Outdoor Vienna: the Prater, the Danube and Stephansdom, where nature meets heritage

The Prater, between Ferris wheel and urban forests

The Prater is one of Vienna's largest green spaces. Its amusement park, the Wurstelprater, features some 250 rides including the famous Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad), built in 1897. A ride in one of its cabins offers an unforgettable panoramic view over Vienna's rooftops and surrounding hills. But the Prater is also a vast natural park of 6 square kilometres, with chestnut-lined avenues, meadows and trails along the Danube. Jogging, cycling, rollerblading or simply strolling: the Viennese come here all year round. Access to the park is free; only individual rides are ticketed.

The Danube and the Danube Island

The Danube flows through Vienna for over 30 kilometres, offering numerous outdoor activities. The Danube Island (Donauinsel), stretching 21 kilometres, is a paradise for cyclists, joggers and swimmers in summer. It is easily reached by metro from the city centre. River cruises provide a different perspective on Vienna, with day trips to the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO site renowned for its terraced vineyards and medieval castles. The Alte Donau, an oxbow lake, is a popular spot for boating, sailing and swimming.

St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's beating heart

The Stephansdom dominates the historic centre with its 136-metre south tower, the tallest church tower in Austria. Its roof of glazed tiles, forming colourful geometric patterns, is one of the city's most photographed landmarks. Climbing the 343 steps of the south tower rewards visitors with a 360-degree panorama over Vienna. The catacombs, accessible by guided tour, hold remains from plague epidemics and urns containing the entrails of the Habsburgs. Stephansplatz, at the foot of the cathedral, is the ideal starting point for exploring the pedestrian lanes of the historic centre.

Getting around and enjoying the outdoors

From Vienna Schwechat Airport, the public transport network is outstanding. The metro, trams and buses cover the entire city. The cycling network exceeds 1,500 kilometres, and the WienMobil Rad bike-sharing system lets you rent a bicycle by the half-hour. In spring, the gardens of Schönbrunn and the Volksgarten burst with colour, while autumn paints the Prater parks and the Danube banks in golden hues.