📖 About Schönbrunn Palace

• Built in the late 17th century, expanded under Empress Maria Theresa in the 1740s.

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site, emblematic of Habsburg imperial power and baroque opulence.

• Contains 1,441 rooms, though only 40 are open to the public via guided or self-guided tours.

• The palace grounds include formal gardens, a zoo, fountains, and the Gloriette, a hilltop structure with panoramic views of Vienna.

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🧭 Top Things to See

👑 1. Imperial Tour vs. Grand Tour

• Imperial Tour (approx. 30–40 min): Visit 22 rooms, including Maria Theresa’s and Franz Joseph’s apartments.

• Grand Tour (approx. 50–60 min): Covers 40 rooms, including the richly decorated Bergl Rooms.

• Audio guides or live tours available in multiple languages.

🌳 2. Palace Gardens (Free Entry)

• Symmetrical, French-style gardens with elegant flowerbeds and tree-lined paths.

• Don’t miss the Neptune Fountain and Roman Ruin.

🦁 3. Tiergarten Schönbrunn

• The world’s oldest zoo (est. 1752) still in operation.

• Home to pandas, polar bears, and over 700 species in spacious, well-kept habitats.

☕ 4. Gloriette

• Located atop a hill behind the palace.

• Café inside + observation deck with one of the best views of Vienna.

🌸 5. Palm House & Desert House

• Victorian-style glasshouses with exotic flora.

• Great for photographers and nature lovers.

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📸 Most Instagrammable Spots

• Front courtyard with the yellow façade and horse carriages

• Gloriette terrace at sunrise or sunset

• Inside the Mirror Room, where young Mozart once played for Empress Maria Theresa

• Palm House in early spring or autumn

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🎟️ Tickets & Access

• Standard Ticket (Imperial Tour): ~€22

• Grand Tour: ~€26

• Classic Pass (includes gardens, Gloriette, maze, orangery): ~€35

• Sisi Ticket: Combines Schönbrunn + Hofburg + Imperial Furniture Museum

👉 Book online to skip lines, especially in summer.

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🛍️ Souvenirs to Buy

• Schönbrunn-themed porcelain, snow globes, or Mozart chocolate

• Books about Empress Elisabeth ("Sisi") or Franz Joseph

• Hand-painted Christmas ornaments (available year-round in the gift shop)

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🍽️ Where to Eat Nearby

• Café Residenz: Elegant restaurant on the palace grounds; try the traditional Apfelstrudel show-baking experience.

• Glacis Beisl: A hidden gem in the MuseumsQuartier, 15 min away by subway.

• Landtmann’s Jausen Station: Stylish pavilion for light lunch in the gardens.

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🚌 Getting There

• By U-Bahn: Line U4 to Schönbrunn Station (5 min walk)

• By Tram: Line 10 or 58 to Schloss Schönbrunn

• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Most routes stop here

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💡 Insider Tips

• Early mornings or late afternoons have fewer crowds and better lighting.

• Visit in spring (May) for full garden bloom without intense summer heat.

• The Christmas market here (late Nov–Dec) is smaller than the one at Rathausplatz but more romantic and less commercial.