The Danube Canal is a former arm of the Danube that is now regulated as a water canal. It flows 17.3 km through Vienna and borders the city center, the Inner City, where the Wien river flows into it.
The Danube Canal has a long history and has always been closely linked to the cityscape of Vienna. It was regulated for the first time in the 16th century and expanded in the 19th century as part of the regulation of the Danube. For centuries it was important for passenger and cargo shipping, as it offered landings in close proximity to the city of that time. Today it is above all a popular summer hotspot for leisure and gastronomy.
Along the Danube Canal you can admire numerous sights, such as the headquarters of the First Danube Steamship Company, the Spittelau waste incineration plant in the Hundertwasser design, the Zaha Hadid House, the Rossauer Barracks, the Schützenhaus by Otto Wagner, the Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom by Jean Nouvel or the Urania with observatory. In addition, 20 bridges cross the Danube Canal and provide an impressive light show at night.
If you are hungry or thirsty, you can choose from many restaurants on the Danube Canal that offer food and drink by the water. Whether you fancy pizza, burgers, sushi or falafel, you will find something for every taste here. You can also take a boat trip on the Danube Canal and experience the city from the water. Or you can visit the new “Demokratikum – Parliament Experience”, which offers an interactive exhibition about the past and present of democracy in Austria.
The Danube Canal is more than just a water canal, it is a lively part of Vienna with many facets.