Schönbrunn Zoo

Every major European city has its own zoo. Vienna is no exception. What's more, when you visit this fabulous city, you get the chance to visit the best zoo in Europe (according to the 2010 annual ranking).

It's also thought to be the oldest zoo in the world, as before it opened in 1752, there had been an animal sanctuary here since 1570. Today, Schönbrunn Zoo is a popular attraction for tourists visiting Vienna from all over the world. Over two million people visit it every year. A visit to this fascinating place is not only for children, but also for adults.

The Vienna Zoo (Schönbrunn) was founded by Emperor Franz Stephan, husband of Empress Maria Theresia. The park was opened to the public in 1779 and admission was free.

The emperor continued to fund the development of the zoo, improving its conditions and format. Francis I organised royal expeditions to various parts of the world.

By the end of the 18th century, the zoo was home to around 3,500 species — some of which had never before been seen in Vienna. It was an unimaginable number at the time.

It is interesting to note that when the giraffe arrived at the zoo in 1828, it caused a sensation and aristocratic women made clothes with its distinctive colour and pattern — so impressed were they by this exotic animal.

In the 19th century, the zoo underwent significant changes and took on a modern appearance, the stone partitions were demolished and grids were installed between the enclosures.

During the Second World War, parts of the zoo were destroyed by bombing, but the people of Vienna donated money to save this unique attraction. Over the many years of its existence, the Vienna zoo has survived many hardships and wars, but its enclosures have continued to fill with new inhabitants, delighting visitors with their presence.

The zoo is located on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace and covers an area of about 17 hectares. There are now more than 8,500 animals (about 700 species). Here you can see funny "plush" pandas and koalas, which are rare for European zoos, admire a flock of pink flamingos or majestic peacocks, visit bears, giraffes, funny monkeys and hippos.

Be sure to visit the Aquarium, Terrarium, Polarium and Tropical Pavilion, where for a few minutes you will find yourself in a real jungle with a roaring waterfall and lake, thickets of strange plants, exotic birds and an amazing collection of tropical butterflies living in a glass house. The tropical aviary is built into a natural rock face and a lift takes you from the first to the second level.

All the aviaries in the zoo are tiered. The animals can be seen outside, and when they are hidden, you can get a good look at them in the covered pavilion.

By far the pride of the zoo is the Franz Josef Land Pavilion, a two-storey home for polar bears.

On the first level, visitors can observe the bears' life under water, and on the upper level, their behaviour and games on land. Next to the white bears, penguins and fur seals live peacefully in an area with a pond and artificially stacked stones. For the lions, the conditions are truly royal: they have a whole spacious house at their disposal, where they can move around freely and rest.

Another enclosure that is a must for children is the Hippo House. It's a spacious enclosure with a large pool that allows visitors to see the ground through the glass. Visitors can watch the hippos dive in and out, swim out of the pool and spend time on dry land.

A separate area is reserved for the reindeer, which seem to have come here from the fairy tale of the Snow Queen. Children will be impressed by the size of the antlers. The ORANG enclosure is a real play area for the animals. Colourful cubes, toys and a high chair help to keep these animals busy.

A children's favourite, of course, is the petting zoo next to the large play area. Here children can pet dwarf goats and other harmless animals. There are also special trips to see some of the animals up close. However, for the safety of visitors, not all animals can be approached directly.

The best time to visit Schönbrunn Zoo is at the end of May, when the baby animals born in winter and spring are a little older and roaming around with their parents.

The pandas, the exotics of any zoo, deserve special mention. The pandas, whose enclosures are just outside the entrance, are the pride of the Vienna Zoo and many residents and visitors to the capital come here to see them.

This is where Europe's first panda was born. And she was not artificially inseminated, but born naturally. She was born in August 2007. Three years later, in August, the second and third bear cubs were born.

The birth of two cubs at the same time was a real treat for Schönbrunn Zoo. This is not only a rarity for the zoo, but also for nature, as one of the cubs usually dies after birth.

At the end of February 2017, six-month-old twin cubs Fu Feng and Fu Pan took their first walk outside, accompanied by their nurturing mother.

During the cold season, the pandas move into the winter enclosure, where they are completely protected from frost and bad weather. The winter enclosure provides them with areas for resting, bathing and playing. The winter house has a door to the outside, so if the panda wants to go outside in winter, it can easily do so.

Pandas love to sleep, especially babies, for whom a good night's sleep is essential for good health. So don't be alarmed if you only see one mother panda in the enclosure. Most likely, the cubs are resting in a specially equipped wooden den at this time.

