{"id":1672,"date":"2016-02-03T14:45:11","date_gmt":"2016-02-03T13:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?page_id=1672"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:22:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T14:22:07","slug":"palace-of-schonbrunn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/palace-of-schonbrunn\/","title":{"rendered":"Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace and park"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"#tickets\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/schoenbrunntickets.jpg\" alt=\"Front of Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace\" class=\"wp-image-46217\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Probably the most popular tourist attraction in Vienna: the palace and associated attractions pulled in over 3.95 million visits across last year. Think of Sch\u00f6nbrunn as Austria&#8217;s Versailles, with less opulence and more cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Huge 18th-century palace, gardens &amp; park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Now a World Heritage site<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Numerous attractions, including the staterooms, zoo, carriage museum, maze, fountains, children&#8217;s museum&#8230;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In easy reach of the city centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a Sch\u00f6nbrunn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/schonbrunn-palace-tickets-l145516\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LGSchPalVenue\" rel=\"sponsored\">concert, tour &amp; more<\/a>*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A stop on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/sightseeing-bus\/\">Hop on Hop off tours<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/schonbrunn-classical-concerts\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5608\">Classical concerts<\/a> in the palace orangery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/belvedere\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3308\">The Belvedere palaces<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To save you some thinking, I have my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/10-things-2\/\">top ten Sch\u00f6nbrunn activities<\/a>. But below you&#8217;ll find a more detailed overview of almost everything there, with links to articles on each attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/schoenbrunnpalace1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/schoenbrunnpalace1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/schoenbrunnpalace1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(<strong>Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn, Wien<\/strong> &#8211; the view from the gardens. And, yes, I had to get up very early to get this people-free photo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#palace\">Palace and outbuildings<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#park\">Park, gardens &amp; outdoor features<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#zoo\">Zoo area<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#events\">Events<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#tickets\">Tickets &amp; tips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn attractions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"palace\">Palace &amp; outbuildings&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"293\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/schoenbrunn1822.jpg\" alt=\"Sch\u00f6nbrunn palace around 1822\" class=\"wp-image-59711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/schoenbrunn1822.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/schoenbrunn1822-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/schoenbrunn1822-340x200.jpg 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Sch\u00f6nbrunn as it was around 1822 with the Gloriette building behind it on the hill; painted by Franz Jaschke; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 213463; excerpt reproduced under the terms of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY 4.0 license<\/a>; photo by the Wien Museum)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current palace dates back to the 1740s, though a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/history\/\">long history<\/a> of extensions and rebuilding work followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once a summer residence out in the country, the growth of the city now means Sch\u00f6nbrunn represents an oasis of architectural and parkland tranquility in the midst of 21st-century Vienna (if you ignore your fellow tourists).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Palace tours<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sch\u00f6nbrunn contains of hundreds of rooms, and you can visit a selection of the most spectacular ones <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/tour\/\">on a palace tour<\/a> (with both self-guided and guided options available)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each room hums with history; follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, Mozart, and even President Kennedy, not to mention Habsburg monarchs like Maria Theresia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/sisi\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34621\">Elisabeth<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/franz-joseph\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26307\">Franz Joseph<\/a>. Look for the Great Gallery ballroom in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The carriage museum<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/wagenburg1.jpg\" alt=\"The Habsburg imperial carriage\" class=\"wp-image-56312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/wagenburg1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/wagenburg1-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Close up of an 18th-century carriage on display in the museum; press photo \u00a9 KHM-Museumsverband)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A mammoth collection of carriages, sedan chairs, sleighs, and other modes of transport used by the imperial family fills <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/wagenburg\/\">the Wagenburg<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/empress-elisabeth-exhibition\/\">exhibition inside<\/a> also explores the life of the aforementioned Empress Elisabeth (the famous Sisi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Children&#8217;s Museum in Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One wing of the palace now houses a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/childrensmuseum\/\">Children&#8217;s Museum<\/a>, which gives kids a taste of life as a little Archduke or Archduchess<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Youngsters and the young at heart can dress up in period costume, for example. For more family activities, look out for the zoo and maze (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gerstner caf\u00e9-restaurant<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gerstnerstrudel.jpg\" alt=\"Apple strudel\" class=\"wp-image-74320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gerstnerstrudel.