Burggarten

With its inviting lawn, views of magnificent imperial architecture and often-photographed monuments, the Burggarten is one of the most popular parks in Vienna.

The Burggarten owes its name to Vienna’s Hofburg, the former winter residence of the Habsburgs. It is located between the imposing, semi-circular Neue Burg and the world-famous Albertina art museum. Originally created as a private garden for Emperor Franz I, the park, designed in the English style, was opened to the public in 1919. After sitting on the grass was first prohibited in 1951 – a rule that even sparked youth protests in the 1980s – access to the lawns was restored in 2007.

Today, the well-maintained green space is one of the most beautiful lawns in the city center. It is used as a picnic spot, a place to socialize, for yoga and other physical activities, for reading, or for a quick nap. Curved paths meander past people, forming a circular route that takes visitors past all the park’s attractions.

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View of the lawn and the equestrian statue of Franz Stephan in Vienna’s Burggarten — View of the lawns – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

In the Burggarten — Perfect picnic spot – © WienTourismus, Peter Rigaud

Burggarten, Vienna — Enjoying the early morning hours and empty lawns – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

The Imperial Palace — The Hofburg gives the park its name – © WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud

View of the lawns – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Perfect picnic spot – © WienTourismus, Peter Rigaud

Enjoying the early morning hours and empty lawns – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

The Hofburg gives the park its name – © WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud

Monuments and horses

The statue of musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart near the Ringstrasse is one of the city’s most visited monuments. A few steps further on stands Emperor Franz Joseph I, in uniform and holding his military baton. Just outside, in front of the Albertina, a statue commemorates Abraham a Sancta Clara, the most important Catholic preacher and poet of the German Baroque. The equestrian statue of Franz Stephan of Lorraine was erected in 1781, making it the oldest equestrian monument in Vienna.

Speaking of horses, with a bit of luck, you might even spot the majestic Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School during a morning walk with their riders. The Forest of Nachod, an official natural monument, can be visited at any time. Several fossils of coniferous wood from the Czech region of Nachod, dating back approximately 280 million years, were found on a small embankment at the western tip.

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Mozart Memorial in Burggarten — Mozart Monument – © Schaub-Walzer / PID

Statue of Emperor Franz Joseph I in Vienna’s Burggarten — Emperor Franz Joseph I – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Lipizzaner horses on the morning stroll through the Burggarten — Lipizzaners on their morning ride – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

The Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School on a morning ride through Vienna’s Burggarten — With a little luck, watch for free – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

Burggarten — Equestrian monument of Franz Stephan – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Mozart Monument – © Schaub-Walzer / PID

Emperor Franz Joseph I – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Lipizzaners on their morning ride – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

With a little luck, watch for free – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

Equestrian monument of Franz Stephan – © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Café and butterflies

One of Vienna’s many Art Nouveau highlights is the Palm House, which used to be a greenhouse. The verdant glass palace creates a tropical atmosphere in the city. The Brasserie Palmenhaus is a café-restaurant whose terrace seats are highly sought after in good weather. The interior is appropriately filled with an abundance of exotic plants. For those looking for even more of a jungle feeling, next door over 50 different species of butterfly flutter through the Butterfly House – all year round at a constant 26° Celsius.

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Palm House in the Burggarten, restaurant — The terrace of Brasserie Palmenhaus – © Gregor Lechner | phoenics.eu

Palmenhaus, Restaurant, interior view — Brasserie Palmenhaus – © Gregor Lechner

Butterfly in the Butterfly House in the Burggarten — Butterfly House in the Palm House – © WienTourismus/Gregor Hofbauer

Butterfly House in the Burggarten — Perfect habitat for a variety of butterflies – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

The terrace of Brasserie Palmenhaus – © Gregor Lechner | phoenics.eu

Brasserie Palmenhaus – © Gregor Lechner

Butterfly House in the Palm House – © WienTourismus/Gregor Hofbauer

Perfect habitat for a variety of butterflies – © WienTourismus/Julius Hirtzberger

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

When can the Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School be seen in the Burggarten?

In the past, the Lipizzaners were regularly ridden in the Burggarten. There were even small paddocks where they could graze for longer periods. Today, the white horses only rarely stroll through the publicly accessible park. You’re most likely to see them in the early morning – but there are no fixed times.

Where is the Mozart monument located in Vienna?

The monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stands in Vienna’s Burggarten, right next to the entrance on Vienna’s Ringstrasse. The world-famous musical genius lived in Vienna between 1781 and 1791 – until his death.