Schönbrunn Palace is one of the highlights of a visit to Vienna.
We love Vienna. Not only because my wife and I were born here, but also because Vienna is simply a great city. We have already visited many cities, such as Paris, New York, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Brussels, Miami, Cape Town, London and a few more, but Vienna can rival them all in our opinion: Especially in terms of quality of life. But the city on the blue Danube also has a lot to offer travellers.
For this reason, we are starting a series with this blog in which we want to present the highlights of our home city.
We start with the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace Park. If you want to visit Vienna, you can't miss Schönbrunn. Some call the most impressive of Vienna's palaces an economy version of Versailles, but it has more to offer than being a mere copy of a French building.
Schönbrunn is the former summer residence of the Habsburgs and displays the splendour that was quite normal for the aristocrats of the imperial era. Visitors have been enjoying magnificent gardens ever since and recently an elaborate virtual reality experience has become available. In a 24-minute, lavishly produced virtual reality film, visitors can experience the history of the palace and the everyday life of the monarchy with digital glasses and immersive 360° content. A colourful mix of 3D animations and scenes re-enacted with actresses provides information about the palace building, the history of the Habsburgs and the lives of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sisi. Special emphasis was placed on historical authenticity, which makes this experience a small journey through time.
Advertising
The Schloss Schönbrunn is one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. In 1642 Eleonore von Gonzaga, the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II, had a pleasure palace built on the site and named the estate "Schönbrunn". Under Maria Theresa, the entire complex was fundamentally redesigned from 1743 after the Turkish siege. Today the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get there
We advise against driving to Schönbrunn by (rental) car. As in most other large cities, the parking situation is not the best. Our tip is to travel to Schönbrunn using the well-developed public transport system: The best way is to take the underground line U4 from the city centre to the "Schönbrunn" station (approx. 15 minutes). There, take the exit at the front in the direction of travel, follow the path to the pedestrian lights and cross the street (walking time: 2 minutes). The entrance to the Schönbrunn Orangery is diagonally on the left. If you don't want to travel by public transport, you can of course also take an Uber or taxi or borrow an e-scooter or bicycle. Those coming from the south of Vienna can take tram line 60 to the "Schönbrunn Palace" station.
Random Google Ad
If you want to visit the entire palace park, you should by no means be completely unathletic, as the grounds are very extensive. We recommend a ride on the panorama train that runs around the grounds - our children were thrilled.
Advertising
Coming through the main entrance, you first walk through the impressive gardens, past the palm house towards the entrance to the animal park. There is also a small Japanese garden there that invites you to linger. If you keep to the right at the entrance to the Tiergarten, you will eventually pass the Tiergarten and enter the rear part of the palace garden. Here you should always have your camera ready, because there is a lot to see.
Advertising
Im Gasthaus Tirolergarten kann man eine gemütliche Pause einlegen.
You can take a leisurely break in the Gasthaus Tirolergarten. In this rstaurant you can take a cosy break.
The Gloriette: situated a little above the city, you can take a break here, drink a coffee and enjoy the great view over Vienna.
The Palm House: when it opened in 1882, it was the largest glass house in the world. Today, its three houses - the warm house, the temperate house and the cold house - present exhibits from a historical collection.
The Neptune Fountain: The fountain is a good hundred metres long, just under fifty metres wide and a little over seven metres high without figures.
The Desert House: The Desert House is located outside Schönbrunn Zoo, directly at the Hietzing entrance opposite the Palm House. Under the glass roof of the former art nouveau sundial house in Schönbrunn Palace Park, the concept of a desert habitat was realised here in 2003.
Random Google Ad
The Roman Ruin: Built in 1778, the Roman Ruin is an artificially created ruin in the palace park.
The Obelisk Fountain: In our opinion, the most beautiful fountain in the entire palace park.
