One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the German-speaking world is just 1 metro stop away. Take the U2 from Schottenring to Schottentor in 2 minutes. From €45/night.
Founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolf IV, the University of Vienna (Universitat Wien) is the oldest university in the German-speaking world and one of the largest in Europe, with approximately 90,000 students and over 10,000 staff. Its alumni include 21 Nobel Prize laureates - among them Erwin Schrodinger (physics), Friedrich Hayek (economics), and Konrad Lorenz (medicine) - as well as figures who shaped modern thought including Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Boltzmann, Kurt Godel, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.
The main building on the Ringstrasse, designed by Heinrich von Ferstel and completed in 1884, is an architectural landmark in its own right. Built in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, it features a grand arcaded courtyard (Arkadenhof) lined with busts and memorials of the university's most distinguished professors and graduates. The ceremonial hall (Festsaal) on the upper floor houses ceiling paintings by Gustav Klimt - the famous "Faculty Paintings" series, though the originals were destroyed in a fire in 1945 and only photographs remain. Replicas and preparatory sketches can be seen in the university's exhibition spaces.
The university campus is spread across Vienna, but the main cluster of faculties surrounds the Ringstrasse building. The Faculty of Law, the Department of Philosophy, the Department of Political Science, and the central library are all within walking distance of Schottentor station. The newer Campus der Universitat Wien on the former General Hospital grounds (Altes AKH) is a short tram ride away and has become a popular social hub, with its large courtyards filled with cafes, restaurants, and students.
Old Vienna Apartments is ideal for visiting academics attending conferences, guest lectures, or research collaborations at the University of Vienna. A fully equipped apartment with a desk, WiFi, and kitchen is far more productive and comfortable than a hotel room for stays of a week or more. Our apartments accommodate stays from 3 days up to 6 months, making them suitable for sabbaticals, semester-long research visits, and academic exchanges.
The proximity also benefits parents visiting students, prospective students attending open days, and conference attendees. The neighborhood around Schottentor - Vienna's university district - has a youthful, intellectual character with bookshops, academic publishers, and cafes popular with students and professors. Being one metro stop away puts you close enough to walk when the weather is nice, while keeping you in the quieter, more residential Leopoldstadt neighborhood.
Vienna is also home to several other major universities and institutions that are easily reachable from our apartments. The Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) at Karlsplatz is 4 U2 stops away. The Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien) is adjacent to the main university. The WU Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business) at its striking Campus WU near the Prater is just 2 U2 stops in the opposite direction. The University of Applied Arts (Angewandte) on Stubenring is walkable from the apartment.
Walk 1 minute to Schottenring station. Take the U2 towards Karlsplatz just 1 stop to Schottentor. Exit the station and the university main building is directly across the Ringstrasse - you will see the grand Renaissance facade immediately. Total journey: about 4 minutes.
Walk southwest from Herminengasse along Gonzagagasse toward the Danube Canal. Cross the canal via the Friedensbrucke or Augartenbrucke and continue straight onto Wahringer Strasse or along the Ringstrasse. The university main building is on Universitatsring. This is a pleasant, flat walk that passes through some of Vienna's most attractive streets.
For the Campus Altes AKH (Spitalgasse 2), take Tram 5 from Schottenring or walk about 15 minutes via Wahringer Strasse. For WU Campus, take the U2 from Schottenring 2 stops towards Seestadt to Messe-Prater. For TU Wien, take the U2 4 stops to Karlsplatz.
Cafe Landtmann (Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring 4): Vienna's most famous literary coffeehouse, directly next to the university and opposite the Burgtheater. Founded in 1873, it was the favorite cafe of Sigmund Freud. The Landtmann serves outstanding pastries, classic Viennese dishes, and an extensive breakfast menu. The terrace overlooking the Ringstrasse is one of the great cafe experiences in Europe.
Universitatsbrauhaus (Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring, Altes AKH campus): A microbrewery in the old university hospital courtyards, brewing its own lager and serving Austrian pub food. Popular with students and faculty, with large outdoor seating areas in the courtyard during summer months. Affordable and lively.
Cafe Central (Herrengasse 14): About a 10-minute walk from the university, this legendary coffeehouse was once the meeting place of Leon Trotsky, Theodor Herzl, Adolf Loos, and Peter Altenberg (whose wax figure still sits at the entrance). The vaulted ceilings and elegant decor make it one of Vienna's most beautiful interiors. Live piano music in the afternoons.
Stomach (Seegasse 26, Leopoldstadt): A neighborhood restaurant between the apartment and the university, serving creative Austrian cuisine with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Small menu that changes frequently. Reservations recommended - it's a local favorite with limited seating.
| Destination | Distance | Walking | Public Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vienna (main building) | 900 m | 12 min | 4 min (U2, 1 stop) |
| Campus Altes AKH | 1.5 km | 18 min | 8 min (Tram 5) |
| WU Campus (Economics University) | 1.6 km | 20 min | 5 min (U2, 2 stops) |
| TU Wien (Technical University) | 2.0 km | 25 min | 7 min (U2, 4 stops) |
| Schottenring Metro (U2/U4) | 100 m | 1 min | - |
Apartments from €45/night, stays from 3 days to 6 months. WiFi, kitchen, and a quiet workspace included.
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