03.06.2019 - Danube Park with Danube Tower in Vienna

Already when entering the cafe I had a bad and shaky feeling. It was strange when we sat at the table. Everything was swaying dangerously. And when the bar also moved, I knew: This is the end! We are about to plunge into the depths! Rarely have I been more certain.

So do you have any idea what was going on here and where we were? Well, the headline probably gave it away. We were at the Danube Tower today. And the aforementioned cafe is located at an impressive height of 160 m. Quite high. But you don't expect any swaying here. Especially since I had no problems 10 m lower on the observation deck. So what was the reason for these 'turbulences'? Sudden wind or an earthquake?

What I sensitive soul didn't know was that the tower's cafe rotates continuously by 360 degrees. As a result, you travel around with your seat while the bar and the rest of the interior remain still. This happens initially almost unnoticed. That's why my subconscious feeling of swaying movement was quite right, but there was no reason to be worried. On the contrary, it was a special experience.

Especially since the Viennese landmark has just been renovated and reopened, so everything looks new. However, the tower was built as early as 1964 and was part of the International Garden Exhibition, which opened at the same time.

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The area of the large Danube Park, which surrounds the Danube Tower, was actually a landfill until 1960. Only after its restoration did the many high-rise buildings, such as the UNO Center, which I have already written about, emerge. But the scenery, that this would be a purely business district, is deceptive. The 22nd district, Donaustadt, is by no means this. Located between various Danube branches, it is also a recreational area. Just in the middle of the city, with wide streets, you suddenly find yourself in the hinterland, which is almost rural.

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The proximity to the UNO and the neighborhood itself were also the reasons why we booked accommodation in a hotel in Donaustadt this time. From the train station, you can travel directly to here with the U1. And you can also get to the city center without any problems using this subway.

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If you don't just want to visit Vienna's old city center, this is the perfect place.

Here are a few useful tips:

U1, Donauinsel station: Here you can walk along the Danube and on the quiet side you might not encounter anyone. The other side offers a view of the high-rise skyline and nice bars and restaurants on the waterfront.

U1, Kaisermühlen-VIC station: Get off here if you want to go to the UNO.

U1, Alte Donau station: If you want to go swimming, this is the right place. Even the street is called Arbeiterstrandbadstraße. But you can also walk along this street to see the Donauturm. Because from here you will come directly to the Donaupark on the left. From the subway station, there is also a shuttle bus to the tower, but it runs very rarely. In the park, you can then take a ride on the Donauparkbahn (Liliputbahn), which started operating in 1964. However, we preferred to walk and enjoyed the very well-kept park.

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By the way, a ride up the Danube Tower is not cheap (14.50 euros per person), but we found it absolutely worthwhile. In the elevator, don't forget to look up through the glass roof, where you can see what you would otherwise only feel. Namely, that it goes up very quickly!