Schönbrunn Zoo

The Schönbrunn Zoo in the palace park

Welcome to the Schönbrunn Zoo, a historic oasis in the palace gardens of SchönbrunnFounded in 1752 by the Habsburgs, it can proudly claim to be the oldest existing zoo in the world. Covering a generous 17 hectares, it is home to over 7,800 animals from 700 different species and has been named the best European zoo several times.

Brief information on the Schönbrunn Zoo

• Where is it located? Maxingstrasse 13b, 1130 Vienna.
• There are 3 entrances to the Schönbrunn Zoo. The main entrance “Hietzing” is located near the underground station U4 Hietzing. You enter the palace park via the Hietzinger Tor and follow the path between Palm House and Desert house.
• When is it open? Here you can find the Opening hours and Admission prices.
• What are the highlights? The polar bears, giant pandas, a polarium with penguins, lions, cheetahs, tigers, seals, elephants, giraffes, monkeys and much more.
• How much time should you take? We recommend at least 3-4 hours. With children you can also spend the whole day there.

Unique animal experiences at Schönbrunn Zoo

Giant pandas up close

The Schönbrunn Zoo is one of the few zoos in Europe that houses giant pandas. As soon as you enter the zoo on the right hand side you can watch these fascinating animals eating or sleeping. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that in 2007 “Yang Yang” gave birth to the first panda baby born naturally in Europe, without artificial insemination.

The majestic polar bear world

Another highlight is the polar bear enclosure, known as the “Polar Bear World Franz Josef Land”. Since 2014, it has been possible to observe these majestic animals while diving underwater. Directly opposite the polar bears you will find the penguins, both in indoor and outdoor areas.

The fascinating Polarium

Just a few steps away is the Polarium, where you can watch sea lions swimming through an impressive 13-meter-long glass pool. During the popular feeding show, the animals climb onto the rocks and jump into the water to catch their food fish.

Adventure in the Rainforest House

The rainforest house is currently under renovation, but offers a glimpse into a mountainside in the rainforest of Southeast Asia. Rare animals such as the Batagur river turtle, small-clawed otters, various bird species, giant fruit bats, pythons and Fiji iguanas live here. Sophisticated building technology ensures a minimum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius with 80 percent humidity all year round.

A journey through aquariums and terrariums

The aquarium and terrarium house is entered through the fascinating crocodile pavilion. Giant turtles live here, which can live to be an impressive 100 years old. In the aquarium house, you can expect exciting insights into the underwater world with piranhas, lionfish, moray eels and rays, as well as an impressive coral reef with hundreds of species of fish from the Indo-Pacific. Schönbrunn Zoo is one of the zoos in the world with the most species of jellyfish and presents different species in four jellyfish roundabouts. A tunnel aquarium with arapaimas leads you into the terrarium house, which is home to snakes, iguanas and other rare reptiles such as pine cone lizards.

Even more to discover

Leopards, tigers and cheetahs are not always easy to see as they have places to hide. But with a little patience and luck, you can see them in their natural habitat.

For the younger guests, the zoo offers a petting zoo and a playgroundCulinary delights await you, from cozy beer gardens to snack stands. And of course, an ice cream shop is a must. We recommend that you bring your own healthy snacks and drinks.

One thing is certain: every time you visit Schönbrunn Zoo, there are always new animals and exciting adventures to discover. An annual pass is definitely worth it, as it only costs about twice as much as a daily ticket!