Top 7 Places Around Schonbrunn Palace Vienna
“We locals have all been to the wonderful interior of Schonbrunn Palace when we were kids. But the real Vienna meets right at its doorstep.” One of the best things to do in Vienna is to visit Schonbrunn Palace, the number one of all Vienna attractions for most travellers.
1. Schonbrunn Park The best of Vienna for me is Schonbrunn Park. My family and I have been using the park gardens for a Sunday stroll, especially the upper part close to Gloriette and the zoo, which is mostly woodland but far from being as spooky as similar parts in New York’s Central Park. There is wild garlic growing in the spring from which you can make tasty pesto. A few years ago, I used this area to go jogging on Saturday mornings. It is very popular with local runners.
2. Gloriette My grandparents were so excited when the baroque belvedere Gloriette on top of Schonbrunn hill was refurbished, glazed and turned into a café in the early Nineties. It’s a wonderful destination to head for when climbing up the hill from the palace. In the spring and summer, it can get really crowded there. My tip: Head there first thing and then visit the palace with a prepaid ticket to avoid queuing.
3. Zoo It doesn’t surprise me that the Schonbrunn Zoo has been awarded Europe’s Best Zoo in 2010. I had the same inclination every since my grandparents took me there when I was small. Being the home of hundreds of species, the world’s oldest zoo nestles beautifully into the green slope on the right side of Schonbrunn hill. My three year old son loved the orangutans, pandas and pelicans and continues to talk about the zoo months after we visited.
4. Marionette theatre I am proud to have discovered this gem of dancing rococo puppets before most of my local friends. The multiple award winning theatre for adults and kids is located in the Hofratstrakt on the left of Schonbrunn palace and builds on an 18th century tradition of graceful wood carved puppets on a string performing operas such as Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (The Bat). There are separate shorter performances for children.
5. Quadrille dancing My six year old daughter has joined the princess fan club, like so many other little girls. Therefore, the best of Vienna for her was to than slip into a rococo style princess costume and learn the quadrille, one of the most fun society dances that the Imperial children at the court of Empress Maria Theresia had to learn, right at princess fairy tale palace Schonbrunn itself. Her teacher was from a professional Viennese dance school. I’m sure she will remember some of the music and steps will when she will dance the midnight quadrille at one of our Viennese balls.
6. Tirolergarten This tavern reminds us of our skiing holidays in the Tyrol, just warmer when we sit in the shady garden. It’s not quite authentic but builds on the old Tyrol farm house that the Habsburgs had built there, the Tirolerhof. Today, an original 18th century Tyrol farmhouse has replaced it where domestic animals threatened by extinction have found a home.
7. Easter and Christmas markets These seasonal markets in front of Schonbrunn Palace are not quite in town but worth the short drive because of the fabulous backdrop, the huge illuminated Christmas tree in winter, and the many stalls with tasteful seasonal decorations and delicatessen. The occasional jazz band at Easter ‘de-kitsches’ the scenery. For winter: Dress warmly to fight the breeze.
Barbara Grüll-Cação runs travel portal Vienna Unwrapped http://www.vienna-unwrapped.com , her little black book of the best of Vienna, including top attractions like Schonbrunn Palace Vienna, tours, events, as well as access to hotel and flight deals.
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