Danube Island

The Donauinsel was made, not found: between 1972 and 1988 a relief channel, the Neue Donau, was excavated parallel to the regulated Danube, and the spoil ridge left between them became an island twenty-one kilometres long and a few hundred metres wide. Its function is flood control - the channel takes the surplus when the river runs high, and gates at either end are closed and opened accordingly - and Vienna has not had a serious flood since. What the city then did with it was recreational: beaches, bathing on the still water of the Neue Donau, cycle and skating paths the full length, barbecue areas, naturist sections at the north end, restaurants and bars in the middle. The Donauinselfest each June is one of the largest free open-air music festivals in Europe.

What you actually see

• A twenty-one kilometre made island - the spoil ridge from a flood relief channel.
• Bathing on still water - the Neue Donau side used as the city's beach.
• Cycle and skate paths - running the whole length with no traffic.
• The Donauinselfest - a free June festival among the largest in Europe.

When to go

May to September; late June for the festival. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The festival brings enormous crowds and the island is packed. Water quality is monitored and generally good but is published for a reason. The middle section is loud and commercial.

Nearby

The UNO City and Donauturm are on the north bank; the city centre is a short U-Bahn ride.