Whether you are traveling with toddlers, looking for a romantic stroll among thousands of roses, or wanting to escape into wild forests where wild boars roam free, there is a perfect patch of green waiting for you. Best of all, Vienna’s world-class public transportation network can drop you right at the gates of each one.
Here is our ultimate, comprehensive guide to the best parks in Vienna, what to do there, who they are best for, and exactly how to get there.
We have separated the parks into three distinct sections. section name below to jump straight to it:
- The Classics: Ringstraße & Central Parks
- The Imperial Giants
- Local Favorites & Hidden Gems Outside the Center
- Into the Wild: Nature Reserves
Here you can find all the below mentioned parks and the closest public transportation stations to them:
1. The Classics: Ringstraße & Central Parks
The Volksgarten: A Fairytale Rose Garden
If you want to experience the romantic, imperial side of Vienna, the Volksgarten (People’s Garden) is an absolute dream. Nestled right along the famous Ringstraße boulevard, this park is a carefully manicured masterpiece.
- What to Do: Smell the roses! From May through September, the park transforms into a sea of colors with over 3,000 rose bushes. A bit hidden away in a quiet corner is a beautifully serene marble monument dedicated to Empress Sisi, while the neoclassical Theseus Temple waits proudly for you in the center.
- Best For: Couples, photographers, and history lovers. Note that sitting on the grass is generally not allowed here. It’s a park meant for walking and relaxing on the classic white benches.
- How to Get There: Take metro U2 or U3 to Volkstheater, or trams 1, 2, D, 71 to Burgtheater.
The Burggarten: Mozart and the Palmenhaus
Just a short stroll from the Volksgarten, right behind the Hofburg Palace, lies the Burggarten. Once the private garden of the Emperor, it has a distinctly more relaxed vibe today than its neighbor and you are allowed to sit on the grass.
- What to Do: Pay your respects at the famous statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, complete with a musical clef made of red flowers planted in front of it. Afterward, grab a coffee or a glass of wine at the stunning Art Nouveau Palmenhaus (Palm House), a massive greenhouse that now holds a vibrant café and a tropical butterfly house.
- Best For: Picnic lovers, solo travelers, and architecture fans. Sitting on the grass is fully allowed here, making it a favorite summer hangout for local students.
- How to Get There: Trams 1, 2, D, 71 to Burgring.
The Stadtpark: Golden Statues and Art Nouveau Charm
Opened in 1862, the Stadtpark (City Park) was Vienna’s very first public park. The Wien River flows through it and creates a perfect balance between English landscape design and ornate architecture.
- What to Do: Take a photo with the gleaming, golden monument of Johann Strauss II, one of the most photographed statues in the world. Walk along the pathways to admire the historic stone bridges and the Art Nouveau station architecture designed by Otto Wagner.
- Best For: Solo travelers, book readers, and first-time visitors looking for a midday break from sightseeing.
- How to Get There: Take the U4 directly to the Stadtpark station.
2. The Imperial Giants
Schönbrunn Palace Gardens: Grand Imperial Elegance
You cannot visit Vienna without visiting Schönbrunn. While the palace requires a ticket, the massive, spectacular French-style gardens are completely free to enter and explore. There is also a maze, if you dare. You can read more about the Palace Gardens here.
- What to Do: Walk up the hill to the majestic Gloriette monument for a postcard-perfect view over the palace and the Vienna skyline. Explore the hedge mazes, discover hidden fountains, or visit the world’s oldest zoo Tiergarten Schönbrunn (entry fee required), located right inside the park grounds.
- Best For: Everyone! Families, history buffs, and morning runners who want to feel like royalty.
- How to Get There: Take the U4 to Schönbrunn or Hietzing.
The Green Prater: Vienna’s Outdoor Playground
Most tourists know the Prater for its nostalgic amusement park, but if you stroll just past the rollercoasters, you will find the “Green Prater”. This is a massive forest and meadow area that was once an imperial hunting ground.
- What to Do: Walk or bike the Hauptallee, a straight, 5-kilometer long avenue completely closed to cars. Rent a “Surrey bike” (a four-wheeled pedal car) with friends or have a massive picnic on the Jesuitenwiese lawn.
- Best For: Families, fitness enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers.
- How to Get There: Take the U1 or U2 to Praterstern.
3. Local Favorites & Hidden Gems Outside the Center
Türkenschanzpark: Ponds, Waterfalls, and Historical Flair
Located in the upscale 18th district, Türkenschanzpark is built on the historic site of the 1683 siege of Vienna. Today, it is an English-style landscape park filled with unique botanical trees, rolling hills, and romantic winding paths.
