- Cityflats
- Points of interest
- The Wiener Riesenrad
The Wiener Riesenrad or Giant Ferris Wheel is world famous and one of the main landmarks of the city. A long, eventful history continues turning here – upwards, where you, as a passenger, gently rocked on the steel attraction in a tranquil Austrian atmosphere, can enjoy a magnificent view of the city and the floodplain landscape of the Vienna Prater.
Anyone who knows Vienna will usually have heard that the Stephansdom, St. Stephen's Cathedral, is the landmark of the city. And we have no argument with that. But do you know Vienna's second major landmark? The one that turns vertically and is worth a visit for lots of reasons? Let's talk about the Wiener Riesenrad. The steel construction that for some people means romance – you can even get married on the Wiener Riesenrad – for others nostalgia, for nobody speed … but then speed is not really something we would associate with a magnificent view over the city.
Still turning after 120 years
The Wiener Riesenrad is located at the Nordwestspitze, the north-west tip, of the Vienna Prater, and takes us right back to the imperial era. Back to the year 1897 and the occasion of a jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I, when the circular construction with a diameter of 60 metres and equipped with gondolas first began turning. Once simply unaffordable for normal citizens, today – a few destructions and reconstructions later – the giant wheel offers visitors to Vienna or returning natives an inexpensive and highly enjoyable ride to the heights, a break from everyday routine, and an experience of tranquil beauty and typical Austrian flair.
This way, please!
The Riesenrad can be easily reached with public transport. Take the U-Bahn Line U1 to the stop "Praterstern". To avoid queuing, you can book the Tickets for the ride on the giant wheel online in advance. If you would like to learn more about the history of the Vienna Prater, then we can recommend a visit to the Panorama Museum, right beside the giant wheel.