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gerstnerstrudel-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(If you go, I can recommend the apple strudel)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I&#8217;ve not been to all the places to take refreshment within the palace complex. But I visited the elegant Gerstner Caf\u00e9-Restaurant in the Kavalierstrakt down one side of the main courtyard: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/gerstner-schonbrunn\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74321\">see my review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"park\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn park &amp; features&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sch\u00f6brunngardens.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sch\u00f6brunngardens.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sch\u00f6brunngardens-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(<strong>Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn, Wien<\/strong> &#8211; part of the landscaped gardens)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The federal authorities keep the large <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/gardens-park\/\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn park and gardens<\/a> in immaculate condition, so you can enjoy over a square kilometre of tree-lined avenues, lawns, woods, and landscaped flowerbeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open to the public since 1779, the grounds conceal various architectural delights. Expect fountains, fake ruins, statues, and walled gardens. Look out, also, for red squirrels entirely unconcerned by the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access to the park and most of the gardens is free. Some of the individual locations mentioned below need a ticket, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some highlights&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Gloriette<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/gloriette1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/gloriette1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/gloriette1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(<strong>Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn, Wien<\/strong> \u2013 the Gloriette)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A large hill stretches behind the palace and leads up to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/gloriette\/\">Gloriette triumphal arch<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>According to legend, they built the Gloriette simply to ensure a nice view from the windows of the main palace. Indeed, it&#8217;s mostly a fa\u00e7ade, but with a rooftop viewing platform and a caf\u00e9 inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Kronprinzengarten<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The small <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/kronprinzengarten\/\">privy garden<\/a> includes the kind of flowerbeds, box hedges and vine-covered walkways that shout &#8220;costume drama&#8221; at you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You half expect to meet some 18th-century monarch conducting an illicit affair with a gardener somewhere within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Find tickets and experience options for the palace and zoo)<\/p><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-content-type=\"venue\" data-content-ids=\"145516,141990\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_SchPal\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sch\u00f6nbrunn orangery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Not content with native trees, shrubs, and flowers, the Habsburgs put in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/orangery-2\/\">one of the world&#8217;s longest<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/orangery-2\/\">orangeries<\/a> to add exotic flair to Sch\u00f6nbrunn&#8217;s botany<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The building and garden now house unusual (for Austria) plants and rare varieties of fruit trees. And a vineyard. Oh, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/schonbrunn-classical-concerts\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5608\">classical music concerts<\/a>, which hark back to one of the original uses for the location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sch\u00f6nbrunn maze(s)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is it a maze? Is it a labyrinth? Both, I think, because you face more than one hedge-based challenge within the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/maze-labyrinth\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"15481\">maze complex<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The smallest maze is (literally) a walk in the park. The largest is best attempted when you&#8217;re not in a hurry. These new mazes build on a long tradition: the first one in Sch\u00f6nbrunn appeared in 1720.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Roman ruins<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/schoenbrunnromanruinspress1.jpg\" alt=\"Fake Roman ruins\" class=\"wp-image-66320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/schoenbrunnromanruinspress1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/schoenbrunnromanruinspress1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The remains of an ancient temple&#8230;or an 18th-century reimagining? Press photo \u00a9 Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H., Severin W\u00fcrnig)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No monarch worthy of the name should have a park without some tasteful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/romanruins\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"149\">Roman ruins<\/a> within<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you don&#8217;t happen to have any, then you just build some; Sch\u00f6nbrunn&#8217;s authentic-looking ruins went up in 1778, modelled on the Temple of Vespasian and Titus in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The obelisk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Another great civilisation forms the cornerstone of this Sch\u00f6nbrunn highlight: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/obelisk-grotto\/\">large obelisk<\/a> purports to tell the story of the Habsburg dynasty in Egyptian hieroglyphics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The writing is probably not entirely accurate, but certainly looks impressive (which was always the point with imperial constructions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Neptune Fountain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The broad <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/neptune-fountain\/\">Neptune fountain<\/a> faces the palace at the other end of the main gardens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The most striking of Sch\u00f6nbrunn&#8217;s fountains sees the Roman god Neptune towering majestically (and a little arrogantly) over tritons and sea horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caf\u00e9 Pavillon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As mentioned earlier, various locations within the complex offer food and\/or drink. But for a little insider tip on where to sit out of sight of the crowds, try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-pavillon-schonbrunn\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70763\">Caf\u00e9 Pavillon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"zoo\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn Zoo area&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/elephantandbaby.jpg\" alt=\"An elephant and calf\" class=\"wp-image-43068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/elephantandbaby.