Activities – ESN St. Pölten

St. Pölten might seem quiet, but there is plenty to do if you know where to look.

The “Seenerlebnis” (Lake Experience) area in the north of the city is the place to be in summer. Best of all? Entry to the lakes is free.

Ratzersdorfer See: The “party” lake. It has beach volleyball courts, basketball, and a football pitch. It’s perfect for swimming, barbecuing, or hanging out with friends.
Großer Viehofner See: The “nature” lake. It is much quieter and greener. You can rent a boat, climb the observation tower (Aussichtsturm), or just enjoy a peaceful walk.
Getting there: Both lakes are easily reachable by the LUP bus or a short bike ride (Nextbike!).

As a student, you can visit most museums for a very low price.

Museum Niederösterreich: Located in the government district (Regierungsviertel), this museum covers history and nature.
Stadtmuseum (City Museum): Learn about the history of St. Pölten. Student tickets are usually very cheap (around €2–€3).
Museum am Dom: Located right next to the cathedral, this museum showcases religious art and history in a beautiful historic setting.
Cinema Paradiso: Located right at Rathausplatz, this is an arthouse cinema that shows many films in English (OmU). It’s also a great café/bar spot to meet people.

Stadtbibliothek (City Library): A quiet place to study or read for free.
- Reading there: Free.
- Borrowing books: If you want to take books home, the annual fee for students is very affordable.
Flederhaus: A unique wooden tower filled with public hammocks. It is a great chill spot to read a book, take a nap, or watch the sunset.

Kaiserwald: A large forest right in the city. It’s great for jogging or a long walk.
- Highlight: There is an animal enclosure (Tiergehege) where you can see deer, mouflons, and wild boars for free.

Campus Sport (USTP): The University Sports Club of USTP. It is the most affordable way to do sports (like Volleyball, Basketball, Yoga, Streetdance, and more) directly with other students.
SPORTZENTRUM Niederösterreich: A massive professional sports complex where you can do sports like tennis, gymnastics, and much more; or watch Volleyball, Basketball, or Football games. Student tickets are discounted, and the atmosphere is great!
Aquacity: Indoor pool with a wellness area in the city centre.
Citysplash: Large outdoor pool with slides for the summer.
Boulderbar: Great place for bouldering and lead climbing.

Hauptstadtball: In Austria, balls are a big cultural tradition where everyone dresses up in evening gowns and suits. It’s a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Clubbing: For a regular night out, check out La Boom (the biggest club in town) or the bars along the Herrengasse.