Lainz is an amazing and vast nature area where various animals, mainly wild boars, deer, and roe deer, roam freely. If you want to disconnect a bit from the bustling city, you can hike on the paved trails in the reserve (you can truly disconnect, as in large parts of the reserve there is no cell reception at all). At the entrance to the park, there are several fenced areas with deer and goats. In addition, there is a nice playground for children, observation points, and a beautiful place called the Hermesvilla, which serves as a museum and a café.
General Information about Lainz Park
The nature reserve covers an area of 24.5 square kilometers and is located in the southwestern part of Vienna and also in the state of Lower Austria. 80% of the reserve’s area is forested, and the rest consists of green meadows. Two rivers flow through the reserve: the Vienna River in its northern part and the Liesingbach in its southern part.
The nature reserve was established as far back as the 16th century. Emperor Ferdinand I surrounded it with a wooden fence and turned it into his private hunting and recreation area. In 1781, the wooden fence was replaced by a stone wall. The wall surrounding the reserve stretches for about 22 kilometers, and along it, there are 7 entrance gates.
The entrance gates are:
- Lainzer Tor – The main entrance gate.
- Gütenbachtor – Located in the southeastern part of the park. There is a beautiful fountain and a parking lot nearby. Not accessible by public transport.
- Laaber Tor – Located in the part of the reserve that is in the state of Lower Austria.
- Pulverstampftor
- Nikolaitor – Located in the northwestern part of the reserve, near the 14th district of Vienna. Bus line 50B stops nearby. This gate is close to the Hütteldorf train station. It can be reached via the green subway line U4. You need to get off at the last station of this line. From the station, the walk is about 10 minutes.
- Adolfstor – Located in the eastern part of the reserve. Not open for visitor entry.
- Sankt Veiter Tor – Accessible with bus line 54A.
With the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the reserve became a public area. Until 1973, entry to the reserve required a fee, but today admission is free.
Between 800 to 1000 wild boars, 200-250 fallow deer, about 100 red deer, and about 700 mouflons (a type of wild sheep) roam freely throughout the reserve.
The reserve is generally open for about 9 months a year, from the beginning of March to the end of November. During the other months, only some parts of it are open to the public (the areas around the Hermesvilla). Entry is through the Lainzer Tor gate.
Lainzer Tor – The Recommended Entrance to the Park
This is the main entrance gate of the nature reserve. The gate is open all year round and also has a visitor center. Nearby, there is a parking lot, and it is accessible to those arriving by public transport. A short walk from the gate, there is a playground for children and fenced enclosures with animals. There are also public restrooms in this area of the reserve.
Watch a spectacular video from the beautiful nature reserve:
What’s Inside Lainz Park?
Inside the reserve, there are restaurants, 2 beautiful observation points, and a museum located in the Hermesvilla. We will detail the recommended places here:
1. Hermesvilla
In the heart of the beautiful reserve lies a stunningly beautiful villa that Sisi nicknamed the “Palace of Dreams.” Emperor Franz Joseph gave the villa to his wife Sisi as a gift to persuade her to stay in Vienna more often instead of traveling throughout the empire. The construction of the villa took 5 years and was completed in 1886. The villa was designed by the famous architect Carl von Hasenauer. The villa got its name from the statue of Hermes the Guardian that was placed in its garden.
Inside the villa, there is a museum, one of the branches of the Wien Museum, which tells the story of the lives of the Emperor and his wife Sisi. The museum’s exhibition includes photographs, documents, original furniture, and personal items that belonged to the imperial couple. You can also see Sisi’s royal bedroom in the villa – it is an awe-inspiring and breathtaking room!
Famous artists such as Franz Matsch, Hugo Charlemont, and Gustav Klimt were responsible for the interior design of the villa, making it a place of spectacular beauty.
Many couples come to the area to take their pre-wedding photos.
Next to the villa, there is a nice café where you can stop for a refreshment after walking through the reserve.
Essential Information for Visiting the Museum in the Hermesvilla
Operating Hours:
- March 14th to November 1st:
- Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- During times when the reserve closes earlier, the villa will close 30 minutes before the reserve gates.
- During the winter hours, it is advised to make contact before arriving.
2. Hubertuswarte Observation Tower
This observation tower was built in 1927 and stands on the Kaltbründel hill, the highest point in the reserve at an altitude of 508 meters. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of all of Vienna and its surrounding villages.
Map:
3. Wiener Blick Lookout
This viewpoint is located in the part closer to the neighborhoods of Vienna, hence its name (“Vienna View”). You can go up and look out over the entire area from a height of 434 meters.
Map: [Placeholder for Map]
Restaurant in the Heart of the Reserve
For those who want to go deeper into the reserve, you can stop for lunch at the Hirschgstemm restaurant, located in the heart of the reserve. Hirschgstemm restaurant website
Other Essential Information for Visiting the Lainzer Tiergarten Nature Reserve
- Tip: It’s a good idea to download a Google Map in advance so you can use it when there is no reception inside the reserve.
- Opening Hours: The Lainzer Tor gate is open all year round. The gate is open from 8:00 AM until dusk.
- Costs: Free admission
- Address: Lainzer Tiergarten, 1130 Wien
How to get to the park by public transport?
The Lainzer Tor is the main entrance to the reserve. It can be reached via bus line 55A. To get there from the city center, take tram 60 or 62 and get off at Hermesstraße. From there, you can take the bus that will take you to the entrance of the reserve.
Map:
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