The Vienna Giant Wheel: Hardly a Visit to Vienna Feels Complete Without a Ride

As the door of a cabin closes, the city stays behind. The wheel rises slowly above the treetops of the Prater. With every turn, more of Vienna comes into view.

St. Stephen's Cathedral slides into the panorama, the Danube traces a bright line through the city, and the Vienna Woods draw the horizon in the distance. Especially between April and September, when long evenings bathe Vienna in warm light, this is where the view that completes a visit really comes together.

An Icon Since 1897

Built to mark Emperor Franz Joseph I's 50th jubilee on the throne, the Vienna Giant Wheel is the oldest surviving Ferris wheel in the world, and the only original still standing built to George Washington Ferris's patent. After being destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt and returned to service in 1947. Today, 15 faithfully restored cabins carry guests up to a height of 64.75 metres.

Few structures have watched over Vienna this closely for this long.

History in the Round

Inside the "Wheel of Time", Vienna's history becomes something you can walk through. Eight specially designed cabins trace the city's story from Roman Vindobona to the modern day, turning the Prater into the setting for roughly two thousand years of urban history.

Summer Above the Rooftops

In the warmer months, selected cabins become private salons. Dinner at sunset, breakfast above the city's rooftops, or conversations with sweeping views, the Giant Wheel offers experiences that go well beyond a classic ride.