Beachin' Vienna

If you're from SoCal, Hawaii or Florida, you can stop reading now. These beaches just won't cut it for you. For everyone else, however, Vienna's riverside beaches mean you can keep that Malibu tan even in Central Europe.

I stumbled upon Tel Aviv Beach as I searched out the Flex nightclub and checked out the amazing graffiti art on the river walls (more on that later). As I strolled along the walkway near the river, I was hit with this artificial beach complete with sand, deck chairs, a bar hut serving fruity drinks and several people sunbathing. Sure, you can't swim in the river and someone needs to tell the older gentlemen to wear more cotton than the ladies, but the spot definitely had a following. Since the few pools in the city center are mostly indoors and at expensive hotels, Tel Aviv Beach definitely provides a service for those seeking sun and sand. Even if for those who aren't looking to tan, it's a fun place to drink embarrassingly festive drinks and party on what is technically beach sand.

You can find Tel Aviv by getting off at the Schottenring metro stop, which is the furthest north station on the city's famous "ring" path. If you travel further up the river, however, you will find even more hot spots in an area called the Summer City Beaches (click here for a list). In other words, if Tel Aviv Beach is too crowded, you have several more options just up the river, if you're up for the walk or taxi ride.

It just goes to show, despite the Austrian people's affinity for formality, their kids love many of the same pleasures as our own, including a day in the warm sand. Many travelers might opt to wait until they can hit a real beach, but if you've spent many months in Europe and are starting to look like Casper, the banks of the Donaukanal have the cure.

Photos courtesy of Bahoolala and Slice of Life via Flickr.