Today, Danube Island serves as a great recreational spot during the summer months and an escape from the bustling center of Vienna. It has swimming areas in the river, attractions for children, sports activities, restaurants and bars, a nudist beach, and an annual festival with over 3 million revelers (it’s the biggest party in Europe)! In parts of the island, there is free internet for the convenience of visitors.
On the map, you can see how long the island is (the area circled in black):
The southern end of the island is right on the city border with the state of Lower Austria, and from there you can watch planes take off and land at Vienna’s airport. There is no doubt that this island is very unique, and you probably won’t find a similar place in other capital cities around the world.
A video from Danube Island
Attractions on Danube Island
Along the island, you can find wonderful places that combine green nature, tranquility, and fun activities for children and adults. We have gathered the best activities on the island here:
Swimming Beaches
Although there are no real sandy beaches along the island, but rather grassy meadows, there are still enjoyable swimming spots. Every few hundred meters there are floating platforms (50 in total) where you can sit comfortably and also jump into the water and swim. For families with small children, there are designated swimming areas where the water level does not exceed one meter. The family beach is located in the area between the Nordbahn Bridge and the Brigittenauer Bridge. There is a restaurant and a playground for children on site. The easiest way to get to the beach is to get off at the Neue Donau station (brown line U6).
Address: Familienbadestrand Wien, Neue Donau
Besides the children’s beaches, there are many places along the island where you can sit freely and swim in the water. It is worth taking the subway and getting off at the Donauinsel station (red line U1) and from there walking along the island to find a quiet spot on the river banks.
Map:
Boat Rentals
You can rent pedal boats or electric boats and go on an experiential cruise on the New Danube River. The boat rental complex is located near the subway station called Donauinsel.
- Operating Hours: On days with good weather: from 11:00 AM until midnight (00:00).
- Prices: Starting from €22 per boat for an hour’s cruise.
- Address: Booteria – Boats & Drinks, Donauinsel
- Map:
Riverside Playground
The playground is suitable for children of all ages. The park has small water installations and small pools for the children. The main attraction in the park is the wooden water station.
- Admission is free.
- The best way to get there is to take the subway and get off at the Donauinsel station (red line U1). From there, it’s about a 7-minute walk south until you reach the playground complex.
- Opening Times: End of April to the end of September.
- Address: Wasserspielplatz Donauinsel
- Map:
Over-the-Water Trampolines
A fun place for children, but also for the young at heart. Right above the river, there is an enjoyable trampoline complex. You can jump and enjoy the view at the same time. The trampoline complex is located right next to the Donauinsel subway station (red line U1).
- Operating Hours:
- May: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- June – August: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- September: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Costs: €4.50 for 12 minutes (definitely enough time).
- Official Website
- Address: Am Hubertusdamm, 1210 Wien
- Map:
Wakeboarding
This attraction is particularly suitable for water sports enthusiasts. Vienna’s only wakeboarding complex is located right on Danube Island. Come and show off your surfing skills at this fun complex. To get there, you need to get off at the Donaustadtbrücke subway station (purple line U2). After getting off at the station, exit at the Donauufer exit and then turn right. From there, it’s about a two-minute walk.
If you’re not sure what wakeboarding is:
- Opening Hours: Open from June to September, from the afternoon until sunset.
- Prices per hour:
- Adult – €25
- Child (8-15) – €23
- Official Website
- Address: Am Wehr 1 – Neue Donau, 1220 Wien
- Map:
Cycling
Being an artificial island, Danube Island is completely flat, and along it, there are paved and well-maintained paths. You can go for a bike ride along the island and see the city view across the river. The bike path on the island is circular and its total length is that of a marathon run – 42.2 kilometers. Along the route, there are beautiful places to stop and also places where you can jump into the water and cool off in the hot summer months. There are also drinking fountains with free water where you can refill along the route, as well as public toilets in several locations.
At the southern end of the island, you can sit comfortably and see the river spread out before you and planes taking off and landing from Vienna’s airport, which is about 4 kilometers away. It is important to note that the path to the end of the island passes through Vienna’s nudist beach, so be warned.
The Nudist Beach
At the ends of Danube Island, there are designated areas for Vienna’s nudist community. You will know you have reached the nudist beach when you see the inscription FKK (in German, Freikörperkultur, meaning free body culture). This inscription is painted in large letters on the path so you can’t miss it, and even if you do, the naked people walking around will draw your attention to it. Most of the people who come there are Viennese pensioners, and few young people come to the beach to sunbathe. The beach itself is simply long grassy meadows with places to get down to the water. If you are interested in nude bathing, this is the place for you.
Danube Island Festival
The Danube Island Festival (in German, Donauinselfest) is a municipal festival of Vienna. It is a world-renowned festival mainly because it attracts about 3 million visitors. In fact, it is the largest open-air festival in the world. For three days, dozens of singers, DJs, and bands perform on a variety of stages scattered along the island. Admission is free, and it is a truly great festival.
The festival usually takes place on the last weekend of June. Official Website of the Festival
Restaurants and Bars along Danube Island
Besides fun attractions and swimming opportunities in the river, there are a variety of bars and restaurants along the island that offer a place to go for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail late at night. The entertainment venues are mostly concentrated near the Reichsbrücke bridge. There is an area known to the locals as “Copa Cagrana” (a pseudo-Brazilian name for the area located in the Kagran neighborhood) with restaurants and bars.
Another place is called Sunken City, and you can only get to it by walking on a floating bridge. There are several bars and restaurants there. The most famous one is called Sansibar.
The best way is to take the subway and get off at the Donauinsel station (red line U1). From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the restaurant and bar area.
Other Interesting Places Near Danube Island
Danube Park (Donaupark)
This park is located in the 22nd district of Vienna. It was established in honor of the International Garden Festival held in the city in 1964. The park is located on the small island between the Old Danube river channel (in German, Alte Donau) and the New Danube channel (Neue Donau). In the past, it was an abandoned and garbage-filled place that was used, among other things, for Nazi executions. Today, the green park is a place for rest and relaxation for families, couples, or nature lovers who want to disconnect a bit from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is spacious (604,000 square meters) and has flower beds and a small lake in its center. At its northern end is the television tower – the Danube Tower, which has become a popular attraction.
Address: Donaupark, 1220 Vienna
The Danube Tower (Donauturm)
This tower is the tallest in Austria, with a height of 252 meters. The tower was built in the 1960s and has become one of Vienna’s symbols. At the top of the tower, there is a great observation deck with a view of the entire area, as well as two revolving restaurants that offer a great panoramic view while you eat (don’t worry, they revolve very slowly). In the summer months, people perform bungee jumps from the top of the tower. More information on the Danube Tower.
Prater Park
Parallel to the southern part of Danube Island is one of Vienna’s great city parks – Prater Park. This park has wonderful nature with lots of trees, vegetation, and water. In addition, there is an old amusement park with lots of exciting and scary (in parts) rides. For more information, read our detailed article on the Prater Park.
Map:
