Donaupark Vienna: Leisure, relaxation & panoramic views in the countryside
The Donaupark in the 22nd district is one of Vienna's largest parks, covering over 63 hectares. It is just a few minutes' walk from the Danube Island and UNO City Located just a few minutes' walk from the Danube River, it offers a wide range of activities for those seeking relaxation, sports enthusiasts, and families. The Danube Tower with its panoramic views is its centerpiece, but the expansive meadows, playgrounds, sports facilities, and events also attract thousands of visitors every year. Since the comprehensive ecological redesign between 2023 and 2025, the park is even greener, cooler, and more attractive.
Short info:
- Where is the Danube Park? Arbeiterstrandbadstraße 122, 1220 Vienna
- Admission? Access is free
- How big is the park? Approx. 63 hectares
- What are the highlights? Danube Tower, Donauparkbahn, Donaupark stage, Irissee, Korea Cultural Center
- Are there sports facilities? Yes, numerous free facilities for tennis, soccer, pickleball, table tennis, skating & more
- Can you walk or run there? Yes, there are well-maintained paths and a popular 5 km running circuit
- What events are there? In summer, open-air concerts, cabaret, exercise classes
- Is the park family-friendly? Very – with playgrounds, trampoline, mini track and plenty of seating
- How do you get to the park? With U1 (Alte Donau or Kaisermühlen/VIC) or bus lines 20B, 92A
- How much time should you plan for? At least 2–3 hours, longer if attending a concert or visiting the tower
History and development of the Danube Park
The Danube Park was created in 1964 as part of the Vienna International Garden Show 1964 (WIG 1964) The transformation of a former landfill into a modern park was carried out under the direction of the then city garden director Prof. Ing. Alfred Auer. The construction of the Danube Tower gave the area a striking landmark then as now.
Refreshment in summer: water feature & mist jets
A modern water feature with ten ground fountains and 13 mist nozzles was installed at the northeast entrance. These are only activated when temperatures reach approximately 25°C and are controlled by motion sensors, keeping water consumption low. After use, the water seeps into the ground to irrigate the adjacent meadow.
Danube Tower & Danube Park Railway
The 252 meter high Danube Tower is that tallest building in AustriaIn just 35 seconds, the elevator takes you to a 150-meter-high observation deck with a partially open terrace. A revolving restaurant and a café invite you to linger and enjoy the view. The Danube Park Funicular runs a 3.4-km route through the park in about 20 minutes. There are three stations—ideal for exploring the area at a leisurely pace.
Sport and exercise in the Danube Park
The Donaupark offers numerous opportunities for exercise on over 32,000 m²:
- 3 children's playgrounds with slides, climbing combinations, swings and sandpits
- 1 playground with fitness equipment
- 8 ball courts (for football, basketball, table tennis, bocce and tennis)
- 7 game tables with chessboards and 4 large floor chess fields
- 2 skate parks
- 1 toboggan hill in winter
- 1 trampoline
- Pickleball courts (3, free to use)
- Public tennis courts with practice wall – also free
- Paid professional facility with indoor and outdoor courts in the neighboring Donaucity (reservation required)
In addition, regular exercise classes such as yoga and aerobics are held, primarily around Papstwiese. The weekly parkrun (5 km, Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.) is a fixture for running enthusiasts.
Culture & Events: Donaupark Stage
From May to September, the Donaupark stage transforms into an open-air cultural venue on weekends. Concerts, cabaret, and readings take place there, admission is free. The large trees surrounding the stage provide pleasant shade, so we recommend arriving early – seats are popular.
Nature, garden areas and water areas
The spacious flowerbeds and the rose garden with cascading pools are among the botanical highlights. The pools were renovated in 2023, including the stone slab frames.
Particularly worth seeing in spring is the cherry blossom between the Danube Tower and the clock tower. The new perennial beds near the Chinese restaurant and the preserved mature trees—including many old silver poplars—characterize the park's appearance.
Transformation and Climate Initiative 2023–2025
As part of Vienna’s land sealing initiative, the Donaupark was made climate-fit:
- 15,000 m² of sealed area were removed and greened
- A parking lot on Arbeiterstrandbadstraße was converted into a 4,700 m² meadow
- 61 new trees, including rare species such as bladder ash and Caucasian wingnut, were planted
- 1,200 m² of new perennial and grass beds provide visual diversity
- 53 new seats, 12 additional tables and two large wooden loungers complement the infrastructure
Irissee: Ecological gem in the center
The Iris Lake in the heart of the park covers over 25,000 square meters and was ecologically enhanced in 1993. The flattened banks and extensive marsh areas now function as a natural sewage treatment plant. Plants such as water mint, rushes, marsh irises, and cattails thrive there. The area is particularly tranquil and offers plenty of seating overlooking the water.
Special places in the park
- Korea Cultural Center: The former lakeside restaurant on Iris Lake was renovated in 2011 and has housed the Korean Cultural Center since 2012. It is a listed building and hosts cultural events.
- Coffee House Mountain: A small hill was created from the excavation of Lake Iris, where a coffee house once stood. Today, the restored wooden structure remains – a special place with a view.
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