Vienna’s Prater: Where new tourism and modern thrills keep the world’s oldest Ferris Wheel turning

Th Wiener Prater keeps history in motion—reimagining it’s visitor relationships with a balance of nostalgia, reintervention and surprises.

Paulina Czupryna / Medill Reports

While waiting to board the 70-year-old Geister Schloss, a horror-themed rail ride in Vienna’s Prater, the ride operator, Nenat, secures a father and daughter into the first row. Nenat gestures toward a payment device, prompting the father to use Apple Pay to purchase the €5 ticket. He pulls a lever, setting the cart in motion as the pair disappear through a set of doors. About five minutes later, they return, smiling and chuckling.

“It’s the oldest scary house rollercoaster in Europe,” Nenat tells me as he secures me into the next available seat. They—assuming he’s talking about the park—are always opening new attractions. I find this to be true throughout my three days and two nights at the Prater during a trip to Vienna in February, a month that surprisingly held many visitors during the off-season.

Vienna’s Prater is the largest public park in Austria, located in the Second District, Leopoldstadt. Opening in 1776 and holding over 300 attractions, rides, food stands, restaurants and photo opportunities, the park blends the city's historic identity with new tourist opportunities. Its influence on nearby tourism is constantly changing, creating new and exciting possibilities for locals and travelers. Where history and modern thrills keep the world’s oldest Ferris wheel turning, the 1889-constructed Riesenrad attracts visitors from all over the world, all year round.

Museums, virtual-reality experiences, 50-year-old funhouses and classic carnival games are just a hint of what you’ll find in this multi-dimensional park. In addition to riding the world’s oldest Ferris wheel, Riesenrad management continues to find innovative ways to reimagine its use. Visitors can now walk on its exterior, enjoy a candlelit dinner or even exchange wedding vows on this iconic ride. With new developments continually enhancing its use, the Prater remains a timeless destination for thrills, surprises and trips back to the past.

HEADER 1: THE WEINER RIESENAD:

While in line for the Riesenrad’s tickets, people from around the world wait to catch the wheel’s unbelievable sights. An Austrian woman, possibly 19, brought her two friends from Germany, urging them to come see the Riesenrad. Another family from Warsaw—Ada, Artur and their two kids, Ela and Adam—has one free day in Vienna on their way to ski in the Alps. They knew they had to spend at least some time in the Prater, mentioning something along the lines of almost everyone knowing about this spot. “Well of course; we’ll see it on our way out,” Adam says in Polish when I mention the oldest site at the park.

Home to the world’s oldest Ferris wheel, the 1897 Riesenrad is a 200-foot-diameter wheel with a lifespan that has survived World War II. Constructed in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I, the wheel began with 30 cars, or cabins. Since its rebuilding in 1945, the wheel now holds 15 cars, preserving half of its original structure. The wheel operates at 1.6 miles per hour, a slow attraction ride with a speed necessary to view Vienna’s detailed cityscape, 212 feet above the ground. Weighing 224 metric tons—the equivalent of 12 fully-loaded semi-trucks—the wheel’s journey is a metaphor for the city’s strength.

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Under a big sign displaying “KASSEN” inside the wheel’s awning, Yahad tells me that the Platform 9 Experience, where visitors stand on the wheel’s exterior construction suspended by a glass platform, is seasonally unavailable. This year, the Riesenrad re-opened the experience on March 15, almost a month after my trip. Now, tickets can be found online, with reservation slots available only on weekends.

Platform 9 launched in 2022, marking the 125th anniversary of the wheel’s existence. It’s designed to give guests a new sense of the heights the original designers of the wheel experienced. This feature has opened to a completely new target group: “predominantly domestic and, above all, young audiences,” according to the wheel’s current management.

The Riesenrad changed management in 2020, now with directors Dr. Dorthea, Tessa and Nora Lemac, where Dr. Dorthea is the owner. The Riesenrad has been increasing visitor numbers every year, with a record result of 960,000 visitors in 2019. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers fell by 90% due to “the lack of tourist flows.” Since 2022, there has been an increase in wheel guests, “but the numbers from 2019 have not yet been reached again,” according to its managers.

Bruno Braumeister and Anita Eisert, avid travelers and creators of the YouTube channel BigSmallRollercoasterWorld, have visited the Prater several times, with their most recent trip in 2023. They mention that only two other channels have recorded riding more roller coasters worldwide than they have. The German duo stumbled upon the Platform 9 Experience “by accident,” as thrill-seekers constantly searching for the next big attraction.

