Vienna in summer – 20 wonderful things to do

Vienna in summer means long days, warm evenings, sunsets, boat rides, swimming, and lots of time to be outside. Of course, temperatures can get uncomfortably high, and yes, there are many tourists around, but let’s focus on the beautiful sides of this season in Vienna and there are plenty.

Still unsure when to visit Vienna? Then my blog post “When is the best time to visit Vienna?” is perfect for you. It compares all the months in Vienna and includes lots of recommendations, activities, and events.

Now, let me take you along for a summer in Vienna and share my personal tips on what to experience in this beautiful season.

1. Boat ride on the Old Danube (Alte Donau)

What could be more relaxing than renting a boat and cruising around the Alte Donau? For me, it’s an essential part of a perfect summer day in Vienna and feels like a little holiday right in the city. And the best part: when it gets too hot, you can jump straight from the boat into the cool water!

Along Wagramer Straße, you’ll find many boat rental spots, easily reachable by U1 subway (station Alte Donau – only 7 stops from the city center Stephansplatz). I usually go for an electric boat, but there are also pedal boats (some with slides!), rowboats, or canoes. Some places also rent SUPs, sailboats, or fun options like the palm or island boat.

Tip: The full moon rides are especially lovely. They happen once a month during summer and are really romantic. The 2025 dates are June 11, July 10, August 9, and September 7. Make sure to book ahead, as boats sell out quickly!

LOCATION:
Along Wagramer Straße, U1 Station Alte Donau
OPENING HOURS:
Usually from April to September/October, depending on rental company
PRICES:
Electric boats: from € 31 / hour
Pedal boats: from € 25 / hour
BOAT RENTALS:
Eppel Boote, Bootsvermietung Kukla, Marina Hofbauer, Flotus

2. Swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing by the water

As mentioned it can get very hot in the city, so here are a few more ways to cool off. It might be hard to believe, but even though Vienna is a big city, there are many spots to swim, sunbathe, or just relax by the water.

My favorites are the wooden docks and swimming platforms along the promenade of the Untere (Lower) Alte Donau (near Kleine-Bucht-Straße), which are free to use. Of course, they’re rarely as empty as in my photos, but if you go early (and during the week), you have a good chance of finding a nice spot.

Other free swimming spots at the Alte Donau:

• Romawiese and Angelibad-Wiese
• Rehlacke (Untere Alte Donau)
• Promenade Untere Alte Donau

If you want showers, changing cabins, playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, pools (in some places), or restaurants, there are also paid public lidos along the Alte Donau:

• Strandbad Gänsehäufel
• Strandbad Alte Donau
• Strandbad Angelibad
• Bundesbad Alte Donau

The Neue Donau is also a great spot for hot summer days, with plenty of space and various swimming areas and beaches:

• Pier 22
• Pirat Beach
• Arena Beach
• Copa Beach

3. Film Festival at Rathausplatz

One of the summer highlights in Vienna is definitely the film festival at Rathausplatz. From the end of June to the end of August, the square in front of the town hall becomes an open-air cinema. A giant screen shows a fantastic music program including pop/rock, musicals, opera, ballet, jazz, and more. Here you can find the full program.

In addition there are countless food stalls offering Austrian and international dishes: Wiener Schnitzel, tacos, teppanyaki, pizza, burgers, Korean street food, Kaiserschmarrn, ice cream, and more.

OPENING HOURS:
June 28 – August 31, 2025 11 am – midnight
Food until 11 pm, drinks until 11:45 pm
Music program starts after sunset (between 9:00 and 9:30 pm in July and between 8:15 and 9:00 pm in August)
PRICE:
Free admission and free music program!

4. Mini golf in front of the MuseumsQuartier

Do you also love mini golf? Sadly, there aren’t many beautiful mini golf spots in Vienna, but the one in front of the MuseumsQuartier is something special! You play with a view of the Natural History and Art History Museum, and the 12 obstacles are all little modern art pieces. Drinks and snacks are also available.

