Explore Palmenhaus Schönbrunn Vienna: Grand Historic Glasshouse and Botanical Collection

Discover the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, one of Europe's largest palm houses, located in the Schönbrunn Palace gardens. This historic glasshouse, commissioned in 1882, shelters a vast collection of Mediterranean, tropical, and subtropical plants, including a 350-year-old olive tree and giant water lilies.

Opened in 1882 by Emperor Franz Joseph, the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn is an impressive structure within the Schönbrunn Palace park, renowned as one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It is constructed with approximately 45,000 glass panes and features a length of 111 meters, covering a ground area of 2,500 square meters and a glass surface area of 4,900 square meters. The Palmenhaus is thoughtfully divided into three distinct pavilions and three climate zones, interconnected by tunnel-like passages. Each section houses specific flora: one area displays plants from the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, South Africa, America, and Australia, while another is dedicated to species from China, Japan, the Himalayas, and New Zealand. The third area is home to tropical and subtropical plants, maintained at temperatures between eight and 17 degrees Celsius. Notable specimens include a Spanish olive tree estimated to be around 350 years old, a palm tree reaching 23 meters in height, and, during spring and summer, the world's largest water lily with a significant leaf diameter of 1.20 meters.

Admission to the Palmenhaus is available separately or as part of a combination ticket that includes the Desert House and Schönbrunn Zoo. General admission is €9, with a €1 saving when using the Vienna City Card. Opening hours vary seasonally, generally from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, with the last admission half an hour before closing.