The Wiener Riesenrad has turned above Vienna’s Prater park since 1897, making it the oldest ferris wheel still in operation anywhere in the world. Its wooden gondolas carry passengers up to roughly 213 feet for sweeping views over the city’s rooftops, the Danube, and the surrounding Prater grounds.
A single rotation takes 10 to 15 minutes, giving riders enough time to spot landmarks like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Danube Tower from the top. The wheel survived bombing damage in World War II and was rebuilt with fewer gondolas than its original design, several of which are now available for private dining and events.
The surrounding Prater is a public amusement park in its own right, with dozens of additional rides and attractions, so the ferris wheel pairs easily with a longer visit to the grounds.