OPENING HOURS:
Mon – Fri: 12 – 8 pm Sat, Sun & holidays: 10 am – 8 pm
PRICES:
Adults: € 6 per game
Children up to 12 years: € 3.50 per game

5. Cocktails with a view at a rooftop bar

You don’t have to be a bar person to love rooftop bars, I usually go for the view. A sunset just looks even more magical from above. And for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol: they often have excellent mocktails too.

My favorite rooftop bars in Vienna:

Aurora Rooftop Bar (16th floor of Hotel Andaz):
Nordic design and a stunning view of the Belvedere, also worth visiting in winter

Der Dachboden (25hours Hotel):
View of the surrounding and the museums like the Natural and Art History Museum

Caya Coco (Hoxton Hotel):
Great view of the city center with St. Stephen’s Cathedral and St. Charles Church, and also the Belvedere from the left side of the terrace

Skybar (Steffl Department Store):
One of the best views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral you can get in Vienna.

You might also enjoy: “The most beautiful viewpoints in Vienna” with lots of tips for seeing Vienna from above.

6. MuseumsQuartier

The MuseumsQuartier isn’t just home to modern museums like the Leopold Museum or mumok, the huge courtyard is also a popular meeting point and the perfect place to hang out. The famous Enzis (those unique, colorful seating structures) come in a new color each year and are perfect for relaxing, whether with an ice cream from the Veganista stand or just for people-watching.

In summer, there’s a lot happening here with the MQ Summer Stage, cafés, and restaurants. A real highlight for me is always the MQ Libelle, the rooftop terrace of the Leopold Museum. Entrance is free, and you get a beautiful view over Vienna. There’s even a small bar waiting for you at the top.

OPENING HOURS MQ LIBELLE:
Daily between 10 am – 19 pm
ENTRY : 
Admission is free of charge
ENTRANCE :
The two elevators are located on the east side of the Leopold Museum (go past the stairs to the museum entrance, continue along the wall and then turn right)
ADDRESS : 
Museumsquartier, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna, Rooftop of the Leopold Museum

7. Afterwork events

Who says Vienna is boring? There are afterwork options to wind down the day. One especially beautiful spot is Albert & Tina, in the square in front of the Albertina Museum. Every Wednesday evening (weather permitting), there’s music, drinks, and snacks. With your ticket, you also get free entry to the Albertina Museum, the amazing view of the State Opera is a free bonus.

DATES “Albert & Tina” :
on Wednesdays, May 14 – September 17, 2025 6 pm – 11 pm
TICKETS:
Early bird ticket (online only): € 10
Regular ticket (online & on-site): € 12
Free entry to the Albertina Museum (valid until September 21, 2025)
MINIMUM AGE:
21 years

If you’re in the mood for more drinks with a view: Klyo, right by the Donaukanal, is also a popular afterwork spot. The waterside location, DJs, and drinks make it a perfect place for warm summer evenings.

DATES “Klyo Afterwork”:
Every Thursday (weather permitting) 5 pm – 11 pm
TICKETS:
Early entry until 6 pm: € 8
Standard ticket: € 10

An art afterwork event takes place every Thursday at Augarten, featuring music, art exhibitions, and food from the Freiluft Augartensommer. The Freiluft Augartensommer is open daily at the same location, offering food stands with sushi, pinsa, burgers, sausages, and of course, drinks.

OPENING HOURS “Freiluft Augartensommer”:
Tue – Thu: 3 pm – 10 pm / Fri – Sun: 12 pm – 10 pm
Afterwork Artur: Every Thursday
ADDRESS:
Scherzergasse 1A, 1020 Vienna

8. Summerstage

At Summerstage (near U4 station Roßauer Lände), you can sit on the terrace or in the pavilion right by the water. The upper level along the promenade is shared by several restaurants. Here you can enjoy food, drinks, and a relaxing summer evening. I personally love to grab a pizza at Riva. The atmosphere is laid-back, sometimes there’s live music, and there’s even a sports area with a beach volleyball court, boules lanes, and a trampoline.

