Walk to one of Europe's grandest boulevards in just 10 minutes from your fully equipped apartment on Herminengasse 12, 1020 Vienna.
The Ringstrasse is far more than a road - it is the architectural soul of Vienna. Built between 1858 and 1865 on the orders of Emperor Franz Joseph I, this 5.3-kilometer circular boulevard replaced the old city fortifications and created a monumental showcase for the Habsburg Empire's cultural ambitions. Today, it remains one of the most impressive urban ensembles in the world, lined with grand buildings that represent nearly every major architectural style of the 19th century.
Walking the Ringstrasse from end to end, you will encounter the neo-Gothic Rathaus (City Hall), the Greek Revival Parliament, the Renaissance-style Vienna State Opera, the Baroque Burgtheater, and the neo-classical Museum of Natural History and Kunsthistorisches Museum facing each other across Maria-Theresien-Platz. Each building was designed by a different architect, yet together they form a harmonious procession of imperial grandeur that has earned the Ringstrasse UNESCO World Heritage consideration.
The boulevard is divided into named sections - Schottenring, Universitatsring, Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring, Opernring, Karntner Ring, Schubertring, Parkring, and Stubenring - each with its own character. From Old Vienna Apartments, you are closest to the Schottenring section, which means the northern stretch of the Ring is literally at your doorstep. This section passes the Vienna Stock Exchange (Borse), the Votivkirche, and connects directly to the University of Vienna.
Choosing accommodation near the Ringstrasse puts you at the very center of Vienna's cultural life. The boulevard is not just a sightseeing route - it is the axis around which Vienna's daily life revolves. Tram lines 1 and 2 circle the Ring continuously, making every major landmark accessible within minutes. Evening strolls along the tree-lined promenades are a tradition for both Viennese locals and visitors, and the seasonal events that take place along the Ring - from the Rathausplatz Christmas market to the Vienna Film Festival on the Rathausplatz in summer - make this a year-round destination.
Old Vienna Apartments at Herminengasse 12 offers a rare combination: the peace of a residential side street in Leopoldstadt with the grand Ringstrasse boulevard just a short walk south. Unlike hotels directly on the Ring, which tend to be expensive and noisy due to constant tram and traffic, our apartments sit on a quiet street where you can sleep with windows open. Yet you can reach the Schottenring section of the boulevard in under 10 minutes on foot.
For cultural visitors, this location is ideal. You can walk to the Burgtheater for an evening performance, stroll to the Kunsthistorisches Museum for an afternoon with Bruegel and Vermeer, or catch tram line 1 from Schottenring to reach the Opera in minutes. Returning home after a late show at the Burgtheater takes just 10 minutes of pleasant walking along well-lit streets.
On foot (approximately 10 minutes): Exit the apartment building on Herminengasse and turn left toward Herminengasse's southern end. Cross Kleine Pfarrgasse and continue to Gonzagagasse, which leads you directly to the Ringstrasse at the Schottenring section. You will arrive near the former Vienna Stock Exchange building (Borse), a grand Renaissance Revival structure now used as an event venue. From here, you can walk in either direction along the Ring - left toward the Votivkirche and Rathaus, or right toward Schwedenplatz and the Danube Canal.
By tram: From Schottenring station (1 minute walk from the apartment), take tram line 1 or 2, which follows the entire Ring route. Tram 1 takes you clockwise past the University, Rathaus, Parliament, and Opera. Tram 2 goes counterclockwise past Schwedenplatz, Stubenring, and Stadtpark. Both trams run every 3 to 5 minutes during the day.
By metro: Schottenring is served by the U2 and U4 lines. While the Ring itself is best explored on foot or by tram, the metro connects you to areas just off the boulevard. Take U2 to Museumsquartier for the museum district, or U4 to Stadtpark to reach the southeastern stretch of the Ring near the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts).
Best time to walk the Ring: Early morning on weekdays or Sunday mornings offer the most peaceful experience. The boulevard is at its most photogenic in the golden light of late afternoon, when the sandstone facades of the Opera and Parliament glow warmly. Avoid walking the full circuit in midday summer heat - instead, break it up with stops at the Volksgarten or Burggarten, both of which offer shaded benches and fountains.
The Ringstrasse Tram Tour: Rather than paying for a guided tour, simply buy a standard Wiener Linien ticket (or use your day pass) and ride tram line 1 for the full circuit. Sit on the right side for the best views of the buildings. The complete loop takes about 25 minutes and passes every major Ringstrasse landmark. It is one of Vienna's best budget sightseeing experiences.
Dining near the Ring: The Ringstrasse's immediate surroundings tend toward upscale restaurants and hotel dining rooms. For better value, eat in Leopoldstadt before or after your Ring exploration. The area around Taborstrasse and Grosse Pfarrgasse, just 5 minutes from the apartment, has excellent cafes and restaurants at local prices. Cafe Benno on Alsergrund side or the restaurants along Servitenviertel offer authentic Viennese cuisine without tourist markups.
Photography spots: The best view of the Rathaus is from the front of the Burgtheater looking across the Ring. Parliament looks most impressive from the Volksgarten side. For the Opera House, walk to Albertinaplatz and look back along Opernring. The Votivkirche, closest to our apartment, is best photographed from Sigmund Freud Park across the Ringstrasse.
Evening on the Ring: The Ringstrasse buildings are illuminated after dark, creating a magical atmosphere for evening walks. The stretch between the Opera and the Burgtheater is particularly beautiful at night. Many visitors combine an evening Ring walk with dinner at one of the wine bars in the 1st district, then walk home to our apartment through the quiet streets of Leopoldstadt.
| Destination | Distance | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Schottenring (Ring section) | 700 m | 10 min walk south |
| Schottenring Metro (U2/U4) | 150 m | 1 min walk |
| Votivkirche | 1.0 km | 12 min walk via Schottenring |
| Vienna Rathaus | 1.8 km | U2 to Rathaus (4 min) |
| Parliament | 2.0 km | Tram 1 from Schottenring (8 min) |
| Burgtheater | 1.5 km | Tram 1 from Schottenring (5 min) |
| Vienna State Opera | 2.2 km | Tram 1 from Schottenring (10 min) |
| Kunsthistorisches Museum | 2.0 km | U2 to Museumsquartier (6 min) |
| Stadtpark (Parkring) | 1.8 km | U4 to Stadtpark (4 min) |
| MAK Museum | 1.5 km | Tram 2 from Schottenring (6 min) |
Stay on a quiet street in Leopoldstadt with Vienna's grandest boulevard just a 10-minute walk away. Fully equipped apartments from €45/night.
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