In Austria, May 1st is Labour Day, also known as May Day. The entire city is off work, and everyone gathers around at Prater, an amusement park that hosts the May Day festival.

May Day festival

I’ve packed my dinner, and pick up a bike to visit Danube Island. Historically, the Danube river that flows through the city was over capacity, so a second channel was built to divert the water, creating the island.

I find a nice spot by the river, and enjoy my dinner while watching the sunset.

Me holding up my tupperware dinner, overlooking the Danube river A view across to the other side of the Danube river

I’ve always found that the bike infrastructure in Vienna is amazing. They have many isolated bike lanes, and create special lanes to let bikes travel either way down one-way streets.

This takes it to a whole new level, though. Literally.

A bike spiral that takes bikes up to bridge level

This highway bridge has a special passage on the bottom, built specifically for bikes.

A bike lane on the bottom of a highway bridge

I make my way to Hundertwasserhaus, a famous apartment building in Vienna. It was designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and is known for its irregular shapes and bright colours.

I personally like how it blends in to match the atmosphere of the surrounding buildings. It has its own distinct identity, without feeling intrusive.

Hundertwasserhaus

To finish off the day, I bike along the Danube river, and watch the people out and about enjoying their evening.

Along most of the river is a long walkway where people can bike, walk, or run.

The sun is setting, and the light starts reflecting beautifully across the sky and the clouds.

A picture of an industrial part of Danube river

Oh, I also pass by this cool-looking building, which helps manage the energy for the city. Looks like it should be a fun house!

Wien Energie building