Prater, Recreation area in Leopoldstadt, Austria
Prater is a recreation area in Leopoldstadt that stretches along the Danube Canal and includes a permanent amusement park as well as open green spaces. The grounds are crossed by long avenues that run through meadows and wooded patches, broken up by open squares in several places.
The Habsburgs used the grounds as a hunting reserve from 1560 and closed them to the public. At the end of the 18th century the park was opened for all Viennese and quickly developed into a popular destination.
The name Prater comes from the Latin word for meadow and was already in use during medieval times, long before the grounds became a public park. Today Viennese use the park for jogging along the tree-lined avenues, cycling on the wide paths and relaxing on the lawns between old trees.
The park is freely accessible at all times and works well for long walks or bicycle rides on the flat paths. The amusement park rides usually open in March and close at the end of October, with each attraction paid separately.
A small chapel from the 18th century stands hidden among the trees in the quieter part of the park and is overlooked by many visitors. The bowling and billiard halls along the main avenue still recall the leisure habits of 19th-century Viennese.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