OPENING HOURS:
Late April to early September, daily 5 pm – 1 am
Waterfront terrace (until end of September): daily 4 pm – 1 am, Sundays & holidays from 3 pm

9. An evening at the Donaukanal

On both sides of the Donaukanal heading toward the city center, you’ll find lots of restaurants and bars directly by the water. My favorite is NENI am Wasser. Motto am Fluss is another true classic, not just in summer. And if you’re looking for proper beach vibes: at Strandbar Herrmann, you can enjoy a cool drink in a deck chair with your feet in the sand.

10. Outdoor swimming pool with a view

Besides the bathing spots and beach baths along the Alte Donau, there are also many other outdoor pools in Vienna. One of the most beautiful ones for me is definitely Krapfenwaldbad. It’s located in Döbling, one of Vienna’s outer districts, surrounded by greenery and offering a stunning view over the city. No surprise that it gets extremely popular on hot summer days. Especially on weekends and in the afternoons, it can get really crowded here.

OPENING HOURS KRAPFENWALDBAD:
until September 14
Mon – Fri 9 am – 7.30 pm / Sat, Sun & holidays 8 am – 7.30 pm
In case of bad weather, the pool may close as early as 3 pm.
TICKETS:
Adults: € 7.60 (from 1 pm: € 6 / from 4 pm: € 4.60)
Children (born 2011 – 2018): € 2.60
Teens (born 2007 – 2010): € 4.30

But don’t worry, aside from Krapfenwaldbad, there are plenty of other great spots to cool off in Vienna during summer like Schafbergbad with a great view of Vienna or Schönbrunner Bad.

11. Opera, theatre and musical venues closed – now what?

If you’re coming to Vienna in the summer to see an opera or theatre performance, I have to disappoint you a little. Starting in July, many theatres and opera houses take a summer break. But don’t worry, there are still great alternatives:

Film Festival at Rathausplatz:
As mentioned above, there’s free open-air cinema every night featuring opera, pop, musical, jazz and more. Mondays are dedicated to the Vienna State Opera, they also show ballet and other wonderful performances.

Theater im Park:
Right next to the Belvedere, located in a lovely park under old trees. You’ll find comedy, cabaret, musicals and more.

Opera in the Quarry in St. Margarethen:
A spectacular setting in the Burgenland where you can watch “The Flying Dutchman” this year.

Musical at the lake stage in Mörbisch:
A stage directly on the lake and always a great show. This year you can enjoy “Saturday Night Fever.”

Summer theatre outside Vienna:
In Lower Austria, you’ll find many places offering musicals and theatre in the summer. Highly recommended are Felsenbühne Staatz, Bühne Baden, or the Stockerau festival. You’ll find an overview on the Theaterfest Niederösterreich website.

Tip: When the opera season resumes in September, it starts with a very special highlight. On September 7, 2025, there’s an open-air concert in the Burggarten featuring stars of the Vienna State Opera. Among them: Elīna Garanča, Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva, and the chorus and orchestra of the State Opera. Admission is free and in this stunning atmosphere, it’s sure to be an unforgettable evening.

12. Visiting a Heurigen

You can visit a Heurigen (a traditional Viennese wine tavern) all year round, but I think they’re at their best in summer, when you can sit outside in the garden. The most well-known Heurige can be found in Vienna’s wine regions, especially in Döbling in areas like Grinzing, Sievering, or Neustift am Walde and also in Stammersdorf in the north of the city.

A particularly special spot for a Heurigen visit is the Nussberg in Döbling. You can combine a lovely walk through the vineyards with a stop at one of the many wine taverns. The view over Vienna is just stunning and often you’ll be sitting right between the vines. The Heurige up here are more rustic with no big buffets like the traditional ones, but that’s exactly what makes them so charming. A bread roll with Liptauer or a spring spread, plus a cool drink, that’s really all you need.