Before riding, the two were given a small briefing, their safety harnesses and an introduction to their platform guide. The platform is designed to prevent anyone from stepping off, allowing for just one step forward and backward. With a harness attached to a rail to center passengers in the car, the glass floor below offers riders a view of everything beneath them, including the wheel's construction and its car passengers. Eisert said she felt “very safe and comfortable” with the instruction.

The platform accommodates a maximum of five riders. Braumeister noted that the employees must possess “psychological skills” to help calm anxious passengers experiencing the new and open heights Platform 9 has to offer. Initially, the two felt nervous about trying what seemed like an unsecured attraction. That ease quickly transformed into an amusement of views. “It’s interesting for car riders as well,” he said. “They were waving, pointing and looking at us.”

Along with its thrilling heights, the Riesenrad has five gourmet wagons that can be “rented exclusively for celebrations, brunches, dinners, weddings and champagne receptions,” which all have different setups, according to the Riesenrad team. Launching this experience in the late ’90s, the cars “all have 2 cocktail wagons with bar tables, one food car for two people, a food car for four people and a food car for 11 people,” which is said to appeal more to locals and businesses. The maximum a wagon can hold is 15 guests.

We had two dinners today,” P. Tahmasebi, who has operated the Riesenrad for about a year, said as I exited the car. Tahmasebi previously worked on the London Eye and specializes in mechanical wheels around the world. He finds a sense of “destiny” within his first day working. It was perfect: “I like history and ancient things.”

Logistically, how could one hold a dinner party in a 17-foot-long, 8-foot-wide wagon? Tahmasebi helps me understand this concept by showing me a room that is part of the wheel. Next to the wheel’s exit is a small kitchen-like space tailored to preparing food, drinks and holding equipment for dining purposes. With options of up to six menus, including one vegetarian, the car dinner rentals provide a new way for both tourists and locals to engage with the attraction. Tahmasebi also mentions how these rentals are popular for engagements. “We hold them at the top for about five minutes,” he says, to show off the incredible nighttime views of the park. “It’s sort of an honor, being able to work on the oldest wheel in the world and be part of these special moments,” he said.

These cars are more modern, using electricity, outlets and air conditioning. Although changes are constantly being trialed, preservation is a priority. The color of the wheel is the same as it was 130 years ago and can also be manually operated in case of emergencies. "We try to clean mainly with steam and avoid chemical cleaning agents as much as possible," said the wheel’s management.

“The demand for the gourmet wagons is very high,” according to the Lemac management. To guarantee an efficient experience for all guests, wagon availability is “only allocated in special time slots and a maximum of six events per day—each lasting around two hours. “The furniture stored in the gourmet wagons is kept near the car’s exit and can “be changed within a few minutes,” even during operation, according to management.

Tourists can always look forward to new surprises. At this moment, this year’s special packages have not been announced, but “the Ferris wheel is history and is making history every day,” management says.

“It is an absolute pleasure to keep the oldest giant Ferris wheel in the world turning.” Tahmasebi shares a lot about how this wheel impacts the significance of his work. “It’s some sort of feeling—it’s part of a moving tradition.” He also says that there is probably no one in Austria who doesn’t know about the Riesenrad.

Seasonally, 20 to 23 staff operate the Riesenrad itself, while an additional 30 oversee surrounding attractions, including the souvenir shop, ticket booth and seasonal employees, bringing the total workforce to around 50.

Before the ride, visitors have a chance to snap a memorable photo along constructed cutout of the wheel. “More people actually buy the four pictures [package],” said Aila, who has been working alongside Ivana since November. Both are in school studying education and economics, respectively. With four options of packages, the most popular being the largest, displays four poses in the mock car. One photo cost 12 euros, while four are promoted at 30 euros. Aila and Ivana both mention that coming to work doesn’t really feel like work, with each day alongside a friend and visitors. Plus, they get to send visitors home with a token memento.

With the purchase of a Riesenrad ticket, visitors automatically have access to its museum, which is located right before the wheel’s entrance, along with its souvenir shop. The museum holds miniature figurine creations displayed in cars, providing a visual understanding of its history accompanied by chronological text. While I waited in line to enter the museum, I spoke to other visitors from all over the world.

