Best for
Families, film fans, first-time Vienna visitors wanting an icon
Time needed
30–45 minutes including queue and ride
Worth it?
Yes — an iconic, low-key Vienna experience for all ages
Skip if
Heights bother you significantly, though the ride is very gentle
About Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel)
The Wiener Riesenrad was built in 1897 to mark Emperor Franz Joseph's 50th coronation anniversary, and at 64.75 metres it was, briefly, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Heavily damaged in World War II — only the supporting structure and a handful of cars survived — it was rebuilt afterward alongside St. Stephen's Cathedral and the State Opera, part of the trio of landmarks Vienna prioritised in its postwar reconstruction as symbols the city couldn't do without.
It runs 15 spacious wooden gondolas today rather than its original 30, each large enough to walk around inside during the slow, roughly 15–20 minute single rotation, and it's instantly recognisable from Carol Reed's 1948 film noir The Third Man, whose most famous scene — Orson Welles's "cuckoo clock" speech — takes place in one of its cabins.
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It sits at the entrance to the Prater, Vienna's much larger public park and amusement zone, making the wheel itself a quick, iconic stop that's easy to combine with a longer visit to the surrounding Wurstelprater funfair.
What to See: Highlights
- 1One of Vienna's most recognisable landmarks, built in 1897
- 2Featured in the classic film The Third Man
- 3Spacious wooden gondolas you can walk around inside
- 4Views over the Prater park and central Vienna skyline
- 5Rebuilt as a postwar symbol of the city's recovery
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
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Insider Tips
Online tickets are valid for a year, useful if your plans are flexible
Go at sunset or after dark for the best skyline views and lit-up wheel
Combine with the wider Wurstelprater amusement park for a full outing
The ride is slow (15–20 minutes) — a relaxed experience, not a thrill ride
Family tickets offer savings for groups with children
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
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Getting There
Prater 90, 1020 Wien
Open in Google Maps →- 1U-Bahn U1, U2 to Praterstern, then a 5-minute walk into the Prater.
Where to stay
Hotels in Vienna
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel) worth visiting?+−
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Who is Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel) best for?+−
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want the classic Vienna skyline photo from a moving gondola
- You're a fan of The Third Man and want to ride its famous cabin
- You're travelling with family and want an easy, relaxed activity
- You're already exploring the wider Prater park
Skip if...
- You're avoiding classic tourist attractions
- You have very limited time and prioritise museums instead
- You've done similar Ferris wheel experiences elsewhere recently
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Vienna
Third Man Museum
A dense, independently-run shrine to Carol Reed's 1948 film noir classic shot in bombed-out post-war Vienna — 2,500 original exhibits across 16 small rooms, including Anton Karas's zither.
Prater (Wurstelprater Amusement Park)
Vienna's historic public park and funfair — free to wander, with the Wurstelprater's rides, games and food stalls clustered around the base of the Riesenrad.