Vienna is landlocked but has 60+ km of free-access beaches along the Danube River and its connected waterways. Beaches are typically open May–September/October depending on weather.
Good to know
Good to Know
- Vienna offers nearly 40 miles (63 km) of free-access wild swimming areas — the most extensive in a landlocked city.
- Water quality is excellent; Austria ranks highest in Europe with 97% of bathing spots achieving the highest EU water-quality ranking.
- Many lidos and free platforms have recently added new swimming jetties and platforms with ladders for safer entry.
- Visit early on hot days (May–September) for crowded venues; weekdays and evenings tend to be quieter than weekends.
- Most municipal pools charge around €5–6 per day for adults; some private facilities cost €17+ but offer fewer crowds.
- Bike rentals and boat rentals are available at many venues, allowing for extended exploration of the Danube waterways.
- Copa Beach and Vienna City Beach Club are best for summer evening vibe and nightlife; Pirate Bay and Lobau are best for peaceful, natural swimming.
Beach Clubs Free Entry
Copa Beach
- Location
- New Danube (Neue Donau), near Danube Island subway station (U1 Donauinsel)
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Sand beach, bars, food trucks, cocktails, loungers, DJs, events, beach volleyball, sports facilities, showers, water access
- Designation
- party/full-service
- Description
- Modern urban beach club with sand beaches, tropical plants, loungers, bars, food trucks, cocktails. Trendy evening scene with DJ, music, and nightlife. Family-friendly with multiple sand beaches and sports facilities.
Pier 22
- Location
- New Danube, across from Copa Beach
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Swimming platforms, shaded lounging areas, restaurants, cafés, food trucks, water access
- Designation
- quiet/full-service
- Description
- New spacious area with swimming platforms, shaded lounging areas, no pressure to purchase. Two cafés, restaurant, rotating food trucks. Urban summer vibe.
Vienna City Beach Club
- Location
- Near Donaustadt bridge, New Danube
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Sand beach, DJ, restaurant, loungers, beach volleyball courts (rental available for night play), water access
- Designation
- party/full-service
- Description
- Combination of beach feeling and party atmosphere. DJ, restaurant, loungers on sand. Night beach volleyball available.
Pirate Bay (Pirat Bucht)
- Location
- Danube Island, near Donaustadt bridge
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Sandy beach, shade trees, water access
- Designation
- quiet
- Description
- Largest sandy beach in Vienna (3,500 m²), newly inaugurated. True oasis of peace with sand, shade from large trees, easy water entry.
Romaplatz (Lagerwiese)
- Location
- New Danube, reached via U6
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Beach volleyball, table tennis, basketball court, Würstelstand (food stand), basic toilets, water access
- Designation
- family/quiet
- Description
- Family bathing beach with nice bathing spots. Open grassy areas, shade trees, sports facilities.
Designated Lidos With Admission
Strandbad Alte Donau (Bundesbad Alte Donau)
- Location
- Old Danube (Alte Donau), U1 subway to Alte Donau
- Admission
- €6.20
- Facilities
- Pools, restaurant, changing rooms, showers, lockers, boat rentals, sports courts
- Designation
- family/quiet/full-service
- Description
- Oldest outdoor bathing beach in Vienna. Grassy, forested area with pebbly beach, manicured lawns, trees, piers, and sunbathing areas. Pools, restaurants, changing facilities, lockers, showers.
Gänsehäufel (Strandbad Gänsehäufel)
- Location
- Danube Island, U1 Kaisermühlen VIC then free shuttle bus (Bäderbus)
- Admission
- €5.50
- Facilities
- Multiple pools and beaches, water slides, ropes course, beach volleyball, climbing park, soccer field, restaurants, food stalls, playgrounds
- Designation
- family/full-service
- Description
- One of Europe's largest open-air pool complexes (300,000 m²), on an island in the Danube. Sandy and grassy beaches, multiple pools, water slides, ropes course, diverse water and land activities.
Angelibad
- Location
- Old Danube, U1 subway
- Facilities
- Shallow pools, sports courts, picnic areas, playground
- Designation
- family/quiet
- Description
- Smaller, family-friendly beach along Old Danube. Shallow swimming areas, grassy lawns, fewer crowds than larger lidos. Floating docks and sports courts.
Schönbrunner Bad
- Location
- Schönbrunn Palace grounds
- Facilities
- Olympic pool, family and children's pools, gym, sauna, restaurant
- Designation
- family/full-service
- Description
- Public pool within the palace park. 50m Olympic course, family pool, children's pool, gym, sauna.
Free Swimming Platforms And Wild Swimming
Old Danube (Alte Donau) Free Platforms
- Location
- Along the Old Danube shoreline, especially Upper Old Danube
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Swimming platforms, jetties, minimal facilities
- Designation
- quiet
- Description
- Free platforms and jetties along the Old Danube where visitors can jump in, sunbathe, and swim. New platforms with ladders for safe entry.
Danube Island (Donauinsel) Free Access
- Location
- 21 km island accessible via U1, U2, U6
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Minimal; some areas have trees for shade, cafés and rental services available in sections
- Designation
- quiet
- Description
- Extensive free-access wild swimming areas with sandy banks, grassy areas, rocky stretches. Multiple swimming spots with varying character.
Kaiserwasser
- Location
- In Kaisermühlen, near Danube City, tributary of Old Danube
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Minimal
- Designation
- quiet
- Description
- Tributary of Old Danube, particularly busy in summer. Popular for natural swimming.
Lobau (Donau-Auen National Park)
- Location
- East of Vienna in Donau-Auen National Park, U6 accessible
- Admission
- free
- Facilities
- Minimal; natural setting
- Designation
- quiet
- Description
- Wild natural swimming spots within national park. Areas with unspoilt natural surroundings. Upper Lobau and Mühlwasser sections quieter.
Vienna's beaches are created by the Danube River and its tributaries, offering sandy shores, grassy areas, and various swimming venues. Most are freely accessible, though some designated lidos charge admission.
Party Venues
Copa Beach, Vienna City Beach Club, Strandbar Herrmann on Danube Canal. Most active in evenings with DJs and nightlife.
Accessibility
Most venues accessible via U-Bahn (subway). Danube Island and New Danube areas reached via U1, U2, or U6. Old Danube area via U1 to Alte Donau stop. Free shuttle bus (Bäderbus) from U1 Kaisermühlen to Gänsehäufel.
Quieter Spots
Upper Lobau, Mühlwasser stretches, less-frequented stretches of Old Danube, Pirate Bay, and Angelibad tend to have fewer crowds.
Seasonal Information
Most bathing areas open May 1 and close end of September/early October, depending on weather. Summer temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F), making these spots popular during heat waves.
Family Friendly Features Across Venues
Most lidos and beach clubs offer playgrounds, shallow pools, changing facilities, restaurants, shade trees, and lifeguard supervision. Many provide beach volleyball courts and water toy rentals.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Vienna
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.