Everything within 5 minutes of your apartment - from the U2/U4 metro hub to the Danube Canal, the Servitenviertel, and the edge of the historic city center.
The Schottenring area sits at a unique intersection of Vienna's geography and history. It is the point where the Ringstrasse - the grand boulevard encircling the 1st district - meets the Danube Canal, and where the bridges connecting the historic center to Leopoldstadt and the 9th district (Alsergrund) converge. This crossroads position makes the Schottenring neighborhood one of the best-connected and most strategically located areas in all of Vienna. Old Vienna Apartments at Herminengasse 12 places you at the heart of this intersection, on a quiet residential street just steps from the action.
The name "Schottenring" derives from the Schottenkirche (Church of the Scots) and Schottenstift (Scots Abbey), founded in the 12th century by Irish and Scottish Benedictine monks in the nearby 1st district. The Schottenring section of the boulevard was part of the 1860s Ringstrasse development, and several impressive buildings from that era still line the avenue, including the former Vienna Stock Exchange (Borse) - a grand Renaissance Revival building now used for events and exhibitions - and various ornate Grunderzeit apartment buildings that give the area its distinctive late-19th-century character.
What makes the Schottenring area particularly special for visitors is its dual character. Step south across the Ringstrasse and you are immediately in the 1st district, with its Gothic churches, imperial palaces, and pedestrian shopping streets. Step north into Leopoldstadt and you are in a residential neighborhood of tree-lined streets, local bakeries, hidden courtyards, and community life that most tourists never see. Old Vienna Apartments sits on the Leopoldstadt side, giving you the quiet and authenticity of a real neighborhood with the city center literally across the street.
Schottenring station is the transportation backbone of your stay. Served by both the U2 and U4 metro lines, it provides direct access to virtually every major destination in Vienna without a transfer. The station is just 150 meters (approximately 1 minute walk) from the apartment building on Herminengasse, making it one of the most conveniently located metro connections of any accommodation in Vienna.
U2 line destinations from Schottenring: The U2 runs northwest to southeast. Heading northwest, it reaches Schottentor (University of Vienna), Rathaus (City Hall, 1 stop), Volkstheater/Museumsquartier (museum district), and Karlsplatz (Vienna's central transit hub). Heading southeast, it reaches Taborstrasse (Leopoldstadt shopping), Praterstern (Prater amusement park), Messe Wien (exhibition center), and continues to Donauinsel (Danube Island beaches) and Seestadt.
U4 line destinations from Schottenring: The U4 follows the Danube Canal and Wien River corridor. Heading southeast, it reaches Schwedenplatz (1 stop, connecting to U1), Stadtpark, Karlsplatz (connecting to U1, U2, U3), and continues to Schoenbrunn Palace and Hutteldorf. Heading northwest, it reaches Rossauer Lande, Friedensbrucke, and continues along the Danube to Spittelau (connecting to U6), Heiligenstadt (Heurige wine tavern area), and beyond.
The metro runs from approximately 5 AM to 12:30 AM on weekdays, with 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day, trains arrive every 3-5 minutes. After the metro closes on weeknights, the N29 night bus serves the Schottenring area.
The Danube Canal (4 minutes): Walk south from Herminengasse and you reach the Danube Canal waterfront in about 4 minutes. The canal promenade stretches for kilometers in both directions, offering a car-free walking and cycling path with views of street art murals, the historic city skyline, and the activity of the canal boats. In summer, this area becomes Vienna's outdoor living room, with beach bars, pop-up restaurants, and open-air events lining the banks. The Twin City Liner, a high-speed catamaran to Bratislava (75 minutes), departs from Schwedenplatz landing, just a few minutes walk along the canal.
The Ringstrasse and Borse (3 minutes): Walking south from the apartment, you reach the Schottenring section of the Ringstrasse in about 3 minutes. The former Stock Exchange building (Borse) is an immediate landmark - its grand facade is one of the Ringstrasse's most photographed. The Ring trams (lines 1 and 2) stop here, providing a convenient connection to every major Ringstrasse landmark. Looking west along the Ring, you can see the twin spires of the Votivkirche; looking east, the Danube Canal bridge leads to Schwedenplatz.
