Vienna
Historic Viennese Landmark

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater

A historic Viennese landmark offering iconic panoramic views of the city.

HistoryArchitectureFilmLocal heritageDesign

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is a historic landmark offering a unique blend of heritage and views. Ride in traditional wooden cabins for sweeping panoramas, explore Vienna's past in the Panorama Museum, or choose an open-air platform for a thrilling perspective above the Prater.

Ascend Vienna's historic Giant Ferris Wheel for captivating city views and a journey through the capital's rich past, including unique open-air options.

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel: Historic Landmark and Experience

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel stands as a profound symbol of resilience and a cornerstone of Vienna's cultural skyline. Erected in 1897, this historic landmark offers visitors a meditative four-minute rotation in one of its 15 iconic red wooden cabins, providing sweeping panoramic views across the city. At its base, the 'Panorama Museum' enhances the experience with reconstructed historical cabins displaying intricate dioramas of Vienna’s past, transforming the entire visit into a 'Wheel of History'. This blend of engineering heritage and historical narrative defines the visitor experience.

A large Ferris wheel with red cabins against a blue sky, surrounded by green trees and city buildings in the background.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel opening hours in Vienna

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Vienna.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
09:00-23:45
Visitor amenities at the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel offers a variety of facilities to ensure a comfortable visit, including extensive accessibility features such as step-free access, wheelchair-friendly ride wagons, and designated accessible restrooms. Guests can enjoy convenient onsite services like dining at the café and purchasing tickets directly at the entrance. The venue also welcomes service animals to provide support throughout the visitor experience.

Accessible parking

Available

Wheelchair accessible restroom

Available

Seeing eye dogs allowed

Available

No steps main entrance

Available
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel Location

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is located at Riesenradplatz 1 in Vienna, positioning it within the historic Prater amusement park. Its prominent placement offers visitors unparalleled panoramic views across the city, making it a key part of Vienna's entertainment landscape and a notable landmark for exploring the capital.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Riesenradplatz 1

1020 Vienna

Vienna, AT

Planning Your Visit to the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

Tickets for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna can be purchased both on-site and online, with no reservation or timed entry required for standard visits. The venue offers good accessibility, including parking for visitors with disabilities and wheelchair-friendly facilities, ensuring a smooth experience. You can easily arrive and secure your entry directly or in advance online.

Planning Your Visit to the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel Visitor Experience

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna offers a distinct experience blending historical significance with breathtaking city views. Erected in 1897, this engineering marvel provides a meditative four-minute rotation in one of its iconic red wooden cabins, allowing visitors to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the city and the Danube. Before boarding, guests explore the 'Panorama Museum' at its base, which features reconstructed historical cabins displaying intricate dioramas that illustrate Vienna's rich past from Roman times through the World Wars. This transforms the journey into a 'Wheel of History,' deepening the connection to local heritage. Unique experiences, like open-air rides on 'Platform No. 9' or private luxury cabins, further enhance the encounter with Vienna's evolving architecture and history.

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel with red cabins against a blue sky and sunset

History and Context of the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, built in 1897 for Emperor Franz Josef I's Golden Jubilee, soon became a city icon. From 1920 to 1985, it was the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel. The Riesenrad displayed **remarkable resilience**, surviving a 1916 demolition permit and later rebuilt with 15 gondolas after World War II damage. Its *long history* firmly establishes its place in Vienna's cultural landscape.

  • Constructed in 1897

    1897Founding

    The Wiener Riesenrad was designed by British engineers Harry Hitchins and Hubert Cecil Booth and constructed in 1897 by Lieutenant Walter Basset Bassett. It was built to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I.

  • World's tallest extant Ferris wheel from 1920 to 1985

    1920-1985Heritage status

    After the demolition of the Grande Roue de Paris in 1920, the Wiener Riesenrad became the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel. It held this title for 65 years until the construction of the Technostar in Japan in 1985.

  • Severely damaged in WWII and rebuilt

    Renovation

    The Wiener Riesenrad suffered severe damage during World War II. When it was rebuilt, the number of gondolas was reduced from the original 30 to 15.

  • Permit for demolition in 1916

    1916Other

    A permit for the demolition of the Wiener Riesenrad was issued in 1916. However, due to a lack of funds to carry out the demolition, the structure survived.

  • Designed by British engineers

    Architecture

    The Wiener Riesenrad was designed by British engineers Harry Hitchins and Hubert Cecil Booth. Lieutenant Walter Basset Bassett, a Royal Navy engineer, constructed the wheel.

  • Unique cable-driven mechanism

    Architecture

    The wheel is characterized by its unique drive mechanism, where a circumferential cable leaves the wheel and passes through the drive system located beneath its base. Its spokes are made of steel cables under tension.

Your Questions About the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, Answered

Ever wondered if the magnificent Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is open on a Monday, or what time it closes its majestic gondolas for the night? Our FAQs have all the answers, from operating hours to how to secure your tickets for a truly memorable spin over the city.

What is the phone number for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel?

The general enquiries phone number for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is +43 1 729 54 30.

What is the email address for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel?

You can send general enquiries to the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel by email at [email protected].

What is the official website for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel?

The official website for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, where you can find general information and further details, is www.wienerriesenrad.com.

How can I contact the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel?

You can contact the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel for general enquiries by phone at +43 1 729 54 30 or via email at [email protected]. Their official website is www.wienerriesenrad.com.

Visitor Tips for the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

Planning your visit to the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel is straightforward, as standard entry tickets can be purchased both online and on-site, with no reservation required. The venue offers extensive accessibility features, including step-free access to the main entrance, all exhibition rooms, and the on-site restaurant and café. For visitors requiring additional assistance, the Ferris Wheel wagons are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and an accessible restroom is available. Accessible parking is provided at parking garage Ausstellungsstraße, and service animals are welcome.

Visitor Suitability at the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel welcomes a diverse range of visitors, including families, couples, students, and groups interested in Vienna's history, architecture, and panoramic city views. Guests can delve into local heritage at the Panorama Museum before or after their ride. The venue prioritizes accessibility, offering step-free entry, accessible parking, wheelchair-friendly facilities including specially adapted cabins, and allowing service animals to ensure a comfortable experience for all.

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel Gallery

Explore visuals of the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, showcasing its iconic red cabins and intricate metal framework. Images capture the historic landmark against bright blue skies and vibrant cityscapes, often highlighting the scenic views over Vienna's Prater amusement park. You can also find shots capturing its grandeur at sunset.

Full Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel framed against the city skyline, with its red cabins and Prater greenery visible in daylight.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel with red cabins rising above mature trees beneath a bright blue, cloud-dappled sky.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel illuminated in gold, blue and purple above dark trees at night.
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel with red cabins against a blue sky and sunset
A large Ferris wheel with red cabins against a blue sky, surrounded by green trees and city buildings in the background.
Stylized logo of the Wiener Riesenrad featuring a grey Ferris wheel with red cabins, a city skyline silhouette, and red text reading WIENER RIESENRAD and seit 1897
Red cabins of the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel on a metal structure with a cityscape in the background
A large Ferris wheel with red passenger cars against a blue sky, surrounded by trees and a few buildings.
Large Ferris wheel with red cabins against a blue sky with white clouds and green trees in the foreground
Black-and-white view of the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel with vintage rides and people in the foreground
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