Schönbrunn Zoo

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

The world's oldest zoo, established in 1752, sits within Schönbrunn Palace grounds and houses over 500 species in naturalistic habitats. The setting among palace gardens and fountains makes it unique among European zoos.

Things to do

• Watch the Polar Bear Feeding — Observe the zoo's iconic polar bears during scheduled feeding times, typically in the morning, when they are most active in their naturalistic Arctic habitat.
• Explore the Giant Panda Enclosure — Visit one of Europe's few giant panda exhibits, home to the zoo's beloved pandas in a specially designed habitat with bamboo groves.
• Walk the Palace Gardens Loop — Stroll through the ornamental Schönbrunn Palace gardens integrated with the zoo grounds, featuring fountains and baroque landscaping dating back centuries.
• Visit the Rainforest House — Experience a humid tropical environment with exotic birds, reptiles, and amphibians in this climate-controlled indoor exhibit.
• Ride the Zoo Train — Take a narrated train ride through the zoo's sprawling grounds to see animals and learn about the facility's history and conservation efforts.
• Meet Animals at the Petting Zoo — Interact with domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, and alpacas in the designated hands-on area suitable for young children.

Food to try

• Wiener Schnitzel — Breaded and fried thin veal cutlet, Vienna's most famous dish, available at zoo restaurants and nearby palace cafés.
• Apfelstrudel with Vanilla Sauce — Warm apple pastry with raisins and cinnamon wrapped in crispy phyllo dough, served with creamy vanilla sauce—a classic Viennese dessert found throughout the zoo.
• Kaiserschmarrn — Shredded pancake soufflé typically served with plum compote or fruit coulis, a traditional Austrian sweet dish available at zoo cafés.
• Erdäpfelsalat — Warm potato salad dressed with warm vegetable broth and vinegar, a hearty Austrian side dish commonly served at food stands.
• Sachertorte — Rich chocolate cake with apricot jam filling and dark chocolate glaze, Vienna's signature dessert available at pastry shops near the zoo entrance.

Local customs & good to know

• Arrive Early for Smaller Crowds — The zoo opens at 6:30 AM in summer and is most peaceful before 10 AM; Austrian visitors typically arrive early to enjoy cooler morning hours and see animals at their most active.
• Respect Quiet Hours and Feeding Schedules — Austrians observe posted feeding times and quiet zones; speak softly near animal enclosures and follow staff instructions to minimize stress on animals, reflecting local wildlife conservation values.
• Combine with Palace Visit — Many Austrian visitors purchase combined tickets for both the zoo and Schönbrunn Palace; plan 4-6 hours total to experience both attractions in a single visit.
• Bring Cash for Smaller Vendors — While card payments are increasingly accepted, some food vendors and smaller attractions within the zoo still prefer cash in euros, following traditional Austrian payment customs.

Nearby

• Schönbrunn Palace — 0 km
• Neubau District — 3 km
• MuseumsQuartier — 4 km
• Kunsthistorisches Museum — 4 km