Donaustadt (Vienna) Travel Guide - Free

Explore Donaustadt in Vienna with Evendo's free guide. Find the best shops, historic streets, restaurants, and gems on web or mobile.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Donaustadt
Donaustadt photo 2
Donaustadt photo 3
All photos

Donaustadt in Vienna combines the Danube, Alte Donau, Donauinsel, UNO City, Lobau wetlands, Seestadt’s lakeside culture and outdoor recreation.

A District Shaped by Water

Donaustadt occupies Vienna’s broad north-eastern side, extending from the Danube and the long recreation corridor of Donauinsel towards the open landscapes of the Lobau. It is officially Vienna’s 22nd district and far larger and more varied than the compact central neighbourhoods usually associated with the city. Water is its defining element: the main Danube, the Old Danube, canals, bathing areas and floodplain wetlands all influence how people live and spend their leisure time here.
Read more about Donaustadt

Modern Vienna Along the Danube

The western part of Donaustadt contains the high-rise Donau City, the Vienna International Centre and the distinctive Donauturm, while Kagran provides a major shopping and transport hub. Further east, Seestadt Aspern represents one of Vienna’s most ambitious contemporary urban developments, arranged around a lake with new housing, workplaces and public spaces. These modern districts contrast with older villages and suburban streets such as Essling, Breitenlee and Aspern, where the urban fabric becomes lower, quieter and more open.

Outdoor Life and the Lobau

Visitors come to Donaustadt for cycling, swimming, walking and boating as much as for architecture. The Old Danube has jetties, lakeside restaurants and summer bathing spots, while Donauinsel offers an extensive riverside route for walking and cycling. At the eastern edge, the Lobau forms part of the Danube-Auen National Park, a protected floodplain landscape of woodland, waterways and meadows. Donaustadt therefore reveals a less monumental, more spacious side of Vienna, where international institutions, new urbanism, village remnants and nature reserves share the same district.

Best attractions in Donaustadt

Donaustadt’s attractions are spread across a large landscape rather than concentrated around one square. The Donauturm offers one of Vienna’s clearest elevated views, while the adjacent Donaupark provides lawns, paths and open space between the tower and the Danube. At the Old Danube, visitors can stroll along the water, swim at established bathing areas or watch small boats move between jetties and lakeside restaurants. Donauinsel and the New Danube form a long recreational corridor for cycling, walking and summer leisure. The Vienna International Centre gives the Donau City skyline an international character, while Seestadt Aspern offers a very different experience of contemporary urban planning around its artificial lake. At the district’s eastern edge, the Lobau introduces woodland, meadows and quiet waterways within the Danube-Auen National Park.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Donaustadt

The Donauturm is Donaustadt’s most recognisable vertical landmark, rising above Donaupark as a 1960s symbol of Vienna’s post-war modernisation. Across the river corridor, the Vienna International Centre is significant both architecturally and institutionally as one of the United Nations’ principal international locations. The Danube itself, together with the New Danube and Donauinsel, is an infrastructural landmark: the flood-protection project reshaped the district while creating one of Vienna’s major public recreation spaces. The Old Danube preserves a different relationship with water, marked by jetties, bathing places and low-rise lakeside development. In the east, the former Aspern airfield and the new Seestadt district represent a major transformation of land use, while the villages of Aspern and Essling retain reminders of the district’s pre-urban landscape.

Show more landmarks

Explore Donaustadt on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Donaustadt, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Donaustadt

Donaustadt’s dining scene reflects its dispersed, mixed urban character rather than a single restaurant quarter. Around the Old Danube, lakeside cafés and restaurants make the water the setting for relaxed meals, especially in warmer months, while Donau City and the area around the Vienna International Centre cater to an international working population with varied everyday dining. Kagran and Donauzentrum provide one of the district’s largest concentrations of cafés and restaurants, and Seestadt has developed a growing selection of contemporary neighbourhood venues around its lake and new public spaces. Traditional Austrian dishes can be found alongside international cooking, takeaway food and casual cafés. In the outer parts of the district, particularly near Aspern and Essling, dining options are more local and dispersed, so visitors should distinguish Donaustadt’s suburban restaurant scene from the dense historic-centre dining districts.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Donaustadt

Donaustadt is not one of Vienna’s main late-night club districts, and its evening life is shaped more by riverside socialising, restaurants, hotel bars and neighbourhood cafés than by a dense concentration of nightclubs. The Old Danube becomes a popular setting for relaxed drinks and dinner during the warmer season, while Donau City has bars associated with its offices, hotels and international institutions. Seestadt’s newer public spaces support a modest contemporary evening scene, with cafés, bars and cultural programming developing alongside the residential district. Donauinsel can host large seasonal events elsewhere along its length, but visitors should check current programmes rather than assume entertainment is taking place near every access point. For extensive clubbing, central Vienna offers a broader choice and is reached by the U1 or U2.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Donaustadt

