Summer vibes on the Danube in Vienna

When temperatures in Vienna rise above 30 degrees Celsius in summer, many residents and visitors alike prefer a cooler spot in a park or by the water to the heated streets. Along the banks of the Danube, especially on the Danube Island or by the Old Danube, there are numerous opportunities for water sports and swimming, for rest and relaxation at various bathing spots, boat docks, restaurants and beach bars – pure summer vibes.

During my short trip at the beginning of August, it was also far too hot for sightseeing, and on the other hand, the summer weather was too beautiful for a visit to a chilled museum. During my last visit in spring, it was the other way around, and I fled from the wet and cold weather into a warm coffee house.

As an extension of Praterstraße and Lassallestraße, the Reichsbrücke bridge leads from the central city districts across the Danube into the eastern district of Donaustadt. The underground provides a quick and easy journey via the ‘Donauinsel’ stop, which is why many beach bars, SUP or boat rentals have set up shop nearby at Sunken City or Copa Beach. That was definitely the more refreshing option for this midsummer day.

Floating pontoons and man-made sand “beaches”, deckchairs and sunbeds or shady lounge chairs offered a spot for every guest according to their interests. Street food trucks, bars and restaurants catered to hunger and thirst with international and local cuisine and a variety of drinks. At the bar D’Arepa, South American rhythms spread a relaxed, casual Caribbean atmosphere. As they say, “It’s five o’clock somewhere” – so I allowed myself the first (light, fizzy) drink of the day early on. A few more were to follow until after sunset, while I commuted between the deckchair and a dip in the water.

Later, the sunset bathed the still glowing city in the appropriately warm light of the golden hour, after which the cool city lights of the modern skyscrapers of Donau City correlated with the now fresher night air. On the way back to the hotel, I walked across the “Ponte Cagrana” pedestrian bridge from Copa Beach over to the banks of the Danube Island, which were also still very busy. The beach bar “Porto Pollo” on the south bank often hosts DJs, so this club offered another great opportunity to dance the night away in the mild Viennese summer night.