So, after you’ve already visited all the important attractions in central Vienna, enjoyed a superb classical music concert, and seen the famous strudel show, it’s time to visit the Donau Tower (Donauturm). This beautiful attraction is located on the other side of the Danube River. The panoramic view of Vienna and its surroundings is the main reason to come to the tower. Choose a sunny day and ascend to see the entire area in 360 degrees.
In 2023, a new attraction, Europe’s highest slide, opened at the tower. Details will follow later in the article.
Donau Tower and its surrounding views:
Donau Tower – General Information
The Donau Tower is an observation tower located at the edge of the beautiful Donaupark in Vienna’s 22nd district (this is a part of Vienna located on the other side of the Danube River). It was built between 1962 and 1964 as part of the International Garden Festival held in Vienna. The tower is considered one of the city’s most prominent landmarks and often appears in famous illustrations depicting its skyline. In German, the Danube River is called Donau, and in English, it’s Danube, which is why some people might mix the languages and call the place the Donau Tower or Danube Tower.
The Donau Tower stands at a height of 252 meters, and on days with good visibility, you can see for about 80 kilometers, enjoying views of the Viennese Alps to the south or Bratislava to the east. Before the tower’s construction was completed, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the city center was the tallest building, but upon its completion, the Donau Tower became the tallest structure in Vienna (and in all of Austria, in fact). If you have ever visited Stuttgart in Germany, the Donau Tower might look familiar to you. In fact, its construction method and the technology used to complete it are very similar to those of the Stuttgart TV Tower. Although the Donau Tower looks like a television tower, it was never intended to be a broadcasting tower for local television channels.
What is the Donau Tower used for today?
The tower has several uses, with its primary use being tourism. At the top of the tower, there is an observation deck offering views of the entire area, attracting many visitors throughout the year. Additionally, the tower houses a restaurant (Turm Restaurant) and a café (Turm Café) that slowly revolve, allowing diners to enjoy the view without having to leave their seats. The tower’s café is located at a height of 160 meters, and the restaurant is at 170 meters. On the ground floor of the tower, there is a local brewery called “Donaubräu,” featuring a modern and spacious seating area for visitors and, of course, delicious Austrian beer.
Besides tourism, the tower is used by the Austrian Meteorological Service, as a measurement station for urban pollution levels, and as a broadcasting antenna for local radio stations. Between 2001 and 2018, it was possible to bungee jump from the tower (at a height of 152 meters), but this is no longer an option today. The tower is also considered a popular spot in Vienna for marriage proposals. On average, there are about 6 marriage proposals at the top of the tower every week.
What symbols are at the pointed tip of the tower?
Right at the very top of the tower, there are two prominent, unmissable symbols. These symbols are logos of local companies. Currently, you can see the red logo of “Bank Austria” from the Italian Unicredit Group at the very top of the tower, and the blue logo of the gaming company Novomatic beneath it.
What do you see from the observation deck at the top of the Donau Tower?
Since the tower rises high above Vienna, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the entire city. The observation deck in the tower is located at a height of 150 meters, far above the rooftops of Vienna. Part of the observation deck is open-air, but there is also a covered area inside the structure from which you can overlook the entire area (especially suitable for days when the weather is not ideal). This is the only place in Vienna where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the area.
At the observation deck, there are large touch screens with explanations about the different places visible on the horizon, with an option to zoom in to see the locations up close. You can see how the Danube River flows and branches through different parts of the city, gaze towards the green Kahlenberg mountain, and view all the districts of Vienna. If there is no low cloud cover, you can see far beyond the city limits, up to 80 kilometers away. At this distance, you can already see the peaks of the Schneeberg and Rax mountains in the Viennese Alps south of Vienna, the vast fields of Burgenland and Lower Austria where many wind turbines are located, and even glimpse the neighboring Slovakian capital – Bratislava.
For purchasing fast-track online entrance tickets to the Donau Tower.
How do you get to the observation deck in the Donau Tower?
