Vienna – Hostels in Vienna. Maps for Vienna, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Vienna.

More than just a palace, the Hofburg is a complex of stunning buildings that houses the Imperial Apartments, museums, a library, a concert hall and even an indoor riding school.

Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna

Lying in the extensive grounds of the Hofburg, this is the home of the Imperial art collection, including the largest number of Bruegel paintings in the world. A masterpiece round every corner.

Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna

It's a short journey out of town, and is likely to be crowded once you are there, but the Habsburg's summer residence is so extravagant it’s impossible to miss.

Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna

District: Schönbrunn

Once you’ve checked into your hostel, head here to start getting your bearings. Vienna's iconic cathedral is slap bang in the heart of the city. It was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in just seven years, making one of Europe's most remarkable houses of worship even more incredible.

Address: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna

If the opulence of Imperial Austria gets a bit much, try the wavy lines and bold colours of Friedensreich Hundertwasser's idiosyncratic gallery, a gathering point for artistic types with a more modern sensibility. Expect to bump into some fellow backpackers.

Address: Untere Weißgerberstraße 13, 1030 Vienna

A.K.A. The Famous Bit. Grandeur abounds in the historic centre of the city, where pedestrianised streets lead tourists and backpackers past cathedrals, opera houses and, of course, palaces. It's possible to spend an entire trip in this district alone.

Escape from the city centre to the vineyard-covered hills of Döbling in the North West, where wine taverns known as heurige line the idyllic village streets. Pick quieter Nussdorf over tourist-crowded Grinzing. A magical break from dorm life.

Attempting to rival neighbouring Innere Stadt for opulence, Vienna's 3rd District is similarly packed with astonishing architecture. It's here you'll find the Belvedere and Schwarzenberg Palaces, as well as the serene Stadtpark. There are some good cheap hostels just to the west in Favoriten.

Vienna, the city that invented the waltz, holds hundreds of balls each year. Save up some money, don your tux or gown, and celebrate new year in the classiest way possible.

Address: Hofburg Palace, Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna

Held in the open air on Karlsplatz in June, this free film festival shows a mixture of Austrian and Hollywood films, made special by its location beneath the dramatic Church of St Charles.

Address: Karlsplatz, Vienna

Running 26 miles isn't everyone's cup of tea, but there aren't many prettier places in the world to do it than Vienna, which is probably why this one is so popular. Even if you aren’t competing, the atmosphere is fantastic.

Address: Heldenplatz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Ostentatious in a totally different way - and, okay, a little more backpacker-friendly - is the city's Life Ball in May, a celeb-filled AIDS charity event that seeks to break down taboos with exuberant partying. Make sure your costume is colourful.

Address: Wien Rathaus, Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna

Despite the cold, Christmas is one of the very best times to be in a Vienna hostel. Smells of cinnamon and mulled wine waft throughout the city as various festive markets pop up throughout its many squares. Find them at Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, Karlsplatz, Spittelberg and many others.

In a city of such rich culture, it's only fitting that its annual festival should be an extravaganza of dance, drama and music. Running between May and June, it opens with a free outdoor concert at Schönbrunn Palace.

Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna

It's not all about Strauss and Mozart – Vienna goes jazzy for two weeks in July with some of the scene's biggest stars performing in some of the city's most spectacular venues.

Held on the island that stretches along the Danube, this free open air fest attracts three million visitors every June, and with good reason: there's music for everyone and the atmosphere is electric. Book early, as youth hostels will get busy.

Address: Donauinsel, Austria

Stretching for almost a mile over the Wien river, the 120 market stands of the ever popular Naschmarkt sell food from all around the world. With so much to choose from, it's a dream for bargain hunters and foodie backpackers alike.

Address: Naschmarkt 1060 Vienna, Austria

District: Wieden

A trip to Vienna is incomplete without stopping at one of their legendary cafés. Café Central is giant and tourist-filled, Café Sacher makes good sachertorte, but Cafe Eiles is a favourite spot for a late breakfast.

Address: Josefstädter Straße 2, 1080 Vienna

District: Josefstadt

As Austrian as leprechauns or Guinness - so okay, not very - this Irish pub serves incredibly cheap food and beer to a backpacker-friendly international crowd. The real charm is its library atmosphere, with borrowable books lining the walls so you can read while you drink.