Donaustadt is not one of Vienna’s main late-night club districts, and its evening life is shaped more by riverside socialising, restaurants, hotel bars and neighbourhood cafés than by a dense concentration of nightclubs. The Old Danube becomes a popular setting for relaxed drinks and dinner during the warmer season, while Donau City has bars associated with its offices, hotels and international institutions. Seestadt’s newer public spaces support a modest contemporary evening scene, with cafés, bars and cultural programming developing alongside the residential district. Donauinsel can host large seasonal events elsewhere along its length, but visitors should check current programmes rather than assume entertainment is taking place near every access point. For extensive clubbing, central Vienna offers a broader choice and is reached by the U1 or U2.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Donaustadt

Shopping in Donaustadt is centred on practical retail hubs, new neighbourhood services and seasonal leisure rather than the historic shopping streets of central Vienna. The Donauzentrum in Kagran is the district’s principal indoor shopping destination, with a wide range of everyday retail, cafés and services around a major transport interchange. Smaller shops and supermarkets are distributed through residential areas, while Seestadt is developing a more local, walkable retail offer around its lake and new housing. The Old Danube is associated mainly with leisure businesses, bathing supplies and places to eat rather than specialist shopping. In the eastern villages and outer residential districts, retail is more limited and functional. Visitors interested in antiques, large markets or designer boutiques will find a denser selection elsewhere in Vienna, but Donaustadt’s commercial landscape is useful for everyday needs and contemporary urban living.

Show more shops

Donaustadt essentials

Getting There
The U1 is the most useful approach from central Vienna, serving Donaustadt at stations including Kaisermühlen–Vienna International Centre, Alte Donau, Kagran, Kagraner Platz and beyond. U2 trains reach the western edge of the district at Donaumarina and continue towards Aspern and Seestadt, making that line practical for the modern lakeside development. Local buses and trams connect the underground stations with the Old Danube, Donauturm, Stadlau, Essling and the Lobau area. Vienna International Airport is reached from the city via the wider public-transport network; Donaustadt itself is not an airport district.
Getting Around
Donaustadt is too large for a single short walking circuit, so visitors should explore it as several linked areas: Donau City and Donauturm, the Old Danube, Donauinsel, Seestadt and the Lobau. The U1 and U2 provide the main cross-district framework, while buses and trams cover the spaces between stations. Cycling is particularly practical along the Danube and Donauinsel, though routes may be busy in fine weather. Nature paths in the Lobau can be uneven, and the district’s long distances make checking the return route worthwhile before leaving a station.
Safety
Donaustadt is generally explored through open recreational areas, busy transport interchanges and residential districts, so ordinary urban precautions are appropriate. Keep bicycles and personal belongings secure around busy riverside routes, swimming areas and stations, and take care near roads and cycle paths where modes can share limited space. Water, slippery banks and changing weather deserve attention around the Old Danube and New Danube. In the Lobau, remain on appropriate paths, carry water and avoid relying on mobile reception or nearby services as though you were in central Vienna.
Emergency Situations
In Austria, call 112 for the European emergency number, 133 for police, 122 for the fire service and 144 for an ambulance. Give the operator a precise location, especially on Donauinsel, beside the Old Danube or within the Lobau, where a named path, bridge, station or landmark can be more useful than a street address. For non-urgent medical care, use Vienna’s established medical services or ask accommodation staff or a pharmacy for current local guidance. Do not enter flood-control, conservation or restricted areas to reach a shortcut during an emergency.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect residents around the Old Danube, Seestadt and the district’s village-like streets by keeping noise to a reasonable level, particularly in the evening. On Donauinsel, keep to the appropriate side of shared routes and give pedestrians space when cycling. In the Lobau, do not pick plants, disturb wildlife, light fires where prohibited or leave the marked paths without checking local rules. Ask before photographing people at bathing places, and treat riverside access points, allotment areas and private jetties as local spaces rather than public facilities.
Local Tips
Think in terms of contrasts: pair the high-rise view from Donau City with a walk beside the Old Danube, or combine Seestadt’s planned public realm with the rural character of Essling or the Lobau. The Donauinsel and New Danube are best experienced with a map and a clearly chosen access point because the recreation corridor is extensive. For architectural interest, look beyond the central skyline to the changing forms of Seestadt, while the Danube-Auen National Park provides a more natural perspective on the waterways that shaped the district.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloServus[Ser-voos]
GoodbyeTschüss[Chu-ess]
YesJa[Ya]
NoNein[Nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[Bit-teh]
Thank youDanke[Dun-keh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-shool-dee-gung]
How are you?Wie geht es dir?[Vee geht es deer]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[Goot. Oond deer]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[Sprek-ken zee Eng-lish]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Eekh fer-shteh-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[Eekh merkhte dee Shpy-zeh-kahr-teh zeh-en, bit-teh]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Eekh ess-eh kine Fly-sh]
Cheers!Prost![Prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte zahlen[Eekh merkhte bit-teh tsah-len]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![Hil-feh]
Go away!Geh weg![Gay vehg]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![Roo-fen zee dee Po-lee-tsay]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![Roo-fen zee i-nen ahrts]
I'm lostIch habe mich verirrt[Eekh hah-buh meesh feh-rihrt]
I'm illMir ist schlecht[Meer ist shlekht]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...[Eekh merkhte kow-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Eekh shou-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[Vee feel kohs-tet es]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[Dahs ist tsoy toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[Ker-nen zee den prees zehn-ken]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[Vee shpet ist es]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[Es ist iyn oor]
Half past (10)Halb (zehn)[Halb (tsayn)]
MorningMorgen[Mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[Nahk-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[Ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[Ges-tern]
TodayHeute[Hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[Mor-gen]
1Eins[Iyns]
2Zwei[Tsvy]
3Drei[Dry]
4Vier[Feer]
5Fünf[Foonf]
6Sechs[Zeks]
7Sieben[Zee-ben]
8Acht[Akh-t]
9Neun[Noy-n]
10Zehn[Tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?[Voh ist iyn/dehr]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[Vahs ist dee Ah-dre-seh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?[Ker-nen zee meer tsay-gen (ouf dehr kar-teh)]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[Vahn komt dehr nakh-steh (Boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)[I-nuh fahr-kahr-teh (nahkh ....)]

