Vienna Kayak Tour: Discover Vienna by Water
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About this class
Looking for a unique and refreshing way to experience Vienna? Join the Vienna Kayak Tour: Discover Vienna by Water and explore the city’s hidden natural beauty along the peaceful Old Danube. This guided kayaking adventure takes you away from the tourist crowds and onto the calm waters of a former side arm of the Danube River – now a serene lake surrounded by a blend of nature and modern architecture.
Led by a certified open-water lifeguard and native English-speaking guide, this tour offers an ideal mix of sightseeing, physical activity, and relaxation. You’ll paddle past Vienna’s iconic UNO-City and contemporary buildings that shape the skyline of “New Vienna,” while also passing colorful lakeside cottages and green spaces that showcase the city’s lesser-known recreational heart.
Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and small groups, this experience connects you with fellow international adventurers, provides insider tips for your stay in Vienna, and offers the chance to cool off with a swim in the crystal-clear lake. Whether you're a kayaking beginner or experienced paddler, this tour is designed to be easy, accessible, and above all – memorable.
Escape the heat, soak in the sunshine, and see Vienna from a completely different angle. This is not just a tour – it's a summer highlight you won’t want to miss.
What you’ll do in the class
1. Tour start time - Meet, briefing & kayak preparation
We meet at the u-bahn (underground/metro) station ‘Kaisermuhlen VIC’ on the U1 red line (more details & map below). Please arrive here 5 minutes before the confirmed start time of your tour to avoid delays and to give us more time on the water! We then walk to our launching point (5 mins) to get set up with safety & dry storage equipment, and to go over basic kayaking technique.
2. On the water - The Old Danube
We’ll be investigating the most relaxing part of Vienna, the Alte Donau; a lakeside village which was cut off from the main Danube channel in 1870. This is where nocturnal beavers now roam in an old side arm of the grand river. We’ll see how Vienna maintains its long-established reputation as a center for diplomacy, politics and international relations as we paddle past the United Nations, along with several of the city’s other most important contemporary buildings, which together are forging ‘new’ Vienna’s emerging skyline. This is later contrasted with cute lakeside huts which adorn the water’s edge to give vibrant bursts of colour to the lakeshore. You’ll get loads of tips from us on things to do during your stay, all while making new international friends, getting some sunshine, and being active in the great outdoors!
3. In the water - Optional swim in the Danube
If it’s hot, we can also pull up and take a short swim break in the clean lake waters. From May to September especially, the water temperature is perfect for cooling off while watching the slow-paced world of the Old Danube float on by! Expect to share the water with some rowers, the odd fisherman, and the local birdlife, but for the most part, we’ll have it to ourselves.
4. Tour end
Once the tour is over, you could keep investigating ‘new’ Vienna for a bit longer. Grab lunch or a cocktail at Vienna’s nearby ‘Copa Beach’, swim and hang out on the Danube Island, visit Austria’s tallest building – the Danube Tower, or explore the charming Danube Park, all of which are within easy walking distance from where we’ll finish.
Who is the class suitable for?
Perfect for visitors, outdoor lovers, and international travelers who want to experience Vienna in a fun, active, and relaxed way. Participants must be able to swim. Children under 16 must be accompanied.
Details to remember
Venture Vienna
Come join me out on the trail, on the water, or in the vineyards, for a relaxed exploration of whatever's going on with us on that day, in that place. I look forward to meeting you.
