Sunset in Vienna: These places are perfect!
Where to go in Vienna for the best sundowners?
You love sunsets – then join us on a journey through Vienna. We’ll show you places for a magical sunset atmosphere, from classics to real insider tips.
What is easy to do by the sea is not so easy in a big city: where does the sun shine the longest and what is the best place in Vienna for a sun downer or a romantic date at sunset?
Whether with a picnic basket and blanket, with good music or delicious ice cream in beach bars or including a magnificent view – we have picked out the best places including places to stop in bars or restaurants! (If you still need insider tips for Vienna, we have them too!)
Of course, you need to know in advance on which day the sun will disappear behind the horizon and when: Look up when the sun sets in Vienna today. The Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics has a handy table of sunsets in all Austrian provincial capitals for the whole year.
Watching the sun go down in Vienna: 7 beautiful places
Vienna has plenty of beautiful places, but with the surrounding mountains of the Vienna Woods, from Leopoldsberg, Kahlenberg and Hermannskogel to the mountains of the Lainzer Tiergarten, one thing is certain: you can’t chase the sun for too long. At some point, it comes to an end and disappears behind the hills, which in Vienna rise to heights of around 550 meters.
Enjoy the sunset in Vienna’s parks and on the waterfront
We particularly love these combinations: Sun plus water or sun plus park. This also applies to the time when the sun sets in the evening. It’s particularly beautiful to watch the fireball sink:
Augarten
Let’s keep our feet on the ground and hop into one of the most popular parks in Vienna’s 2nd district. In the Augarten in Leopoldstadt, spacious meadows meet neatly laid out flowerbeds. In addition to ball games of all kinds, you can also have a wonderful picnic here or indulge in culinary delights at https://www.sperling.wien/ (where the sun shines particularly long in the evening) and the Augarten pub. The old flak tower, which towers over everything here and gives the park a surreal ambience, is also exciting.
Donaukanal
Not far from the Augarten, the Danube Canal meanders through the city. With a length of around 11 kilometers, it is one of the most popular recreational areas in Vienna. The Danube Canal is not only a magnet for the local and now international graffiti scene (graffiti can be sprayed here legally), but also for sun worshippers and night owls. Countless cafés and bars are lined up here, with the right bank (downstream) in particular being THE place to enjoy the sunset in Vienna. Whether opposite the Flex nightclub, near the Badeschiff, the Urania observatory or in the garden of the Central Garden event venue: Everyone can find a cozy spot on the Danube Canal, and it’s up to you whether you bring your own drinks and snacks or have them served.
Donauinsel
For more than 50 years, the Viennese have been enjoying pure relaxation on the 21-kilometer-long, man-made Danube Island. The project was one of superlatives, started in 1972 and lasted a proud 16 years. Today, nature blooms and flourishes here in all its glory: Cycling, swimming, inline skating, jogging, slacklining, music festivals – the Danube Island offers the right leisure program for everyone.
And you can also enjoy the sunset here particularly well and for quite a long time: The sun sets beautifully and picturesquely at the height of the Viennese vineyards. You can either take the U1 to the Danube Island station to spend some time at Copa Beach on an open space near the shore or in the pop-up bars and beach bars during the summer.
Or head to the opposite side of the river to Sunken City (by the Reichsbrücke bridge below the lighthouse) to watch the sunset from the pubs or floating bars. Alternatively, between the end of April and the end of October, you can cruise across the water on the New Danube on Fridays, weekends or public holidays on the Copa Cruise ferry and watch the sun go down.
Watching the sun set in Vienna from a lofty height
Watching the sun dip behind the horizon from far above – sooo beautiful. And that’s why you have to go to these places in Vienna:
Das Loft in SO/ Vienna
The rooftop bar “Das Loft” in the SO/ Hotel Vienna is probably one of the best places to enjoy sunsets in Vienna. With a view of the surrounding mountains, the colorful roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and a breathtaking view over the entire city, you feel like you’re very close to the clouds up here on the 18th floor of the hotel. What else is on offer? Innovative cuisine and good drinks. And with the 360-degree view from up here, you can already plan your excursion destinations for the next few days.
Rooftop-Bar 57 in the DC Tower
Austria’s tallest building, the DC Tower (DC stands for: Donau City), is not only an architectural eye-catcher at 220 meters, but also a perfect place in Vienna to watch the sun go down with a cold drink: Simply take the elevator up to the 57th floor in just a few seconds and then head up to the rooftop bar from the 57 Restaurant. There you can chill out and enjoy the cool breeze. The sunset view from the terrace? Priceless!
Praterturm
The Vienna Prater or “Wurstelprater” in Prater Park is a nationally renowned amusement park in Vienna that is open almost all year round. The main season is from March 15 to the end of October, and some of the rides are permanent fixtures and landmarks of the city. In addition to the world-famous Ferris wheel, which has been around since 1897, the Prater Tower chain carousel is a real insider tip for a very special sunset experience. At a height of 117 meters, you fly over the green lung of the city at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The colorful sea of lights below you is at least as spectacular as the view of the setting sun in the distance.
Nussdorf vineyards
A walk through the Nussdorf vineyards is always worthwhile. Simply take streetcar D to Nussdorf station to start your tour from there. Especially in the early evening, the climb is worthwhile in more ways than one. Whichever meadow or wooden bench at one of the many taverns you take a seat on: The view of Vienna, the New and Old Danube, the Danube Island and the Danube Tower will captivate you and make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Make sunset in Vienna an unforgettable experience, with your own snack or delicious snack board and, of course, with the wines of the local winegrowers. A sundowner couldn’t be more informal.
Tips for wine taverns and winegrowers: