Here are 9 tips on what to do with your dog in Vienna, including the best places to take them for a walk.
Where to take your dog on doggie adventure
Vocabulary you will need for your adventures with your four-legged friend:
Hundezone = dog zone
Gackerlsackerl = poo bags
The Hund beach @ Handelskai
Where: the Hundezone (dog zone) is located between the Floridsdorfer Brücke (bridge) and Nordbrücke.
How to get there/doggie walk route: Take the U6 to Handelskai and take the exit on the Donauinsel side. From there, walk past the Floridsdorfer Brücke (Floridsdorfer bridge) while staying alongside the riverbank. If you pass the Schulschiff (which is an actual school on a ship) you’ll know you’re going the right way.
What kind of doggie adventure can you expect?
This one very accessible spot is a perfect option for dog owners that love the sun and the water – and it also had our doggy’s tail wagging for hours on end. We sensed we were approaching the Hundezone by the increasing pull of our dog on the leash. Little secluded sand coves can be found next to the path, giving us a holiday feeling! Being the dreamers that we are, we love looking at the little fishing boats bobbing up and down and imagining the lives of their white-bearded, pipe-smoking owners’. We found the official path to be a little too short, but word on the island is that many people continue walking their dogs without leash past the official zone. But psst, you didn’t hear that from us.
We like… that the water is shallow so dogs who can’t swim can also cool off.
Good to know
+ There are sufficient Gackerlsackerl (poo bags) dispensers and bins along the way.
+ Whether you and your dog like to socialise, or to seek out solitude where you can sit in silence and gaze at the water, this dog area offers opportunities for both.
+ Cyclists and joggers also use this path. Even though we didn’t find that to be a problem, it might be worth taking this into consideration if your dog loves to hunt bikers in lycra pants, or is easily spooked.
Chasing sticks and getting lost in the forest @ Neuwaldegg
Where: Neuwaldegg, 1170
How to get there/ doggie walk route: Get off at the end station, Neuwaldegg, of the tram 43, follow Neuwaldegger Straße until you turn left onto the Waldegghofgasse (this is the perfect street for curious people like us – don’t miss out on the chance to peek into rich peoples’ gardens) and walk up to the Schwarzenbergallee.
Walk until you reach this sign and from there on it’s really up to you which way you go next. Follow one of the paths leading into the depths of the woods and let yourself be swallowed by the trees.
What kind of doggie adventure can you expect?
Even if you aren’t looking for a place to walk your dog, you might still want to check this area out. Located in the 17th district, the lush Wienerwald is one of the best green spaces in Vienna to explore, and get lost. The further you go, the more the sounds of traffic are replaced by birds’ singing, the humming of insects and the panting of your dog – beautiful.
We love… that we hardly met anyone else and that our dog had enough sticks to play with to even make her forget about the treats we accidentally left at home – and that’s saying something.
Good to know
+ This is a popular route for joggers and cyclists as well, so you might want to keep your dog close to you.
+ It can get a little steep in parts, so be sure to wear suitable shoes.
+ This is not a real Hundezone, so bring your own Gackerlsackerl. Also, it is recommended to keep your dog on a leash in order to protect wildlife.
+ If you follow the Stadtwanderweg 3 (city hike 3), it will take you three to four hours to complete. But it is possible to shorten the walk by taking other paths along the way.
+ Don’t forget to leave your dog’s stick in the forest, otherwise you’ll end up finding bits and pieces of wood everywhere at home. So we heard …
Playing in the doggy wonderland @ the Prater
Where: Prater, 1020
How to get there/doggie walk route: You can choose where to start – either take the U1 U-Bahn line to the station, Praterstern, and walk along the Praterallee (keep in mind that you are not allowed to let your dog off its leash until you reach the official Hundezone) OR get off at the U2 U-Bahn station, Krieau or Stadion.
What kind of doggie adventure can you expect?
We can’t write about Vienna’s dog-friendly spots without mentioning the largest, and most central of them all – the nearly 300.000 square metres allocated for doggie fun in the middle of the Prater park. As soon as you arrive, it’s obvious why dog owners bring their dogs here – there are meadows for your dog to run wild in, paths leading through the forest with a lot of tempting sticks to throw and retrieve, drinking water fountains, benches to rest on, sufficient bins and Gackerlsackerl dispensers, little training equipment for your dogs (They’re actually just big logs, but you’ll see dogs doing some pretty neat tricks on them), and plenty of other doggy mates to play with – it’s like a doggie wonderland!
