Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel: Fun Since Imperial Times
From royal hunting ground to Vienna's favorite playground
TopicWien- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private tour of Vienna's Prater tells how an imperial hunting ground became Austria's most famous amusement park. At its heart is the Giant Ferris Wheel, a Vienna landmark since 1897.
For centuries the Prater was a hunting ground of the court, until Emperor Joseph II opened it to everyone in 1766. Coffee makers, innkeepers and showmen soon moved in, and the Wurstelprater with its carousels and sideshows was born.
In 1873 the World's Fair took place here, complete with a huge rotunda. For Emperor Franz Joseph's jubilee in 1897, British engineer Walter Basset built the Giant Ferris Wheel. It was badly damaged in World War II and rebuilt afterwards.
Your guide leads you along the Hauptallee and through the Wurstelprater, shares stories of fairs, variety shows and showmen's families, and explains why the Prater is still a playground, green escape and piece of city history for the Viennese. A ride on the wheel is easy to add at the end.
Highlights
- The Giant Ferris Wheel and how it was built
- Joseph II opening the Prater in 1766
- Traces of the 1873 World's Fair
- Showmen's traditions in the Wurstelprater
- The green Hauptallee lined with old chestnut trees
The route
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1Praterstern
Start at the gateway to the Prater with a look at the city's growth.
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2Wurstelprater
Carousels, sideshows and the families who run them.
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3Giant Ferris Wheel
Engineering, war and the rebuilding of Vienna's famous wheel.
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4Hauptallee
A stroll on the old promenade of Viennese society.
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5Exhibition grounds
Memories of the World's Fair and its vanished rotunda.
Who this tour is for
Great for anyone curious about Vienna at play, including families with kids.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
Is a ride on the Ferris wheel included?
No, the Ferris wheel ticket is not included, but your guide can easily schedule a ride at the end of the tour.
