Best for
Families, anyone wanting a relaxed, local afternoon
Time needed
1.5–4 hours depending on rides
Worth it?
Yes — a genuinely local, low-pressure alternative to structured sightseeing
Skip if
Funfairs and amusement parks don't interest you
About Prater (Wurstelprater Amusement Park)
The Prater has been public parkland since 1766, when Emperor Joseph II opened former imperial hunting grounds to all Viennese, and its funfair section — the Wurstelprater — grew up around that same period into one of the oldest continuously operating amusement park areas in the world. Today the wider Prater park stretches across a huge green area with the Hauptallee, a dead-straight 4.5km chestnut-tree avenue popular with joggers and cyclists, while the Wurstelprater itself clusters rides, games, food stands and the Riesenrad into a compact, walkable funfair zone.
Entry to the park and the Wurstelprater grounds is free — you pay per ride rather than an admission ticket, which makes it easy to wander, watch and pick just one or two attractions rather than committing to a full amusement-park day. Rides range from vintage carousels to modern thrill rides, alongside classic funfair games, ghost trains and the Liliputbahn miniature railway that loops through the park.
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It's a genuinely local, unpretentious counterpoint to Vienna's palaces and museums — the kind of place Viennese families spend a Sunday, rather than a purpose-built tourist attraction — and easy to combine with a Riesenrad ride at its entrance.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Free entry to both the wider park and the Wurstelprater funfair grounds
- 2The Hauptallee, a 4.5km chestnut-lined avenue for walking and cycling
- 3Vintage carousels alongside modern thrill rides
- 4The Liliputbahn miniature railway
- 5The Riesenrad at the park's entrance
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Insider Tips
Entry is free — budget separately for individual rides, which are paid per attraction
Combine with a Riesenrad ride right at the entrance
The Hauptallee is popular for a longer walk or run away from the funfair crowds
Weekday visits are quieter than weekends, when local families turn out in force
Food stalls here are more classic Austrian funfair fare than gourmet — simple and cheap
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Getting There
Prater, 1020 Wien
Open in Google Maps →- 1U-Bahn U1, U2 to Praterstern, directly at the park entrance.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Prater (Wurstelprater Amusement Park) worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Prater (Wurstelprater Amusement Park) take?+−
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want a relaxed, local Vienna experience away from museums
- You're travelling with kids who'd enjoy funfair rides
- You want to combine it with a Riesenrad visit
- You enjoy long tree-lined walks like the Hauptallee
Skip if...
- Funfairs and amusement parks aren't your interest
- You're very short on time and prioritising the historic centre
- Crowds of local families on weekends would bother you
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Vienna
Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel)
The 1897 Ferris wheel at the entrance to the Prater — a Vienna icon, a Third Man film location, and still one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city skyline.
Danube Island (Donauinsel)
A 21km artificial island built for flood control that doubled into Vienna's favourite free summer playground — beaches, bike paths, water sports and Europe's biggest free festival.