Vienna pools pass two million visitors as season ends

Vienna’s municipal outdoor pools closed on Sunday after recording more than two million visits during the season, ORF reported. The two-million mark was reached on Saturday, the penultimate day of the season, while the pools were preparing to close and clear their changing cabins.

The season was marked by record temperatures and a prolonged heatwave. During the first heatwave in June and early July, the pools were almost fully booked, Martin Kotinsky of MA 44, Vienna’s municipal baths department, told Radio Wien. The pools had already recorded one million visitors by July.

Rain in the final days made the race to two million visitors close. Extremely high temperatures also kept some people away. “There were times when it was 40 degrees, and many people stayed at home or looked for cooler places such as shopping centres or cinemas,” Kotinsky said.

Sunny weather on Saturday brought more visitors to the outdoor pools. The season’s total was 15 percent higher than last year.

Gänsehäufel was the most popular pool, with about 350,000 admissions as of Sunday morning. It was followed by Kongressbad with 164,150, Strandbad Alte Donau with 141,000, Schafbergbad with 105,600 and Krapfenwaldlbad with 97,800.

Swimming courses were also popular, according to MA 44. Adult courses were fully booked, and some available children’s courses were temporarily converted into adult courses.

Vienna’s climate and baths councillor, Jürgen Czernohorszky of the SPÖ, said the strong attendance showed the importance of the city’s pools, particularly during heatwaves. Schönbrunner Bad will remain closed in 2027.