A trip to Schönbrunn Zoo

Schönbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world, and has now been named Europe’s best zoo six times in a row. Part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site with the imperial summer residence of Schönbrunn Palace at its centre, it provides a unique blend of culture and nature, while promoting conservation and biodiversity. The zoo’s special appeal comes from its imperial charm.

600 species – from anteaters to zebras

Spread across a 17 hectare site, visitors can see 600 different species, some of which are critically endangered, from all over the world: including giraffes eye-to-eye from a purpose-built gallery, orangutans swinging from rope to rope, Siberian tigers dozing on their platforms, koalas munching their way through piles of eucalyptus leaves, and African elephants wallowing in their mud baths. Rolling around and digging in the sand, the playful meerkats are a firm visitor favourite.

Giant pandas will soon be back at the zoo 

There are currently no giant pandas living at Schönbrunn Zoo. The two pandas left for China in mid-September to spend the rest of their lives in a panda sanctuary in their homeland, in keeping with a deeply rooted Chinese tradition. A new young couple will move in at the beginning of next year. The zoo is using the time until their arrival to adapt the panda enclosure. The aim is to offer visitors a completely new panda experience and even more space for the animals with the arrival of the new pair. The successful research co-operation between Schönbrunn Zoo and its Chinese conservation partner, the China Wildlife Conservation Association, has been extended for a further ten years to promote the protection and conservation of the giant panda and its habitat

World tour of the animal houses 

If the weather makes taking a stroll between the outdoor sections of the park slightly less appealing, then the numerous animal houses will provide a great place to shelter from the elements: the aquarium terrarium, with shimmering fish and fascinating reptiles; the historic monkey house, where death’s head monkeys and red ruffed lemurs roam free; the Polarium, with views of the seals and penguins underwater; the neighbouring Polardom, where visitors can watch polar bears diving below the water’s surface; and the Tirolerhof, where visitors can find out everything they need to know about rare breeds of farm animals.

Zoo experience

Visitors have the chance to observe many of the animals at feeding time, finding out fascinating facts in the process. Feeding time at the sea lion enclosure is always popular. The numerous restaurants and kiosks at the zoo offer a wide range of meals and snacks, including Austrian specialities. For an extra-special day out, take one of the fascinating tours or a ride on the Schönbrunn Panorama Train.