Discover the Oldest Zoo in the World: Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria
Tucked within the grounds of the imperial Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn zoo in Vienna is more than just a collection of animals. It’s the oldest operating zoo in the world, founded in 1752. With its elegant baroque architecture and lush surroundings, Schönbrunn Zoo feels more like a royal garden teeming with wildlife. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth like ours, it’s a delight, and yes, the penguins are just as charming as ever. It is one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Continue reading to learn what you can expect during your visit.
Tiergarten Schönbrunn literally means Schönbrunn Animal Garden and is located on the grounds of the famous Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. It is part of the palace gardens (which are magnificent as well) and one of the reasons we like to visit the zoo. You can waddle around the superb garden and visit a zoo simultaneously. It’s interesting to know that the zoo is one of the few tourist attractions where you get to meet a lot of locals, especially families with kids.
The zoo was founded by Emperor Franz I. in 1752, but only later in the year 1779 was the public allowed in. It also went through an extensive modernization program in the 1900s.
Interestingly, the old court diary reports mention how the Emperor would visit the zoo after morning mass in the company of various courtiers. He was very content to make the animal garden beautiful. Today we bet he would be very proud to hear that in 2018 the zoo won TripAdvisor, the world’s most beautiful zoo, and we can only agree.
Currently, the zoo is owned by the Federal Republic of Austria. On January 1st, 1992, the “Schönbrunner Tiergarten Gesellschaft m.b.H.” was founded and outsourced from the federal administration.
Facts About the Schönbrunn Zoo
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- Spans 17 hectares (42 acres) in Vienna, Austria.
- Founded in 1752, it’s the oldest zoo in the world still in operation.
- Originally built as the imperial menagerie of Emperor Franz I.
- Home to over 6,000 animals representing over 700 animal species from all continents.
- It is one of the few zoos in Europe to house giant pandas.
- Features both indoor and outdoor penguin exhibits.
- Includes a panorama train for easy exploration.
- It is within the UNESCO-listed grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.
- Committed to conservation and breeding endangered species.
- The Polarium simulates cold climates for Antarctic animals.
- It hosts rare animals like Siberian tigers, koalas, and orangutans.
- Welcomes over 2 million visitors annually.
How To Get To Vienna Zoo
Thanks to Vienna’s excellent infrastructure, there is no problem getting to the zoo no matter how you arrive.
Public transportation. If you are traveling by public transport, the zoo can be reached by the following routes:
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- U4 (underground): Station Hietzing
- Tramway: 10, 58, 60
- Bus: 51A, 56A, 56B, 58A
Public transport is our preferred way to move around any city, and in Vienna, we usually get a day ticket as we also explore the city. There are various ticket options available; for more information, click here link.
Car. If you are coming by car, there are two park & ride garages, only a couple of underground stations away from the zoo. There is also a parking lot in the vicinity. You can park along the streets close by, but a limited number of spaces are available.
Here is the link for more information on how to get to the zoo by car.
Opening Hours and Tickets to the Schönbrunn Zoo
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9 am – 365 days a year – also on public holidays. Closing time varies according to the seasons and is between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Remember, the ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing time – this is also the latest entry time for the zoo.
Tickets
You can buy Schönbrunn Zoo tickets online , allowing you to skip the lines and head straight in. Combo tickets with other attractions are also available. Prices vary, see below.
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- Adults: ~€29 per person
- Children: ~€17 per person (free for under 6 years old)
- Plushies: free entry
For more detail and any changes in prices, visit their official website.
Meet the Animals: From Giant Pandas to Arctic Penguins
You can meet over 700 species in the zoo, from an elephant to orangutans or pandas, and of course, penguins. Some species are endangered, and the zoo prevents total extinction.
The grounds cover 17 hectares, and giant pandas are the star attraction. Schönbrunn is one of a handful of zoos worldwide lucky enough to be entrusted with a pair of pandas by the People’s Republic of China, but for me, it is, of course, the penguins, the stars of the zoo. Also, it is tough to spot pandas outside. I have been several times but have yet to see any outside.
There are also various experiences one can get. For example, a morning experience when the animals are only waking up slowly, and it is still calm and no people around (this will cost you about 250 EUR for two people, starts at 8 am and includes breakfast).
Among other tours you can buy is a themed tour based on your favorite animal or a backstage tour to peek behind the scenes of the zoo.
For more details, click here link.
The lemurs may not have paid us much attention, lounging lazily in the trees or grooming one another with quiet focus, but their social behavior and expressive faces made them fascinating to watch. Observing their interactions felt like peeking into a secret world of subtle communication and hierarchy.
Then we stumbled upon what looked like real-life Nifflers, straight out of Harry Potter – curious, burrowing creatures with twitching noses and bright eyes. These were echidnas, and their playful digging and snuffling instantly brought to mind the mischievous, treasure-loving creatures from the wizarding world. It was easy to see how J.K. Rowling might have drawn inspiration from animals like these!
