Grätzl Guide: Student life in the 9th district (Alsergrund) in Vienna

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 23.05.2024

Welcome to the 9th district, also known as Alsergrund, one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Vienna! Here, there are countless opportunities for an exciting student life, and the cultural scene is as diverse as the Grätzl itself. From historical landmarks to cosy cafés and modern bars, Alsergrund has a lot to offer – no wonder that it is one of the most popular districts in Vienna. Right in the midst of this dynamic scene is the STUWO Student Dormitory Strudlhofgasse – a home away from home for students from all over the world. In this guide, we will not only introduce you to our student dormitory but also to the best spots that the 9th district has to offer, making this Grätzl so unique.

Table of Content

„A Grätzel is a Viennese expression for a special, often especially trendy part of a district that is defined by specific stores, green areas, bars or pubs and restaurants. Oftentimes a Grätzel covers a few streets and building complexes; however, its borders are not clearly defined and may change over time.”

STUWO student dormitory Strudlhofgasse

Address: Strudlhofgasse 5, 1090 Vienna

Small but charming, the STUWO Student Dormitory Strudlhofgasse offers spots for 96 students. In the fully furnished apartment, you can create your own personal space. For a community feeling, check out the party room or the shared kitchens. Thanks to the laundry room with washing machines and dryers, doing your laundry is quick and easy.

In the Learning Lounge, you can find peace and quiet to focus on your homework or exam preparation, and you can spend your well-deserved break in the courtyard, enjoying the fresh air. If music is your passion, the music rehearsal room will soon become your favourite spot. After an intense workout in the fitness room, you can treat yourself to some well-earned relaxation in the sauna.

“I love the shared kitchen because it’s a great place to meet new people.” – Joao

Viennese universities and colleges in the 9th district

The 9th district is home to several important faculties in Vienna, making it an ideal place for students to live. Our STUWO Student Dormitory Strudlhofgasse offers quick access to the following universities:

Transport connections: Spitalgasse, Währinger Straße, Franz-Josefs Train Station

The 9th district not only boasts incredibly trendy Grätzl, but its central location also makes it excellently connected to the public transport network. Here are the main transportation links for you from STUWO Strudlhofgasse:

  • Spitalgasse: The stop is located right near STUWO Strudlhofgasse. There you can catch the tram lines 37, 38, 40, 41, and 42, which will quickly take you to the University of Vienna or the Faculty of Law (Juridicum). Additionally, tram line 42 gets you to the Medical University of Vienna in no time. Lines 33 and 5 also depart from this station. Both will take you to the AKH campus, and line 5 will also quickly get you to Westbahnhof.
  • Währinger Straße (U6): You can reach this subway station either in 10 minutes on foot or in 5 minutes with tram lines 40, 41, and 42. The U6 subway line provides fast and convenient travel through the western part of Vienna.
  • Schottentor (U2): This important transportation hub with quick connections in all directions is easily reachable by tram lines 37, 38, 40, 41, and 42. From there, you can transfer to the U2 subway line or tram lines D, 1, 71, and U2Z, or walk to the 1st district.
  • Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof: From this station, the S-Bahn line S40 travels via St. Pölten to Krems an der Donau – an ideal connection to our STUWO Dormitory in Krems and for those coming from Lower Austria.

Other transportation options:

  • Car-Sharing: In Vienna, it is not necessary to buy your own car to be mobile – instead, you can easily use car-sharing providers like Free2Move and ShareNow, or ELOOP E-Carsharing.
  • Are you a proud car owner? Then grab your fellow students and carpool to university! Car-sharing is not only good for the environment and your wallet, but it also offers many social benefits – you can meet new people along the way!
  • Bicycle: Fortunately, Vienna also has well-developed bike paths. When you cruise through the city on two wheels, you are very environmentally friendly, active, and fast – the perfect alternative for short distances and the commute to university.

