Danube Island in Vienna

The Danube Island in Vienna: Vienna's longest adventure playground

The Danube Island is Vienna's most important recreational area – a 21-km-long strip between the Danube and the New Danube, designed for sports, relaxation, culinary delights, and culture. Whether swimming, cycling, or celebrating at the Danube Island Festival, the island offers something for everyone – whether you're looking for peace and quiet or entertainment. We've been there many times and can safely say: Once you've been here, you'll always come back.

Short info:

• Where is the Danube Island? Between the Danube and the New Danube, across Vienna (21 km long, up to 250 m wide)
• What's the best way to get there? Take the U1 to “Donauinsel”, “Kaisermühlen VIC” or “Neue Donau” or by bike or on foot
• What can you do there? Swimming, cycling, barbecuing, wakeboarding, beach volleyball, inline skating, fishing, picnicking, attending concerts
• Where is the best place to swim? At the Fisherman's Beach, in the Pirate's Cove, on the Sun Island, in the nudist area or at the North Swimming Area
• When does the Donauinselfest take place? Annually at the end of June
• Are there any restaurants on the island? Yes, e.g., Radschenke, at Pier 22, food trucks, snack stands, island lounges
• Are there barbecue areas? Yes – but only with Online reservation about the city of Vienna
• Is swimming allowed everywhere? In the New Danube, yes – but only at designated locations

Swimming on the Danube Island: With and without swimming trunks

The Danube Island offers numerous official and free swimming spots along the New Danube – ideal for hot days in the heart of the city. Here you'll find both quiet lawns and lively sandy beaches with amenities. You can jump in almost anywhere; here are our recommendations:

1. Fisherman's Beach (Near U1 “Alte Donau”)
   Central location with shallow pebble beach – ideal for families
2. Copa Beach (U1 “Danube Island”)
   An urban-style area with restaurants, loungers, bathing platforms, and showers. There are also stand-up paddling, e-scooter rentals, and green spaces with no obligation to consume. The new Waterfront promenade and Pier 22 area will be further expanded until 2025.
3. Pirate Bay (between Vienna City Beach Club and Wakeboardlift, 22nd district)
   Approximately 200 m long sandy beach with seating, mobile toilets, and shallow entrances. Quieter than the Copa Beach. No dogs allowed.
4. Arena Beach (Kaisermühlenbucht, 22nd district)
   A 1,100 m² sandy beach directly on the New Danube, ideal for sunbathing. No dogs allowed. Access via U1 "Kaisermühlen VIC" or bus 92A to Harrachgasse.
5. Sunny Island (north of the Reichsbrücke)
   Small lawn with shallow access to the New Danube. Less frequented.
6. Swimming area north (between Floridsdorfer and Nordbahnbrücke)
   Approximately 250 meters long, this beach features a shallow water zone, ideal for children. Facilities include restrooms, a playground, a restaurant, an ice cream stand, and a beach volleyball court. Dogs are not allowed.
7. Nudist areas
   Three officially designated nudist zones (marked with "FKK" on the ground) are located in the south (kilometers 2.1–5.1) and the north (kilometers 17.7–19.5) of the Danube Island. These areas feature extensive lawns with trees, swimming platforms, restrooms, and drinking fountains. Clothing is optional; respectful behavior is expected.
8. Dog bathing area (Near Brigittenau Bridge)
   There's a separate area for dog owners with access for four-legged friends. Swimming with dogs is permitted only here.

Tip:
An overview of all bathing areas, restaurants, boat rentals, first aid stations and sports facilities can be found in the City map of ViennaThe complete overview map is also available for download as a PDF (approx. 8 MB).

Please note: Swimming in the regular Danube is prohibited – it is only permitted in the New Danube.

Sports activities on the island

The Danube Island is a true El Dorado for sports enthusiasts. Whether you prefer to train alone or meet up with friends, there's plenty of space.

Especially in the south, between the Stone Spur Bridge and the Freudenau power plant, lies the area of the so-called Sports IslandHere you will find:

• Beach volleyball courts
• Calisthenics facilities
• Football fields
• Table tennis tables
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Jogging and skating trails

A highlight for adrenaline fans is the Wakeboard lift Vienna Right next to the Steinsporn Bridge. It features a modern facility with a cable car, ski jumps, SUP rentals, a sunbathing lawn, and a chilled beach bar. Admission is free, but there's a fee for using the cable car.

Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can rent one of the WienMobil bikes or take part in yoga sessions by the water. Vienna Energy Business Run in autumn starts regularly on the Danube Island.

Culinary delights on the Danube Island

The island has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. In the far north, Radschenke – a down-to-earth snack bar with sparkling wine, sandwiches, and small snacks. Ideal for a relaxing break while cycling or after a swim.

A real hotspot is the newly designed Copa Beach (formerly Copa Cagrana) directly at the Reichsbrücke, at the U1 station "Kaisermühlen VIC" (located directly opposite the Danube Island, connected by a wooden walkway). A modern restaurant area is being built here around the Pier 22, which covers a total of 13,000 m². The area has been transformed into an urban chill-out zone with wooden decks, seating terraces, palm trees, shady lounge areas, and water features – with direct views of the Vienna skyline.

Several restaurants, beach bars, and cafés already invite you to linger, offering international cuisine, cocktails, burgers, bowls, and vegan options. The entire area is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. Especially in the evenings, the Copa Beach popular with locals and tourists alike – whether for sunset, after-work or a relaxing drink by the water.

Additionally, in summer, you'll find numerous food trucks, mobile ice cream carts, drink stands, and small snack bars along the Danube Island—especially around the main entrances, at swimming spots, or during events like the Danube Island Festival. We treated ourselves to a delicious pita at the Greek restaurant. 

Barbecues, picnics and fishing

Barbecues are officially allowed on the Danube Island – but only in two designated barbecue areas as well as 15 barbecue areas that can be reserved for a feeAll barbecue areas are supervised by MA 45 (Vienna Waters).

The Grill zones can you free of charge and without prior registration use, but you have to bring your own grill. Barbecues are allowed there daily until 9 p.m.The two zones are located:

• in the Brigittenau Bay (21st district, between Brigittenau Bridge and Brigittenau Bay)
• near the Stone Spur Bridge (22nd district, between Ostbahnbrücke and Steinspornbrücke – with the exception of the area around “Toni's Inselgrill”)

The Barbecue areas however, must be booked online in advance reserved through the City of Vienna The Reservation fee is 10euro (non-refundable, even in case of cancellation). Transfer to other persons is not possible.

If you don’t get a place, you can of course just have a picnic – it's permitted and popular on almost the entire island. You'll find plenty of space around the Prater Bridge or in the northern area near the Floridsdorf Bridge.

Along the banks there are also around 90 so-called daggers – small, partly floating or standing on stilts Fishermen's hutsThese may be leased, but not occupied. Fishing is permitted in the New Danube – a valid fishing license is required. Please be considerate of other bathers and adhere to the legal regulations.

Donauinselfest: History & Big Names

The Donauinselfest has been held since 1984 and has long since become Europe's largest free open-air festival. Every year, it attracts several million people to the island. Over the years, artists have performed on its stages.inside like Falco, Die Toten Hosen, Christina Stürmer, Herbert Grönemeyer, Avicii, Bilderbuch, STS, Seiler und Speer, Cro, Amy Macdonald, Nena, Wir sind Helden, Rea Garvey and Wanda. Also well-known cabaret artistsArtists like Stermann & Grissemann and Josef Hader ensured packed audiences. The festival is an integral part of Vienna's cultural summer and a flagship for the city.

Donauinselfest 2025: Program and Highlights

The Danube Island Festival 2025 finds from June 20-22 instead – as every year at free entryWith over two million visitors, it is one of the largest open-air festivals in Europe.

There are numerous stages with music, cabaret and politics – including the Wien Energie Main Stage, the FM4/Planet.tt Stage, the GÖD stage and many more.

Among those taking part live in 2025 are:

• Christina Stürmer
• Wanda
• Edmund
• BIBIZA
• Lou Asril
• Skolka
• Pippo Pollina
• Clara Luzia
• The Mayerin
• Stermann & Grissemann (cabaret)
• and much more

The main stages are particularly easy to reach via the U1 stations “Danube Island”, “New Danube” and “Handelskai”Wiener Linien is managing the influx with a specially developed transport concept – so that everything runs smoothly.