Insider tips for the Hirschstetten bathing pond: Relax by the water!

Insider tips for the Hirschstetten bathing pond: Relax by the water!

The Hirschstetten bathing pond, which is located in Vienna's 22nd district of Donaustadt, has developed into a popular local recreation area. The pond came about by chance: this green oasis was created when groundwater seeped into a former gravel pit that was used between the 1960s and 1990s. The original plan was to fill the pit with garbage, but this idea was rejected, and a 127,500 square meter body of water was created, which residents, especially from the prefabricated buildings built in the 1970s, quickly learned to appreciate. In the 1970s, the pond reached its maximum size and became a place of meeting and relaxation for many Viennese people, as FALTER reports.

The banks of the bathing pond were planted with beautiful trees and bushes by experienced Viennese city gardeners and seasonal workers from Burgenland. The offerings at the bathing pond used to be quite sparse and were limited to a playground, a bathing bay with a snack stand and a sausage barrack on the east bank. But in 2021 the gastronomic offering increased, especially due to the construction of a new district nearby. One of the new establishments is the Beachpoint Buffet, which is located next to the beach volleyball court and is particularly known for its sausages.

A diverse range of leisure activities

The bathing pond not only offers a green break from city life, but also a variety of leisure options. The extensive water area, which is around 10 meters deep, is ideal for swimming, fishing and even ice skating in winter. The swimming pond is accessible free of charge all year round and all day. For families there is a children's playground and a "baby bay" with fine sand. Special zones have also been set up for dog owners, where their four-legged friends can splash around to their heart's content.

• Wasserfläche: ca. 127.500 m²
• Breite: ca. 280 m
• Länge: ca. 540 m
• Maximale Tiefe: ca. 10 m

Bathing and the water quality at the swimming pond are checked regularly: a laboratory takes samples three times per season and publishes the results. This ensures safety for all bathers. The buffet at Babybucht, which is open to guests in the warm summer months, ensures physical well-being, while the restaurant “Laguna am Ziegelhofteich” on the eastern bank also opens its doors all year round.

Bathing ponds – little paradises in Vienna

The Hirschstetten bathing pond is not only a place for relaxation, but also joins a long list of bathing ponds that Vienna has to offer. Originally, most of these bathing ponds, which were created through dredging to remove gravel, are now nothing less than popular retreats for young and old. In the city alone there are numerous of these small “seas”, including the Alte Donau lido and the Gänsehäufl. These ponds offer crystal-clear water, peace and a connection to nature, which is of great value for many Viennese, as Die Presse discusses.

So you can say that the Hirschstetten bathing pond not only serves as a simple recreational area, but also occupies a special position in the context of Vienna's bathing ponds that is worth discovering.