Wiener Riesenrad

Amusement Park Historic Vienna Ferris wheel at the Prater amusement park

A wooden Ferris wheel in Vienna’s Prater dates to 1897; riders go for elevated views over the Danube and the old town, and for the carnival atmosphere of the surrounding park.

Main image

The Wiener Riesenrad is a historic Ferris wheel located in the Prater amusement area of Vienna, Austria, first erected in 1897. It is an early and still-operating example of large observation wheels in Europe.

A ride in one of the wheel’s cabins gives panoramic views across Vienna toward the Danube and the city centre; the wheel’s cabins are enclosed and operate year-round subject to opening hours. The structure is a familiar city landmark and a common photographic subject for visitors to the Prater.

The wheel was damaged during the Second World War and reconstructed and returned to operation in the postwar period. Today it remains a single, stand-alone attraction at the edge of the Prater park, adjacent to the Praterstern transport hub.

Located within Vienna’s Prater leisure area, the Riesenrad sits close to central transit connections and is easily reached from the city centre by public transport.

  • Height and age: Stands about 65 metres tall and dates from 1897, making it one of the oldest surviving large Ferris wheels in the world.
  • Views: Situated inside the Prater amusement area, it provides uninterrupted views over central Vienna and the Danube when weather is clear.
Wiener Riesenrad
Wiener Riesenrad, Prater, Riesenradplatz 1/2, 1020 Vienna, Austria
48.2168, 16.3959
Google Maps Apple Maps
https://www.wienerriesenrad.com/
Seasonal opening hours - check official site
Admission charged (see official site)

How to Get to Wiener Riesenrad #

The Wiener Riesenrad is in Vienna’s Prater amusement area. Take the U1 metro to Praterstern station (also a major S‑Bahn and regional rail hub) and it’s about a 5-10 minute walk into the Prater to the Ferris wheel. From central Stephansplatz the U1 ride is short; pedestrian and tram routes through the Prater also lead to the Riesenrad.

Tips for Visiting Wiener Riesenrad #

  • Time your ride for dusk - a rotation that reaches the skyline as lights come on gives the best views of Vienna and avoids the largest daytime queues.
  • Use public transport: take the U1 or S-Bahn to Praterstern and approach on foot along the main Prater promenade to reach the ticket booth quickly; this is faster than trying to park nearby during busy hours.
  • If you prefer fewer people in your cabin, ride early on weekday mornings or late evenings outside peak tourist season rather than at midday or weekend evenings.

Best Time to Visit Wiener Riesenrad #

Spring or autumn gives the best combination of milder weather and shorter queues for the Wiener Riesenrad; winter is popular for festive atmosphere but cold.

Spring and autumn (best)
April-June and September-October · 5-20°C
Milder weather and fewer tourists-good for shorter lines and clear city views from the wheel.
Summer (busy)
June-August · 20-30°C
Warm weather and high tourist numbers; expect longer waits but extended operating hours and lively atmosphere.
Winter (festive)
December-February · 0-5°C
Cold but atmospheric, especially during the Christmas market period when the Riesenrad and Prater area are popular and busier in the evenings.

Weather & Climate near Wiener Riesenrad #

Climate

Wiener Riesenrad's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (575 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 52 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Cold
0°C
Temperature
-3° – 3°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

2°
Feels Like Cold
2°C
Temperature
-2° – 5°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
2° – 10°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
5° – 15°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° – 21°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 70 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° – 24°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
15.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 70 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° – 26°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° – 26°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 20°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
6° – 14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 8°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

2°
Feels Like Cold
2°C
Temperature
-1° – 4°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

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