A little outside the city center, but easily accessible by public transportation, is one of Austria’s most visited attractions Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family and one of Europe’s most impressive Baroque palace complexes. Due to it’s historic significance in the Austrian culture and it’s impressive grounds, Schönbrunn Palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Schönbrunn is more than just a palace, it has a massive garden that would take at least an entire day to fully explore.
The History of Schönbrunn Palace
The land has been in the possession of the Habsburgs since 1569, when the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II built a summer residence there in 1642. She called it “Schönbrunn.” After Turkish occupation, the palace was redesigned from the ground up by Maria Theresia in 1743.
Emperor Franz Joseph was born here in 1830 and he spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria in 1918, only two years after his death.
How to Explore Schönbrunn
When you enter the grounds, you will come to the backside of the palace with cobblestones leading up to the entrance. I suggest heading towards the right and exploring the gardens on the west side of the park. Keep in mind that the majority of the grounds are unpaved, although well maintained gravel paths, but appropriate footwear is suggested. (Don’t wear heels ladies!)
Schönbrunn Gardens
The gardens and park were opened to the public around 1779 and is a popular place to have picnics, go for jogs, and sunbathe for both the locals and visitors. The grounds extend for 1.2 kilometers from east to west and approximately one kilmometer from north to south. The grounds surrounding the palace are extraordinary! I would actually focus on spending the majority of your time here rather than inside the palace itself, weather permitting of course.
Ever since I saw this photo on Pinterest, I’ve been wanting to visit Schonbrunn. Here I discovered this tunnel of greenery. After each turn there was something new to discover and new area of the grounds to get lost in and I couldn’t snap enough photos!
Located in the eastern section of the park, the Roman Ruin, originally known as the Ruin of Carthage, it is a set of follies that was designed by the architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg and erected as an entirely new architectural feature in 1778. 
There was so much to explore that I couldn’t manage to see it all. Also, I wasn’t aware of it’s existence at the time but be sure to visit the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, the most prominent of the four greenhouses in Schönbrunn gardens. It is one of the largest botanical exhibits of its kind in the world with around 4,500 plant species.
Situated at the foot of the hill is the magnificent Neptune Fountain. It was part of the overall design of the gardens and park commissioned by Maria Theresa in the 1770s. Excavations for the pool began in 1776 and the fountain was completed four years later, just before the death of the empress.
Behind Neptune Fountain, at the top of the hill is the Gloriette. Built in 1775 as the last building constructed in the garden according to the plans of Austrian imperial architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg as a “temple of renown” to serve as both a focal point and a lookout point for the garden, it was used as a dining hall and festival hall as well as a breakfast room for emperor Franz Joseph I. The dining hall, which was used up until the end of the monarchy, today has a café in it, and on the roof an observation platform overlooks Vienna.
Getting There
Schönbrunn is easily accessible by public transport. I recommend taking the tram there as it drops off right in front of the entrance.
More Information
Visit Schönbrunn Official Site for useful information included a map of the grounds. I would recommend downloading the map to your smartphones and using it while roaming around.