Gonzagagasse and the Servitenviertel (5 minutes): Walking west from the apartment leads you across the Schottenring into the 9th district's Servitenviertel (Servite Quarter), one of Vienna's most charming and least touristy neighborhoods. Centered on the Servitenkirche (a beautiful Baroque church) and Servitengasse, this area is filled with independent cafes, artisan bakeries, antique shops, and small galleries. It has the feel of a French village quartier transplanted into Vienna. The Servitenviertel is where many Viennese locals go when they want a quiet dinner or a weekend brunch away from the crowds - and from your apartment, it is just a 5-minute walk.
Taborstrasse shopping (5 minutes): Walking east from Herminengasse brings you to Taborstrasse, Leopoldstadt's main commercial street. Here you will find the nearest supermarkets (Billa, Hofer), pharmacies (Apotheke), banks with ATMs, a post office, and various shops for everyday needs. Taborstrasse also has several good restaurants and cafes, plus the Taborstrasse U2 metro station if you want to connect to the next stop without walking back to Schottenring.
Morning coffee routine: Within 5 minutes of the apartment, you have several excellent coffee options. The Servitenviertel has specialty coffee shops and traditional Viennese cafes. On the Leopoldstadt side, the cafes along Grosse Pfarrgasse serve excellent espresso-based drinks. For a quick on-the-go option, there are bakeries (Ströck, Anker, and independent Backerei shops) on Taborstrasse that open before 7 AM and serve fresh pastries with coffee for under €5.
Late-night food: The Schottenring area stays reasonably lively in the evening. Schwedenplatz (8 minutes walk) has several late-night food options including the famous Bitzinger wurst stand. The Turkish and Middle Eastern restaurants along Taborstrasse often stay open until midnight or later. In summer, the Danube Canal bars serve food alongside drinks into the early hours. For self-catering, the Billa on Taborstrasse is open until 7:30 PM on weekdays.
Running and cycling routes: From the apartment, you can quickly access several excellent exercise routes. Run south to the Danube Canal and follow it in either direction - heading downstream (east) toward the Prater gives you a flat, scenic 5-kilometer route. Heading upstream (west) takes you past the Rossau area to Nussdorf. For cycling, the canal path connects to the Donauinsel cycling network. Vienna's bike-sharing system (WienMobil Rad) has a station near Schottenring for convenient rental.
Pharmacy and medical: The nearest pharmacies are on Taborstrasse (Apotheke Zum Heiligen Leopold) and on Schottenring. For urgent medical needs, the AKH (Vienna General Hospital) is accessible via U2 - or the Rudolfstiftung hospital is about 15 minutes away by taxi. Vienna's 141 telephone hotline provides 24-hour health advice in German and English.
Crossing to the 1st district: From Schottenring, you can enter the 1st district by crossing the Ringstrasse at the pedestrian crossing near the Borse. This immediately puts you on Schottengasse, which leads to the Freyung square - one of Vienna's most elegant plazas, home to the Palais Ferstel, Palais Harrach, and the Schottenkirche. From Freyung, the pedestrian zone continues to Am Hof, Graben, and Stephansdom. This entire walk from apartment to Stephansdom takes about 15 minutes and passes through some of the most beautiful streets in Vienna.
| Destination | Distance | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Schottenring Metro (U2/U4) | 150 m | 1 min walk |
| Danube Canal promenade | 300 m | 4 min walk |
| Ringstrasse / Borse | 250 m | 3 min walk |
| Servitenviertel | 400 m | 5 min walk (across Ring) |
| Taborstrasse (shops) | 400 m | 5 min walk |
| Augarten Park entrance | 500 m | 6 min walk |
| Schwedenplatz | 700 m | 8 min walk or U4 (1 stop) |
| Freyung (1st district) | 800 m | 10 min walk via Schottengasse |
| Votivkirche | 600 m | 8 min walk along Ring |
| Nearest supermarket (Billa) | 350 m | 4 min walk on Taborstrasse |
1 minute to the U2/U4 metro, 4 minutes to the Danube Canal, 15 minutes to Stephansdom. Fully equipped apartments from €45/night.
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