Schönbrunn Zoo
Enter the Baroque-style zoo, Schönbrunn Zoo, which is also the oldest in the world, and discover the natural world in all its rich diversity. Schönbrunn Zoo is home to a varied species of animals and birds, here everybody aims to promote conservation and biodiversity. Watch many of the animals at feeding time, and find out fascinating facts in the process!
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Enjoy swift entry to Schönbrunn Zoo and explore diverse species across its 17 hectares including Siberian tigers and koalas.
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Encounter Schönbrunn's stars, the giant pandas, a unique sighting as they reside in only a few of zoos worldwide.
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Your ticket also offers access to fascinating animal houses, from a rainforest habitat to an aquarium terrarium.
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Get the chance to observe many of the animals during their feeding sessions at the zoo. Enhance your experience with skip-the-line access to Desert House to explore unique landscapes.
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Fun fact: The zoo was originally founded in 1752 as an imperial menagerie by Emperor Franz I Stephan of Lorraine, Maria Theresa’s husband.
More details
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Enjoy swift entry to Schönbrunn Zoo and explore diverse species across its 17 hectares including Siberian tigers and koalas.
-
Encounter Schönbrunn's stars, the giant pandas, a unique sighting as they reside in only a few of zoos worldwide.
-
Your ticket also offers access to fascinating animal houses, from a rainforest habitat to an aquarium terrarium.
-
Get the chance to observe many of the animals during their feeding sessions at the zoo. Enhance your experience with skip-the-line access to Desert House to explore unique landscapes.
-
Fun fact: The zoo was originally founded in 1752 as an imperial menagerie by Emperor Franz I Stephan of Lorraine, Maria Theresa’s husband.
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Bypass the queues and delve into the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an expert guide.
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Discover the history of Habsburg rulers as you tour through 22 staterooms, including the Great Gallery, and the French-style gardens adorned with ornate fountains.
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Enjoy swift entry to the world's oldest zoo, Schönbrunn Zoo, home to an impressive variety of 700 species spread over a vast 17-hectare landscape.
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Step into different ecosystems within the zoo, like the rainforest house bustling with tropical life and the aquarium terrarium filled with colourful fish.
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Fun Fact: Schönbrunn Palace was originally a hunting ground before it was expanded into its magnificent form as the summer residence for the imperial family in 1754.
More details
-
Bypass the queues and delve into the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an expert guide.
-
Discover the history of Habsburg rulers as you tour through 22 staterooms, including the Great Gallery, and the French-style gardens adorned with ornate fountains.
-
Enjoy swift entry to the world's oldest zoo, Schönbrunn Zoo, home to an impressive variety of 700 species spread over a vast 17-hectare landscape.
-
Step into different ecosystems within the zoo, like the rainforest house bustling with tropical life and the aquarium terrarium filled with colourful fish.
-
Fun Fact: Schönbrunn Palace was originally a hunting ground before it was expanded into its magnificent form as the summer residence for the imperial family in 1754.
8% off
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Embrace the allure of desert life without the scorching heat, right in the heart of Vienna at the Desert House with unique flora and fauna.
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Skip the queues and kick-start your adventure! From nibble fish to rattlesnakes and naked mole rats, get up close with a host of desert-dwelling creatures.
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Marvel at the cuttings from the world’s oldest pot plant, and walk amid cacti and succulents, discover 'living fossils' like bearded lizards.
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Walk through desert landscapes of Central America to Madagascar, and unearth desert secrets, from the chirping red fodies to the radiated tortoises.
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Fun fact: The Garra rufa fish or ‘nibble fish’ at the Desert House, famous for their gentle nibbling on visitors' fingers, are also popular in some spas for providing a unique form of exfoliation.
More details
-
Embrace the allure of desert life without the scorching heat, right in the heart of Vienna at the Desert House with unique flora and fauna.
-
Skip the queues and kick-start your adventure! From nibble fish to rattlesnakes and naked mole rats, get up close with a host of desert-dwelling creatures.
-
Marvel at the cuttings from the world’s oldest pot plant, and walk amid cacti and succulents, discover 'living fossils' like bearded lizards.
-
Walk through desert landscapes of Central America to Madagascar, and unearth desert secrets, from the chirping red fodies to the radiated tortoises.
-
Fun fact: The Garra rufa fish or ‘nibble fish’ at the Desert House, famous for their gentle nibbling on visitors' fingers, are also popular in some spas for providing a unique form of exfoliation.
-
Get skip-the-line access to the world's oldest zoo, Schönbrunn, and discover 600 species across its grounds, including the rare giant pandas.