Good to know
+ Bikers, joggers and even horse-riders may cross your path.
+ This dog-zone is very popular – we wouldn’t necessarily say it’s crowded but you won’t be alone here.
Run wild and free in the wide open spaces @ Löwygrube
Where: Löwygrube, 1110
How to get there/doggie walk route: From the U3 Simmering station, take the bus 15A to Max-Mauermann Gasse, climb up the Bitterlichgasse (you’ll know what we mean when you get there) until you see a path on your right-hand side leading straight into the green. Follow that and you’ll walk straight into the Löwygrube.
What kind of doggie adventure can you expect?
Even though this dog park isn’t right around the corner, it’s definitely worth making the trip to the 10th district. The wide fields are a great playground for every dog who loves to run wild and play fetch. They also offer plenty of playing opportunities for the humans, and more often than not, you’ll find people of all ages flying their kites (or skiing in winter). ALSO, you’ll have an amazing view over the city (see if you can spot the Gasometer).
Good to know
+ You are right around the corner from the other Prater – the Böhmischer Prater. If you haven’t been here yet, you are in for a treat – this is one truly Viennese experience. Be sure to check it out if you’ve still got the energy.
+ Attention, rare dog-breed lovers: We spotted three Irish wolfhounds (the biggest dogs in the world) taking a stroll here, and we wonder what else can be found here.
The Donaukanal
Where: Start at the beach bar, the Strandbar Hermann, follow the Donaukanal and finish whenever you and your dog start panting, slobbering and decide to lie down in the grass.
How to get there/doggie walk route: Catch the U4 U-Bahn line to the station Schwedenplatz or catch the tram 1 to the station, Julius-Raab-Platz.
What kind of doggie adventure can you expect?
While this is one of the favourite fitness strips for humans, it’s also great for our beloved four-legged creatures. But, it’s more pleasant if you take your dog to the quieter, calmer parts of the Donaukanal. While from Spittelau to the Badeschiff is a highway of runners, bikes, bar hoppers, we highly recommend starting your walk at the Strandbar Hermann (which is also a dog-friendly bar, that will provide you with water bowls). From here, walk in the direction of the 3rd district (towards the Prater park). There are a few Hundezone on the way (one being really long, making it good for ball games) and there is less traffic than up the other end.
Daily neighbourhood playgrounds for your dog
Dog Park
Where: Check out where your neighbourhood Hundezone is, here.
It’s obvious that during the week, you won’t always have the time to take your dog on such big adventures, so check out the numerous Hundezone parks in your local neighbourhood, here. These are great spots for your dog to socialise and for you to speak to other dog owners about patting techniques and other dog-related chat. The word on the street is that there is more green space dedicated to dog parks in Vienna, than human parks.
Take your dog shopping @ Bunter Hund
Where: Neustiftgasse 42, 1070
Bunter Hund is like a dog department store. Stocking all sorts of fashion for dogs – from shoes (yes, there is such a thing), to dog rain jackets and a wide range of collars and leashes. Also with plenty of dog toys and fancy food (including homemade biscuits), you’ll be spending more on your dog than your monthly grocery bill in no time. And the shop is very dog-friendly, of course, so bring your dog along. Also keep an eye on the Bunter Hund store’s website, to keep up to date with dog related news in Vienna, and the occasional events they hold. You won’t only find a wealth of knowledge here from the friendly owners, yet also meet passionate dog lovers.
Give your dog a spa treatment @ Wash Dog
Where: Carlbergergasse 45, 1230
Are other dogs sniffing around your dogs butt to than run away yelping? Do you want your dog to be the prettiest dog at the park, with all other dogs whispering about your dogs lush, furry coat? Then give your dog a spa treatment at this recently opened 24 hour self-service dog washing centre. Check out the Wash Dog website, for details on how it all works.
Take your dog on a date with Doggy Date
Where: event locations vary. Check out the Doggy Date website for details.
We couldn’t resist but to include this in our list. If you’re a swinging single in the city with a dog, there’s a dating service hosting various events, at which you can meet other single dog-lovers. We guess the idea is to bond over your furry friends, before revealing your other furry friends to each other. Check out the Doggy Date website for more details.
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