The Crown Prince Garden: The Crown Prince Garden is located directly in front of the east façade of the palace and received its name around 1870 after the flat for Crown Prince Rudolf was established on the ground floor in 1864. During the summer, the valuable specimens from the Federal Gardens' citrus collection are also located here.
The Maze: The Maze consists of several labyrinths and a children's playground and is well worth a visit. But beware: here you have to pay extra admission, even though admission to the palace park itself is free.
A few impressions from the Schönbrunner Schlosspark in Vienna.
If you haven't had enough after an extensive walk through the palace park, you can also visit the impressive Palm House or the popular zoo. A visit to Schönbrunn is never boring. Especially for couples and newlyweds, the palace garden is a great destination, because as the "city of love", Vienna is in no way inferior to the French capital.
We look forward to your feedback and are open to a lively exchange. You also want to travel, like to travel often and have a question, just write us and comment. We would also be happy to provide information about our hometown of Vienna!
Kind regards,
Steffi, Max and the kids
(Author of this blog: Max)
Here you can find hotels in Vienna
Advertising
Shopping tips for your trip to Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace
A magnificent private palace that can be visited by reservation, a crocodile mummy in a private library, a chocolate house, an alchemical ceiling in Schönbrunn, one of the most beautiful pharmacies in the world, an exceptional Art Nouveau church , the tomb of a fish that would have converted to Judaism, a jazz museum in public toilets, a public dump that can be visited like a museum, the oldest organ in Vienna hidden behind a painting, an empress dressed as a nun, the mystery of the symbol 05, a masculine sex discreetly sculpted on the cathedral of Vienna, a surprising private museum of billiards, an incredible bouquet where each flower actually consists of several butterfly wings, a source of water that allows to see the lotto figures for a minute, an extraordinary underground annex of the Mauthausen camp where the world’s first jet was built, a “love hotel” historic of great charm … An indispensable guide for those who thought of knowing Vienna or for those who wish to discover the other face of the city.
Advertising
Whether you want to explore the stunning Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, indulge in a slice of sachertorte at one of the city's grand cafés or see Gustav Klimt's masterpieces at the Belvedere, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Vienna has to offer.
Steeped in imperial splendour, Vienna delights at every turn. From Roman Ruins at the foot of the Hofburg to the tallest tower of Gothic Stephansdom, the city's landmarks are a testament to its rich history. No list of Vienna's treasures would be complete without its magnificent museums and world-famous classical music.
Our recently updated guide brings Vienna to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods.
You'll discover:
- our pick of Vienna's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems
- the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay
- detailed maps and walks which make navigating the city easy
- easy-to-follow itineraries
- expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe
- colour-coded chapters to every part of Vienna, from Stephansdom Quarter to Schottenring, Hofburg Quarter to Belvedere Quarter
- our new lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Want the best of Vienna in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna.
Advertising
Lonely Planet's Vienna is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit lavish Schloss Schönbrunn, explore the masterpieces of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and get a bird's eye view of the Prater from the Riesenrad Ferris wheel - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Vienna and begin your journey now!
Inside Lonely Planet's Vienna:
NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel
Colour maps and images throughout
Highlightsand itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
Essential infoat your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
Covers The Hofburg, Stephansdom & the Historic Centre, Karlsplatz & around Naschmarkt, The Museum District & Neubau, Alsergrund & the University District, Schloss Belvedere, Prater & East of the Danube, Schloss Schönbrunn, and more
The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Viennais perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Advertising
Material composition
Plain: 80% cotton, 20% polyester; Light grey mottled: 78% cotton, 22% polyester; Dark grey mottled: 50% cotton, 50% polyester
Care instructions
Care instructions: Machine wash cold with similar colours, tumble dry at low temperatures.
Advertising
Most of the links are affiliate links (advertising). When a booking or purchase is made via one of the links, the blog owner receives a small commission. However, the costs for the buyers do not increase. This way, the costs for hosting and website can be financed at least partially. Thank you for your understanding.
Comments