Sights in Vienna Along the U1 Subway Line

You definitely don’t need a car to get from A to B in Vienna. The public transportation network is so well developed, that you can not only get to your destination in an environmentally friendly way, but also much faster than by car. Plan your vacation day along a single subway line. That will save you the time of switching subways and let you get more out of Vienna. Not only is the most famous church in the country located on the U1 subway line, but also the buildings with the widest views of Vienna, as well as the famous “blue” Danube.

U1: The Red Subway Through the Center of Vienna

U1 Sightseeing

The U1 crosses through the center of Vienna from the north (Leopoldau station) to the south (Oberlaa station): 19.2 km in max. 40 minutes. It was opened in 1978 and connects seven districts. Since the extension in 2017, it is now the longest subway line in Vienna.

U1 Oberlaa (End station in the south)

The modern thermal spa “Therme Wien” is located directly at the end station Oberlaa. In addition to sports and salt-water pools, it also offers cozy grottos for relaxation, a large sauna area and an adventure area for children.

U1 Reumannplatz

The Amalienbad is the most beautiful pool in Vienna. Here you can swim in a historic atmosphere surrounded by Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements. The Tichy ice cream parlor, famous for its “Eismarillenknödel” or apricot-filled ice cream dumplings, is also located on Reumannplatz.

U1 Keplerplatz

Here you will find the Favoritenstraße, a spacious pedestrian zone with lots of shopping opportunities.

U1 Südtiroler Platz

Gustav Klimt, The Kiss, picture Belvedere, Vienna

Direct access to Vienna’s main train station and only a 10-minute walk to the entrance of Belvedere Palace, where the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings is on display, including the famous “Kiss”.

U1 Karlsplatz

One of the largest subway stations in Vienna. There is no real “right” exit here, as they all take you someplace spectacular. One exit leads you to the State Opera House and the Albertina. Another to the Baroque church Karlskirche, the Künstlerhaus and the Wien Museum. Yet another, leads to the Secession, the Naschmarkt and the Theater an der Wien. The “3rd Man” guided tours into the underworld also start right here at Karlsplatz.

U1 Stephansplatz

Looking up as you exit the subway station you will see the steeples of Vienna’s landmark, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, reaching skywards. You can also window shop along the numerous shopping streets, such as Kärntnerstraße, Graben, Kohlmarkt, etc.

U1 Schwedenplatz

Almost anything is possible at Schwedenplatz. On the one hand there are countless bars, pubs and the popular ice cream parlor “Am Schwedenplatz” all right next door to each other. On the other hand, the area also offers plenty of culture like the oldest church in Vienna, the Ruprechts Church, the Postal Savings Bank building built by Otto Wagner, and the Urania observatory. The sightseeing ships and the Twin City Liner, which you can take to Bratislava, also dock at the Danube Canal.

A cosy round with the “Riesenrad”

U1 Praterstern

The main attraction of the Vienna Prater, the “Riesenrad” or Giant Ferris Wheel, can be seen right at the entrance to the park next to the large Prater meadow. At the entrance, you will also find the Vienna Planetarium and Madame Tussauds Vienna, the Austrian-related wax museum.
If you need a break from all your sightseeing, the green lawns along the Praterallee are the perfect place to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

U1 Vorgartenstraße

Franz von Assisi church

Here you will find yourself at the foot of the Imperial Bridge over the Danube and very close to the particularly photogenic Francis of Assisi Church.

U1 Donauinsel

On the one side the Danube, on the other side the recreational paradise of the Viennese, the Danube Island.

U1 Kaisermühlen

Here you will find the UN headquarters. You can’t miss it with its unique architecture. Guided tours take place three times a day from Monday to Friday.

U1 Alte Donau

Donauturm ©WienTourismus Karl Thomas

The 252-meter-high viewing platform of the Danube Tower provides breathtaking views over Vienna. Depending on the weather, you can see up to 80 kilometers away. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

U1 Kagran

Shopping pleasure & entertainment, directly at the Kagran subway station. The Donauzentrum is the largest shopping center in Vienna. It houses over 260 different shops. Separate from the shopping area you will find the “Donau Plex” with numerous restaurants and a cinema with 13 screens.

The Schick Hotels along the U1

The U1 subway line is just a short walk from each Schick Hotel. The Hotel Capricorno is the closest, just a “hop and a skip” away from the Schwedenplatz station. Schwedenplatz is also ideal for Hotel Stefanie and Hotel City Central (5 minutes on foot), but if you are traveling north, the Nestroyplatz station is also an option (also 5 minutes on foot).
The ideal U1 station from Hotel Erzherzog Rainer is Taubstummengasse, just 5 minutes away on foot. Hotel Am Parkring is the “furthest” away, with an 8 minute walk, but you start in the center of the city at “Stephansplatz”.

Header picture: Subway station Alte Donau © WienTourismus Paul Bauer