One of the most noteworthy features along the Vienna skyline is a grandiose Ferris wheel: the Wiener Riesenrad. As the tallest Ferris wheel in Vienna (212.4 ft.), the Wiener Riesenrad is a timeless testament to quality fun, and the impressive size and antiquity of the Wiener Riesenrad will capture the imagination of any traveller.

Erected in 1897 for the golden jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I, the Riesenrad is one of the only surviving Ferris wheels of its time. The Riesenrad has shown impressive resilience over the years, withstanding a threat of demolition in 1916, a damaging fire in 1944, and the Second World War. The passenger cabins of the Wiener Riesenrad resemble old fashioned railway cars, and feature wooden floors, large windows and a bright red exterior. The unusual combination of modern spokes and steel cables of the Ferris wheel, coupled with the picturesque cabins, make the Riesenrad unlike any Ferris wheel in the world.

As well as the striking views of Austria’s capital, visitors can enjoy the Wurstelprater amusement park situated at the base of the Riesenrad. Wurstelprater is part of a larger pubic park called the Wiener Prater in Vienna's second district: Leopoldstadt. It is a great place for a picnic lunch. After a whirl around the Wiener Riesenrad, visitors can enjoy the afternoon strolling down the Prater Hauptalle (main walkway), lined with large chestnut trees, and free from cars, stress and worry.

The best time of year to visit Vienna is June to August. The weather is beautiful and visitors can enjoy Vienna’s lovely parks and gardens. The Wiener Riesenrad is open year round, and the opening hours vary depending on the season. An evening visit to the Wiener Riesenrad has the benefit of a shorter line and spectacular night time views.

Entrance to the Prater is free, but the rides are around €3 each.
A ticket for the Riesenrad (adult: €8.50; child: €3.50) includes a visit to the Panorama: a collection of dioramas recounting two thousand years of Vienna’s history. These dioramas, which span the Roman times to the Golden 1920s employ movement and sound to fully reveal the Wiener Riesenrad’s remarkable past.

The Riesenrad has appeared in several films: The Third Man, a 1949 film noir; The James Bond film, The Living Daylights; and 1995 drama, Before Sunrise.