Website: http://www.pickwicks.at/

Address: Marc-Aurel-Strasse 10-12, 1010 Vienna

Phone: 01 5330182

Lunch for under €6 – a fusion of oriental and Austrian cuisine – and a location near the medical school make this restaurant a hit with students. It’s close to some of the cheap hostels around Josefstadt, and there’s an events room downstairs where you can catch local musicians.

District: Josefstadt

Phone: 01 9904400

This place ticks every box. It’s close to hostels in Alsergrund and Rossau, and it’s as cheap as you want it to be – for any food on the menu, you pay what you feel. The Pakistani buffet doesn't have the widest selection but it tastes good and it’s sure to fill you up.

Website: http://deewan.at/

Address: Liechtensteinstraße 10, 1090 Vienna

District: Rossau

Phone: 01 9251185

Photos: http://deewan.at/

Although it welcomes all, Grelle Forelle's limited opening times, photography ban and the quirky way of finding it – follow the <>< fish signs – have given this diverse, ethical underground club a feeling of edgy exclusivity.

Website: www.grelleforelle.com

Address: Spittelauer Lände 12, 1090 Vienna

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/GrelleForelle

Every night sees a different genre of music blasting out of Flex's world-beating sound system which, when combined with a constant stream of big name acts, draws music lovers from around the world through its doors.

Website: www.flex.at

Address: Augartenbrücke 1, 1010 Vienna

District: Leopoldstadt

With three different atmospheres to choose from – thumping dance music, small concert café and slick bar area – this is one of the city's best social spots for youngsters. You’re bound to meet some fellow backpackers.

Website: http://www.theloft.at/

Address: Lerchenfelder Gürtel 37, 1160 Vienna

District: Josefstadt

Phone: 01 9477619

If your hostel group wants a night of serious clubbing, this is the place. Thick concrete walls mean that Fluc's prestigious visiting DJs are allowed to pump up the volume as much as they like for long, hard nights of partying. Which they do, gleefully.

Website: www.fluc.at

Address: Praterstern 5, 1020 Vienna

District: Leopoldstadt

Bringing the traditional wine tavern into the modern world – or at least the 1980s – this bar blends retro vibes with quality wines; a fresh twist on the Vienna drinking staple.

Address: Windmühlgasse 20, 1060 Vienna

District: Mariahilf

Phone: 01 966 30 66

Two floors stacked with Viennese delicacies and delights. If you’re in a hostel with a kitchen and fancy trying out some Austrian dishes, or just fancy an edible souvenir, this is the place to visit. You can sample their wares at the café.

Website: http://www.meinlamgraben.at/Home

Address: Graben 19, 1010 Vienna

Phone: 01 5323334

Head out of the hostel dorm and lose yourself in this treasure-trove of curios, selling everything from old postcards to disused advertising signs. The market is open every Sunday and alternates locations between the Ringstrassen Galerien and the Ekazent Hietzing.

Website: www.zeitrei.se

Address: Hietzinger Hauptstraße 22, 1130 Vienna

District: Hietzing

Head out of the hostel dorm and lose yourself in this treasure-trove of curios, selling everything from old postcards to disused advertising signs. The market is open every Sunday and alternates locations between the Ringstrassen Galerien and the Ekazent Hietzing.

Website: www.zeitrei.se

Address: Kärntner Ring 3-7, 1010 Vienna

Did you know Lomography – the lo-fi photography movement built around a cheap Russian camera – started in Austria? Pick up a huge range of kit and accessories at this flagship store, plus work from Austrian artists and designers.

Website: http://www.lomographyembassyvienna.com/

Address: Kettenbrückengasse 20, 1040 Vienna

Phone: 01 890 93 60

Offering free travel on any public transport and discounts in the majority of galleries, museums and buildings, this is essential for anyone fitting in multiple attractions in a short time. €18.90 for 48hrs or €21.90 for 72hrs.

Website: www.wien.info

Vienna's ornate City Hall, known as the Rathaus, offers free guided tours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm. A perfect way to explore one of the city's most eye-catching buildings.

You’ll have to queue up for them, but standing tickets for the Vienna State Opera cost as little as €3 on the day. Yes, it means tired legs – but at least you’ll be ahead of the game for the standing ovation.