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/elephantandbaby-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The elephants are always popular)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/palace-of-schonbrunn\/vienna-zoo\/\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn zoo<\/a> is the oldest working zoo in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the 18th-century buildings from the original menagerie have survived, though the animal enclosures look a little different these days: experts rate the zoo as one of the world&#8217;s best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Highlights include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/zoo\/giantpandas\/\">Giant Pandas<\/a> (!), the rainforest house, the huge polar bear complex, the aquarium, and the aerial walkway among the wooded slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The zoo is obviously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/zoo\/kids\/\">great for kids<\/a> and probably Vienna&#8217;s second-most popular attraction after Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The palm and desert houses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Two other indoor locations close to the zoo are&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/palmhouse\/\">Palmenhaus<\/a> (palm house), which dates back to 1882. The huge iron and glass construction contains three climatic zones featuring Mediterranean, tropical, and sub-tropical plant communities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They built the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/wuestenhaus\/\">W\u00fcstenhaus<\/a> (desert house) some 20-odd years after the palm house. It has a collection of cacti and succulents, as well as a few birds and animals like the glorious naked mole rats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>(Do not miss the mole rats. Glorious is not part of their name, just my adjective for these bizarre creatures.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Japanese garden<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For something a little different, try the small 1913 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/japanesegarden\/\">Japanese garden<\/a> sandwiched between the zoo and the palm house<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"events\">Palace events&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/summernightconcert2.jpg\" alt=\"The Wiener Philharmoniker on stage\" class=\"wp-image-58176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/summernightconcert2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/summernightconcert2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">(The Wiener Philharmoniker, Andris Nelsons, and Gautier Capu\u00e7on performing at a past Summer Night Concert; press photo \u00a9 Max Parovsky)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The palace courtyard and buildings make a glorious setting for orchestral performances and other events. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn palace concerts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As hinted at above, the orangery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/schonbrunn-classical-concerts\/\">hosts concerts<\/a> that usually feature the music of Mozart and Strauss. This is not a modern invention: Mozart and Salieri, for example, performed for the emperor at the same location<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Festive Sch\u00f6nbrunn markets<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/schoenbrunnchristmasmarket2024.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to a Christmas market with a palace backdrop\" class=\"wp-image-77482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/schoenbrunnchristmasmarket2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/schoenbrunnchristmasmarket2024-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The entrance to the Xmas market hints at the festive delights within)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/schoenbrunn\/\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn Christmas market<\/a> (which continues into New Year) has, perhaps, the best ambience of all the city&#8217;s many Christmas markets given the location in front of the palace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The same location hosts an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/eastermarkets\/schonbrunn\/\">Easter market<\/a>, too, which also offers arts, crafts, and a range of gastronomic treats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Summer Night Concert<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Vienna Philharmonic ranks as one of the world&#8217;s greatest orchestras. Put them in the landscaped garden of Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace and you get the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/summer-night-concert\/\">Summer Night Concert<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you&#8217;re wondering how much it costs to attend, the answer is a big fat zero. The event is absolutely free. I went to one and was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/sommernachtskonzert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"48131\">rather impressed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Find tickets and experience options for the palace and zoo)<\/p><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-content-type=\"venue\" data-content-ids=\"145516,141990\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_SchPal\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tickets\">Tickets &amp; visitor tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The links above take you to specifics on each attraction, including ticket info where relevant; you need one for the palace tours, orangery, privy garden, gloriette viewing platform, maze, zoo, carriage museum, desert house, palm house and children&#8217;s museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Various organisations also offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/schonbrunn-palace-tickets-l145516\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LGSchPalVenue\" rel=\"sponsored\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn-related