Summer in Vienna: Your Apartment Base for Beaches, Bars, and Open-Air Everything

Vienna Transforms in Summer

If you think of Vienna as a city of concert halls, museums, and coffee houses, summer will change your perspective entirely. From June through September, Vienna moves outdoors. The banks of the Danube become urban beaches, rooftop bars open across the city, the Rathausplatz turns into a giant open-air cinema, and the Donaukanal buzzes with pop-up restaurants and live music until well after midnight. Temperatures regularly reach 25-35 degrees Celsius, daylight stretches past 9 PM, and the entire city takes on a relaxed, almost Mediterranean atmosphere.

A summer apartment in the Leopoldstadt district puts you in the ideal position to enjoy all of this. Old Vienna Apartments at Herminengasse 12 is just one minute from Schottenring Metro and a short walk from the Danube Canal – the epicentre of Vienna's summer social scene. Come home after a long day in the sun, cool down in your private apartment, prepare a fresh summer meal in your fully equipped kitchen, and head back out for the evening programme.

Donauinsel: Vienna's Urban Beach

The Donauinsel (Danube Island) is a 21-kilometre-long island between the Danube River and the New Danube, and in summer it becomes Vienna's favourite outdoor playground. From our apartment, you can reach the Donauinsel in about 15 minutes by taking the U2 from Schottenring to Donaumarina or Donaustadtbrücke.

What to expect at the Donauinsel in summer:

• Free swimming: The New Danube (Neue Donau) offers several designated swimming areas with clean water, grassy banks, and even sandy beach sections. It is completely free and genuinely pleasant – nothing like a cramped public pool.
• Sunbathing and barbecues: Large sections of the island are designated for sunbathing and picnicking. Some areas even have public barbecue spots. Pick up supplies at a supermarket near the apartment and spend an entire afternoon grilling by the water.
• Water sports: Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and wakeboarding are all available for rent along the island. Several operators set up seasonal stations from May through September.
• Donauinselfest: Held in late June, this is one of Europe's largest open-air music festivals and it is entirely free. Three days of concerts across multiple stages draw over three million visitors. If your trip coincides with the festival, it is an experience you will not forget.
• Copa Cagrana: The cluster of bars and restaurants at the southern end of the island stays busy all summer with outdoor dining, cocktails, and DJs on weekend evenings.

Danube Canal: Summer Nightlife at Your Doorstep

The Donaukanal (Danube Canal) runs right through central Vienna, and its banks have become the city's most vibrant summer destination. From Old Vienna Apartments, you can walk to the canal in just a few minutes. This stretch of waterfront transforms every summer into an open-air bar, restaurant, and cultural district:

• Strandbar Herrmann: One of Vienna's original canal bars, with sand underfoot, cold drinks, and a relaxed beach atmosphere right in the middle of the city.
• Tel Aviv Beach: A popular spot combining Mediterranean food with a sandy beach setup and regular DJ sets.
• Adria Wien: A floating restaurant and bar on the canal with excellent cocktails and a party atmosphere on weekend nights.
• Street art walk: The canal walls are covered in ever-changing murals and graffiti art. A summer evening walk along the water, drink in hand, passing colourful artwork under the fading light, is quintessential Vienna.
• Badeschiff: A swimming pool literally floating on the Danube Canal. During the day it functions as a pool; in the evening it becomes a bar and event space.

Rathausplatz Film Festival

Every summer from late June through early September, the square in front of Vienna's City Hall transforms into an enormous open-air cinema and food market. The Film Festival at Rathausplatz screens opera performances, concerts, and ballet on a giant screen – and admission is completely free. The surrounding food stalls represent cuisines from around the world, making it one of Vienna's best outdoor dining experiences.

From Schottenring, the Rathausplatz is just one metro stop away on the U2 to Rathaus, or a pleasant 15-minute walk along the Ringstraße. On warm summer evenings, grab dinner at the food stalls, find a spot on the square, and watch world-class performances under the stars. It is the kind of experience that defines a Vienna summer holiday.

More Summer Activities from Your Apartment Base

• Open-air cinema at the Augarten: The Kino wie noch nie (Cinema Like Never Before) series screens art-house and classic films in the beautiful Augarten park from June through September. The Augarten is a 15-minute walk from our apartments.
• Prater by evening: The Prater amusement park is magical on summer evenings when the rides light up and the air cools down. Ride the Riesenrad at sunset for one of Vienna's most iconic views.
• Alte Donau: The Old Danube is a calm, lake-like arm of the river perfect for swimming, rowing, and sailing. Rent a boat or simply swim from one of the free public access points. Reachable in about 20 minutes from Schottenring.
• Rooftop bars: Vienna's rooftop scene comes alive in summer. The Lamee Rooftop Bar, Das LOFT at the Sofitel, and the 25hours Hotel rooftop all offer stunning city views with a cold Spritzer in hand.
• Heurigen (wine taverns): The vineyard villages on Vienna's outskirts, such as Grinzing, Neustift, and Stammerdorf, are at their best in summer. Sit in a shaded garden, taste young local wines, and enjoy traditional cold buffets. Reachable by public transport in 30-40 minutes.
• Museumsquartier courtyard: In summer, the MQ courtyard fills with colourful outdoor furniture and becomes a favourite gathering spot. Grab an ice cream, sit on the famous Enzis (the large coloured benches), and watch the world go by.

Warm Weather Tips for Your Vienna Stay

Vienna summers can be genuinely hot, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in July and August. Here are practical tips for staying comfortable:

• Stay hydrated for free: Vienna has over 1,000 public drinking fountains with fresh Alpine water. Look for the distinctive green metal fountains throughout the city. The water is excellent quality and perfectly safe.
• Use your apartment kitchen wisely: Prepare cold salads, smoothies, and chilled drinks instead of eating hot meals. Stock up on fresh fruit from the Karmelitermarkt or the supermarket. Having a refrigerator in your apartment is invaluable during a heat wave.
• Time your sightseeing: Visit indoor attractions like museums and cathedrals during the hottest afternoon hours (13:00-16:00), and save outdoor activities for morning and evening.
• Evening is the best time: Vienna truly comes alive after 18:00 in summer. The heat eases, the light turns golden, and the outdoor bars and restaurants fill up. Plan your biggest outings for the cooler evening hours.
• Pack light layers: While days are hot, evenings by the Danube or in a Heuriger garden can cool down. A light jacket or cardigan for after dark is always worthwhile.

Summer Apartment Options

All of our apartments are well-suited for summer stays, with options for every group size:

• Duett (2 guests, 16-25m², €45/night): Ideal for couples on a summer city break.
• Comfort (3 guests, 30m², €60/night): Great for a small family or three friends exploring Vienna together.
• Quartett (4 guests, 40m², €70/night): Spacious enough for a family of four with room for beach gear and souvenirs.
• Superior (6 guests, 60m², €90/night): The ultimate summer group apartment. Room for six at €15/person, with a big kitchen for preparing summer salads and cold drinks.

Every apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen, free WiFi, and self check-in. Our pet-friendly policy means your dog can join you for walks along the Danube Canal, too.

Rated 8.4/10 Across All Seasons

Old Vienna Apartments holds a 8.4 out of 10 rating on Booking.com based on 1,496 reviews from guests visiting throughout the year. Summer guests particularly appreciate the central location, the ease of reaching water activities and outdoor events, and the comfort of having a private kitchen to prepare fresh meals and cold drinks during hot weather. Our historic 1872 building stays pleasantly cool behind its thick stone walls – a welcome feature on the hottest days.