History of Donaustadt

Villages on the Danube Plain

Donaustadt developed from a collection of settlements and agricultural areas on Vienna’s north-eastern plain rather than from a single historic town centre. Aspern, Essling, Kagran, Hirschstetten, Stadlau, Breitenlee and neighbouring villages had distinct local identities before their incorporation into the expanding city. Their older village churches, farm-related street patterns and low-rise buildings still provide traces of this earlier landscape, although extensive development has transformed much of the district. The Danube’s shifting channels, floods and marshy ground also shaped settlement, cultivation and routes across the area.

The Danube and Imperial Warfare

The open land east of the Danube became strategically important during the Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809 was fought on the plain around the villages and is remembered as one of Napoleon’s first major battlefield defeats. The conflict brought destruction and disruption to local settlements, while later military commemorations fixed Aspern and Essling in European history. The area’s military significance continued into the twentieth century, when the Aspern airfield occupied a large tract of the district before its eventual redevelopment.

Urban Expansion Across the River

Vienna’s growth and the regulation of the Danube altered Donaustadt profoundly during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Improved bridges, roads and rail links connected the eastern settlements more closely with the city, while flood-control works made previously vulnerable land more suitable for housing and industry. The district was formed in its present administrative shape in 1938, when Vienna’s boundaries were greatly expanded, and retained its identity as the 22nd district after the post-war restoration of the city’s earlier structure. Suburban housing, allotment gardens and new infrastructure spread across the former agricultural landscape.

From Floodplain to International and New Urban District

Post-war Vienna invested heavily in the Danube corridor, including the creation of Donauinsel and the New Danube as major flood-protection and recreation works completed during the 1970s and 1980s. The Vienna International Centre opened in 1979, establishing Donau City as an international institutional quarter, while the Donauturm, completed in 1964, became a prominent landmark above the river plain. Since the early twenty-first century, Seestadt Aspern has added a planned lakeside district on the former airfield, illustrating Donaustadt’s continuing shift from peripheral farmland towards a complex mixture of housing, employment, leisure and protected nature.

Donaustadt in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Neighbourhoods near Donaustadt

The closest neighbourhoods to Donaustadt, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Vienna
More of the region

Explore more of Vienna

Vienna blends imperial palaces, classical music, grand coffeehouses and contemporary culture in Austria’s elegant capital, rich in history, art and architecture.

Explore Vienna
The Evendo app on two phones

Your all-in-one travel companion app

Explore expert travel guides, compare and book tours, experiences, hotels, and more, all from the palm of your hand. Download now for seamless trip planning wherever your wanderlust takes you.

  • Travel guides to regions, countries, cities, landmarks and attractions worldwide
  • Photos, local tips, maps, opening hours and contact details for every place
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Evendo is a 100% free travel guide app: plan a trip, find what is worth seeing and book it, all in one place.

  • Restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops picked for every destination
  • A "Near me" view of the attractions and amenities around you
  • History and travel essentials for each country and city

From world regions down to a single landmark, every guide brings together the places to see, where to eat and drink, and where to stay, with descriptions, photos and maps to help you plan.

No in-app purchases and no hidden costs. Download Evendo and take your guides with you wherever you travel.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.