Vienna Prater

For most tourists, a trip to Vienna with children is inextricably linked with a visit to a large public park, a wonderful leisure centre where there is something for everyone.

Vienna's Prater Park is a hub of fun and excitement with many attractions where adults become children for a while and their children have a great time with their mums and dads.

In winter, the noise and fun dies down a little, ready to fill the park with new vigour in spring. And in the warm season, all the capital's tourists and citizens flock here. Today, the Prater is an integral part of the city, as it is home to one of Vienna's symbols, the Giant Ferris Wheel. Let's find out what awaits you in this wonderful corner of Vienna!

The Prater has a rich history dating back to 1162, when the noble De Prato family received the land on which the park now stands as a gift from Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. The name "Prater" is mentioned in documents as early as 1403.

Over the centuries, the land has changed hands, belonging to monasteries and the city. For a long time it was used as a hunting ground, and it was only in 1766 that Emperor Joseph II opened a recreational area for the local population.

Although hunting continued on the site, Vienna's Prater began to take on the characteristics of a modern amusement park, with the first rides, merry-go-rounds, shooting galleries, bowling alleys, recreational areas, cafés and snack bars. The place quickly won the sympathy and affection of the Viennese.

1873 was a special year for the Prater and Vienna - the park became the centre of the World Exhibition, which had previously only been held in Paris and London.

An exhibition complex was built especially for the event, and the Rotunda was the jewel in the crown. Unfortunately, the Rotunda burned down in one of Vienna's biggest fires, and its place is now taken by the Messe Wien building.

1897 saw the opening of the legendary Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel (the only one of its kind in the world to survive to this day), and in 1898 the Prater saw the installation of what was then Europe's first electric cave railway.

As technology improved, Vienna's amusement park continued to delight visitors with more and more rides and attractions.

In 1926, the first roundabout was built, followed two years later by the Lilliput Railway — a small replica of a railway line that allowed visitors to comfortably travel around the park in just 20 minutes on a 4km track.

In 1935, another curiosity was added to the park's collection — a high-speed non-railway ride from Chicago.

Vienna's Prater does not only remember the bright and colourful days of its history. During the Napoleonic Wars it was the site of military operations and the trees were felled and used to build defensive fortifications.

During the Second World War, the park suffered considerable damage from bombing, and a fire in 1945 added a sad chapter to its history, destroying a large area and some of the rides. After the war, the Prater was rebuilt and planted with trees.

The history of the amusement park in Vienna is eventful, but one thing has remained the same over the years: just like in the distant past, it is still the centre of attraction for those who want to relax and have a good time.

But the most interesting part for children is the part of the park where the entertainment area is located, with around 250 rides. This part is called the Wurstelprater and is known as the 'people's area'.

Extreme entertainment

Many people come to Vienna's Prater just for the thrill of the rides, and there are plenty to choose from. Of particular note is the completely bizarre Praterturm chain carousel, which is as tall as a 33-storey building. It was opened in 2010.

The star-shaped carousel not only rotates around a pole at 60 km/h, but also rises to a height of 95 metres. A single ride takes about 3-4 minutes and at this speed you can hardly see the panorama of the city, but the experience is indescribable!

Because it's such an extreme ride, it's only for adults and teenagers. Another attraction in Vienna's Prater is the magical Basilophon, which uses an iron tube to carry your voice from one part of the park to another.

For the more extreme, try the Black Mamba (two large swings swinging in the sky) or the Space Shot catapult, which takes you up to 62 metres (the first at 80 km/h, the second at 95 km/h).

If that is not enough excitement for you, there is also the Ejection Seat, Bungee Jump, Turbo Boost and Skyfall. The WIND-O-BONA ride gives you the feeling of free fall as you plunge from 4,000 metres in a parachute.

Do you like horror and ghosts? Check out the Hotel Psycho cave, the Scare Room, the Red Eagle haunted railway ride and the new Jack the Ripper haunted house.

And what's a theme park without a rollercoaster? There's a selection to suit all tastes and ages:

• The oldest ride in the series, the Wiener Hochschaubahn;
• The modern Dizzy Mouse;
• The Train of Manitu;
• Boomerang;
• Megablitz;
• Wild Mouse;
• Super 8 Train;
• Volare.

A great way to cool off when it's hot outside is to take a log ride down the Danube. Boats are lifted up the hill and lowered into the water. You are guaranteed to splash around and have a great time.

At the end of the trip you can have a photo taken of your splash down. The photos are automatically taken and sold to anyone who wants them.

Important: The Vienna Prater amusement park does not have general opening hours, each attraction has its own opening hours, which you can check on the park's official website.

Children's rides

The amusement park in Vienna hasn't forgotten about children's entertainment, as most visitors come here with their children.

There are all kinds of merry-go-rounds and swings, a children's car park with electric cars (older children can go to the more serious go-kart track), a miniature railway, a children's bouncy castle, colourful trampolines, a children's Ferris wheel, a puppet theatre and many other rides and attractions to keep the little ones entertained all day long.

A children's festival, that's what this area of the park is all about.

