Flora and Fauna in Vienna

Picture this: you’re walking around the streets of your favourite city, right in the hustle and bustle of urban life, when you suddenly find yourself in a magical place, full of trees, flowers, exotic animals, and wide green meadows, ready to step into countless magical adventures. The recipe for the perfect fairy tale, right? Except it’s not a fairytale–it’s Vienna! Ranked first among the world's greenest cities on Earth Day 2020 by Resonance (a leading advisor in tourism, real estate, and economic development), more than half of Vienna’s metropolitan area is made up of green space: parks, forests, zoos, and even wild preserves. If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful sights of unspoiled nature, away from the drone of the city traffic, Vienna is the place for you. 

Schönbrunn Garden 
The Schönbrunn Castle is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful and romantic gardens. Designed during the reign of Maria Theresa, the park hosts beautiful and colourful flower beds, several fountains, a botanical garden, and even a zoo full of exotic animals. All art and architecture enthusiasts can take in the sights of the garden’s Roman ruins (mind you, they’re fake!) and the stunning Gloriette, located at the top of a hill, while children can have fun in the park’s maze. The garden is one of the most beloved places by locals and tourists alike.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn 
In 1745, Emperor Francis I of Austria commissioned the construction of a menagerie in the gardens of Schönnbrunn Palace. Thanks to the emperor’s original idea, Vienna now boasts the world’s oldest zoo, home to all kinds of exotic animals. Giraffes, pandas, elephants, felines, and even our friends the kangaroos. This zoo hosts a diverse global ecosystem in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Belvedere 
Speaking of castles, Schönbrunn has a worthy rival. The area that connects the two Palaces of Belvedere (the Upper and the Lower Belvedere) has been turned into a beautiful French garden, built around a great water basin adorned with statues of nymphs and goddesses. And while you're there, don't forget to visit the Alpengarten! With over 40.000 different species of plants, shrubs, and small trees (including oriental bonsai), it’s the perfect place to take a break from the bustling Belvedere crowds. 

Donauinsel 
When in Vienna, one can’t help but fall for the sweet rhythm of the Blue Danube. Lying between the river Danube and the Neue Danau channel, Donauinsel is a literal island in the middle of the city centre, full of sport opportunities from walking, cycling, rollerblading to swimming and much more. It’s also the venue of the 3-day-long Donauinselfest, as well as the perfect place to spend unforgettable evenings on the banks of the Danube, thanks to its countless bars, restaurants and trendy clubs.
Fun fact: locals consider the New Danube channel an “autobahn for swimmers” due to commuters using it to get to work. Crazy, right?

The Natural History Museum Vienna
If you’re looking for a learning opportunity during your stay in Vienna, prepare to be blown away by the wonders of science. The NHM Vienna is one of the largest museums in Austria and it hosts many guest researchers who carry out basic research on a wide range of topics. With its 39 exhibitions, the museum gives an overview of the diversity of life on earth, exploring the wonderful process of evolution.

Prater
Giving space to our childlike, innocent side is one of the best feelings in the world. Well, brace yourself, because Vienna makes it possible. Prater (from the Latin “pratum” = meadow) is one of Vienna’s largest and most famous public parks and it’s full of opportunities to relax amid nature, but also to have fun! Take a ride on the Ferris wheel in the Wurstelprater amusement park or spend some time among the stars at the Wiener Prater planetarium.

Das Schmetterlingshaus
Be dazzled by Vienna’s butterfly effect. And, no, it’s not about physics at all. The Palmhaus inside the Burggarten is one of the most beautiful greenhouses in the world. Since 1998, the building has been home to hundreds of exotic butterflies in the wild. With a temperature of 26°C and an air humidity percentage of 80%, the greenhouse reproduces the environment of a miniature virgin forest. A true, colourful ecosystem, guaranteed to take your breath away.

Stadtpark
All Instagram enthusiasts in Vienna can’t miss the chance to visit one of the most photographed places in the world: the golden statue of Johann Strauss II (the son of the famous composer) in the Stadtpark. This park is definitely one of Vienna’s richest parks in terms of monuments and sculptures. Lawns, flower beds, a few exotic trees and a large pond make this park a real green oasis in the heart of the city.

Lainzer Tiergarten
For a true nature experience, you can’t miss the Lainzer Tiergarten. This beautiful wildlife preserve is located in Vienna’s 13th district and dates back to 1561. Originally meant to be the private hunting preserve of Emperor Ferdinand I, The Lainzer Tiergarten is now open to the public and home to a wide range of wild animals: between 800 and 1,000 wild boars, 200 to 250 fallow deer, approximately 700 mouflons, and 80 to 100 red deer.

Sigmund Freud Park
There’s nothing better than a nice beach to do a little sunbathing, right? Well, Vienna will prove you wrong. During the summer, the wide meadows of the Sigmund Freud Park, located between the university and the votive church, host over 100 lounge chairs for students, residents and tourists to enjoy Vienna’s sunny days in total relaxation. Seriously, this city really does have everything you could possibly need!