Prater & Danube Island

Vienna has a surprisingly green, water-close side — best seen in the Prater and on the Danube Island. Here, Vienna relaxes, exercises, grills, and celebrates.

★★★ Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

The landmark of Vienna next to St. Stephen's Cathedral: The Ferris wheel, built in 1897 in the Wurstelprater, has been turning for over 125 years and offers a legendary view over the city from 65 meters high. The ride lasts 12–15 minutes — slow enough to take photos and enjoy the view. Illuminated at night: romantic and iconic at the same time.

Film fans know it from the thriller "The Third Man" (1949): Here, Orson Welles as Harry Lime gives his famous cuckoo clock speech.

Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Vienna. 15 € (children 7 €). Jan–March: 10 AM–7:45 PM, April–Oct: 9 AM–11:45 PM, Nov–Dec: 10 AM–9:45 PM.

★★ Wurstelprater (Amusement Park)

Around the Ferris wheel stretches the Wurstelprater — a retro-style amusement park with roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, and stalls. Not Disneyland, but wonderfully old-fashioned Viennese: fried dough, can throwing, lottery booths. Entry to the grounds is free, individual rides cost 3–8 €. Perfect for families and anyone who loves the charm of past fairs.

★★ Green Prater (Main Avenue)

The Wurstelprater is only a small part of the Prater: The majority of the 6 km² park is wild, green floodplain forest. The straight Main Avenue (4.4 km) is Vienna's most popular running and cycling track. Jogging, cycling, picnicking, or just strolling under the old chestnut trees in the Prater — a piece of nature in the middle of the city.

★★ Danube Island

The 21.1 km long artificial island between the Danube and the New Danube is Vienna's leisure hotspot: beach baths (free!), barbecue areas, bike paths, water sports, and in summer the Danube Island Festival — Europe's largest open-air festival (3 days, 3 million visitors, free entry!). Along the Old Danube, beach bars and boat rental stations line up.

U1 Donauinsel or U6 Neue Donau. Boat rental from 8 €/hour. SUP from 15 €/hour. Copa Beach: beach bars with DJ, May–Sept.

★ Danube Tower

Vienna's highest viewpoint: 252 meters above the Donaustadt. The tower (1964) offers a panoramic view up to the foothills of the Alps and the Marchfeld. There is a revolving restaurant at the top — the food is mediocre, but the view is top-notch.

Donauturmstraße 4. 16 € (children 9 €). Daily 10 AM–12 AM. U1 Alte Donau.