Vienna. Prater

An amusement park for many, place of nostalgic dreams for some, oasis of greenery for almost everyone – and the location of the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s most famous symbols. The Vienna Prater is in season from March to October. But the world-famous Giant Ferris Wheel and a few other attractions are open all year round.

Giant Ferris Wheel

   

The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater is one of the city's symbols. Almost 65 meters tall, it offers a breathtaking view of the city on the Danube.

The Giant Ferris Wheel was erected in 1897 to mark the 50th year of Emperor Franz Joseph's accession to the throne. It has been an enduring feature of the city's skyline ever since. Situated right near the entrance to the Wurstelprater amusement park, its cabins offer a wonderful view of the city and the Prater. The diameter of the wheel is almost 61 meters, the entire iron structure weighs 430 metric tons. The wheel turns at a speed of 2.7 km/h.

The Giant Ferris Wheel has also played the "lead role" in several Hollywood films, such as "The Third Man" with Orson Wells or in the James Bond adventure "The Living Daylights" starring Timothy Dalton. That's why it was also placed on the list of Treasures of European Film Culture by the European Film Academy in June 2016.

In the entrance area of the Giant Ferris Wheel, eight cabins offer insights into 2,000 years of Viennese history. Individual cabins can additionally be booked for exclusive dinners, cocktail receptions and weddings. The Giant Ferris Wheel is open all year round.

Adrenalin kick in the Prater

  

The Prater is also a modern amusement park with more than 250 attractions to provide the right adrenalin kick.

If you leave the historic Riesenradplatz with the Giant Ferris Wheel, Madame Tussauds and other family attractions behind you, you will be immersed in a world of speed, lofty heights and state-of-the-art entertainment technology. Rides such as Turbo Boost, Ejection Seat, Vienna Free Fall Tower and Space Shot ensure acceleration from 0 to 100. And the 117-meter tall chair-o-plane, the Praterturm, whisks its passengers through the air at 60 km/h and offers a fantastic view of the city. The Black Mamba catapults the courageous through the air at 80 km/h. The ultimate adrenalin kick can be had on the Boomerang coaster, which travels forwards as well as backwards, and on two indoor roller coasters. And on hot days, the water amusement feature Aqua Gaudi is the place to go to cool down.

The Green Prater

  

The Prater, which according to the magazine "Focus" is one of the ten best city parks in the world, covers an area of six million square meters. Although it is located only three linear kilometers from St. Stephen's Cathedral, nature is thriving in this area. Its vast lawns, woods, and water areas offer an ideal environment for relaxing strolls, brisk hikes, extended jogging tours, bicycle and skating trips, and much more. Immerse yourself...