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Three major palaces are in place in Austria’s capital of Vienna. One of them is the Schonbrunn Palace Vienna built in the middle of the 18th century. It served as the Austrian royal family’s summer residence.
Schonbrunn Palace Vienna Outside Look
When viewed from the outside, the building stands tall and proud. And unlike other palaces that limit visitors to the areas they can explore, the Schönbrunn palace offers a variety of things to do for people.
Inside the complex, you will find beautiful formal schonbrunn gardens such as the Kammergarten that showcases colorful flowers and an attractive landscaping design.
Also, there is Neptune’s Fountain considered one of Europe’s most impressive fountains and a reflecting pond. Plant lovers should not miss visiting The Palm House which features a uniquely designed glasshouse containing different types of tropical plants.
Visitors who love to walk will be happy to know that the Schönbrunn palace grounds have hike trails for easy access to various areas. For those who want to explore the entire area but are not fit for long distance walking can always take the carriage ride.
Schonbrunn Palace Gardens – Palmenhaus in Schonbrunn
The Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most-visited attractions. That’s because of its historical significance and its many interesting facets, each one worthy of at least a half-day of exploration and discovery.
One such part is the Palmenhaus (Palm House), one of the largest greenhouses and botanical Schonbrunn palace gardens in the world with over 4,500 plant species.
It was originally built between the 18th and 19th centuries under Francis I and Joseph II. However, the greenhouse suffered damages during World War II and was rebuilt in the Jugendstil style.
It was again closed in 1988 due to heavy structural ruins and underwent renovation between 1996 and 1998, after which it opened its doors to the public.
The Palmenhaus Today
Today the Palmenhaus is being maintained by the Federal Garden Office.
It is widely popular not only for its impressive architecture and variety of exotic botanical collections but also for its café-restaurant.
The greenhouse which is made of steel and glass measures over 2,500 sq.m. in area with:
- 4,900 sq.m of glass and
- 45,000 glass panes surrounding the entire structure
It is made up of three pavilions with three different climate zones. One section is the tropical climate, another represents the Mediterranean climate and then there is the cold climate section.
Some interesting features in the greenhouse include a 23- meter tall palm, a 350-year old olive tree from Spain, the largest water lily in the world which blooms during the spring and summer, and a coco de mer from Seychelles, a tree that bears the largest fruit in the world.
Schonbrunn Palace Tickets
There are all types of tickets you can choose from: Single tickets, group tickets, winter & summer tickets. Also, family tickets and combined tickets as well. Check out all the options here.
| For adults | For kids | |
| Schönbrunn Group Pass | € 50 | € 30 |
| Family Pass | € 26,5 | € 19,5 |
Schonbrunn Opening Hours
| Attractions | Opening hours |
| SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE VIENNA | 9:30 am – 5 pm |
| Schonbrunn GARDENS | 6:30 am – 8:00 pm |
How to get to Schonbrunn
Using public transport is the best options for tourists. However, if you’re arriving by car you have several options depending on the direction you’re coming from.
“Coming from Vienna International Airport take the A4 motorway heading towards Vienna, then continue on the southbound A23 (follow signs for Graz), then take the Altmannsdorf exit and follow the signs for Schloss Schönbrunn” [source]
“Arriving on the A2 motorway follow signs for the city centre, take the Altmannsdorf exit and follow the signs for Schloss Schönbrunn” [source]
“Arriving on the A1 motorway follow signs for the city centre which will take you directly to Schönbrunner Schloßstrasse 47″[source]
If you’re thinking about using public transport there are several options as well:
- U-Bahn
- Straßenbahn
- Bus
All the info about how to get there & Schonbrunn map you can find here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Schonbrunn Palace Vienna
Is Schonbrunn palace open on Sunday?
Yes, it is opened from 09:30 am to 5:00 pm.
How to get from Vienna to Schonbrunn palace?
You can use public transport or you can get there by car. All the info about public transport check out here.
How far is Schonbrunn palace from Vienna?
It’s really close – only around 7 km
