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Desert House: A Journey Through Arid Landscapes

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Explore the beauty and resilience of desert life at Vienna's Desert House in Schönbrunn Palace Park.

The Desert House (Wüstenhaus) in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Park offers a fascinating glimpse into the world's arid regions. Housing a diverse collection of desert flora and fauna, it showcases the unique adaptations of life in extreme environments, from quirky naked mole rats to rare Welwitschia plants.

A brief summary to Desert House

  • Monday 9 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the week to avoid weekend crowds.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the Schönbrunn Zoo, located nearby.
  • Check out the Desert House garden, open from May to September.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The Desert House is located in Schönbrunn Palace Park, near the Hietzing entrance. Take the U4 subway line to the Hietzing station. From there, it's a short walk to the Hietzing entrance of Schönbrunn Palace Park. The Desert House is located opposite the Palm House. A single ticket for public transport in Vienna costs €2.40.

  • Walking

    From the Schönbrunn Palace, walk towards the Hietzing gate. The Desert House is located near the Hietzing entrance, opposite the Palm House. The walk from the palace to the Desert House is approximately 10-15 minutes.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Vienna. A taxi from the city center (e.g., Stephansplatz) to Schönbrunn Palace costs approximately €14-€17. From the taxi drop-off point at Schönbrunn Palace, walk towards the Hietzing gate. The Desert House is located near the Hietzing entrance, opposite the Palm House.

  • Parking

    Parking is available near Schönbrunn Palace, but it can be limited. The parking area in front of Schönbrunn Palace charges €4.50 per hour. There is a maximum daily rate of €39. APCOA also operates a bus parking lot at Schönbrunn, with rates starting at €15 per hour and a maximum daily rate of €90. Garage Schlossallee Schönbrunn is another option, with hourly rates of €3.80 and a daily rate of €32.

Discover more about Desert House

Located in the Schönbrunn Palace Park, the Desert House (Wüstenhaus) provides an immersive experience of desert ecosystems. Originally built in 1904 by Emperor Franz Joseph I to house his collection of Australian and South African plants, the building was re-designed in 2000 to create the Desert House as a counterpart to the Rainforest House in the Vienna Zoo. The Desert House takes visitors on a journey through authentic desert landscapes from Central America to Madagascar. The exhibit showcases a variety of desert-dwelling creatures, including lizards, tortoises, birds, and small mammals. A highlight is the 70-meter-long maze of glass tubes occupied by a colony of naked mole rats. Visitors can also marvel at rare radiated tortoises and Gila monsters. The Desert House is also home to a collection of unusual plants, including two Welwitschias, rare and endangered desert plants that can live up to 2,000 years. The exhibit also features cuttings from the world's oldest pot plant. The Desert House is committed to providing an educational experience, exploring the survival strategies employed by desert flora and fauna.

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