experiences and packages<\/a>*, such as guided tours, concerts &amp; dinner, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The palace tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can see a lot at Sch\u00f6nbrunn, obviously, but perhaps the &#8220;must see&#8221; is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/tour\/\">Palace Staterooms<\/a>. Many people simply wander around the (free) garden and park areas and take a palace tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The staterooms (possibly the most popular tourist activity in Vienna) form the centrepiece of the Sch\u00f6nbrunn complex and require both a tour ticket and a time slot to view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In summer (and at other peak visitor times), you may have to stand in a long queue on site to get a tour ticket and then wait again until your time slot comes up. To avoid any waiting times, buy online in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend one of the following approaches&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 1: guided tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Go in with an in-house or independent tour guide at a set time, so you skip any queues and have the benefit of an expert accompanying you. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)<\/p><div data-tiqets-widget=\"availability\" data-layout=\"full\" data-product-id=\"976203\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"AW_Spal\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 2: self-guided tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Take one of the two self-guided tours with the included audio guide or printed guide provided by Sch\u00f6nbrunn. See my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"161\">deeper look at this option<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, I recommend you book your ticket online to avoid counter queues and ensure your time slot fits your trip schedule. And take the longer tour: it&#8217;s worth the small extra cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 3: multiple attraction pass<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re planning on seeing more than one attraction, then you can obviously purchase individual tickets (see the links \/ articles above for details). But two strong options are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vienna Pass<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/otterzoo.jpg\" alt=\"An otter\" class=\"wp-image-79344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/otterzoo.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/otterzoo-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Vienna Pass covers the zoo, too)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This sightseeing ticket gives you one-time free entry to numerous Vienna attractions across 1, 2, 3 or 6 days (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/vienna-pass-review\/\">see my review<\/a> for details).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Vienna Pass entitles you to take the shorter self-guided tour of the palace. It also gives you one-time access to, for example, the zoo, the maze, the privy garden, the Gloriette roof and the Carriage Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you&#8217;ll need to turn up at the Sch\u00f6nbrunn arrival centre and fix a time slot for the tour. If you do have to wait, then simply make use of the intervening time to visit those other Sch\u00f6nbrunn attractions covered by the pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or simply take in the park and gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or drop in for cake at one of the caf\u00e9s, like that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/gerstner-schonbrunn\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74321\">Gerstner location<\/a> opposite the palace entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combination ticket<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to do different activities, but don&#8217;t need\/want a Vienna Pass, then check the Sch\u00f6nbrunn website for combination tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They offer various choices but all give you savings when compared to buying tickets individually for all the attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equally, if you don&#8217;t buy online and book a tour time in advance, then a combination ticket also lets you spend any waiting time exploring the other Sch\u00f6nbrunn locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 4: Just the free stuff<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The staterooms are brilliant, but you might also just wander around the park and gardens. As mentioned, you pay no fee to enter either. In fact, many Viennese go for their early-morning jog in Sch\u00f6nbrunn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily lose a couple of hours just walking around enjoying the views of the palace, Gloriette, Roman ruins, outbuildings, fountains, obelisk and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring and summer has the advantage of flowers, while autumn brings out the coloured foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter often casts a grey pall over everything, though the park in snow can be a joy. And you have the added bonus of the red squirrels, who remain active and regularly make an appearance in the hope of cadging a stray nut or three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"directions\">How to get to Sch\u00f6nbrunn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For public transport and parking suggestions, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/gettingthere\/\">Directions to Sch\u00f6nbrunn<\/a> article. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/sightseeing-bus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3789\">hop on hop off buses<\/a> also go out to the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn, 1130 Vienna, Austria | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schoenbrunn.at\/\">Website<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1oN2SutdbrqOx-JViFyKk3v-X_Kw\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Probably the most popular tourist attraction in Vienna: the palace and associated attractions pulled in over 3.95 million visits across last year. Think of Sch\u00f6nbrunn as Austria&#8217;s Versailles, with less opulence and more cake. To save you some thinking, I have my top ten Sch\u00f6nbrunn activities. But below you&#8217;ll find a more detailed overview of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8853,"parent":1632,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-1672","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1672"}],"version-history":[{"count":72,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88048,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1672\/revisions\/88048"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1632"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}