Viewpoints & Experiences

<p>Vienna is built low, and that's exactly why every spot from which you can look out over it is worth the trip.</p>
<p>The Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) has been turning since 1897 and is the symbol of the Prater – slow enough that one ride actually leaves you time to look around. You go much higher at the Danube Tower, which at 252 meters is the tallest structure in Austria and, in clear weather, offers a view all the way to the Schneeberg.</p>
<p>Free and at least as beautiful is the Kahlenberg: from there you see the city with the Danube and vineyards in the foreground. The Gloriette terrace in the Schönbrunn Palace Park is free as well.</p>
<p>For experiences beyond the view, there's the Prater as a whole and the Spanish Riding School, whose Morning Exercise is much cheaper than a gala performance.</p>
<p>It's worth comparing: the paid viewpoints – the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Danube Tower, St. Stephen's Cathedral – offer height and proximity to the center. The free ones – the Kahlenberg and the Gloriette – offer a wider sweep of landscape and the better photo angle on the city as a whole.</p>
<p>For all of them: the view is best in clear weather shortly before sunset. When the Föhn (a warm, dry wind that brings exceptionally clear air) is blowing, the view from the Kahlenberg reaches all the way to the Schneeberg, around eighty kilometers away.</p>

All Viewpoints Experiences
Listings found: 3 Filtered by: Experiences
Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel Open

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

Gaudeegasse 1, 1020 Vienna

  • Admission charged
  • Viewpoints & Experiences
  • Experiences
Spanish Riding School

Spanish Riding School

Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Vienna

  • Admission charged
  • Viewpoints & Experiences
  • Experiences
Prater Open

Prater

Gabor-Steiner-Weg, 1020 Vienna

  • Free admission
  • Viewpoints & Experiences
  • Experiences

About Viewpoints & Experiences in Vienna

Vienna is built low, and that's exactly why every spot from which you can look out over it is worth the trip.

The Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) has been turning since 1897 and is the symbol of the Prater – slow enough that one ride actually leaves you time to look around. You go much higher at the Danube Tower, which at 252 meters is the tallest structure in Austria and, in clear weather, offers a view all the way to the Schneeberg.

Free and at least as beautiful is the Kahlenberg: from there you see the city with the Danube and vineyards in the foreground. The Gloriette terrace in the Schönbrunn Palace Park is free as well.

For experiences beyond the view, there's the Prater as a whole and the Spanish Riding School, whose Morning Exercise is much cheaper than a gala performance.

It's worth comparing: the paid viewpoints – the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Danube Tower, St. Stephen's Cathedral – offer height and proximity to the center. The free ones – the Kahlenberg and the Gloriette – offer a wider sweep of landscape and the better photo angle on the city as a whole.

For all of them: the view is best in clear weather shortly before sunset. When the Föhn (a warm, dry wind that brings exceptionally clear air) is blowing, the view from the Kahlenberg reaches all the way to the Schneeberg, around eighty kilometers away.

Frequently asked questions

For adults, the price is in the mid single digits to low double digits in euros, and much less for children; family tickets are also available. One rotation takes about twenty minutes. The Prater itself has no admission fee – you only pay for the attractions you use. You'll find current prices on the operator's website.

On the Kahlenberg, reachable on bus 38A from Heiligenstadt – from there you see the city in the classic view from the north. More central and also free is the Gloriette terrace in the Schönbrunn Palace Park; the walk up takes about twenty minutes and is part of the fun. Both spots are at their most beautiful at sunset.

Yes. The Morning Exercise, when the Lipizzaner horses are trained, is much cheaper than a gala performance and enough for most visitors – you see the same horses in the same riding hall, just without music and choreography. There are also guided tours of the stables. Dates depend on the training schedule.