Summer at the Alte Donau in Vienna (“Old Danube”)
The Alte Donau in Vienna guarantees a holiday feeling in the heart of the city and it is a perfect place to spend hot days. In addition to the many possibilities to go swimming, you can always try out stand up paddling or surfing. The Viennese simply love to hire boats or to go wakeboarding. And an added bonus is that you can enjoy the amazing background of Vienna’s skyline from the water.
Summer trend: Stand up paddling
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Stand up paddling is the summer trend par excellence! You stand up on a so-called SUP board and move forward with the help of a large paddle. It’s no wonder that this sport is so popular at the moment, as it has so many advantages.
Namely, you can use the board everywhere, regardless of whether on a river, lake or sea. It is easy to learn and several people can paddle at the same time on larger boards – but this does make it a little more difficult! Besides the fun factor, it is also an excellent workout for the whole body and great balance training. And if you are brave enough, you can also try out yoga on the board.
Our Tip: You don’t have to buy stand up paddling kits – you can easily hire them at the Old Danube. Perfect for a relaxing day’s holiday in Vienna.
Flotus Wien
Address: Laberlweg 19, 1220 Vienna
Website: https://www.flotus.at/
Opening times:
Monday – Friday: midday – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 8pm
Boating
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If you would like to try out a less sporty option, we recommend that you hire an electric boat. The boat rental company, Schinakl (Viennese for boat) ist he place to go to due to its large selection of boats. Besides a unicorn there is, for example, also a sofa boat and even a floating island.
A further advantage is the easy operation with joysticks. There are also barrier-free boat alternatives. It is easy to quickly rent a boat, sail where you want to, drop anchor and enjoy the cool water. The Alte Donau offers much more than just a pretty place to sunbathe.
And, of course, there are pedal boats and rowing boats available for those who like it sporty and traditional. You will find numerous providers at the Alte Donau, such as the boat rental company, Marina Hofbauer. Here there are numerous boats with all different kinds of equipment, which can be rented until midnight.
SCHINAKL Boat Hire
Address: Laberlweg 19, 1220 Vienna
Website: https://www.meine-insel.at/
Marina Hofbauer Boat Hire
Address: Wagramer Straße 49, Ecke Arbeiterstrandbadstraße, 1220 Vienna
Website: https://www.marina-hofbauer.at/
Opening times:
Weather permitting: Monday – Sunday: 12am – 10pm
Sailing and surfing (learning)
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If you want to sail or surf, you don’t have to travel to the sea. At the Alte Donau, you can enjoy both sports without any problems and with a lot of fun.
And if you don’t feel so confident on the board, you can learn both at the Vienna Sailing and Surfing School. There is a large selection of courses to choose from. In addition to basic courses, individual and holiday courses are also offered. You can also attend a course for a certificate, which will allow you to sail on inland waters (the “A” certificate of the Austrian Sailing Association).
Vienna Sailing and Surfing School
Address: Florian-Berndl-Gasse 34, 1220 Vienna
Website: https://segelschule-wien.at/
Wakeboarding – also great for children
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Another great summer activity – this time on the New Danube but still worth mentioning – is wakeboarding. The wakeboard was originally called a “skurfer” as the board is a combination of a surfboard and a water ski. Wakeboarding is not only fun but it also looks brilliant. In contrast to surfing, the feet are strapped to the board. And then you are good to go!
You are pulled by a wakeboard lift, which is similar to a ski lift, but here you have water and not snow under your feet. Gliding over the water is great fun and those who dare can wakeboard over jumps. In addition to the courses offered to learn the sport, the wakeboard lift can also be hired exclusively. Children over the age of 8 are also permitted to try out wakeboarding.
Wakeboardlift Wien
Address: Am Wehr 1, 1220 Vienna
Website: http://wakeboardlift.at/
Opening times: Can be found on the website
Vienna’s most famous lido
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The Gänsehäufel is, without a doubt, the most famous lido in Austria’s capital. Up to 30,000 people can visit the now listed lido. However, due to its numerous beaches, the sports and leisure facilities, a closed off nudist area, a water playground and a climbing garden, it does not seem overcrowded.
In addition, the spaciousness of the Gänsehäufel immediately arouses a holiday feeling in visitors. In the middle of Vienna on a small island, surrounded by the clear water of the Old Danube – what more could you wish for?
Gänsehäufel
Address: Moissigasse 21, 1220 Vienna
Website: http://www.gaensehaeufel.at/
Opening times:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday, public holidays: 8am – 8pm
As there are not so many possibilities to park at the Old Danube, we recommend that you travel there by public transport in order to arrive relaxed at your destination.