Is Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna worth a visit?

Author: 1000things

Your city trip has taken you to Vienna and you're wondering whether you should visit the infamous Schönbrunn Palace? Or is it simply a tourist rip-off? Overrated or rightly hyped: Here you can find out for whom a visit to Schönbrunn Palace is worthwhile. 

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most famous sights in Austria and therefore also the number one tourist hotspot. Not only the beauty of the entire area, but also the historical stories surrounding Empress Sisi attract millions of visitors every year. Should you be the next person among them or is Schönbrunn simply overrated? We have taken a closer look at the many attractions around the palace. First things first: if you decide to visit, the Vienna Welcome Card is your new best friend, as it gives you numerous discounts. And not just on site, but also on the way there, as you can use all public transport

The palace park: open to the public and easily accessible

For once, we'll dispense with the dramatic suspense and answer the question posed at the beginning: the palace and garden really are a unique sight that you should definitely experience during your visit to Vienna. The good news for those on a time and money budget: You can experience a lot of what's on offer here for free and what's more, Schönbrunn is really easy to get to. Simply take the U4 to the station of the same name, “Schönbrunn”, and you will see the impressive, characteristic yellow building. Then you can simply walk through the gate towards the palace, as the area is freely accessible. Behind the palace, the beautifully landscaped palace park awaits you with many baroque statues, symmetrical flowerbeds, several fountains and many shady avenues. And you will soon realize: It's not just tourists who stroll through Schönbrunn Palace Park, locals also like to go jogging or for a Sunday stroll here.

 

The Gloriette: a view in a class of its own

The Gloriette, a magnificent pavilion on a hill behind the palace, offers an incomparable view over Vienna. Stroll up the winding paths and enjoy the view of the city from Schönbrunn Hill - you don't have to pay a penny for that either. If you still want to see a bit more, you can march up the stairs to the Gloriette viewing platform at a reduced price thanks to the Vienna Welcome Card. Incidentally, there is also a small café in the glassed-in central section with a few coveted seats where you can enjoy a refreshment. 

 

The palace tour: A glimpse into imperial life

The state rooms and living quarters of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth - better known as Sisi - offer a fascinating insight into the life of the Habsburgs. Particularly impressive are the Hall of Mirrors, where Mozart played music as a child, and the Pink Room with its ornate stucco work. The styles range from Baroque to Rococo, Biedermeier and Wilhelminian style, forming a harmonious ensemble. Audio guides and tours help to bring history to life and the Vienna Welcome Card offers discounts on admission. If you've rarely seen a historic building of this kind from the inside, it's definitely worth a visit. And of course there are special guided tours and programs for kids.

 

The zoo: for the whole family

Schönbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world still in existence and is also extremely popular among the Viennese - if you have children, you can hardly avoid an annual pass.  From majestic big cats to exotic birds and rhinos, there are all kinds of furry and feathered creatures to admire, as well as amphibians and reptiles. You can easily get to the zoo by strolling through the palace park towards the Gloriette. Don't be fooled by the small entrance, the zoo behind it is extremely extensive and is home to over 600 species from all over the world, including giraffes, elephants, polar bears, capybaras and more. In many different animal houses, such as the aquarium and terrarium house, you can get fascinating insights even in bad weather.

Tip: Check the times of feeding and guided tours before your visit, as they are a real event. 

The Orangery: a touch of the exotic

You can marvel at far more flora than fauna in the Schönbrunn Orangery. Alongside Versailles, it is one of the largest Baroque orangery buildings in Europe and contains bitter orange trees, olive trees, myrtles and many rare plant species. Incidentally, the highlight was an underfloor heating system when it was built in the 18th century - a hypocaust heating system to be precise, which warmed the floor using hot water in those days. Admission costs 5.50 euros (one euro discount with the Vienna Welcome Card). If you have green fingers, or at least a green heart, you shouldn't miss out on a visit.

 

Desert House & Palm House: in warmer climes

The Desert House and the Palm House are two other attractions in the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace that will whisk you away to warmer climes. It's dry in the Desert House, where plants and animals such as succulents and desert monitor lizards await you. The 113-metre-long Palm House, on the other hand, impresses with its imposing glass construction and a variety of tropical plants that form a dense, green oasis. The three pavilions are connected by tunnel-like corridors and imitate different climate zones: a cold house in the north, a “temperate” one in the central pavilion and the tropical house in the south. However, none of this can be seen for free: Admission for adults is 9 euros for both houses. Don't want to miss out on anything? Then grab the combined ticket with Schönbrunn Zoo, which includes a tour of the zoo, the Desert House and the Palm House.

 

The labyrinth: lost in the maze

By now you will have realized that Schönbrunn Palace is much more than just a baroque building and park. But there's more: you'll also find a labyrinth and a maze on the grounds. The winding paths, surprising dead ends and little puzzles are an experience for kids in particular. Creative play stations as well as a sound tree and water bounce area also provide variety. This also has its price: you pay 5.50 euros to enter the maze and labyrinth. The Schönbrunn Palace - Classic Pass Plus is well worth it. 

 

Conclusion: For whom Schönbrunn Palace is worthwhile

Think carefully about how much time you have and what interests you most, because Schönbrunn is really big and has a lot to offer. If you want to explore all areas, i.e. the zoo, desert house, palm house, orangery, Gloriette, labyrinth and the interior of the palace, you should definitely plan a whole day. In this case, it's best to check out the Schönbrunn Palace - Classic Pass Plus, which will save you a lot of money in total instead of paying for each attraction individually. However, we also recommend a visit to Schönbrunn to anyone who has less time and money available, as a walk through the park and to the Gloriette alone is worthwhile. Another money-saving tip: take a snack with you and enjoy your snack on one of the park benches in the extensive palace park instead of eating relatively expensively at the food stalls or in the zoo. And with the Vienna Welcome Card you get extensive discounts - not only for the attractions, but also for public transport on the way to Schönbrunn.

 

Are you fascinated by the world of Empress Sisi? In this article, we reveal whether a visit to the Sisi Museum is worthwhile. And there are even more highlights for your short trip in our article 3 days in Vienna.