Stretching an impressive 21 kilometers long and up to 250 meters wide, the artificial Danube Island (Donauinsel) was originally constructed between 1972 and 1988 as a highly sophisticated flood-protection barrier for Vienna. Built using the soil excavated to create the parallel New Danube channel, this incredible feat of engineering quickly evolved from a safety project into a local paradise.
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. In addition, there are public restrooms and water fountains everywhere to be found on the island – all for free!
On the map, you can see how long the island is (the area inside the red dotted line):
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.
This is what Danube Island looks like
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:
1. 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, 1210 Wien
Map:
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.
2. Get Active: Padel, Beach Volleyball, and Spikeball
For those looking to get active, the Sportinsel area is a true recreational paradise featuring the vibrant Padelzone, where you can enjoy fast-paced outdoor padel tennis right by the water. Right alongside, premium beach volleyball courts with fine sand invite you to join a pickup match that often stretches late into the evening under professional floodlights. If you wander over to the lush grassy lawns, you are also guaranteed to spot groups of locals playing Spikeball, a highly addictive game where players bounce a ball off a mini-trampoline in the sun.
3. 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: €5.00 for 10 minutes (definitely enough time).
Official Website
Address: Am Hubertusdamm, 1210 Wien
Map:
4. 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, 1220 Wien
Map:
5. 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, 1220 Wien
Map:
6. 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.
This is what Wakeboarding at Danube Island looks like
- Opening Hours: Open from April to October, from the afternoon until sunset.
- Prices per hour:
- Adult: €28
- Child (8-15): €24
Official Website
Address: Am Wehr 1, Neue Donau, 1220 Wien
Map:
7. 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.
8. BBQ
Firing up a barbecue on the scenic Danube Island is a beloved summer tradition for Viennese residents, making it one of the absolute best ways to immerse yourself in the city like a true local. However, to join in on the fun during the warm season, you must plan ahead and reserve a designated grill site online, as open fires outside these specific areas are completely forbidden. The city takes these park rules very seriously, so expect frequent on-site patrols checking for valid booking confirmations to keep the island safe and clean.
9. 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 (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.
10. 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 water that offer a place to go for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail late at night. Most of these entertainment venues cluster near the Reichsbrücke bridge at CopaBeach, a vibrant area featuring sandy city beaches, modern food trucks, and permanent bars.
Directly opposite sits Pier 22, a beautifully designed waterfront leisure zone with swimming platforms and cafes, which you can easily reach by crossing a floating pontoon bridge. Here, you can regularly join free-donation open-air salsa and bachata nights. No partner is required, so you can just show up and dance!
The best way to reach the island is to take the U1 subway line and get off at the Donauinsel station, which drops you just a 5-minute walk from both CopaBeach and Pier 22.
Official Website
11. Danube Island Festival
The Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) is a municipal festival of Vienna. It is a world-renowned festival mainly because it attracts about 3 million visitors every year. 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. In 2027, the festival will be from June 25 – June 27.
Official Website
Other Interesting Places Near Danube Island
Danube Park (Donaupark)
This park is located in Vienna’s 22nd district and was established to commemorate the International Garden Festival held in the city in 1964. It sits on a small island between the Old Danube (Alte Donau) and the New Danube (Neue Donau) channels.
In the past, the area was abandoned and filled with garbage and was also used, among other things, as a site for Nazi executions. Today, the park is a green oasis offering rest and relaxation for families, couples, and nature lovers seeking a break from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The park covers approximately 604,000 square meters and features flower beds and a small lake at its center. At its northern end stands the Danube Tower, a popular landmark and visitor attraction.
Address: Donaupark, 1220 Wien
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.
Address: Donauturmplatz 1, 1220 Wien
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:
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