Cafés, restaurants and bars in 1090

In the Grätzl of the 9th district, you will find a variety of cafés, restaurants, and bars that offer something for every taste and occasion. From cosy breakfast cafés to lively pubs, the possibilities are almost endless.

Cafés/Bars

  • Café Telegraph: Embark on a culinary journey with an international brunch menu. From classic British breakfast to tempting Turkish eggs, there is something for every taste.
  • Café Francais: In the mood for an authentic French brunch in a beautiful setting? Then Café Francais is the place for you.
  • Weltcafé: A popular study café in the 9th district. Here, you can treat yourself daily to delicious breakfast and coffee. On Sundays, they also offer an affordable brunch buffet.
  • Coffee Pirates: Right next to the AKH campus, you can enjoy homemade cakes and exclusive coffee specialties. Perfect for a sweet treat after a lecture.

Restaurants/Bars

  • Sägewerk: This place operates on a build-your-own-dish principle, where you can customise your meal to your liking. They offer burgers, pizza, skillet dishes, pasta, and more – even the pickiest eaters will find something to enjoy here.
  • Suppenwirtschaft: Immerse yourself in the world of delicious soups, curries, and bowls. Everything is freshly prepared daily, with a variety of vegan options available.
  • Isaac’s International Pub: Enjoy juicy burgers from the lava stone grill in this cosy pub and spend fun evenings with friends.
  • Charlie P’s: One of the most popular Irish pubs in Vienna and an absolute student hotspot for fun evenings with an Irish flair.

International Flair

  • Wiener Deewan: Following the “Pay as you wish” principle, you set the price for your meal and enjoy delicious Pakistani cuisine with freshly prepared curries every day. All dishes are prepared halal, and there are also vegetarian/vegan options.
  • Yido: This restaurant takes you into the world of Asian cuisine with an affordable lunch menu.
  • Ethiopian Restaurant: Looking for something new? How about a culinary adventure! Here you can enjoy hearty stews and homemade flatbread at an unbeatable price.

Vegan Dishes

  • Café Gagarin: Here, it is also entirely up to you how much you want to pay for your meal. They offer a daily changing menu with a variety of exclusively vegan and vegetarian dishes.
  • Reformhaus Regenbogen: Enjoy large portions of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free dishes at an affordable price.
  • Superfood Deli: Here, you can enjoy delicious Acaí, Poké, and Porridge bowls for a healthy start to your day.
  • UuDam: This Vietnamese restaurant specialises in vegan cuisine, offering traditional Vietnamese dishes that are completely vegan.
  • Bröselei: Experience the variety of vegan cuisine at Bröselei, where daily changing dishes will delight your taste buds.

STUWO Tip: Stroll through the cultural Servitenviertel and let yourself be enchanted by its countless charming eateries, beer gardens, and beautiful monuments.

Leisure and culture in the 9th district

Discover the vibrant variety of leisure and culture in the 9th district! Here you will find an abundance of possibilities to make the most out of your free-time and experience cultural highlights: 

Sports and Activities

  • thePAC: From CrossFit to Boxing to Muay Thai, thePAC offers a wide range of training options to take your fitness to the next level.
  • Gyms: CircleGym and Fitinn 1090 are the places where you can really push yourself. With modern equipment and a variety of training options, they provide a diverse addition to your STUWO fitness room.
  • Yogafusion: Yoga with a twist; this yoga studio offers classes for Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga, and Bungee Training. It’s a varied workout to build your physical fitness while also relaxing your mind.

