St. Pölten is the capital of the province of Lower Austria and has a population of approximately 58,000.
Rich history: It’s one of Austria’s oldest cities, with a history dating back to Roman times.
Green spaces galore: The city boasts numerous parks and green areas, perfect for outdoor activities, sports, and relaxation.
Convenient location: St. Pölten is just about 60 km from Vienna and well-connected by public transportation.
Slow-paced student and nightlife: The city is less overwhelming than Vienna but still offers plenty of options to go out, hosts vibrant festivals, and has a lively cultural scene.
No wonder St. Pölten UAS was recognised worldwide in 2025 with the Global Student Satisfaction Award for its outstanding quality of student life!
Scroll down to discover ideas and activities for your free time in St. Pölten.
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Tips for St. Pölten A-Z
Find information & tips on what to do in your free time in St. Pölten:
Art & Culture
With the Landestheater and Festspielhaus, the Bühne im Hof, and various cabaret stages as well as a colourful programme of cultural and other events throughout the year, the cultural district of St. Pölten offers something for everyone. Art and cinema lovers enjoy the city’s museums, galleries and open-air cinema.
A wide range of restaurants and bars serve both international and Austrian cuisine, and hold up the local beer and wine culture. Enjoy your food and drinks in the inviting atmosphere of cosy outdoor sitting areas at Rathausplatz and Herrenplatz. You should definitely sample the “Heurigen” scene within walking distance as well.
The local recreation areas around the lakes Viehofner Seen offer top sports and leisure activities in the heart of St. Pölten. Whether swimming and beach volleyball in summer or ice skating and ice hockey in winter — the lakes are among the best chill-out locations in the city.
You can dine or enjoy a drink directly on Lake Viehofner See at the Seedose. The restaurant also has its own boat hire and picnic service.
The lake Ratzersdorfer See is not just for swimming. There are several sports fields: two for beach volleyball and one each for basketball and soccer resepectively. You can also find beautiful running, walking and cycling routes around the lake - and a public barbecue area. The restaurant See Lounge is a great place to relax by the lake.
Copyright: USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Night owls will find that the city offers a lot in this area as well: in the local bars and clubs, you can dance and celebrate well into the early hours, and several cafés offer a hearty breakfast to revive late risers.