Curiously, under the terms of the zoo's contract with the panda suppliers, the pandas born at the zoo are returned to their native China after a period of time.

The same goes for the newborn pandas, who will stay at the zoo for a while before being sent off to the Celestial Realm. So it's worth rushing over to meet the funny twins.

Another species of panda for which the Vienna Zoo is famous is the red panda, which visitors often mistake for raccoons or foxes. They are more aggressive in temperament (we don't recommend approaching them), but they look very cute.

They have a separate area where, like the giant pandas, they rest, play and entertain curious visitors. They spend most of their time in the branches.

At Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo you can listen to animal stories every day. The zookeepers tell you interesting facts about each species: their way of life, their peculiarities, conservation projects and much more.

While listening to these stories, you can often watch the animals being fed live. This is perhaps the most unforgettable experience at Vienna Zoo. Take a look at the feeding schedule and choose a convenient time for your visit.

10:00
- High-flying pigeons at the petting zoo
- Orang Utans
- African elephants

10:30
- Southern sea lions
- Aquarium - Giant turtles (Monday to Friday, except holidays!)
- Slender-tailed rats (every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)

11:00
- Crested and Emperor penguins
- Arctic wolves (every day except Wednesday and Saturday)

11:15
- Insectarium — through the world of locusts

11:30
- Vultures (every Sunday)
- Aquarium - Coral Reef (Monday to Friday except public holidays)
- Monkey house

11:45
- Humboldt Penguins

13:00
- Rainforest Pavilion — Eastern tawny otters
- Aviary — Spoon-billed Armadillo, White-throated Duck (Monday to Friday, except public holidays)

13:30
- Aquarium - Piranhas (every Monday)
- Forest Ibis
- Snipe

14:00
- Rainforest Pavilion — Rice Terrace/Springbills
- Siberian Tigers (Daily except Wednesday and Saturday)
- Polar Bears

14:15
- Rainforest Pavilion — Tropical Storm

14:30
- Giant Pandas
- Orangutans
- Giant anteaters

15:00
- African elephants
- Cheetahs (every Monday, Wednesday & Sunday)

15:30
- Southern Sea Lions

16:00
- Koalas

The process of feeding the penguins and sea lions looks particularly fascinating by comparison. So don't miss it! It's also worth bearing in mind that the feeding can sometimes be cancelled before visitors arrive.

At the top of Schönbrunn Zoo, on the mountain, there is a "Tyrolean Farm" where you can meet hares, chanterelles, rabbits, goats, cows, visit the ethnographic museum and buy organic food in the souvenir shop. On Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30 a.m. you can see how butter and cheese are made.

From April to October, a sightseeing tram runs through the palace, providing easy access to all parts of the park, including the zoo.

You can also hire (for about 2 euros) special trolleys for children. There are about 30 of these in the zoo. There's one near the cheetah enclosure.

Please note that from November to March the trolley rental is only open at weekends and on public and Viennese school holidays. The rest of the year it is open every day.

There is a free left-luggage office at the main entrance to the Zoo, on the ground floor of the Information Centre (1 euro deposit), for all visitors without exception.

For the more active and curious children, there are animal statues around the site to touch and pet. There are also themed tours and a variety of interactive activities for young visitors throughout the year, including night tours.

The Vienna Zoo is well equipped for the comfort of its visitors: you can relax on one of the many benches, have a snack at the kiosk or enjoy delicious meals and desserts at the park's restaurant.

As well as the animal enclosures, there are interactive maps, guides and videos to help you learn more about each species. The zoo has two pet shops and a gift shop selling stuffed animals, books, children's clothes and souvenirs.

For 240 years, visitors to the Vienna Zoo have been warned of the end of the day and the closing of the zoo by a real imperial bell, the sound of which can be heard far beyond the park's boundaries. It was also used to announce the arrival of the emperor and the dukes.

If you are planning a visit to the Vienna Zoo, the official website has information on upcoming events, new baby animals and much more. You can also visit the famous Schönbrunn Palace, which was the summer residence of the Austrian emperors.

There is also a children's museum, which is sure to be of interest to young tourists.

Finally, some zoo tips and rules:

• The zoo is large and interesting, so if time allows, it is best to plan a full day trip.
• Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent.
• Feeding animals in the zoo is strictly forbidden.
• Balloons and balls aren't allowed in the zoo.
• The use of bicycles, skateboards, scooters and roller-skates is prohibited throughout the Palace Park, including the Zoo.
• To avoid queues at the ticket office, it is best to buy an e-ticket on the zoo's official website.
• Don't forget to bring a map of the zoo with you (you can print it out on the official website or pick it up at the information centre at the entrance on the left).