A few of my favorite Heurige:

Wieninger am Nussberg 
Eichelhofweg 125
Thursday: 3 pm – 10 pm, Friday & Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm, Sunday & Holidays: 11 am – 10 pm

Hans und Fritz am Steinberg
Krapfenwaldgasse 17
Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm, Saturday, Sunday, holidays: 12 pm – 10 pm, Monday: 4 pm – 10 pm

Feuerwehr Wagner am Nussberg 
Eisernenhandgasse 17
Opening hours 

Mayer am Nussberg 
Kahlenberger Straße 213
Thursday & Friday: from 2 pm, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: from 12 pm

Most Heurigen at Nussberg are not accessible by car (except by taxi) or public transport. They can only be reached on foot or via the Heurigen-Express.

13. Prater

The Prater is a huge recreational area right in the middle of Vienna and is actually made up of two parts: the green Prater and the famous Wurstelprater amusement park.

In the green Prater, you can go for lovely walks, jog, or ride your bike. There are wide meadows, beautiful avenues, and lots of playgrounds that are perfect for a relaxed summer day outdoors.

If you’re in the mood for more action, Wurstelprater is the place to go with roller coasters, haunted houses, bumper cars or carousels. You’ll also find Vienna’s famous landmark here: the Giant Ferris Wheel. It offers amazing views of the city. A more budget-friendly alternative is the Blumenrad (Flower Wheel), the ride is shorter, but the view is also great.

My personal highlight is the Praterturm, a huge swing ride that gives you an incredible view over Vienna. So if you’re not afraid of heights, give it a try, it’s an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset!

OPENING HOURS:
The Prater is generally open year-round, 24/7.
The rides operate from March 15 to October 31. Some attractions even stay open in winter, like the Giant Ferris Wheel.
PRICES:
Entry to the Prater area is free. You pay per ride, and prices range from € 3.50 to € 15.
As a little point of reference:
A ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel costs € 14.50, the Prater Tower € 10, and the Flower Wheel € 6. You can ride the Super Autodrom for € 3, and the new roller coaster Wiener Looping costs € 8.50.

TIP: At the start of summer break (in 2025 on 26 and 27 June), the Vienna Symphony Orchestra hosts the Prater Picnic. Entry is free!

14. Have a lovely picnic

I love picnics! You don’t need much: a blanket, something to eat and drink (I often just pack fruit and a little sweet treat), something to read and you’re ready to go.

Some of my favorite picnic spots in Vienna:

Burggarten:
my favorite picnic spot right in the city. It’s green but surrounded by historic buildings. And if you’re there early enough, you might catch a glimpse of the Lipizzaner horses during their morning ride through the park (at least until they leave Vienna for summer). From noon onwards, it gets quite busy.

Alte Donau:
whether on a wooden dock or a grassy lawn with a view of the water, I always feel like I’m on vacation here.

Bellevuewiese:
picnic with an incredible view over all of Vienna.

Schloss Wilhelminenberg:
with views over the city and the vineyards right in front of you , it’s simply beautiful.

The great thing about Vienna is how green it is, with parks, vineyards, meadows and forests, you’ll always find a cozy picnic spot. Everyone is sure to find their favorite place!

15. Eating ice cream

Okay, this one might not be typically Viennese but I’ll share a few of my favorite ice cream shops that I always love to stop by when it gets hot:

Veganista:
only vegan ingredients, many shops throughout Vienna, e.g. Tuchlauben 12 (Inner City), Neustiftgasse 7 (1070 Vienna) and Museumsquartier

Gelateria La Romana:
Stiftgasse 15 – 17 (near Mariahilfer Straße) und Maysedergasse 4 (near Kärnter Straße)

Gefrorenes – Eis wie damals:
Währingerstraße 152, 1180 Vienna

Leones Gelato:
Lange Gasse 78, 1080 Vienna and Bruno-Marek-Allee 21, 1020 Vienna

Gelato Carlo:
Hamerlingplatz 2, 1080 Vienna

Tip: A very special Viennese treat you absolutely have to try is the Eismarillenknödel (ice cream dumplings with apricot filling) The original ones are only available at Eissalon Tichy in the 10th district. The raspberry version is also delicious. If you don’t want to travel that far, I once found them at the super market Julius Meinl am Graben (in the city center).

