End of August is close but the sun is still shining and inviting us to different outdoor activities. Considering that you have already done your Hausübung, then you should go out and enjoy some sun.

In the current article I will tell you some things about the Vienna public swimming pools.

The vast majority of baths were built in the inter-war period and following implementation of the 1968 public bath concept. The latter provided for 14 pools to be built within a seven year period. Investment volume at the time was approximately 500 million Austrian Schillings. A number of district pools, both indoor and outdoor, were built in the course. The district indoor pool programme (part of the public bath concept) was based on investigations on each pool’s catchment area. Thus, many pools were built in densely built-up areas such as Simmering, Brigittenau, Döbling or Donaustadt. In Vienna, because of its amazing bath architecture, baths and culture were often closely linked.

The Viennese are spoilt for choice, with about 50 public swimming pools (outdoors and indoors) and plenty of other bathing areas: ponds and small lakes, streams and backwaters – some popular, others less well-known. All of them offer plenty of greenery and good water quality thanks to constant monitoring. Vienna also offers a surprisingly wide range of water sports facilities.

For the nature lovers, there are two types of natural bathing areas in Vienna. First, the traditional lidos on the Alte Donau with admission charges, like theGänsehäufel, Stadlau and Bundesbad Alte Donau, offer shaded grass areas, changing cabins, showers and toilets as well as snack bars or restaurants. Alternatively, there are some more or less well-known natural sites without infrastructure that cost nothing to use. Most of these sites are on the Neue and Alte Donau (New and Old Danube). The City of Vienna offers an online service showing the water quality and temperature even of the smaller ponds and streams.

So… what are you waiting for? Take your swimsuit and find the nearest swimming pool. The sun is still up and is waiting for you!!!