Places to study in Vienna: The 10 best locations

Written by: Sabine Klug, 22.1.2020

The exam phase is just around the corner and you are wondering how you will survive this stressful time? We have an idea! Just bring variety to your everyday learning by simply changing the location. Because, hand on heart, you are not always the most productive in your own bedroom. The temptations there are just too great. We have therefore explored the best learning locations in Vienna for you – let get to it!

 

1. The university libraries: a student classic

Get out of your room and into the sea of ​​books. University libraries are particularly suitable for learning. Our tip: Do not forget to bring a bibliobag or your own transparent bag! This saves you the hassle of rearranging books, because handbags and backpacks are not allowed in most libraries.

Main library of the University of Vienna

Address: Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna
opening times

The library of the University of Vienna is one of the most popular places for studying in Vienna. Therefore you should definitely show up in time during exam phases. With such a large crowd, it can happen that all seats are taken by the time you arrive. In the main library you learn together with other students along huge wooden tables. In summer you can also cram in the green inner courtyard.

Library of the Vienna University of Technology

Resselgasse 4, 1040 Vienna
opening times

The Vienna University of Technology library provides its readers with over 1.5 million books, around 125,000 e-books and numerous specialist journals. The library also offers small study plots in which one can study undisturbed. Should your mind want to wander, you can watch the hustle and bustle on Karlsplatz through the large windows all around.

Library of the Vienna University of Economics and Business

Welthandelsplatz 1, Building LC, 1020 Vienna

WU Vienna offers what is probably the most modern library with large windows and lots of daylight. But watch out: All departments have different opening times if you are looking for something specific!

Law Faculty Library

Schottenbastei 10–16, 1010 Vienna
opening times

The Juridicum library is a great alternative to the main library, which is nearly always fully occupied shortly before the examination phase. The departmental library is not far from the main university and is more of an insider tip. Here, too, the early bird catches the worm: Whoever comes first, gets the best place to study with the limited number of seats available.

The National Library: The perfect weekend alternative

Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna

In the national library in the Hofburg you can learn in an imperial atmosphere. You need an authorization card for access. Those are available as a day variant for around three euros or as an annual variant for around ten euros. The “mother of all libraries” is a great weekend solution as it is also open on Saturdays and Sundays.

University library of the Medical University of Vienna (AKH reading room)

Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna,
opening times

The AKH reading room is one of the most popular learning spaces in Vienna. Why? Among other things, this is due to the pleasant opening times. However, you should note that the study room is located in a hospital, if that’s not your thing you should try another location.

4. Reading room in the Museum of Applied Arts

Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna,
opening times

The reading room in the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) is not necessarily an insider tip. Nevertheless, it is always worth a visit: The special thing there is clearly the large glass dome, which allows sufficient daylight into the reading room. Here, too, the following applies: first come, first served – the seats are tight. The reading room also offers a few interesting extras: It is also a suitable weekend place to study on Sundays, and W-LAN and scanning up to A2 are free.

5. Main library

Urban-Loritz-Platz 2a, 1070 Vienna,
opening times

The main library is located directly above the U6 station Burggasse / Stadthalle and is full of books from all genres and for every taste. The great thing about the main library is that you don’t have to pay a locker or carry your belongings around in a plastic bag. Here you can walk straight to the shelves and the seats with all your belongings. A special highlight is the 2,000 square meter roof terrace.

6. Viennese coffee houses

The traditional Viennese coffee houses are totally suitable for studying. A big brownie and curd cheese or a Viennese breakfast combined with a productive learning session – sounds tempting, doesn’t it? We have put together a small list of the most popular “learning cafés” for you:

Café Jelinek, Otto-Bauer-Gasse 5, 1060 Vienna

It’s easy to learn in Café Jelinek – a typical old Viennese coffee house. The big advantage of this coffee house is the nonexistent or very soft background music. At Café Jelinek it won’t be difficult to concentrate on your books.

Café Sperl, Gumpendorferstrasse 11, 1060 Vienna

The Café Sperl is a traditional Viennese coffee house. Here one is used to people deeply studying, which is why the waiters are very unobtrusive. A visit to Café Sperl is being described by many as “an immersion in the history of Vienna”.
Our tip: definitely try the Sperl-Torte. It consists of delicate milk chocolate with vanilla, cinnamon and a delicious almond paste.

Café Westend, Mariahilfer Straße 128, 1070 Vienna

Café Westend is characterized by its high, stucco ceilings and heavy, large chandeliers from the 1950s. Due to its proximity to the Westbahnhof, the restaurant naturally also attracts a lot of travelers and commuters. Regarding Café Westend, we have to honestly say: some love it, others hate it – there literally is no in between.
Find out for yourself which category you belong to.

Café Caspar, Grillparzerstraße 6, 1010 Vienna

The Café Caspar is only a stone’s throw away from the main university and attracts students with its modern living room atmosphere. The founders of the café describe it as follows: “The café was created out of the desire to create a meeting place where you can share and exchange your own experiences in a cozy atmosphere with good food and drink.” Sounds great, doesn’t it?

7. The library of the “Arbeiterkammer”: a real insider tip

Prinz Eugen Strasse 20–22, 1040 Vienna, opening times

The library of the “Arbeiterkammer” is an insider tip that is only slowly getting around among students. Even though we think it should remain a small, quiet oasis of learning, we do not want to withhold it from you. The only disadvantage of this learning location are the “short” opening times. With a little organization, however, you can definitely make the most of your time there.

8. The Cocoquadrat coworking space

Wiedner Hauptstrasse 65, 1040 Vienna

Actually, this tip should belong to the coffee houses, but somehow it doesnt. The Cocoquadrat is both a co-working space and a coffee shop as well. This makes it the perfect place to study together, which is definitely worth the price.

9. The Viennese parks

Let’s be honest: You certainly don’t want to sit in closed rooms all the time and just look at books? As soon as the weather allows it, you should take advantage of Vienna’s beautiful parks and cram outside in the open air. Here we have a few suggestions for you:

  • Volksgarten, 1010 Vienna: Learning with the scent of roses
  • Burggarten, 1010 Vienna: watching and learning about ducks in a pond
  • Türkenschanzpark, 1180 Vienna: An extraordinary place full of history
  • Votivpark, 1090 Vienna: just around the corner of the University of Vienna

10. Your STUWO dormitory: Your omnium

The good is often very close: every STUWO student residence offers you plenty of space to study – alone or even with friends. Some STUWO houses even have extra bright, friendly and quiet places for this. After all, there is nothing more pleasant than having the perfect place to study right in front of your nose.

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