Explore the Schönbrunn Zoo

Founded on July 31, 1752, the Vienna Zoo at the Schönbrunn Palace tells tales that we wish we had been part of.

In its beginnings, visitors to this exotic animal menagerie (as it was called at that time) were only the members of the ruling Habsburg family. Soon after, the zoo and castle park were opened to the public … or rather to people ‘dressed properly.’

Today, the oldest existing zoo in the world (and voted Europe's best zoo in 2009 and 2010), is considered one of the best and most modern zoos in the world. More than 500 animal species - from Siberian tigers and hippos to one-horned rhinoceroses - live here. Highlights include the giant Rainforest House, the large South American Area and the ORANG.erie, new home of Vienna's orangutans.

Try the exclusive ‘Celebration Package,’ which gives you the chance to have the zoo virtually to yourself! It includes morning feeding, a look behind the scenes of the rainforest or aquarium house, an extensive “imperial” breakfast, and a big gift basket with souvenirs that make this morning truly memorable. You are a night owl? Then you must join the ‘Night Vision Tours,’ which take your through the zoo with infrared binoculars and let you observe these exotic animals in their active night time.