The Vienna Prater: Vienna's Oldest Amusement Park

In Vienna's second district stretches the Prater, one of Europe's oldest public recreation areas. Emperor Joseph II opened the formerly imperial hunting grounds to the public in 1766, and the Prater has remained a fixture of Viennese daily life and leisure culture ever since.

The Giant Wheel as Landmark

At the heart of the Wurstelprater amusement park stands the Giant Wheel, built in 1897, which at 65 metres was one of the tallest in the world for decades and remains inseparable from the image of Vienna today. From its gondolas, the view stretches across the city to the foothills of the Alps.

Amusement Park and Green Oasis

Alongside rides, roller coasters and stalls, the Prater also offers the sprawling Hauptallee, a tree lined avenue more than four kilometres long, inviting walks, jogs and bike rides. The Prater is easily reached via the U1 subway line to Praterstern station.