Best for
Views and photography, families wanting a fun extra with the slide
Time needed
1–2 hours including travel
Worth it?
Yes on a clear day — one of the widest views of Vienna available
Skip if
The weather is poor, or you've already done a central viewpoint like Karlskirche's lift
About Danube Tower (Donauturm)
The Donauturm was built for the 1964 Vienna International Garden Show, designed by architect Hannes Lintl explicitly as a publicly accessible observation tower rather than a purely functional communications mast, and at 252 metres it remains the tallest structure in Austria decades later. Two express lifts reach the viewing platforms, roughly 150 metres up, in about 35 seconds.
On a clear day the view extends up to 80 kilometres, taking in the Vienna Woods, the Danube snaking through Donaustadt and, weather permitting, as far as Slovakia and Hungary. The tower includes a revolving restaurant and café at viewing height, and — its more recent, playful addition — a 40-metre outdoor slide designed by artist Carsten Höller, spiralling from around 165 metres down the outside of the structure for a nine-second thrill ride back toward ground level.
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It sits in Donaupark, north of the Danube and away from the historic centre, making it more of a deliberate half-day excursion than an easy add-on stop — but it offers a genuinely different, wide-lens view of Vienna than any of the central viewpoints.
What to See: Highlights
- 1252 metres — the tallest structure in Austria
- 2Views up to 80km on a clear day
- 3A revolving restaurant and café at viewing height
- 4Carsten Höller's 40-metre outdoor slide from the upper deck
- 535-second express lift ride to the viewing platforms
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Insider Tips
Check the weather — the 80km view range depends heavily on visibility
Located in Donaupark, north of the centre — budget travel time
The slide is a paid extra thrill, not included in standard admission
Go at sunset for a dramatic view over the Danube and city
Combine with a walk through Donaupark itself, a large green space around the tower
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
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Getting There
Donauturmstraße 4, 1220 Wien
Open in Google Maps →- 1U-Bahn U1 to Kaisermühlen–VIC, then a 10-minute walk through Donaupark.
Where to stay
Hotels in Vienna
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Danube Tower (Donauturm) worth visiting?+−
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want the widest possible panoramic view of Vienna and the Danube
- You're travelling with kids who'd enjoy the outdoor slide
- The weather forecast is clear
- You have time for a deliberate half-day trip outside the centre
Skip if...
- The weather is overcast or hazy, reducing the view significantly
- You've already done a central viewpoint and don't need another
- You're short on time and staying focused on the historic centre
