The Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel

The Prater is Vienna's great pleasure park, a huge green space that includes the Wurstelprater, a free-to-enter old amusement park of rides, games and beer gardens. Crowning it is the Riesenrad, the giant Ferris wheel built in 1897, one of the symbols of the city, whose slow turn gives a fine view over Vienna, famous from the film The Third Man.

What you'll find

• The Riesenrad - the historic giant Ferris wheel and its view over the city.
• The funfair - the Wurstelprater's rides, games and old-fashioned attractions.
• The green park - the vast tree-lined avenues for walking and cycling.
• The beer gardens - the traditional restaurants and cheerful atmosphere.

When to go

The warm season from spring to autumn for the full funfair; the Ferris wheel and green park are enjoyable year-round. Evenings light up the funfair.

What to expect

The funfair is old-fashioned and a little kitsch rather than a modern theme park, which is its charm. Free entry is generous, with rides and the Ferris wheel paid separately. The Ferris wheel ride is slow and modest for the price, but iconic.

Nearby

Central Vienna and the Danube are a short ride; the Prater's green park stretches away behind the funfair.