Situated in Vienna's 2nd district, Leopoldstadt, the Prater is a sprawling 6 km² public retreat that seamlessly blends urban history with outdoor recreation. First documented in 1403, the land served as an imperial hunting ground for centuries until Emperor Joseph II opened it to the general public in 1766. Shortly after, inns, coffee houses, and early attractions like carousels and swings took root. Today, the park remains central to Viennese social life, offering an accessible escape easily reached via major city connections like Praterstern.
Over its long history, the Prater hosted major international milestones, including the 1873 World Exposition, which featured the record-breaking Rotunde dome. It also saw historical events like the 1848 Praterschlacht and Austria's first May Day march in 1890. During World War II, the grounds suffered severe battle damage, destroying much of the Wurstelprater amusement section. Rebuilt during the post-war era when Vienna was divided into occupational sectors, landmark features like the historic Riesenrad Ferris wheel and the Liliputbahn railway were meticulously restored for modern visitors.
The park's layout centers around the Hauptallee, a straight 4.4 km tree-lined avenue created in 1538 that links Praterstern to the historic Lusthaus pavilion. Beyond the central avenue, the landscape features extensive meadows, ancient hardwood riparian forests, and stagnant lakes formed after the 19th-century Danube regulation. Wildlife thrives here, with beavers, red foxes, roe deer, and diverse bird species inhabiting the natural zones. Meanwhile, the Wurstelprater region sits within the main park as the vibrant primary hub for amusement rides and entertainment.
Whether you are a family, sports enthusiast, or history lover, the Prater accommodates every pace. The grounds offer over 127,000 square meters of playgrounds and sports fields, supporting baseball, tennis, golf, swimming at the Stadionbad, and running—including the legendary Hauptallee course where Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier. Visitors can explore the Planetarium, attend events at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, dine in the historic Lusthaus, or enjoy winter cross-country skiing and ice skating across the scenic open meadows.
01 Signature rides & attractions
The park’s headline rides across its themed areas. Confirm heights and any single-rider lines on the day.
Compiled from Wikipedia · a full ride-by-ride list per themed area is on the way.
Park map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the park and its surroundings — entrances, themed areas, car parks and access roads. Zoom in for detail; the official ride-by-ride park plan is linked below.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official park maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
02 Tickets & prices
Ticket prices for Prater change by date and season, and the park sells single-day, multi-day and annual passes — buying online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the gate, and popular dates can sell out. Check the official site for live pricing before you travel.
We deliberately don’t list prices that change daily — the ticket button leads to live, up-to-date pricing.
03 Getting there & parking
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highway | Südosttangente (southeast expressway) runs directly through the middle of the Prater. |
| Transit Hub | Praterstern serves as a main entry point directly in front of the Wurstelprater entrance. |
Getting there & parking · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · prices may change
04 Best time to visit & opening times
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Winter months | Offers winter activities including cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and ice skating across the park. |
Opening times vary by day · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · check before you travel
05 Themed areas
Each area has its own theming — architecture, food and rides. Half the fun is simply walking through.
Good to know
- Private car traffic is largely prohibited on the main Hauptallee avenue.
- The park features over 127,000 square meters of public sports fields and playgrounds.
- Winter visitors can participate in outdoor cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and ice skating.