Summer in Vienna
Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and instead of wearing their coats, people are carrying them. It’s lovely to see summer slowly making its way to Vienna – and that means it’s the perfect time to find out about all the free things to do in Vienna during summer time.
Every season, Vienna has something special to offer. But especially in summer, there are a so many fun and even free activities you should know about!
It’s currently not the right season, but if you’re staying longer or planning to visit Vienna in winter as well, we already shared a Vienna Winter Travel Guide. Check it out for ideas from a local. Vienna Winter Travel Guide
Let’s dive right in and see what a dream summer in Vienna can look like for a budget traveller.
1. Enjoy Some Time in the Parks
I have to start with my favourite part: the parks in Vienna. I love them. There are so many scattered all around the city, filled with trees, flowers and plants, wide grassy areas, and sometimes sweet little details like statues, lanterns, park benches, or ponds.
A hot summer day, especially in the city, can be really exhausting, but these parks offer the perfect escape right in the middle of it all. Bring a picnic blanket, a towel, or just lie down in the grass. Enjoy a bit of nature, play fun games, make friendship bracelets (or anything creative), bring snacks, or write in your travel diary.
There are so many things you can do – on your own or with friends. I also love watching other people. It’s really sweet, because as soon as the sun appears the parks are often filled with groups sitting in the grass, just enjoying their time outside. Suddenly, you’re sharing a moment with strangers.
If you don’t know where to go first, I listed my favourite parks underneath!
- Burggarten, 1st district
Right behind the Hofburg Palace, this park feels like a royal garden escape. There’s even a butterfly house nearby. It’s my absolute favourite – sharing first place with the next one:)
- Stadtpark, 1st and 3rd district
I love the Stadtpark. Very central and easy to reach. It offers plenty of space to spread out your picnic blanket and spend hours relaxing under the big trees.
- Votivpark, 9th district
Directly at the University of Vienna, right by the Votiv Church. It’s really beautiful – sometimes you’ll hear street musicians playing, and the park is usually filled with students just hanging out.
- Volksgarten, 1st district
Famous for its beautiful rose gardens and historic vibes. Super central, with a view of the Parliament and the Hofburg. - Türkenschanzpark, 18th district
This one is a bit further outside the city center, but I really love it. It feels like a hidden gem. Türkenschanzpark is huge, and walking through the whole park can take a while. You’ll come across lots of hidden spots, little ponds, and the cutest flowers and plants. It’s also super easy to find a nice picnic spot that’s not right next to a big group of people.
- Resselpark, 4th district
It’s right next to the Karlskirche. Through it’s central location, it’s a perfect spot to rest between sightseeing.
- Schönbrunn gardens, 13th district
In general, the Schönbrunn park grounds are definitely worth a visit. They’re huge, and the gardening there is on another level. Take a walk through the Schönbrunn gardens and discover all the beautiful paths, flowers, and plants. Once you reach the back – I know the motivation usually fades when you see a steep hill – still, go for it and walk up to the Gloriette. It’s totally worth it! Up there, you’ll find a beautiful spot to sit in the grass and enjoy a lovely view over the city. Just behind it is the Fasangarten, which is usually less crowded, peaceful, and super green. - Kaiserwiese, 2nd district
This one might not be the most beautiful park, but if you’re spending time at the famous amusement park, the Prater, it’s good to know that there’s a park area right behind the Giant Ferris Wheel where you can rest and relax. - Donauinsel, 21st and 22nd district
A long stretch of nature right in the middle of the Danube. More about the Danube Island coming up in the next point.
2. Swimming and Sunbathing by the Danube
Especially on those super hot summer days, the Danube might be the most budget-friendly way to cool off, right in the middle of the city. There are so many great spots where you can walk along the river until you find the perfect place to unfold your blanket and settle in.
Sunbathing, reading, listening to music, playing games – whatever you’re in the mood for. And whenever you hear a little bell ring, it might just be an ice cream bike passing by.
You might also spot some of the blue floating platforms in the water. If one is free, take your chance and hop on! They’re perfect for dipping your feet in the water or jumping right in. Plus, the little ladder makes it easy to get in and out.