16. Roses in Volksgarten

No longer a secret tip, but still a spot I’d never skip in summer: the Volksgarten. Starting in June, thousands of roses bloom here in every imaginable color and variety. For me, this park is one of the most beautiful places in the city at this time of year. There are plenty of benches, making it the perfect place to take a break on a city stroll. Apart from the roses, the park is lovely in general. Be sure to check out the Theseus Temple and the Sisi monument.

17. Outdoor breakfast

There’s hardly a better or more relaxed way to start the day: a cozy breakfast in a sunny garden, sitting under a parasol and enjoying the cool morning air, for me, that’s the perfect morning.

Here are a few of my favorite breakfast spots with outdoor seating:

Treu am Platzl

The location is definitely a dream, right on the square in front of the beautiful Piarist Church. But the breakfast menu is also totally my style. We tried the French toast and the spicy mango avocado bread, both were really good.

Piaristengasse 52, 1080 Vienna
Breakfast: Mon – Fri 8 am – 4.30 pm | Sat & Sun 9 am – 3 pm

Ulrich & Erich

These two spots are also among my breakfast favorites, not just because they’re located on one of my favorite squares in Vienna, Ulrichsplatz. Both have beautiful outdoor seating: Erich has a lovely garden, and Ulrich offers a nice terrace, perfect for a relaxed morning. At Erich, I love the breakfast tacos and the French toast, while at Ulrich my go-tos are the pancakes and avocado bread. Both places offer a great variety of breakfast options.

Ulrich
St. Ulrichsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
Breakfast: 7.30 am – 11.45 am | Sat, Sun & holidays: 9 am – 3 pm

Erich
Neustiftgasse 27, 1070 Vienna
Breakfast: daily 9 am – 4 pm

Café Friedlich

This café inside the Kunsthaus Wien is a real visual treat and honestly, I can’t even say whether I prefer sitting inside or out in the garden. So if you ever feel like having breakfast on a rainy day, it’s just as cozy indoors. My favorites on the breakfast menu: the Waffle Tower with mascarpone cream and the “I love Avo” (avocado bread).

Untere Weißgerberstraße 13, 1030 Vienna
Breakfast: Mon – Fri 10 am – 3 pm | Sat, Sun & holidays 10 am – 4 pm

Ramasuri

It seems like many of my favorite breakfast spots are located on a square and this one is no exception. In the 2nd district, just off Praterstraße, you can sit in a small and cozy garden and enjoy a relaxed breakfast. We went for the avocado bread (“Vitalgenuss”) again and also tried the blueberry pancakes. I can truly recommend both!

Praterstraße 19, 1020 Vienna
Breakfast: Mon – Fri 8 am – 2.30 pm | Sat & Sun 9 am – 3 pm

18. Vienna by night

Seeing Vienna lit up at night is always something special, but especially in summer, when the temperatures are finally pleasant, exploring the city becomes even more fun.

I like to start my evening stroll at the Albertina, with a view of the illuminated State Opera. Then I head along the Ring to Maria Theresienplatz and the museums, then on to Parliament and through the Volksgarten to Heldenplatz. There you’re not only standing in front of the impressive Hofburg, but also have a great view of the lit-up City Hall. Through the Hofburg, I continue to Michaelerplatz, then along Kohlmarkt to Graben and from there to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After that, I head down to the Donaukanal.

19. Open-air cinemas

In summer, life in Vienna moves outdoors, so why not your movie night too? Luckily, there are a few open-air cinemas in the city that make summer evenings even better.