The tower has two modern elevators (renovated in 2010) that will take you to the wonderful observation deck within half a minute. About 15 people can ascend simultaneously, but sometimes, during peak periods, you may have to wait a little to go up. If you want to skip the elevators, you can enjoy climbing the stairs; there are only 779 steps in the building.
Price for ascending and descending by elevator to the observation deck:
- Adult: 18 Euros
- Student (up to 27 years old): 14.40 Euros
- Senior (over 65 years old): 14.40 Euros
- Youth (15-18 years old): 14.40 Euros
- Children (6-14 years old): 10.80 Euros
- Children (3-5 years old): 5.40 Euros
- Children under 3 years old: Free
You can purchase tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line at the ticket office. Click here to purchase “skip the line” tickets for ascending to the Donau Tower observation deck.
The Rotating Restaurant in the Donau Tower, the Brewery, and More
Since it’s no longer possible to bungee jump from the top of the tower, the main reason to visit the tower is the breathtaking panoramic view.
If you want to enhance your experience at the tower, you can sit down for a meal or coffee. The restaurant and café slowly revolve, so you can enjoy the view without too much effort (a full rotation takes between half an hour to an hour). The restaurant at the top of the tower is considered one of Vienna’s top 10 restaurants with the most beautiful view, without a doubt. You must make a reservation in advance if you want to eat at the restaurant. There is no need to reserve a table at the café in advance.
Additionally, there’s a photo booth where you can take a picture and receive an edited photo with the Vienna skyline as a backdrop. On the ground floor of the tower, there’s a brewery with local food and excellent beer, a good alternative for those who don’t want to eat at the top of the tower.
Europe’s Highest Slide – The Donau Tower Slide
As part of an art project by the international German designer Christian Höller, a spiral slide was installed at the top of the Donau Tower, especially for adrenaline junkies. The slide is located at a height of 165 meters, and its upper part is transparent, allowing you to see the view as you slide down. The end of the slide reaches the observation deck at a height of 150 meters. To slide, you sit on a thin, dedicated mat and, following the operators’ instructions, embark on the adventurous ride. The cost of the slide is 5 Euros per person. This ticket must be purchased separately from the tower’s elevator tickets.
Other Important Information for Visiting the Tower
Please note: Even if you plan to eat at the restaurant or café in the tower, you will need to purchase separate tickets for the elevator. There is no free entry if you eat at the tower. Also, in case of bad weather, opening hours may change.
Opening Hours:
Observation Deck:
- Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Last descent at 10:45 PM (restaurant closing time).
Restaurant:
- Monday & Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:45 PM.
Reservations are required in advance. You can fill out a reservation form or send an email. For more details.
Café:
- Every Day (including holidays): 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Brewery on the ground floor:
- Monday & Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:45 PM.
How to Get to the Donau Tower from Central Vienna by Public Transport
Getting from the city center is quite simple, as Vienna’s public transport is excellent, and the Donau Tower is not far from subway stations. You can take the red U1 subway line and get off at the Alte Donau station, from where it’s about a 15-minute walk through Donaupark.
Another option is to take the red U1 line to the VIC/Kaisermühlen station or the brown U6 line to the Neue Donau station, and from there, take bus line 20A, which stops at the Donauturm station right next to the tower.
Alternatively, you can reach the tower via Vienna’s tourist bus (information and ticket purchase for the tourist bus). The Vienna Sightseeing HOP ON HOP OFF Bus company’s blue line stops at the Donau Tower. The Big Bus Donauturm also stops at the Donauturm station.
Vienna Pass holders can use the tourist bus for free and ascend the tower for free.
Address: Donauturmstraße 8, 1220 Wien
Map:
Additional Attractions in the Donau Tower Area
Although the tower is located in an area quite far from the city center, there are still a few attractions in the vicinity that you can combine with your visit. The tower is very close to Danube Island, one of the most enjoyable areas to visit during the summer months. You can read about the 7 recommended attractions and activities on Danube Island and see if they are suitable for you.
Additionally, one of Vienna’s best shopping malls, Donauzentrum, is not far away. Read more about shopping in Vienna.