3. Danube Island free Activities
The Danube Island doesn’t just offer great spots for sunbathing and swimming, there’s so much more happening during summer! Especially when it comes to free activities, this island has a lot to offer.
- Sports: There are tons of options for free outdoor sports. Thanks to the long paved paths, many people love cycling or skating along the island. You’ll also find freely accessible beach volleyball courts, skate parks, and even a climbing area you can use without paying a cent. It’s a perfect place to get active while enjoying nature.
- Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival): This is Europe’s largest free open-air festival. Every summer, usually in late June, this three-day event takes over the island with live music, food stalls, and fun activities. Around fifteen stages offer all kinds of music genres, as well as comedy and cabaret shows. There’s a great mix of Austrian and international artists, and the best part? It’s completely free! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience with a super chill and friendly vibe!
4. Flea Markets
If you love thrifting, the flea markets in Vienna are the perfect place to go. Flea markets start popping up again in the city as the cold days slowly fade away. That means every week in summer, you’ll find a bunch of different markets, especially on weekends, when the big ones open up.
I’ll share a few of my favourites below, but in general, I recommend checking an official site to see which flea markets are open at the time you’re looking for. Finding them is actually super easy: just search for flohmarkt.at Vienna and you’ll get all the information about the dates, locations, opening hours, and what kind of items are sold. (It’s in german, but you can easily translate the website.) To the website: https://www.flohmarkt.at/flohmaerkte/wien#google_vignette
My recommendations:
- Naschmarkt Flohmarkt, 6th district
- Riesenflohmarkt Wienerberg, 10th district
- Flaniermarkt Neubaugasse, 7th district
- MetaMarkt, 15th district
- Wild im West Flohmarkt, 15th district
- Superbude Flohmarkt, 2nd district
- Riesenflohmarkt Huma Eleven, 11th district
5. Wine Garden Walks and Vineyard Views
Another great and definitely unique experience is walking along the wine gardens, just a bit outside the city center. Take public transport to one of the starting points and enjoy a little hike.
The routes are usually well marked but self-guided, leading you up the hills through beautiful nature and vineyards. The scenic views over the city and the peaceful atmosphere are motivation enough to get up that hill.
At the top, you’ll often find traditional wine taverns, called Heurigen, where you can relax with a drink and some local food. For a more budget-friendly option, pack your own snacks and drinks, bring a picnic blanket, and find a cozy spot to enjoy and take it all in.
Pro tip: Try going up for sunrise (if you’re an early bird), or (my personal favourite) stay until sunset.
I have to admit – I haven’t had time for a vineyard walk yet, even though it’s been on my list forever! I’m definitely planning to try it out this summer 🙂
So I’m not entirely sure yet which trail is the best, but I asked ChatGPT for a few of the most popular ones to share with you. Once I get the chance to explore them myself, I’ll make sure to update this post and let you know which one I loved most!
- Neustift am Walde to Nussdorf, 19th district
- Strebersdorf to Stammersdorf, 21st district
- Ottakring Trail, 16th district
- Maurer Trail, 23rd district
Keep these five free things to do in Vienna in mind and enjoy a budget friendly summer in this beautiful city!
Don’t forget to check out other Vienna blog posts for your trip, there might be some helpful tips and tricks you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Johanna
About the Author:
If Johanna were a word, she would be "stardust" – nondescript, quiet, demure, until the passion appears that brings the stardust to fully unfold. She’s a traveler at heart, constantly curious to see more of the world, with a camera always close by to capture every moment just as it is. Whether she’s at a concert, lost in the music, or exploring a new city, Johanna’s world is filled with an endless curiosity and love for the little details that make life feel like stardust.
Johanna
About the Author:
If Johanna were a word, she would be “stardust” – nondescript, quiet, demure, until the passion appears that brings the stardust to fully unfold. She’s a traveler at heart, constantly curious to see more of the world, with a camera always close by to capture every moment just as it is. Whether she’s at a concert, lost in the music, or exploring a new city, Johanna’s world is filled with an endless curiosity and love for the little details that make life feel like stardust.