- What to Do: Discover the hidden waterfalls, fountains, and calm ponds scattered throughout the park. Climb the historic Paulinenwarte observation tower (open on select summer weekends) for a great view over the cottage quarter, or just find a spot in the shade and relax in this oasis.
- Best For: Families with young children (the playgrounds here are top-tier) and travelers looking for a poetic, local neighborhood vibe.
- How to Get There: Take bus 37A or 40A to Türkenschanzpark, or the S-Bahn (S45) to Gersthof.
Wasserpark Floridsdorf: Winding Lagoons and Impressive Birdwatching
If you want to experience a park where land and water blur into one, head across the Danube to the 21st district. Constructed in the early 20th century as part of the Danube regulation project, the (Water Park (Wasserpark) consists of deep-blue lagoons, small channels, and romantic arched bridges that look straight out of a painting.
- What to Do: Walk along the water pathways and look up! The park is a massive haven for local wildlife. It is famous among local birdwatchers for housing a major breeding colony of wild grey herons right in the middle of the city. Bring some breadcrumbs to feed the ducks, cross the wooden bridges, or relax at the charming public seating docks jutting out over the water. You can even see water turtles there, if you’re lucky.
- Best For: Wildlife and bird lovers, photographers, and travelers who want an evening stroll completely devoid of typical tourist crowds.
- How to Get There: It is incredibly easy to reach. Take the metro U6 or the S-Bahn directly to the Floridsdorf station, and it’s just a 5-minute walk from the exit.
Kurpark Oberlaa: Theme Gardens and Thermal Relaxation
Situated in the south of the city, this vast park was created for the 1974 Vienna International Garden Show. It is divided into wonderfully diverse theme gardens, including a Japanese garden, a flower labyrinth, and a petting zoo.
- What to Do: Walk through the peaceful themed areas, let the kids burn energy at the massive adventure playgrounds, and finish your afternoon by treating yourself to a famous cake at the Kurkonditorei Oberlaa. The park is located right next to Therme Wien, Vienna’s thermal spa.
- Best For: Families, garden enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a full day of wellness and relaxation.
- How to Get There: Take the U1 all the way to its southern terminus at Oberlaa. The park is right outside the exit.
Donaupark: Mid-Century Modernism by the Danube
Located in the 22nd district near the UN Headquarters, the Donaupark (Danube Park) offers clean lines, wide-open spaces, and a cool 1960s modernist design aesthetic.
- What to Do: Ride the nostalgic Donauparkbahn (a miniature railway) through the park, play a round of mini-golf, or admire the giant chessboard. Towering over the park is the Donauturm (Danube Tower). You can take the elevator to the top for a 360-degree view of the entire region.
- Best For: Families, sports fans, and architecture enthusiasts who love mid-century design.
- How to Get There: Take the U1 to Kaisermühlen/VIC or Alte Donau.
4. Into the Wild: Nature Reserves
Lainzer Tiergarten: Wild Boars and Untamed Woodlands
If you want true, untouched nature, head to the western edge of the city into the Vienna Woods. The Lainzer Tiergarten is a massive, walled nature reserve that serves as a preserved ecosystem.
- What to Do: Hike through ancient oak forests where wild boars, deer, and mouflons roam completely free. Hike up to the Hubertuswarte observation tower for stunning views, or visit the Hermesvilla, a romantic palace hidden deep in the woods that Emperor Franz Joseph built as a getaway for Empress Sisi, who famously called it her “Palace of Dreams.”
- Best For: Hikers, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a serious escape from urban life. (Note: Dogs and bicycles are strictly prohibited to protect the wildlife).
- How to Get There: Take the U4 to Hütteldorf, then take bus 56B to the Lainzer Tor entrance.
Wienerberg: The Off-the-Beaten-Path Oasis
Once a clay mining area for Vienna’s famous brickworks, Wienerberg has transformed into a protected structural landscape zone in the 10th district. It feels completely wild, rugged, and un-manicured.
- What to Do: Walk the dirt tracks wrapped around the massive central lake (Wienerberger Teich), watch for rare bird species in the reed beds, or take advantage of the designated running trails and mountain bike paths.
- Best For: Nature purists, dog owners, and hikers who want a full experience without leaving the city limits.
- How to Get There: Take tram 1 to Stefan-Fadinger-Platz or tram 11 to Wienerfeldgasse.
