Vienna Prater (Wiener Prater)

The Basics

Prater Park has been a recreation area for Viennese families since 1766. Key attractions include the Giant Ferris Wheel, Madame Tussauds wax museum, the Chocolate Museum, the Prater Museum. Enjoy the park’s expansive walking paths, then have some fun on the historic rides. Vienna City Card holders can pick up a coupon booklet that includes discounted rides and admission to Prater Park attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Prater Park is popular with families traveling with kids.

• Runners will find plenty of space to roam on the wide Hauptallee, the park’s main avenue, and on the small trails that branch off along the way.

• While rides require tickets, the park itself is free to visit.

• The park is wheelchair accessible, though rides may not be.

• There is parking for visitors with disabilities by the Giant Ferris Wheel and at Schweizerhaus.

How to Get There

Prater Park is located in the district of Leopoldstadt. You can reach the park on the U-Bahn via the nearby Praterstern and Messe-Prater stations. Several trams also stop at the nearby Prater Hauptallee and Praterstern stops.

When to Get There

Prater Park is open all year round, but the hours of attractions and museums within the park vary by season. Some of the rides in the amusement park are only open on the weekend, and all are closed during the winter. The giant Ferris wheel operates all year round. From mid-November to early January, the park hosts a daily Winter Market at Riesenradplatz.

Wiener Wiesn-Fest at Prater Park

Prater Park fills with locals clad in traditional dirndls and lederhosen during this annual bash, which takes place from late September through mid October. Visit the festival grounds at Kaiserwiese, on the park’s northwestern edge (near the Wien Praterstern metro stop) to enjoy lots of beer, traditional Austrian cuisine, and folk music. Daytime events are free, but the nighttime parties require tickets.