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Desert House: A Journey Through Arid Landscapes

Explore the beauty and resilience of desert life in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Park. Discover unique plants and animals from around the globe.

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The Desert House (Wüstenhaus) in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Park offers a fascinating glimpse into the world's arid ecosystems. Housing a diverse collection of desert flora and fauna from regions spanning Central America to Madagascar, it showcases the unique adaptations of life in extreme environments.

A brief summary to Desert House

Local tips

  • Visit during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience with the exhibits.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Schönbrunn Zoo and Palm House for a full day of botanical and zoological exploration.
  • Don't miss the naked mole rat exhibit, a unique and fascinating display of these social creatures.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From central Vienna, take the U4 metro line to the Schönbrunn station. From the station, walk approximately 400 meters to the Schönbrunn Palace grounds. Follow signs within the park to the Desert House, located opposite the Palm House and next to the Hietzing entrance. A single metro ticket costs €2.40.

  • Walking

    From the Schönbrunn Palace main entrance, walk through the gardens towards the Hietzing entrance. The Desert House is located near the Hietzing entrance, opposite the Palm House. The walk from the main palace building takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Take a taxi or ride-sharing service directly to the Hietzing Gate entrance of Schönbrunn Palace. From there, the Desert House is a short walk away. A taxi from Vienna city center will cost approximately €20-€30, depending on traffic.

  • Driving

    Drive to Schönbrunn Palace and park in the parking area in front of the palace. Parking costs €3.90 per hour, up to a maximum of €39 per day. From the parking area, walk towards the Hietzing entrance; the Desert House will be on your right, opposite the Palm House.

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Discover more about Desert House

Located in the Schönbrunn Palace Park, the Desert House (Wüstenhaus) provides an immersive experience of desert life. Originally built in 1904 by Emperor Franz Joseph I to house his collection of Australian and South African plants, the building was transformed in 2004 into a desert exhibit showcasing the flora and fauna of arid regions around the world. The Desert House takes visitors on a journey through authentic desert landscapes, from the deserts of Central America to those of Madagascar. The route is lined with cacti and succulents, and is home to various desert dwellers, including lizards, tortoises, small mammals, birds, and fish. A highlight is the 70-meter-long maze of glass tubes occupied by a colony of naked mole rats. In 2024, a new paradise was created for the Aldabra giant tortoises. Visitors can observe these creatures as they eat, soak, or seek shelter in a rock niche. The Desert House is committed to providing an educational experience, exploring the survival strategies employed by desert flora and fauna.

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