The Vienna Prater is a real institution. Somewhere between amusement park and year-round funfair, it offers a colorful range of rides, delicacies and attractions. In addition to classic carousels, the Prater also offers curiosities and historical attractions.
You can enter the grounds free of charge at any time of day and pay for each attraction individually. However, not all of them are open all year round.
The history of the Prater
The Prater was originally an imperial hunting ground and as such was only accessible to the nobility. In 1766, Emperor Joseph II donated the area to the city’s inhabitants and turned it into a recreational area. By this time, the first inns had already opened there. This gave rise to the name Wurstelprater. In 1873, the World Exhibition was held on the site.
In 1897, the iconic Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel was built and the Prater became more and more of an amusement park. During the Second World War, large parts of the Prater fell victim to attacks, which is why it was rebuilt after 1945. You can find out more about the history of the Prater at the Prater Museum. Admission is free for anyone under the age of 19 and on the first Sunday of every month. Here are some of the Prater’s highlights!
đź“Ť Location: StraĂźe des Ersten Mai, Prater 92
đź•‘ Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-6pm
The Zwergerlbahn
The Hochschaubahn, unofficially also known as the Zwergerlbahn, is an absolute cult attraction at the Prater. It is the oldest elevated railroad in Vienna. There is a lot to discover on the up-and-down ride. It takes you past a castle and through several tunnels. Garden gnomes are placed all along the route, giving the train its nickname.
The special thing about the railroad, which was built in 1950, is that it still has a brakeman. This means that there is an employee in the last car of the train who brakes the train manually.
The Old Vienna Grotto Railway
Grottenbahnen are an Austrian specialty. You usually ride past several fairytale scenes indoors, which means they can be described as the forerunners of dark rides. The Alt Wiener Grottenbahn has existed at the Prater since 1898 and was the first electrically operated ride on the site.
The Olympia Looping
Many people know it from the Oktoberfest, but the longest transportable roller coaster in the world now spends most of its time at the Prater. Five loops await you on the 1250-metre-long track, which you ride through at a maximum speed of 90 km/h. The bright colors, which symbolize the Olympic rings, also make it a visual eye-catcher.
The Viennese loop
This roller coaster opened at the Prater in 2025. Built by Mack Rides, the family that also operates Europapark, it is a spectacular new highlight. Several overhead elements and twists and turns ensure an intense ride experience.
Madame Tussauds at the Vienna Prater
There are not only rides on the Prater grounds. In addition to the Prater Museum already mentioned, there is another museum on the site, Madame Tussauds. In the wax museum, you can have your picture taken with replicas of national and international stars, such as Zendaya, Ariana Grande and Conchita Wurst.
Other attractions
The Prater has so much more to offer apart from the numerous roller coasters and carousels. You can observe the stars in the planetarium, be enchanted by the magic show in Magic World or slide down the oldest wooden slide in the world in the Toboggan. If you’re hungry, visit one of the many restaurants or enjoy the dinner show.