Jasmine and her partner, who are staying in Vienna’s city center, mentioned they discovered the Riesenrad “through TikTok.” The couple from London, who are on their way to Slovenia, are touring some European countries, making sure they get a chance to knock the oldest Ferris wheel off their bucket list. Another couple from Spain and I bonded over Rosalia, a Spanish pop star and flamenco singer, while in line for our car. The two are from Barcelona and also discovered the wheel through TikTok.

 The wheel can be seen numerous times on TikTok. The account Callmeliviii, with over 16.2 thousand followers, posted a video visiting the Riesenrad. The video captures the mountains, architecture and surrounding rides along a Viennese sunset, over a sound saying, “my favorite place in the world… no question.” Her videos gain global traction. Creators promote the Riesenrad organically because of its effortless beauty. The Riesenrad’s Instagram account, with over five thousand followers, shares new pictures, news, and interactions almost daily. Most recently, the account showcased the wheel’s newly renovated entrance, which has been updated in style.

Riesenrad merchandise can be seen at the airport, online and around multiple districts. The wheel is a symbol of the city’s resilience. With over 200 years of providing leisure and activities to the Viennese people, the Prater, as well as its wheel, is here to stay. Visible as soon as one steps off the U-Bahn, the wheel is “certainly the most iconic monument and stands for the Prater,” management said.

HEADER 2: THE WIENER PRATER

In a self-operating arcade, a daughter bundles 500 tickets her father won from a coin-pusher game. Nearby, a vending machine dispenses cotton candy. The park is brimming with automated attractions, from coffee machines to self-service rides and food stands, providing visitors with the freedom to create their own interactive experiences. Virtual reality experiences, indoor skydiving and arcades can be found numerous times throughout its streets.

On my first day strolling through the Prater, I immediately noticed an extensive clash—or perhaps complement—of old and new. Punch-and-Judy boxes, temporary tattoo stands and even the construction of new rides are scattered throughout this “city within a city.”

The Prater welcomes around 9 million visitors per year, drawn by its festivals, walkways and leisurely atmosphere. The Ferris wheel alone accounts for roughly 10% of park attendees, with over 900,000 visitors generating 13.5 million euros annually. The park also attracts major players with its expansive offerings. “The typical Prater guest is not the typical Ferris wheel guest,” says Riesenrad management. With the hundreds of attractions, rides and nostalgia-driven experiences, the Prater is far more than just the Ferris wheel.

The Prater is a “special” amusement park. With styles spanning from “classic to brand new,” the park operates more like a funfair than a traditional amusement park. Each year, you can visit the park and experience something new—every time “is a different story,” Braumeister said.

He also mentions how some rides travel, specifically referencing the "Olympia Looping," also known as "Munich Looping," which has been located at the Prater since 2016. This world-renowned transporting rollercoaster, which reportedly takes about 50 tractor-trailer trucks to transport its 900 tons and 3,982 feet of track, is considered the “largest traveling loops,” according to Braumeister.

Other iconic rides include play-offs of its attractions. The park houses two Ferris wheels: the historic Riesenrad and the more modern Blumenrad, which means “flower wheel” in German. Just a few minutes of walk from the Riesenrad stands the Blumenrad, where Stefan and Blaga operate the slightly smaller attraction. Launched in 1993 and reconstructed in 2006, this wheel appeals to a younger audience with its playful lights and flower design. The Blumenrad, along with its older sibling, is an essential part of the park’s skyline.

The Prater holds significant influence, including a spike in guest attendance in 2004, when the “Volare” ride was introduced. This ride, considered the first of its kind as a modern rollercoaster in Europe, delivered an almost 45% increase in visitors upon its debut. Although data from 2006 is unavailable, a steady strength in visitor numbers continues to be observed. The power of the Prater is driven by the experimental curiosity the land inspires. This can be seen in many of the park’s rides and serves as a motivator to continually create new avenues for visitors.

This park is also known to break world records, specifically with its Prater Turm, which stands at 383 feet, and was awarded as the tallest “swing ride” in the world by Guinness World Records. Narcos, who operates the ticket booth, directs me to the board displaying the record, which was granted in September 2010 at the Vienna Recordia event. The Prater Turm, operated by FUNTIME HandelsgmbH, was measured to take up to 24 visitors at a 311-foot flying height with each operation, swinging at a max speed of 37 mph. Narcos also showed me some of the ride’s more intricate features, including the 30,000 screws it took to build.

