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    Wiener Riesenrad

    3.7 (77 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Tony U.

    A short 30 minute, if that, U-bahn (Vienna's underground system), from Stadtpark Station and Vienna's District 1, you must go to Prater to ride the Riesenrad. If you're planning to go to Vienna, rent the movie "The Third Man", a classic Carol Reed movie, starring Orson Welles in 1949. The movie is a mystery thriller that also provides a lot of history about post World War 2 Vienna. Personally, I adore Austrian Actress Alida Valli who plays Anna Schimdt, a Czech woman trying to pass as Austrian so that she wouldn't be sent to that country now under Russian occupation and Lime's love interest. There's a memorable scene when the "hero" Holly Martins finds Lime and they have a discussion on the Riesenrad. The scene is famous because of one of Orson Welles most famous movie lines: "Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. What the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."

    Michael K.

    The historic Riesenrad offers panoramic views of Vienna and nostalgia. Before visiting, read up on the history of the wheel, how and why it was refurbished after the war, and you'll appreciate your visit that much more. It's the oldest operational wheel in the world and, I think, the third ever built. If you've ever seen the classic "The Third Man" you'll remember one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history which was filmed at this site. Whether you're in town for 48 hours or a week this should be on your list of places to visit in the city (weather permitting).

    Michael L.

    It's hard to know what to say about this attraction. It was top of our must do list while in Vienna and having done it then I'm really glad to have been, but if it wasn't such an iconic landmark I would probably have said it was a bit rubbish. Standard entry is 9 euros, 8 euros if you have a Vienna Card. For your money you get to wander round a little exhibition consisting of several replica carriages filled with models and stuff before you ride the wheel for one revolution. The exhibition is enough to keep you busy for 10 minutes or so but not much more, then once you are done you join the queue for the next available carriage on the wheel itself. Once aboard you find yourself in what is basically a wooden shed with a small bench in the middle. The walls are covered in graffiti from past visitors from all corners of the globe. If you have already visited the street art exhibition in the Museum Quartier at this point then you are going to be disappointed by this offering, I'm talking biro scribblings of "Anna was here" rather than epic murals crafted with spray paint. The wheel takes you round for your single spin, which lasts maybe 10 minutes. The views are OK but not a patch on those you will find at Donauturm. You will be in a carriage with a bunch of strangers and in our case they were pretty noisy strangers. I'm sure when this opened in the late 19th century it was a marvel of engineering, and it was good to experience. However the contrast between something like this and a modern counterpart like the London Eye is like chalk and cheese.

    Saira K.

    It's funny how something can look so good on film - I refer to the Third Man - and be so run-down and mediocre in real life, possibly due to the passage of time and lack of maintenance. I would not have visited except for the ghosts of Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten, and they are also the reason for the 3 stars instead of the deserved 1 or 2. A run-down carriage can be rented for a 'romantic dinner' or even weddings. The Riesenrad is also where Celine and Jesse have a kiss in Before Sunrise.

    Qype User (BearBe…)

    Made famous by the film The Third Man this ferris wheel is a must for any film buffs visiting Vienna. (Don't recite Harry Lime's cuckoo speech on board though, he said that just after they got off.) Wonderful views of the city although it's a pity that the ride doesn't take a little longer. The Prater Park within which it is found is also worth a visit, especially for some of the very old fashioned ghost train rides.

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    14 years ago

    Advantages: great views and very slow turnabouts :-) Disadvantages: Pricey and very slow turnabouts

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    Wiener Riesenrad Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Wiener Riesenrad

    Made famous by the film The Third Man this ferris wheel is a must for any film buffs visiting Vienna.

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    Franz von Assisi Kirche am Mexikoplatz

    Franz von Assisi Kirche am Mexikoplatz

    4.1(10 reviews)
    1.1 kmLeopoldstadt

    This review combines our recent experience at this church and the surrounding Mexikoplatz. Gayle…read moreand I walked all around both, and experienced a residential neighborhood vibe. We were unable to enter the church, but did find evidence of a mass schedule (at the side door) and a daycare operation. The main entrances were either a campground for homeless folks or were securely fenced off. Yet apparently, this church is home to the Vienna English Speaking Catholic Community. The St. Francis of Assisi Church is located along the Danube and sports a signature brick Basilica profile. We also used this landmark to to find our way back to our cruise ship. The surrounding Mexikoplatz (Mexico Square), formerly known as Erzherzog-Karl-Platz (Archduke-Karl-Square), commemorates the fact that Mexico was the only country outside the Soviet Union to protest against the Anschluss of Austria to Nazi Germany. The Church and Plaza are also located on the southwestern end of the Reichsbrücke (Empire Bridge). Gayle and I also noted that we were located in the Vienna's Second District, Leopoldstadt, which was also the name of a famous play of that name by Tom Stoppard. Not surprisingly, there was clearly a disconnect between the setting of this play and what we experienced in this District.

    This church looks older than it really is. It was built to celebrate the anniversary of some…read moreruler's coronation, and was built to just look old. It's a nice lookin' church, situated right along the Danube, overlooking the banks. Behind this church is MexicoPlatz, which is named in honor of the fact that Mexico refused to go along with Germany's plans in WWII, and they dedicated this plaza after Mexico! It's honestly the least-Mexican "Mexican" plaza I've ever been in, but it's nice! They have a big stone plaque commemorating the plaza in Austrian and Spanish. There's a playground with outdoor ping pong tables, park benches, trash cans and places to hang out and throw a frisbee around! There's plenty of trees, and it's a nice spot to hang. It felt well lit and safe at night. The neighborhood isn't really Mexican. I couldn't find a taqueria anywhere around here, but there's plenty of Kabab places nearby. Overall, it's a nice place to come out and celebrate Mexican heritage. When going through, be sure to shout out a loud "Grito" to let everyone know- Viva Mexico!

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    Franz von Assisi Kirche am Mexikoplatz
    Franz von Assisi Kirche am Mexikoplatz
    Franz von Assisi Kirche am Mexikoplatz

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    Wiener Riesenrad - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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