Cultural Highlights & Leisure

  • WUK Cultural Center: WUK is one of the largest cultural centres in Europe, offering a variety of exhibitions, concerts, and workshops for art lovers of all kinds.
  • Medical Museums: Learn about the history of various fields of medicine and get an insight into the human body at the Josephinum, the Pathological-Anatomical Collection, and the Dental Museum.
  • Money Museum: Money is the root of many things! Are you curious about the history of money from its beginnings to today? Then this is the place for you.
  • Sigmund Freud Museum and Viktor Frankl Museum: Learn more about the lives and works of Sigmund Freud and Viktor Frankl in their respective museums and discover the groundbreaking ideas of psychoanalysis.
  • Schubert’s Birthplace: Visit the birthplace of the famous composer Franz Schubert and explore an exhibition that honours his life and musical works.
  • Votivkino: Small but charming! Enjoy films in their original language with subtitles in this sweet, cosy cinema.
  • Theatre: Experience premieres at Schauspielhaus Wien, high-quality puppet theatre for adults at Kabinetttheater, and cabaret at Theater am Alsergrund for a good dose of humour.
  • Volksoper: Fans of opera productions, operettas, musicals, and ballet will find their place here. STUWO Tip: For everyone under 30, there are discounted tickets available starting at 15 euros.
  • Nightlife: Have fun dancing to techno at Grelle Forelle or dasWerk. At Loco, you can enjoy club music, free entry, and cheap drinks.

Parks and Recreation

  • Arne-Carlsson-Park: Your spot for action right next to the STUWO Dormitory Strudlhofgasse. Here, you can let loose on the sports field or improve your skating skills at the skatepark.
  • Erwin-Ringel-Park and Lichtentalerpark offer the perfect green spaces for sports enthusiasts. Here, you can enjoy the ball courts (football, basketball, etc.) with your friends.
  • Palais Liechtenstein: A beautiful large park, ideal for relaxing walks and peaceful hours in nature.
  • Sigmund-Freud-Park and Votivpark are popular meeting spots for students, where you can play Flunky Ball, have a picnic, enjoy the sunshine, and immerse yourself in student life in Vienna.

Shopping and Grocery Options: From Delicious Pastries to Exotic Supermarkets and Organic Goods

In close proximity to STUWO Strudlhofgasse, you will find a variety of shops and markets offering everything your heart desires. From supermarkets to exotic organic stores – discover the diversity of shopping options in our neighbourhood:

The Nearest Supermarkets

The Nearest Bakeries

  • Felzl: Here you will find wonderfully fragrant bread and delicious pastries that are simply irresistible.
  • Ströck: This bakery offers tasty breads as well as sweet and savoury pastries that are freshly prepared every day.
  • Bakery Felber: Known for their unique taste and high quality, this bakery produces goods following time-honoured recipes.
  • Joseph Brot Bio Bakery: Here the baked goods are made 100% from ingredients sourced from Austrian organic farming, allowing you to enjoy them with a good conscience.

Organic Stores & Exotic Supermarkets

  • Servitenmarket: At this farmers market, you will find a rich selection of fresh products like fruits, vegetables, pastries, meats, and delicacies from around the world.
  • Wiener Hofladen: This store offers the best products directly from producers in Austria, including homemade specialties, fresh fruits & vegetables, and much more.
  • Denns Organic Supermarket: At Denns, you will find high-quality organic products in Vienna. Here you can expect fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide selection of baked goods, as well as vegan and gluten-free products.
  • Coco Asian Supermarket: This market offers everything you need for authentic Asian cuisine, from fresh ingredients to various spices from all over Asia.

Conclusion: A Vibrant Student Life in the Heart of the 9th District

The 9th district captivates with its lively Grätzln, rich cultural scene, and numerous offers for students. From charming cafés to trendy bars, this district has many options to make the most of student life in Vienna. The STUWO Student Dormitory Strudlhofgasse, perfectly located in the heart of this vibrant Grätzl, provides students with an ideal home thanks to its central location and proximity to various universities and transportation links. Whether it’s culinary discoveries, cultural highlights, or relaxing hours in the parks – the 9th district has everything a student could desire. With this guide, we invite you to explore life in the 9th district and experience the unique atmosphere of its lively Grätzel. Immerse yourself in the diversity of Alsergrund and enjoy the exciting life as a student in Vienna!

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