With the city’s ongoing initiatives to maintain its historic landscape, it finds new ways to uphold traditions. This can be seen with the closed rides that maintain a spot all year round, as well as 50-year-old family rides such as the park’s fun house, Calypso Lachkabinett.

Robert, who has been working at the Prater for about five years, switching between rides in that block, speaks about the ride’s recent mechanical issues. The walking board, which would vibrate as visitors walked on it, had a slight malfunction. “It would cost 40,000 euros to replace,” he said. Instead, mechanics switched out the setting to a new board rhythm, still functional for visitors, but in a slightly different way.

The park also holds a Pratermuseum, where the over 250-year history of the iconic park can be seen through visuals, figures and photos. Until May 2023, the museum was located in a room within the planetarium, even though the planetarium was not designed for museum use. Now, the three-level Pratermuseum stands amidst heavy foot traffic. Its life stems from families that care, donating objects, figures and structures, sharing their stories for all to understand. “The Prater is a place of modernity, a place for everyone,” according to the museum’s website.

In 2024, Viennese tourism numbers rose almost 50%. With 4.2 million visitors—the same number it would take to sell out 68 shows at Soldier Field—the park’s mission brought attendance back to its original 2019 high.

The dip in numbers, correlating with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, halted the park’s operation and set it on a journey to restore the life-filled spot to its original state. After the pandemic, Austrian politicians recognized the Prater, specifically the Ferris wheel, as a symbol of normality and quality of life. “When the Ferris wheel turns, the world turns,” said Lemac management. Before the pandemic, the last time the wheel came to a standstill was due to a fire in World War II, where everything but the steel structure burned.

Today, the park experiences traction around the wheel and throughout its grounds, even in colder months like February. Among the community, a sense of pride resonates throughout the Prater.

HEADER 3: OUTSIDE THE PRATER

In 2017, the Prater launched the “Viertel Zwe”' project, focusing on the construction and expansion of the headquarters of Österreichische Mineralölverwaltung Aktiengesellschaft (ÖMV), a multinational integrated oil, gas and petrochemical company. This initiative also incorporated the development of hotels, office spaces, business quarters and short-term residences as part of the Messecarrée' project. Located adjacent to the park, this major urban development enhances the sustainable integration of tradition and modern economy. Prater Wien GmbH said, “this development does not only increase the Vienna Prater’s attractiveness – it also appreciates the entire Second District.”

The Prater continues to evolve, adapting to the influx of tourists it welcomes each year. From new living spaces around its 1,500-acre area to the modernized roller coasters within the park, the site amplifies a perfect blend of history and innovation. Austrian attractions, including the Prater, collaborate actively through the Austrian Leading Sights association. They maintain open communication with the hotel and restaurant industries, fostering partnerships and creating new opportunities.

With its 21.4 thousand followers on Instagram, @prater_wien, and possibly as many tagged photos, the Wiener prater is an influencer itself! This doesn’t include the individual ride, or attraction, accounts that may hold their own promotions. Regardless, anything that happens at the Prater can be seen on its Instagram. 

A notable example of these collaborations is the Riesenrad, which symbolizes not only the city but Ferris wheels worldwide. Operated entirely on renewable energy—“100% from wind and waterpower,” according to its management—the Riesenrad underscores a strong commitment to sustainability. Efforts to optimize processes include covering the surrounding rooftops with greenery to provide living spaces. This attraction bridges the growth of tourism with the preservation of Vienna’s historic heritage. Its global appeal extends beyond Austria, with management working closely with “travel agencies or suppliers and marketers all over the world,” the Lemacs said.

Austria is celebrated for its wealth of historic sites, offering Austrian visitors a diverse array of tourist attractions. Among these, the Prater stands out as one of the country's top landmarks, inviting guests to experience its iconic Riesenrad or stroll along its charming pathways. Complementing the Prater's legacy, Austria's palaces and museums further enhance the country's rich cultural landscape. Tourism in Austria thrives on the city’s deep historical roots, holding many sites with origins that predate the year 2000. Together, these attractions create a tapestry of history and heritage that captivates visitors from around the globe.

With its diverse offerings, the Wiener Prater promises something for everyone—history, thrills, wildlife, theatre, gaming or pure amusement. It’s a space where anyone, any age, any background can find something. This seamless integration of history, entertainment and sustainability makes the Wiener Prater a unique and enduring gem in Austria’s cultural landscape.

It’s a place where “old and new can live side by side.”