Schönbrunn, Vienna

Located on the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, and one of the oldest zoos in Europe (founded by Empress Maria Theresia in the 18th century). Though some enclosures seem a little outdated, the integration of the historic features into the zoological garden is quite remarkable (just one example: a fake ruin in a bird-house). The rainforest house is especially interesting - with a very creepy bat tunnel.

Without dabt it is the most famouse and the most beautiful spot in Vienna. You must take out hole day to see everything in Schonbrunn. There are amazing parks unique beauty. It is summer royal residence and the most important cultural monument in the city.
Tickets for schonbrunn palace costs:
Imperial tour (with 22 state rooms) EUR 9,5; Grand tour (with 40 state rooms) with guide 14,40 EUR
Also you must visit Maze and Labyrinth, Privy Garden and the Gloriette viewing terrace. It is open daily from 9 am and it is cost 6,9 EUR (for all 3 attractions)
There is also Schonbrunn Zoo and it is the worlds oldest and only baroque zoo.

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The grounds came into possession of Emperor Maximillion II in 1569. He started the gardens and the building of a royal residence which was added to by succeeding Emperors.
In 1700, the palace that stands today was ready to be moved into and Empress Maria Theresa re-built and extended the palace between 1743 to 1763.
Other features such as the Roman Ruins and the Obelisk Fountain were erected in 1777.

The palace was taken over by the state of Austria after WWI and was thankfully preserved in it's Imperial glory for future generations to admire.

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the Neptune fountain is situated right in front of you ,at the end if the flower carpets under the Gloriette. It seems to be operated by a computer that is in charge of the water jets - when I first saw it , it was working , the next moment - no water coming out of it. Go figure.....
It was conceived as part of the overall design of the gardens and park commissioned by Maria Theresa in the 1770s.

Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria and, since the 1960s, has also been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. It was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1996.

It has a long history although what we see today is predominantly 18th century. Katterburg, as it was first known, was essentially a hunting lodge with extensive grounds. It had a series of owners who slowly expanded it until the estate came into the hands of the Habsburgs under Maximillian II in 1569. But it wasn't until 1642 that the estate began to significantly develop and the name changed to Schönbrunn (after the Schöne Brunnen or fair spring that flowed through the grounds) under the Dower Empress, Eleonora von Gonzaga who had a 'chateau de plaisance' built. Destroyed by the Turks in the 1683 Siege of Vienna, the estate passed into the hands of Emperor Leopold I. He commissioned Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach (Karlskirche) to design and build a splendid new residence, and the central body of the palace is the result, built in just 7 years and, by 1700, ready to be habitable. But wars resulted in work stopping and it wasn't until 1743 when Maria Theresa decided to make Schönbrunn the centre of court and political life and commissioned a complete rebuild and laying out of the formal gardens we see today. (There was one major change in 1817 when the elaborate Rococo decoration was removed from the façade, reducing it to much soberer forms with few decorative elements, and had the palace painted in 'Schönbrunn Yellow', giving it the characteristic appearance it still retains today.

Inside is a celebration of the most excessive of rococo and baroque - a clash of colour, style and taste. OTT is an understatement!

Opening Times (Palace)
1st April - 30th June, 8.30am - 5pm: 1st July - 31st August, 8.30am - 6pm: 1st September- 31st October, 8.30am - 5pm:
1st November - 31st March, 8.30am - 4.30pm

Prices vary enormously - from 36.00€ to see everything to 2.00 € to see the garden.

Built in the 12th century, St. Stephens Cathedral was originally a Romanesque sanctuary. It was virtually destroyed by fire in 1258, damaged extensively during the Turkish siege of 1683 and during the Russian bombardments of 1945. The Cathedral was eventually restored and reopened in 1948 and today it is one of the greatest Gothic structures in Europe. The interior is rich in woodcarvings, altars, sculptures, and paintings and its proud steeple rises over 450 feet above Vienna. Check out the ornately carved wooden Wiener Neustadt altarpiece dating from 1447 and make sure to visit the catacombs that contain the entrails of 56 members of the Habsburg family. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 343 steps to the south tower for a great view of the Vienna Woods. Alternatively, take the lift to the north tower to get a beautiful vista of the city and the river Danube.

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The Schönbrunn Palace was the former summer residence of the Hapsburg royal family. The name Schönbrunn (meaning "beautiful spring") is based on a water well from which water was consumed by the royal court in Vienna.

Unlike most of the main tourist attractions in Vienna, the Schönbrunn Palace is not located in the 1st district. Instead, the palace is located in Hetzing (Vienna's 13th district). It is easily accessible by underground public transportation; however, as in my case, a few transfers between subway lines may be required.

The palace is largely in Rococo style -- with a yellow exterior. Tours are offered of the palace interior and outside gardens. There is also a zoo on the premises.

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Schonbrunn Palace grounds is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy for a whole day. I didn't feel the need to visit it's interior rooms as I found it quite expensive and I'm just not into going from room to room and pretty much seeing the same thing over and over.
I will recommend visiting the gloriette and getting a beautiful view of the palace and the city of Vienna. This is where the Empress Marie Therese would have her breakfast while enjoying the great vista. I rode the panorama train up there which takes you all around the palace grounds for 6euros all day and by paying this you won't have to pay the 3euros to get into the gloriette and whatever else it costs to visit the other sites on the palace grounds, except for the zoo.
There are two sides to the grounds, the French side which is very elaborate and full of beautifully maintained gardens. And the English side which is more natural. This is where the royals would hunt wild boar and pheasants.
You can enjoy many of the ground's statues while riding the train. Like the impressive Obelisk Fountain and the beautifully crafted Statue of Hercules slaying Medusa. Or you can walk around and admire the beautiful gardens. Also, if you go in autumn, don't miss walking along it's main boulevard which is lined with giant chestnut trees. The colour of the foliage is very pretty.
Operating hours are: July 1st to August 31st- 830am to 6pm
September 1st to October 31st- 830am to 5pm
November 1st to March 31st- 830am to 430pm
If you must visit the rooms of Schonbrunn Palace, here is the price list in euros:

Grand Tour(40 rooms)
12.90 adults
14.40 guided tour
8.90 children (18yrs and under)
11.40 students (19-25 yrs of age) and Vienna card users

Imperial Tour(22 rooms)
9.50 adult
12.90 guided tour
6.50 children
8.50 students and Vienna card users

They also have many passes to choose from:
Classic pass
Classic pass light
Gold pass
Combined tickets
These passes start from 14.50euros up to 39euros per adult.