In 1194, Emperor Friedrich I gave the land (which was then a meadow) to a noble family called ‘de Prato’. The story of Vienna’s Prater park dates back to the 12th century. Plus, for the foodies among you, there’s the internationally renowned Schweizerhaus restaurant, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike that is known for selling the best ‘Stelzen und Bier’ (that’s traditional roasted pork knuckle with a beer) in the city. Here you will also find Vienna’s famous planetarium and the Liliputbahn miniature railway featuring little steam locomotives that have been puffing through the park since 1928. It’s amazing to see how green the city is and just how big the Prater is, too! The park is divided into two distinct areas: the bustling Wurstelprater with its roller coasters, bumper cars and stalls, and the Grüner Prater, the green parkland where locals come to run, cycle or get together with family and friends.Įntrance to the Prater is free, but there are charges for the individual attractions and rides. Some of the gondolas (called ‘gourmet wagons’) are even kitted out like mini restaurants, but you’ll need to book online in advance if you fancy a spot of brunch or dinner in one of these.įrom the top of the Riesenrad – around 65 m above the ground – you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the rooftops of Vienna, from the Danube Tower on one side to Stephansdom on the other. Plenty of time, then, to relax and maybe have something to eat and drink on the way round. With a top speed of just 3 km/h, the ride in one of the 15 gondolas is relatively slow and a far cry from some of the park’s other high-adrenaline roller coasters. The size of the queue can be a bit off-putting, but hopefully, you’ll manage to get hold of some skip-the-line tickets and avoid at least some of the wait. When you walk through the main gates of the Prater, you’ll see the entrance to the Riesenrad on the right-hand side. Yet to fully appreciate them, you really have to go inside, climb to the top or – in the case of the Riesenrad – go for a ride. The Wiener Riesenrad is a bit like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Eiffel Tower in Paris – no trip is complete without it! Although very different, all three of these iconic attractions make a breathtaking first impression.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |