Vienna Red Cross opens Cooling Center earlier than planned

Concept and Staff

The response from last year underscores the relevance of the offering. In 2025, the Vienna Red Cross counted a total of 3,800 visitors to the Cooling Centers, including 2,700 at the Huma Eleven alone. This established the location as a central point of contact during hot phases. The Red Cross sees the growing numbers as evidence of how important such offerings with social relevance are.

The Cooling Center in Vienna-Simmering is located at Ignaz-Köck-Straße 1, 1210 Vienna. It is open Monday to Friday, from 12:00 to 17:00 each day. This means working people and schoolchildren can visit the premises in the afternoon, when temperatures in the city are often at their highest.

Locations and Opening Hours

From mid-July, the Vienna Red Cross is expanding its offering to include a second location in the Shopping City Nord. This is located at Landwehrstraße 6, 1110 Vienna, and is open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 18:00. With the additional point of contact, the organization is responding to the growing need in various Vienna districts.

The Vienna Red Cross's Cooling Centers have existed since 2018 and are now a fixed part of the city's heat-prevention efforts. This year, the offering will be operated simultaneously at two locations in order to reach as many Viennese residents as possible. In doing so, the organization is continuing its proven strategy of combining publicly accessible places with air-conditioned rooms.

Response Since 2018

Lukas Infanger from the Vienna Red Cross pointed to the dual function of the facility at the event. On the one hand, it is about concrete protection from the health consequences of high temperatures; on the other, about social contact. The combination of cooled rooms and advisory services is intended to reduce heat stress and at the same time ease loneliness in the city.

With the early opening, the Red Cross is responding to the current weather situation. Given the forecast peak temperatures, the need for cool places to retreat is particularly high, it was said at the press event. The offering is explicitly aimed at all age groups, from older people and families to young people who are out and about in the city.

Who the Offering Is For

The Red Cross emphasizes that the Cooling Centers are accessible without registration. Visitors may enter the space freely and stay as long as they like. This low-threshold accessibility is an important factor in reaching people who would otherwise not make use of social or health-care services.

For the coming weeks, the Vienna Red Cross expects demand to remain high. Should the heat wave continue, an extension of opening hours is conceivable. The organization is monitoring developments together with the City of Vienna and is coordinating with other partners in order to be able to respond quickly to changing conditions.

Overall, the figures and feedback show that the Cooling Centers represent a proven and well-received offering. With two locations and broad opening hours over several days a week, the Red Cross aims to reach even more Viennese residents this summer season than last year.