Hotels near The Prater Hauptallee

Most visitors see the Wurstelprater funfair and the 1897 Riesenrad and assume that is the Prater. It is about two per cent of it. The Prater proper is 600 hectares of former imperial hunting ground, opened to the public by Joseph II in 1766, and the Hauptallee runs straight through the middle of it for 4.5 kilometres under a double avenue of horse chestnuts.

In October that avenue turns along the length of its run, which is the single longest stretch of autumn colour in Vienna. It is closed to traffic and busy with runners and cyclists rather than tourists. Walking the full length and back takes around two hours. The Riesenrad is still worth a rotation for the view, and the funfair itself is free to enter with rides paid individually.

Pro Tip: Start at Praterstern, walk the Hauptallee southeast for 40 minutes to the Lusthaus at the far end, and take the 77A bus back. Doing the avenue one way rather than out and back leaves you time for the Riesenrad at dusk.