutes and covers the Festival Hall, the grand staircase, and the Arkadenhof. Bring photo ID as security may check at the entrance.
Dining recommendations: For traditional Viennese food near the Rathaus, try the restaurants along Josefstadter Strasse or Lange Gasse in the 8th district, just behind the Rathaus. The area around Florianigasse has several excellent local Beisl serving classics like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Kaiserschmarrn at local prices. For cheaper eats, the university cafeteria (Mensa) on Universitatsstrasse serves subsidized hot meals that are open to the public.
| Destination | Distance | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Rathaus (City Hall) | 1.8 km | U2 to Rathaus (1 stop, 4 min) |
| Rathausplatz | 1.8 km | U2 to Rathaus + 1 min walk |
| Schottenring Metro (U2/U4) | 150 m | 1 min walk |
| Burgtheater | 1.5 km | Tram 1 to Rathausplatz (5 min) |
| University of Vienna | 1.3 km | U2 to Schottentor (1 stop) + 3 min |
| Votivkirche | 1.0 km | 12 min walk |
| Josefstadt (8th district) | 2.0 km | U2 to Rathaus + 5 min walk |
| Parliament | 2.0 km | Tram 1 from Schottenring (8 min) |
| Volksgarten | 1.6 km | U2 to Volkstheater + 5 min walk |
| Rathauspark | 1.7 km | U2 to Rathaus + 2 min walk |
Just one U2 metro stop to Christmas Markets, the Film Festival, and ice skating at Rathausplatz. Apartments from €45/night.
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