And other animals were either eating or chilling as we waddled past them, like giraffes, who moved with slow, elegant grace as they munched on leaves high above our heads. Nearby, a group of zebras lounged in the shade, flicking their tails lazily, while the rhinos stood like ancient statues, barely blinking in the afternoon sun. It was a peaceful scene as if the animals were enjoying a quiet break from their day.
Then came the lions, stretched out in their enclosure like royalty, soaking up the warmth. One let out a yawn that showed off an impressive set of teeth but otherwise seemed content to bask and observe simply. Around the corner, monkeys chattered playfully in the treetops, meerkats stood alert on their hind legs, and the red pandas curled into balls of fur, snoozing in their favorite branches.
The feeding times of the animals
Before moving to the main attraction – penguins – one more important thing to know when you plan your visit. The feeding times of the animals. It is a great experience and a lot of fun to see your favorite animals eating. It is time the animals are the most lively.
Check here for any updates on feeding here – link.
| Feeding Time | Animals |
| 10:00 | Elephants (Training, no feeding session/daily) |
| 10:30 | Sea lions (daily) |
| 11:00 | Northern Rockhopper penguins (daily) Arctic wolves (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays) |
| 11:30 | Peruvian penguins (daily) |
| 13:00 | Oriental Small-clawed otters (daily) |
| 13:30 | Northern Bald Ibis (daily) Coatis (March – October / daily) |
| 14:00 | Siberian tigers (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays) |
| 14:30 | Giant anteaters (daily) |
| 15:00 | Elephants (Training, no feeding session / Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) Cheetahs (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays) |
| 15:30 | Sea lions (daily) |
| 16:00 | Koalas (daily) |
Meet the Penguins
While waddling the grounds of Schönbrunn zoo, you will see many signs pointing you towards penguins (and other animals), but our focus is the penguins.
We always manage to come during feeding time.
Pro tip: for the feeding, go earlier before they start to get a good spot.
At Vienna’s Schönbrunn Zoo, you can explore the Polarium, a specialized habitat designed to replicate the chilly environments these birds call home. Inside the Polarium, you can observe King Penguins, the second-largest penguin species, known for their striking appearance and unique breeding behavior. The Polarium maintains air and water temperatures around 10°C to simulate their natural subantarctic climate. Additionally, the zoo houses Northern Rockhopper Penguins, recognized for their distinctive crest feathers. Schönbrunn Zoo is notably the only zoo in Europe that successfully breeds these endangered penguins on an annual basis.
Outside the Polarium, the zoo features an exhibit for Humboldt Penguins, native to the Pacific coasts of Peru and Chile. This outdoor area allows you to observe the penguins both on land and in the water.
Inside the Polarium Meeting the King and Rockhopper Penguins
Inside the Polarium, one of the highlights is watching the penguins glide effortlessly through the water. Through the large viewing windows, you can see them dive, twist, and race past with surprising speed and grace. They’re incredibly agile swimmers — almost like little torpedoes in tuxedos. We tried snapping a few photos, but they zipped by so fast that most of our shots ended up as blurry streaks. It’s one of those moments better captured by memory than by camera.
They move so fast underwater, you’d think they were little torpedoes in feathers — zipping past the glass in playful bursts. Kids will love trying to follow them with their eyes (or phones!) but don’t be surprised if all you catch is a blur. The best part? Watching them leap out of the water in joyful, dolphin-like jumps. It’s like they’re putting on a show just for the visitors. These moments are pure magic.
Meeting the Humboldt Penguins in the Outdoor Exhibit
This is our favorite one, as you feel much closer to the penguins and are not divided by glass. Still, there is a respectful distance so that nobody will touch the little fellas. The exhibition is making it possible to observe the penguins as well underwater. However, the best part is the feeding time. Highly recommend planning it in your schedule.
We spent most of our time with the penguins, and who could blame us? However, don’t forget that there’s much more to explore. With over 700 species and approximately 8,500 animals, every corner of Schönbrunn Zoo offers something new and fascinating. Set within the historic grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, the zoo combines imperial charm with a world-class wildlife experience that’s perfect for visitors of all ages. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did and say Hi! to the penguins.
How Much Time Do You Need at Schönbrunn Zoo
To truly enjoy Schönbrunn Zoo, plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours inside. This gives you enough time to see the main animal enclosures, enjoy the beautifully landscaped paths, and stop at highlights like the penguins, giant pandas, and historic pavilions without rushing. If you are visiting with children, love photography, or want to take breaks at cafés and playgrounds, it is easy to spend half a day here. The zoo is spread out and slightly hilly, so taking your time makes the experience far more enjoyable than trying to squeeze it into a quick visit.
Visiting Schönbrunn Zoo is always a joy for us, no matter how many times we return. There is something special about walking through a place where history, nature, and wildlife come together so effortlessly. We never rush our visits, especially when it comes to the penguins, who somehow steal our hearts every single time. Whether it is your first visit or your fifth, Schönbrunn Zoo is one of those places in Vienna that invites you to slow down, wander a little longer, and enjoy the moment.
Pack your bags and explore Schönbrunn Zoo!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a tiny commission, enough to help a penguin keep up its globe-trotting lifestyle. No extra cost to you, just more fish for me. Thank you for supporting the adventure!