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As a champion for conservation efforts, Schonbrunn Zoo is home to many endangered species such as Siberian tigers, orangutans, and African elephants.
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Board a panoramic train for a 45-minute ride through Schönbrunn Palace Park and learn about the sights with an audio guide in your own language.
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Navigate through nine notable sections of Schönbrunn Park on your joyride, and check out the Obelisk Fountain, Gloriette, and the Zoo Palm House.
More details
-
Get skip-the-line access to the world's oldest zoo, Schönbrunn, and discover 600 species across its grounds, including the rare giant pandas.
-
As a champion for conservation efforts, Schonbrunn Zoo is home to many endangered species such as Siberian tigers, orangutans, and African elephants.
-
Board a panoramic train for a 45-minute ride through Schönbrunn Palace Park and learn about the sights with an audio guide in your own language.
-
Navigate through nine notable sections of Schönbrunn Park on your joyride, and check out the Obelisk Fountain, Gloriette, and the Zoo Palm House.
8% off
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Opt for skip-the-line tickets as Schönbrunn Zoo receives more than 2 million guests a year. Entry queues can be long no matter what time of day or season, and skip-the-line tickets will help you spend less time waiting and more time exploring. Most times, online purchases also include better ticket deals.
To avoid crowds, visit mid-week. Early morning visits increase your chance of spotting animals as many are early risers and energetic then. Feeding times are also special; try to watch the sea lions being fed. A plan detailing feeding hours and open hours is available at the entrance. Keep an eye on the viewing time of various enclosures too to not miss out on any.
Schönbrunn Zoo is part of the a complex which comprises the impressive Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens. Combined tickets to the palace and the zoo ensure hassle-free access. We also recommend getting tickets to the Desert House and the Palm House for a more holistic experience.
Did we mention that the Schönbrunn complex is huge? Hop on the Panorama Train to cover much of this estate from the comfort of your seat. The train transfers you from the Elephant House to the Tirolerhof. There are nine stops on the way and the train is wheel-chair and pushchair accessible.
Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated as the zoo is best explored on foot. Respect the animals and do not feed them. Make sure your kids are always under your supervision.
Top things to do in Vienna
About Schönbrunn Zoo
The oldest zoo in operation in the world, Schönbrunn Zoo, is a sprawling park with a collection of 700 animal species and several immersive exhibits. Plan a perfect day out in the company of diverse flora and fauna, a serene atmosphere, delicious food, and many learning opportunities at the Schonbrunn Zoo.
The oldest zoo in operation in the world, Schönbrunn Zoo, was the brainchild of Emperor Franz I, Maria Theresa’s husband. What started as a menagerie adjacent to the summer residence of the Habsburgs, flourished into a full-fledged zoo with royal patronage. The zoo’s royal origins are evident from the grand architecture that flawlessly blends with its modern amenities.
While almost 700 animal species call the zoo their home, the Giant Pandas are extremely popular. The zoo is distinguished as one of the 27 zoos in the world to be entrusted with the endangered Giant Pandas and it continues to be vital in their conservation.
World War I and II adversely affected the zoo. Only 400 animals survived World War I. A polar bear was shot dead by a soldier, who stated the reason upon arrest that “he (bear) gets 10 kilograms of meat every day while I have to go hungry.” Aerial bombing during World War II left thousands of animals dead.
The Schönbrunn Zoo remains crucial in the conservation of many endangered species like the Giant Pandas, Northern bald ibis, Northern river terrapin, Polar bears, Barbary apes, Brasilian tapirs, Pond turtles, and Bearded vultures. It is the only zoo in Europe to successfully breed the endangered northern rockhopper penguins.
The zoo’s first giraffe came as a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt in 1828. Interestingly, the giraffe’s arrival triggered a craze that inspired clothes, shoes, perfume, play, hairstyles, and even a pastry called Giraffeln. This, however, was short-lived and ended with the death of the giraffe in less than a year.
Why visit Schönbrunn Zoo?
Highlights
Giant Pandas
The Giant Pandas are an absolute must-visit. One of the 27 zoos in the world to have these extremely cute Giant Pandas, the zoo has also successfully bred them, thereby taking part in its conservation efforts. You won’t tire of seeing the dorky antics of these extremely popular and peaceful zoo residents.
Rainforest
Explore a tropical indoor jungle right in the heart of Vienna, at the Rainforest House. Ingenious engineering ensures that Southeast Asian flora and fauna can thrive in this glass house. In addition to housing several animals like northern river terrapin, Asian small-clawed otters, and flying foxes, there is even a bat cave here!
