Schönbrunn Palace is majestic and fascinating. It dazzles its visitors anew each day. This monumental baroque palace with its endless parks was the Habsburgers’ summer residence and they knew how to pass time in style. The evidence for this is still all around Schönbrunn Palace. Many attractions are waiting to be experienced and discovered. These are our top six favorite activities in and around Schönbrunn Palace.

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace itself is the undisputed main attraction. It’s one of the most impressive and beautiful palace buildings from the baroque era in Europe. The palace is full of superlatives and it is rightfully one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Sisi had a total of 1441 rooms at Schönbrunn Palace at their disposal. Visitors now have the opportunity to see 45 of these opulent rooms and immerse themselves directly in the imperial age.

Gloriette

The Gloriette rises majestically above Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens. From here we can enjoy a fantastic view of Vienna. This was once Emperor Franz Joseph’s favorite place for breakfast. It’s no wonder with these views. The Gloriette has remained true to its original purpose. And so the Café Gloriette still serves a delicious breakfast day after day – the imperial flair and impressive view come free of charge.

Schönbrunn Zoo

This list would be incomplete without the Schönbrunn Zoo. After all, it’s one of Vienna’s most popular destinations for day trips. It’s the oldest zoo in the world that is still in operation and at the same time one of the best and modern of its kind worldwide. We could easily spend a whole day here. More than 700 species can be found at this zoo. Experience wild action when the seals are fed, pure relaxation in the company of koalas and fun playtime with the baby animals.

The Maze at Schönbrunn

At one time, the maze was for the pleasure of the Habsburgs only. Now everyone can experience this entertainment from imperial times. Who will be first to find a path through the winding passages of the maze? The platform at the goal lets you comfortably watch others as they try to find the way. You can also discover the twelve zodiac signs along the path. Around the maze, the Labyrinthikon – a playing area with 14 stations – offers additional entertainment for younger visitors in particular.

Palm House

The Palm House is divided into three pavilions with different climate zones. As a result, the temperatures range between 8 and 17 degrees Celsius. A 2,500 m² area accommodates numerous plants from Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical regions. More than 45,000 glass panels create glass surfaces of 4,000 m². This makes the Palm House one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Special highlights among the exhibited plants include a 23-meter palm tree and the world’s largest water lily with a leaf diameter of 1.20 meters.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

As the crowning glory, we certainly mustn’t forget to allow enough time for the Palace Park around Schönbrunn Palace. The park itself is worth a trip. The impressive fountains, statues, monuments along with the shrubs, trees and flowers still evoke the charm of the imperial age. Admission is free and it is one of the most popular parks in Vienna. It’s the perfect place for a long run, a stroll with the family or to spend a few leisurely hours on a bench with a good book.