Cities make incredible places to live - where history meets the future, cultures mix and match, and opportunities to work or play are abundant. We could argue over our favourite cities forever, but luckily we have the EIU’s Global Liveability Index to decide which is the very best to live in.
Vienna was awarded the title of the world’s most liveable city in 2018, 2019 and again in 2022 after a very brief drop down the rankings, but what makes it so great? And why does it keep on winning? According to the EIU, Vienna takes pole position because of its top-tier culture, history, infrastructure and social policies. Read on to find out more about the best city in the world to live in...
Want to check out what Vienna has to offer for yourself, in style? Our brand-new Vienna Hostel is the perfect base for exploring the city’s charms and has comfy private and double rooms in the Innere Stadt.
Culture
Classical music, fine art and coffee. Okay, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea on paper, but Vienna’s culture is unlike any other. Countless cute coffee shops are scattered across the city and offer perfect places to stop off and take in the unique surroundings. If you’re not a coffee fan, don’t worry - most of the cafés across the capital offer cakes, sandwiches, colder beverages and traditional Austrian sweets. Try out an Apfelstrudel (Viennese Apple Strudel) or Kaiserschmarrn (scrambled, caramelised pancakes) for the true Viennese experience.
Vienna’s long and passionate love story with art and music is obvious in every nook and cranny across the capital. Get ready for some serious name-dropping; Mozart, Beethoven, Gustav Klimt and Brahms all lived in Vienna for large portions of their lives, solidifying it as one of the world’s top destinations for culture lovers. Today their legacies live on in amazing museums full of information - check out the Belvedere for the World’s largest collection of Klimt’s paintings, Mozarthaus for live concerts and a tour of his Viennese apartment, or the Wien Museum for fascinating facts about Beethoven’s life (did you know he moved house over 60 times when he lived there?!). Vienna’s fabled arts history makes it one of the most fascinating and elegant places we’ve ever seen, and is one of the reasons it is the world’s most liveable city.
Architecture, Infrastructure and History
Vienna’s historic and modern infrastructure combine to help residents and visitors alike enjoy their time in the city to the fullest. The city’s fabulous architecture and modern transport systems are more reasons it tops the Global Liveability Index this year.
The capital’s famous buildings like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, The Schönnbrun Palace and the Vienna Operahouse will take your breath away, and remain popular with the locals, despite the crowds! Walking around the Innere Stadt (City Centre), there’s something to look at around every corner, and history dating all the way back to the Roman Empire is apparent with nearly every step. If your feet do get tired, those coffee shops are always welcoming - and are full of antiquities themselves!
Another top mark for Vienna in the EUI’s list was for its infrastructure (travel, public transport, water/electric supply and telecommunications). The city’s public transport network is especially impressive, with fast, cheap, clean and frequent services across trains, trams, subways and buses. In true Austrian spirit, Vienna’s stations use an ‘honesty system’ which means there are no ticket barriers or permanent ticket checks - but to spare your blushes, you do still have to purchase a ticket, as spontaneous checks are carried out on all services.
Safety and Environment
Vienna is one of the safest cities in Europe, ranking fifth in the the 2022 Global Peace Index, and this means residents and travellers can enjoy themselves day and night largely absent of worries. Because of this, Vienna is actually a quality, friendly night out. Head to Donau or Grelle Forelle for an underground techno, house and DnB experience, Volksgarten for a cheesy sing-a-long or Celeste for a boujee night. And if you want pre-drinks in the best bar in town full of like-minded travellers, we’ve got you covered! Head over to the brand new Belushi’s .
As well as being one of the safest cities in Europe, Vienna is also one of the greenest. It’s recognised in the EU as the leader in conservation, wastewater management, air quality and green spaces. Over 50% of the city is classified as a ‘green space’, so there’s plenty of nature to explore, and the stuff coming out of the taps is 100% au naturelle spring water! Vienna’s safety, accessibility and environmental credentials are yet another reason it’s the best city to live in this year.