I’ve been to Vienna a couple of times in my life, once when I was a kid, then in elementary school on a school trip. Both trips were completely different experiences, but very positive. I knew that if I had the opportunity to go back, I would, and that’s exactly what I did this summer.
Prater in Vienna was my first experience with big roller coasters ever. I remember being flabbergasted when I saw the crazy rides, and I felt like I was in heaven. I loved the adrenaline rush, and even though I was scared of heights, I had no problem getting on a roller coaster and plunging headfirst down. Visiting amusement parks still makes me happy and excited, and every time one is nearby, you bet I’m buying the tickets.
Returning to Vienna’s Prater felt like a homage to honour my love for amusement parks. It’s where it all started, after all. We arrived in Vienna later in the day, so we decided to spend the rest of the evening in the park, and me being me, I had a few ideas about how to spend our time here!
Food was always a big part of amusement parks for me. Cotton candy, slushies and Turkish honey all belonged to my must-snack-on list. This time, however, we decided to go for more traditional, less sweet delights.
Snack on Langos
The first thing we did was to buy Langos, a freshly prepared, deep-fried flatbread, and a hot dog! We gravitated towards this choice of snack because Dominik and I are Czech. The combination of Langos (though the Czech version is a bit different) and beer is the quintessential snack in amusement parks or other fairs. You can’t miss it!
Receive or gift a Gingerbread Heart
Gingerbread Hearts are something that I remember from our Czech annual fairs as well. These hearts with different names or sweet sayings are bought and given to loved ones! I believe this tradition comes from Germany, but it’s popular all over Central Europe. I’d always come home with one every year, either giving it away or leaving it on my shelf as a sweet memory.
Try traditional Schnitzel
These fried, breaded chicken cutlets are something that I miss the most from home. They aren’t common in Ireland, so ordering a schnitzel at Prater was a must-do! The traditional variation of the dish is made from pork, but there’s also a chicken version, which I prefer. They also come in different sizes, but the bigger the better!
Go on the highest carousel in the world
From slow, relaxing rides to the ones that make you sick to your stomach, Prater has it all. I must admit that I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie, so I pick rides that make me scream, such as Boomerang, Olympia Looping or Volare. But, even I wasn’t brave enough to go to the chain carousel Prater has. With its 117 meters, it’s the highest in the world, and just looking at it made me sick to my stomach!
Ride the Wiener Reisenrad
One of Prater’s most popular rides and symbols is Wiener Reisenrad, a Ferris wheel built in 1920 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. Unfortunately, I skipped this ride because of my fear of heights and lack of fast speed. But if you’re interested in a nice view of the park and the city of Vienna, this is the ride to go on!
Walk around and enjoy the experience!
There is no entrance fee to Prater Park which makes it a perfect spot for your trip! There are plenty of restaurants, bars and other fun things to do, so if you’re not a fan of roller coasters, no need to worry! You can take a stroll in the park and enjoy the vibes!
