Summer in Vienna: Our team’s top tips for staying cool!
When the Viennese summer really kicks into gear and the thermometers nearly break the 40-degree mark, it’s not just our guests who long for a refreshing breeze. We in the team have also developed our very own strategies for keeping a cool head.
We’ve asked around and compiled the best, most creative and most refreshing insider tips from our staff for you. Here’s our very own guide to a cool ‘Summer in Vienna’:
🏛️ Culture & shade: Cool off with a bit of history
Ingeborg’s historical cold shock: When it’s sweltering outside, Ingeborg loves to escape underground. Her tip: the Imperial Crypt! Inside, the temperature stays a refreshing 17 to 19 degrees – perfect for taking a deep breath whilst soaking up Viennese history.
Hammad’s museum escape: Hammad feels much the same. When the temperatures rise, he reckons it’s always worth a visit to one of the city’s many air-conditioned museums. Enjoy some culture whilst making the most of the air conditioning!
🌲 Nature, woodland & shaded walks
Ines’ perfect day out in Hietzing: Ines heads to Schönbrunn Zoo to cool off. Thanks to the woodland-like areas and historic avenues, it’s wonderful to take a stroll in the shade here, even in the heat. If you’re looking for even more relief from the heat, pop into the Monkey House or the other indoor areas. The sweet finale: after the zoo, Ines highly recommends a stop at the legendary Eissalon Anton in Hietzing or, alternatively, right by the Hietzing U4 station on the Kennedybrücke at the famous Eis Tuchlauben.
Sabrina’s idyllic stream break: For some quieter moments, Sabrina recommends a walk to the Liesingbach stream in Oberlaa. After relaxing by the water, head to the Brückenwirt or the Backhendlwirt for a cool, refreshing drink.
Lucas’s active forest hike: For the active among you, Lucas has a tip: a hike along one of Vienna’s walking trails. Along the Vienna Woods, temperatures in the shade of the trees are often a few degrees lower. There are also plenty of forest inns along the trails where you can rest and have a bite to eat.
🌊 Dive into the fun: The best swimming and water spots
Anna’s hidden swimming coves: Anna has a real insider’s tip for swimming: along the Schilfweg there are lots of small, picturesque coves for swimming on the upper Mühlwasser. The water is as smooth as glass and very clean. Pure idyll also awaits you on the Biberhaufenweg!
Lorenzo’s favourite spots: Lorenzo is also drawn to the water during the day. Fortunately, Vienna offers countless options. Although he lives a little further out, he’s taken a particular liking to the Wienerberg recreational area. He also enjoys visiting Anna’s favourite coves on the Schilfweg.
Valentin’s floating oasis: For a spontaneous dip in the middle of the city, Valentin recommends a dip in the pool on the Badeschiff on the Danube Canal.
Borimira’s day at the beach & boat trip: For Borimira, there’s nothing better in summer than the traditional Gänsehäufel for swimming and relaxing. Those who prefer to stay dry are best off hiring a boat on the Alte Donau – there’s always a fresh breeze there, even on hot days.
Jovan’s beach vibes: For that perfect holiday feeling, Jovan heads to the Vienna City Beach Club or straight to the Alte Donau, where a summer atmosphere is guaranteed.
🏄♂️ Action & Adventure: For thrill-seekers
Ramira’s white-water & wakeboarding action: If you’re looking for action, Ramira’s tips are just the ticket: go kayaking and white-water rafting at the Vienna Watersports Arena in the 22nd district (right in the middle of the Danube Island) or try the wakeboarding lift by the Donaustadt Bridge. Winding down: Afterwards, head to the ‘Wake up’ restaurant – a wonderful spot to eat and drink, put your feet in the sand and enjoy the sunset.
Samy’s e-scooter breeze: Samy creates his own breeze: he loves whizzing through the city on his e-scooter to beat the stifling heat.
Mena’s bike ride: Mena takes a similar approach, but prefers to hop on her bike and enjoy the fresh breeze on a cycle ride along the Old Danube.
🚗 A little further afield: Get out of the city
Marek’s ice-cold natural paradise: When it gets really hot and you’ve got a bit more time, Marek has the ultimate tip: the Schwarza river in the Höllental valley (between Rax and Schneeberg). The water there is a refreshing (and icy!) 10 degrees, and there’s a beautiful walking trail. Tips for getting there: You could, for example, take the 1st Vienna Aqueduct Trail or, alternatively, go on a trip to Greifenstein.
💡 Unconventional & clever everyday tips
Clemens’ public transport trick: Clemens takes a pragmatic approach to everyday life: simply make the most of the air conditioning (AC) in Wiener Linien’s modern public transport and stay seated for one stop longer.
Hayrettin’s hot drink secret: It sounds paradoxical, but it works wonders: Hayrettin swears that hot black tea cools the body from the inside out. Give it a go!
🎬 The perfect summer evening
Lorenzo’s cinema tip in the Augarten: as the sun slowly sets, Lorenzo is drawn to the Augarten “Cinema more than ever”. A wonderful atmosphere in the Filmarchiv’s lush natural garden, brilliant films and surprisingly few mosquitoes!
Whether you’re looking to take a dip in the cool water, explore shady woodland paths or relax with an ice cream – with our team’s tips, you’ll be perfectly prepared for those hot days.
What’s your favourite summer spot in Vienna? Feel free to ask us at reception – we’ll show you the way!
Questions and answers on the topic of ‘Summer in Vienna’
Where are the best places in Vienna to swim in natural waters for free?
The clear frontrunner is the 21-kilometre-long Danube Island. Along the New Danube, there are countless free sunbathing areas, jetties and shallow beaches (such as Piratbucht or the family beach). The Old Danube also offers free access to clean water at spots such as the Arbeiterstrandbadwiese or the Lagerwiese Romaplatz.
Which museums are the best places to cool off on hot days?
When it gets too hot outside, Vienna’s major museums offer perfect air-conditioning and culture. The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM), the Natural History Museum, the Albertina and the Mumok in the MuseumsQuartier, in particular, are superbly air-conditioned. This makes it the ideal way to combine enjoying art with a break from the heat.
Where can you find the best atmosphere by the water in the evening?
For that genuine holiday feeling with sandy beaches, cocktails and good food, Copa Beach (right next to the Donauinsel U1 station) is the place to be. Those who prefer a more urban vibe head to the Danube Canal in the city centre – here, beach bars, street art and cosy pubs line the quay wall.
Are there any secluded hidden gems away from the main beaches?
Yes, away from the amusement park, Vienna’s Prater offers vast, shady areas of woodland and meadows along the Hauptallee. The shaded outdoor terraces of the Heurigen in Grinzing or Neustift am Walde on the outskirts of the city are also perfect for rounding off the day with a cool glass of ‘Wiener Gemischten Satz’ (wine) in the shade of old chestnut trees.
What’s the most comfortable way to get around town in hot weather?
Make the most of Wiener Linien’s excellent network. Almost all underground trains (particularly the modern ones) and most of the new trams and buses are fully air-conditioned. In addition, there are over 1,300 free drinking fountains provided by the City of Vienna throughout the city, where you can refresh yourself at any time.