The most well-known is probably the “Kino am Dach” on the rooftop of the main library. From June 1 to September 13, 2025, movies are shown here daily. This year under the theme “Love Stories.” Perfect for a romantic summer evening with a view over Vienna’s rooftops!

Also worth checking out: “Kino wie noch nie” in Augarten, running from 26 June to 24 August 2025.

20. Explore Vienna by bike

Vienna is quite a bike-friendly city, with many bike lanes and flat, easy routes.

Cycling and sightseeing? You can do both along the Ring-Rund-Radweg, a bike path that takes you past many of Vienna’s top sights from the State Opera to Parliament and City Hall. You’ll find a detailed overview of what to see along this route in my article “The tram-tour around the Ringstraße“Even though that article is about the tram, not biking, the sights are the same!

Beyond the Ring, there are lots of other great bike routes depending on your mood. Want to ride by the water? Try the Donaukanal path or the Donauradweg for example to Klosterneuburg (the monastery is worth a visit!).

Prefer something greener? A bike ride through the Prater is a great idea. Looking for more of a challenge? Try riding up to Kahlenberg where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view.

Bike rental in Vienna:
With WienMobil Rad, the city’s public bike sharing system, it’s easy to rent a bike. There are stations all over the city, just download the Nextbike app, register, and off you go! Standard rate: € 0.75 per 30 minutes, max. € 9.50 for 24 hours

There are also other rental options, for example on the Donauinsel or in Prater.

Bonus tip: Day trips from Vienna – escaping the city

Sometimes, you just want to escape the city heat or try something a little different. Luckily, there are plenty of great day trip options around Vienna. These are my personal favorites to enjoy summer to the fullest:

Baden bei Wien

Especially in June, when the roses in the Rosarium at Doblhoffpark are in full bloom, Baden is a dream. But even outside rose season, this charming Biedermeier town, just an hour from Vienna, is worth a visit. In summer, you’ll also find a free outdoor photo festival there.

Schlosspark Laxenburg

Perfect for forest walks, boat rides on the palace pond, or simply relaxing in the shade. A true paradise to unwind and enjoy nature.

Myra Falls

If you love nature, this one’s for you. The Myra Falls are a beautiful destination with small waterfalls, wooden walkways, and bridges. And if you’re up for a longer hike, there are great trails waiting for you afterward.

Lake Neusiedl

Swimming, boating, and real vacation vibes, I simply love heading to Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland. Just an hour from Vienna, you’ll find beaches, boat rentals, wine taverns, and charming little towns. My favorite is Rust with its pretty alleyways and old houses. If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot the storks nesting on rooftops. From Rust, it’s just a short drive to the lake.

Schloss Hof

Perfect for a day trip with palace tours, baroque gardens, and lots of space to relax on the estate. You’ll find more in my detailed article with tips and the highlights of my visit.

Wildlife Park Ernstbrunn

This has been one of my favorite day trip destinations since I was a kid and that hasn’t changed. Two circular trails take you through wide natural landscapes, past deer, stags, sheep, wolves, wild boars, and more. What makes this place special: many of the animals roam freely, and some you can even feed. These moments always feel magical and make every visit a truly lovely experience.

Wachau

The Wachau is simply a dream: stunning landscapes, charming little towns, and so much to discover! For example, you can stroll through Dürnstein and hike up to the castle ruins, the view over the Danube is absolutely fantastic. The ruins of Aggstein are also worth a visit, as are Krems and the baroque Göttweig Abbey. If you’re visiting in July, make sure to stop by the Marillenkirtag (apricot festival) and definitely try some apricot dumplings. Or how about a relaxing boat ride on the Danube? The region is also perfect to explore by bike.

Lake Lunz

A bit further from Vienna and unfortunately not easy to reach by public transport, but I think this beautiful mountain lake is definitely worth the trip. I’ve put together a separate post with an overview of all the things you can do at Lake Lunz and lots of helpful tips.

I hope these tips help you make the most of summer in Vienna! Feel free to let me know in the comments which point you liked best or what you’d love to try, I’d love to hear from you! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.