Vienna extends extended bathing hours at outdoor pools due to ongoing heat

Justification from the climate councillor

The additional bathing hours enable the population to find relief from the heat even after regular closing times. Especially in densely built urban areas, where many apartments lack air conditioning, outdoor pools are an important place to escape the heat during the summer.

Vienna's Jürgen Czernohorszky justified the measure with the ongoing weather trend. In a statement he said: "Die Hitzewelle hält länger an als ursprünglich erwartet. Deshalb verlängern wir die zusätzlichen Badezeiten in den vier Freibädern bis Ende August." The city was responding flexibly to the climatic conditions and ensuring that people would also have an alternative available in the evening hours.

With the extension until the end of August, the originally shorter period of the special regulation is being pushed back significantly. This also takes into account the fact that, according to weather forecasts, high temperatures are still expected to continue.

Background: Heat protection in Vienna

In recent years, the City of Vienna has repeatedly responded to heatwaves with similar measures, extending the opening hours of the city's pools. Czernohorszky pointed out that protecting the population from the health consequences of high temperatures is a central task of the city.

For visitors, the extension concretely means that the four named pools will maintain their extended opening hours throughout August. This allows workers and families to enjoy the cool water after work or on weekends in the late evening hours.

Information for swimmers

The city recommends checking the current opening hours and admission prices of the respective pools before visiting, as these may vary by location. Arrival by public transport is also recommended to avoid traffic jams and parking searches at the heavily frequented pools.

Drawing on the experiences of previous summers, Czernohorszky announced that the measures would continue to be flexibly adapted to the respective weather conditions. Should the heatwave continue beyond August, the city is prepared to consider further steps.

The additional bathing hours are part of a broader package of measures by the City of Vienna to protect the population during heatwaves, which also includes the provision of drinking water and information on heat protection measures.

Overall, the extension of the special regulation demonstrates how urban infrastructure can adapt to extreme weather events. The outdoor pools serve not only as recreational facilities, but also as public spaces for heat regulation.