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Unlike the most of Austria, the surface of the city of Vienna and its surroundings is relatively flat and it is therefore a good idea to have a look at Vienna from the bird’s perspective. There are several places where a few euros or a few (more) stairs give you a wonderful panoramic view of the whole city and a big part of Lower Austria. Among these places are the two towers of the Stephansdom, the Riesenrad in Prater, or several small hills located around Vienna. However, one place tops them all – the Danube Tower or as Austrians say, the Donauturm.
With 252 metres the Donauturm is the tallest structure in Austria (though it has been the first only since February 2010 when Sendeanlage Bisamberg was torn down). Since 1964 when the Donauturm was completed, it has been one of the leading features of Vienna’s panorama and one of the symbols of modern Vienna (together with the neighbouring United Nations buildings).
Visitors can get as high as about 160 metres to the observation deck at the Donauturm. Besides places for looking out to as far as 80 km away from the tower, there are two restaurants, Panorama and Donauwalzer. Both rotate slowly and when you sit at a table there, the picture in front of you changes constantly – from the Stephansdom to Riesenrad to the green little hills of Lower Austria… and back to Stephansdom again.
Though there are 776 stairs at the Danube Tower, people mostly get to the top using one of the two express elevators. The ride to the Donauturm observation deck and back costs EUR 5.90 for adults, EUR 4.70 for senior people, and EUR 4.30 for children up to 14 years. You can buy the tickets directly at the Donauturm or you can book online.
The observation deck and the elevators operate every day from 10 am to 11 pm. Therefore, it is possible to get to the top of Donauturm when it’s dark and see the lights of Vienna below you at night. The cafe is open during the whole time, while the restaurant only from 11 am to 3 pm and then from 6 pm to 11 pm.
As one of the landmarks of Vienna the Donauturm naturally not only attracts tourists, but it is also a place where various events take place. In November there is the Stair Run competition at the Donauturm – the best athletes make the 776 stairs to the top in a little over 3 minutes. On a few days during the season you can even try bungee jumping from the steel ramp reaching out of the observation deck.
The Donauturm is situated in the 22th district (Donaustadt) at Donauturmstrasse 4. Here you can find the detailed directions to the Donauturm.
For further details and up-to-date information, visit the official website of the Donauturm.