One of the most popular attractions in the Prater is the Liliputbahn. The ride in the miniature cars (hence the name) usually takes about 20 minutes and takes you through the park and along the main avenue.

The excitement of the ride is boundless! The children's train follows the general Prater timetable.

The Grottenbahn is the oldest and one of the most famous rides in the Prater. Get on the train with the kids and take a journey through 30 fabulous grottos!

Do not miss the Iceberg, an exciting attraction where children and adults alike can refresh themselves with an interactive journey to polar animals such as polar bears and penguins.

Indoor areas

If the weather is bad, bring the family indoors to the park where you can see the stars through a telescope at the local planetarium, learn about history at the Prater Museum and meet celebrities from around the world at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Eighty waxwork figures on three floors introduce you to the protagonists of different periods and times in Austria.

Madame Tussauds is also an exciting place to interact with the characters in an interactive setting. For example, you can have an intellectual duel with Einstein, conduct with the composer Johann Strauss or compete in an 11-metre penalty shoot-out with footballer Hans Krankl.

In 2017, another fascinating exhibition opened on the exhibition grounds: the Sisi Uncovered Experience. Using state-of-the-art technology and 3D animation, you can take a short trip back in time and experience a day in the life of Empress Sisi.

And a little information about the Vienna Planetarium. There are regular colourful shows in the main hall and films about the life of stars and interplanetary galaxies. So if you and your children are interested in this subject, this is definitely the place to be.

It is probably the most famous attraction in the Prater, its calling card, and one that is always gazed at with admiration. The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, the symbol of the park and the city itself, is the first thing that tourists rush to see.

Built in 1896-1897 by British engineer Walter Bassett, it still offers passengers an unparalleled view of Vienna and its surroundings.

Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel is unique in that it is the only one of its kind in the world. The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, which has been threatened many times (war, fire in 1945), has nevertheless survived all its tests.

The wheel has a diameter of 61 metres and weighs 430 tonnes. The wheel turns at a speed of 2.7 km/h.

The 15 red pods, 6 of which are reserved and used only for special events and celebrations, take visitors and residents of Vienna up into the air every day for a bird's eye view of the city.

Each gondola can carry up to 7-8 people. The wheel moves very smoothly, making the ride comfortable for both the very young and those with a fear of heights.

The city looks particularly beautiful in the evening when it gets dark and there are thousands of lights on the streets and in the houses. A ten-minute ride on the Ferris wheel is a great memory for couples, families with children or single tourists. At the foot of the wheel is a small carriage museum with models of life and history from Roman times to the present day.

The Vienna Ferris Wheel is open all year round; in summer it entertains visitors from 9.00 to 23.45, in autumn and spring it opens an hour later and closes earlier. In winter it may not be open if there is snow. In any case, it is advisable to check the opening times on the park's official website.

There is also a BlumenRad wheel in the park. Of course, it is "younger" and has no enclosed gondolas, but it also has a great view of the city. It also has the advantage of being several times cheaper than the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel.

After a day of rides and fresh air, you'll be in the mood for a snack or a refreshing drink. That's no problem with the park's catering facilities.

There are refreshment and snack stands all over the place. You can get punch or mulled wine, snack on scones and potatoes or traditional theme park hot dogs.

At the Wiener Wurst stands you can choose from a selection of sausages in an aromatic bun. These are definitely worth a try for a taste of the real Viennese festive atmosphere.

There are more upmarket restaurants in Vienna's Prater Park. For example, the legendary Schweizerhof with its beer garden serves stelzen - a roasted pig's knuckle - as well as delicious potato pancakes, schnitzel goulash and many other traditional Austrian dishes.

And for beer lovers, there is an original Budweiser. The restaurant can seat up to 2400 guests and the 125 staff will do their best to serve each guest quickly and efficiently.

If you have children in your party, check out Kolarik's Praterfee. As well as a children's menu, there is a play area with a trampoline so the kids can have fun while they eat.

Parents with children will also enjoy the restaurant's cosy atmosphere, green terrace, playground and beer garden. Kolarik's Bouncing Castle has a variety of grilled dishes on the menu.

In October, the Prater amusement park gets even more fun and festive with the Wiener Wiesn-FEST festival, similar to the Oktoberfest. Lots of beer, wine, local specialities and traditional music are part of the festivities.

Many locals and visitors come dressed in their national costumes to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

In fact, the Prater Park in Vienna entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2013 thanks to the festival, when 157 couples dressed in traditional Austrian costumes gathered on its grounds. Admission to the festival grounds is free until 18:00, after which a special ticket must be purchased.

One of Vienna's top tourist destinations, this is a city of beauty and opportunity. You can take a stroll, ride your favourite rides or enjoy a traditional snack in one of the many cafes.

Or why not celebrate a birthday with friends or spend time with loved ones, get lost in the hustle and bustle or find a secluded spot on the grass and read a book while enjoying the fresh air and nature?

It's worth noting that Vienna's Prater amusement park is closed in winter, but the rest of the park is open all year round.

The Prater has a very special place in Austria and Vienna, so make sure you take the time to visit. We hope our virtual tour will help you plan your trip, choose the most interesting attractions and activities, and experience the real pleasure of a visit to the Vienna Prater.