Schönbrunn Zoo
Zoo Historic Vienna zoo, one of the world's oldest
Within Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace grounds, the zoo dates to the 18th century and displays a wide range of species in historic and modern enclosures; families and naturalists visit for exhibits and conservation programs.
Schönbrunn Zoo, located on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, is the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo, founded in 1752. It is integrated with the palace park and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that includes Schönbrunn Palace.
The zoo occupies landscaped grounds adjacent to the palace and exhibits a broad collection of species in modernized enclosures, focusing on conservation and breeding programs. It attracts visitors year-round and combines historical buildings with contemporary animal-husbandry facilities.
Originally established as an imperial menagerie, the institution has evolved into a scientific and conservation-focused zoo with educational displays and visitor services. Its location within Vienna’s Hietzing district places it immediately west of the city center and directly beside the palace complex.
- Founding date and status: Founded in 1752 as the imperial menagerie, making it the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world and part of the Schönbrunn Palace ensemble.
- Collections: Houses several hundred species and thousands of individual animals across landscaped enclosures on the palace grounds.
How to Get to Schönbrunn Zoo #
Take Vienna U-Bahn line U4 to Schönbrunn station; from the U4 exit it’s an easy 5-10 minute walk across the palace grounds to the zoo entrance. By car the zoo is about 6 km west of Vienna’s Innere Stadt (central Vienna); you can drive via Hietzinger Hauptstraße (B171) and there is on-site parking for visitors.
Tips for Visiting Schönbrunn Zoo #
- Visit at opening (typically 9:00) on weekdays-animals are usually more active first thing and you'll beat the large tour groups that arrive with the palace crowds.
- Buy timed-entry zoo tickets online in advance to skip the ticket line during summer and school holidays; combine your zoo visit with an early walk through the Schönbrunn gardens to space out both attractions.
- Start your route at the polar bear and penguin enclosures (toward the lower end of the park) and finish with the historic baroque zoo buildings and the monkey house-many visitors rush the animal enclosures and miss the 18th‑century architecture and interpretive panels.
Best Time to Visit Schönbrunn Zoo #
Best visited in spring through early autumn for pleasant weather and the most active animal displays, with summer busiest due to holidays.
Weather & Climate near Schönbrunn Zoo #
Schönbrunn Zoo's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (578 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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