Season End for Copa-Cruise and Island Sheep on Vienna's Danube Island

Despite the end of the season for the Copa Cruise and the island sheep on Vienna's Danube Island, there are still numerous offers along Vienna's waters. Activities such as bike tours on the Danube Island, walks with an audio guide on the Liesingbach, or visiting a new art oasis on the Old Danube are available. Even in autumn and winter, there is a diverse program for all age groups, including free offers for children.

Offer on Vienna's Danube Island is expanded year by year

"We offer a total of 63 km of free access to water in Vienna! And we are expanding the offer at our waters every year, this year we were able to offer the Viennese two new highlights: The second part of Pier 22, the new leisure oasis on the New Danube, has been completed. Thousands of guests have already used it this summer. And with the new park at Mühlschüttel, curated by universal artist Andre Heller, we have recently been offering a unique art experience in the 21st district. All of this is free and worth a trip to the Old and New Danube in autumn as well!" said Ulli Sima, the city councilor responsible for Vienna's waters.

Vienna's Danube Island: Copa Cruise bids farewell to the season

The mobile ferry Copa Cruise in Vienna ended a successful 2025 season on the New Danube. The ferry boat covered 5,500 kilometers and transported about 6,700 passengers between the Danube Island and the mainland. The season ended on October 26. The environmentally friendly boat uses solar energy for part of its power needs and serves four stations. "During the winter break, the Copa Cruise as well as all mowing boats will undergo a routine technical 'in-house inspection' from top to bottom. Even during the autumn and winter months, the employees of Vienna's waters are continuously on duty so that we can start the 2026 season smoothly," says Gerald Loew - head of the responsible department.

Island sheep have mowed 11 hectares of meadow on Vienna's Danube Island

Vienna's Danube Island offers plenty of space for sports with a 135-kilometer-long network of paths. Between Brigittenauer Bridge and Kaisermühlen Bridge, the island is designed like a park. Quieter, more natural areas can be found at the ends of the island and on the upper Danube dam. In the natural north, there has been a flock of sheep since 2019 that maintains the meadows and prevents overgrowth. The City of Vienna - Vienna's waters reports that about 11 hectares of meadows were mowed by the sheep this season. A bike tour is recommended to visit the sheep before the winter break.

Cafe Pier 22 on Vienna's Danube Island open year-round

This year, the second section of Pier 22 at the level of the Reichsbrücke was also inaugurated. In addition to new cafés, waterfront paths, and a park landscape, there is a sports field with a weatherproof roof, providing a sheltered opportunity for open training sessions and events during the cooler autumn months. The new "Cafe Pier 22" is open all year round and invites you to linger after an autumn walk – for example, for a coffee from its own roastery.

Vienna Danube Island: Mobile Island Teams on Duty Around the Clock

The mobile island teams are on the move every year from April to the end of September. They ensure cleanliness on the Danube Island, support the grill masters in the barbecue zones, provide information about the diverse leisure activities, and promote respectful coexistence. The base for cyclists is the Inselinfo, an event and information center below the Reichsbrücke. The mobile island service can look back on a 15-year success story: Since its founding in 201, the teams have covered a total of 100,000 kilometers on the Danube Island and are available to visitors of this leisure oasis with advice and assistance. In addition to providing advice and answering questions on-site, the mobile teams also managed and handled over 1,300 operations in 2025.

Free of Charge: Magical Art Experience Directly at the Old Danube

For the 150th anniversary of the Old Danube, a new park was opened in October at Mühlschüttel, presenting 14 artworks by well-known artists. These works, which thematize elements such as earth, water, air, and light, connect art and nature in a spectacular way. Visitors can view the sculptures free of charge. The park also offers a new, popular playground with modern play equipment such as a water seesaw, a sand boat, and a climbing world. In addition, there are over 70 seating and picnic opportunities for a relaxing break.

With Audio Guide at Liesingbach: For Young and Old, Ready, Set, Go!

In addition to well-known places like the Danube Island, Vienna also offers other natural oases. Over 20 years, the Liesingbach has developed into an ecologically valuable body of water. By 2027, the remaining 9.2 kilometers are also to be renatured. In parallel, the cycling infrastructure is being improved. Recently, the free app "Hearonymus" has been available to explore the Liesingbach. The audio guide provides information for adults and a version for children with stories about nature and animals. The app is available on "Google Play" or the "iOS App Store." Once downloaded, the guide can also be used offline.

(Red)

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