Polarium
The icy polar world at the Polarium welcomes you to watch the rockhopper penguins and king penguins go about their daily lives. Outside, catch the sea lions spraying water at the visitors. The nearby Polar Bear facility has a large pool that offers views of the Polar Bears swimming.
Aquarium
Colorful fishes including piranhas, endangered gigantic arapaima, and a coral reef with a diverse array of Indo-Pacific aquatic species make the Aquarium an interesting place. If you are traveling with kids, do not miss the aquarium tunnels where the fishes seem just within your grasp.
Panorama Train
Given the area of the park, a good way to move around Schönbrunn Park would be to catch a ride on the Panorama Train. Operating regularly from 10 AM to 6 PM, the train passes through the zoo at the Emperor’s Breakfast Pavilion, the Elephant House, and the Tirolerhof. This is especially ideal for those who are time-constrained or have difficulty walking. You need to purchase separate tickets for the train.
Nature Discovery Trail
This trail is a unique experience to understand native Austrian wildlife better. At the aquariums, you observe native fishes like brook trout and pike at close quarters. Next, it's a thrilling walk on a 160-meter-high treetop trail, with great birdwatching opportunities and impressive views of the Schönbrunn Palace. Then, you can spot amphibians like adders, salamanders, and some deadly snakes at the open-air terrariums.
ORANG.erie
The intelligent Orangutans, humans' closest animal relatives, can be seen chilling in the ORANG.erie. At the adjacent Café Atelier Nonja, the reproductions of the paintings by Nonja, a female orangutan, are displayed. Take a coffee break here with direct views of the apes.
Elephant House
The majestic yet gentle Elephants stroll about in the large Elephant House. We recommend visiting during the shower routine and feeding sessions when it is an absolute delight to watch these social animals.
Petting Zoo
If you are traveling with kids, check out the petting zoo with rabbits, pygmy goats, and Ouessant sheep. Not only is this fun and thrilling for the little ones, but it is also an educational activity.
Plan your visit
Main entrance
The main entrance of the zoo is on the west side of the Schönbrunn complex, a short walk from the U4 underground station Hietzing. This station is also a stop on Tram lines 10 and 60. This park entrance has a bus stop (Am Platz), served by the 56A, 56B, 58A, and 58B buses.
Tirolerhof entrance
This entrance is ideal for those driving to the zoo as it is near the parking lot on the Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg. Using this park entrance entails a bit of walking to the zoo enclosures.
Palace entrance
If you are visiting the zoo after checking out the Schönbrunn Palace, head towards the hill and stick to the right side of the landscaped gardens. Beyond the entrance to the maze and on the right side of the Neptune Fountain, is the Schonbrunn Zoo entrance. It is signposted, so don’t worry about getting lost.
- The last admission to the Schonbrunn Zoo is 30 minutes before closing hours.
- The Bird House closes an hour before the closing time, while the Aquarium-Terrarium closes at the end. All other animal enclosures are closed 30 minutes before the closing hours.
- Note that the Schonbrunn Palace Grounds also close around 6:30pm.
Lockers are available in the basement of the info center near the main entrance gate of the zoo. Though free of charge, you need to deposit 1 Euro. The large lockers measure 55x45x34 cm, while the small lockers are sized at 44x41x35 cm.
Two zoo shops and numerous mobile stands can be found throughout the zoo selling fluffy animals, books, children's clothing, and more.
There are many restaurants, cafes, and mobile food carts throughout the zoo. Nine drinking water fountains are available across the zoo, except during winter. All wash basins within toilets also have drinking water. You can additionally bring your own food and water to the zoo.
Toilets, including disabled-friendly ones are fitted throughout the zoo.
A first-aid station can be found on Tiergartenallee (opposite the lions). It is open daily during the zoo's opening hours.
Your go-to center for all queries is the information center at the main Hietzing Gate.
The Hietzing Gate's information center functions as the zoo's lost and found.
There is a public car park at Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg.
You can find EV charging stations at the public car park at Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg.
While numerous small play areas are present throughout the zoo, there is a big playground in the center with tunnels, climbing frames and more. Fire salamander mini-climbing walls can also be found near the rainforest.
Most of the Schönbrunn Zoo is barrier-free and accessible for wheelchair users, except for the Tirolerhof entrance which is steep. There is disabled parking at the Seckendorff-Gudent Weg. There are also barrier-free toilets for disabled persons at the ORANG.erie, Elephant House, Rainforest House, and the Tirolerhof.
Service animals are allowed in the zoo as long as you carry relevant documents like an ID card, your dog’s immunization record, and an official assistance dog harness vest.
All three zoo entrances have wheelchairs available for borrowing free of cost. It is best to reserve ahead by calling the zoo's information center. Please carry an official ID.
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