Schönbrunner Gärten

The site started as the 'Katterburg' manor back in the 14th century. In 1569, Emperor Maximilian II bought it to use as a private hunting ground. The name 'Schönbrunn' (beautiful spring) appeared in 1642 when Empress Eleonora of Gonzaga built a pleasure palace here. But the version you see now is the work of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Franz I Stephan. Between 1743 and 1780, they hired architects like Jean Trehet and Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg to build the Gloriette (1775) and the Neptune Fountain (1780). Maria Theresa opened it to the public in 1779, a move that turned an imperial playground into a city landmark.

Start at the Great Parterre. It's the symmetrical soul of the park, flanked by 32 giant statues of gods and heroes. Walk the wide gravel avenues toward the Neptune Fountain. In summer, the water flows over a massive sculptural group of the sea god in a shell chariot. It's the park's primary photo op.

From the fountain, take the zig-zag path up the hill to the Gloriette. Built in 1775 to celebrate Habsburg military wins, it now houses a classic Viennese café. Grab a Melange and head to the roof terrace. You won't find a better panoramic view of the palace spires and the city beyond.

Don't just stick to the main paths. Get lost in the woodland avenues to the east to find the Roman Ruins. They're actually a fake, built in 1778 to look like a decaying temple. It was the 18th-century way of saying that even empires fall. Nearby, the Obelisk Fountain features hieroglyphs that don't actually mean anything. They were just meant to look old and impressive.

Spring is the headline act here. By May, the Great Parterre is a sea of color. The gardening team plants tens of thousands of tulips and pansies in patterns that haven't changed much since Maria Theresa's day. It's precise, vibrant, and very photogenic.

Autumn is for the walkers. The woodlands turn gold and crimson, and the air is cool enough for the hike to the Gloriette without breaking a major sweat. With the leaves falling, you'll catch glimpses of statues and ruins that stay hidden behind summer greenery. Locals love this time of year for a reason.

Winter at Schönbrunn is quiet and stark. The fountains are off and the flower beds are empty, but the palace looks incredible under a dusting of snow. If you get too cold, head for the 19th-century Palm House. Stepping from a freezing Vienna into this humid, iron-and-glass jungle is a genuine relief.

Schönbrunn is big enough to tire out even the most energetic kids. Take them to the Irrgarten (Maze and Labyrinth). It covers 7,000 square meters and features yew-hedge paths, puzzle stations, and a viewing platform. It's a fun way to kill an hour.

Next door is the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world's oldest zoo. It dates back to 1752 and is easily one of Europe's best. It's a weird, cool mix of Baroque pavilions and modern enclosures. You can see giant pandas and Siberian tigers right in the middle of the imperial park.

If the 160 hectares of gravel are too much for little legs, catch the Panoramabahn. This yellow mini-train makes nine stops across the estate, including the Gloriette and the Zoo. It's the easiest way to see the far corners of the gardens without a meltdown before lunch.