The green insiders’ tip in Vienna

Blumengärten Hirschstetten

Last week, my colleague Zlatko Sujeranovic, assistant head of reception at the Hotel Stefanie, introduced his home district and concluded by enthusiastically mentioning his personal highlight in the 22nd District. Fitting the theme of the slowly arriving summer, I’d like to lead you to an oasis of calm with a tremendous variety of plants and animals – more or less in the middle of a major city at that.

The Hirschstetten Flower Gardens are divided into various theme areas, all designed with great care.

Farm House

The respective plants are all labeled effectively, for those who like to know exactly. Alternatively, you can be enchanted by the different arrangements and relax for an hour or two.

On a voyage of discovery in the Hirschstetten Flower Gardens

Amongst other things, you’ll find an old farmhouse – with livestock – a wedding garden in which people really do get married, and a turtle garden, in which turtles are separated from visitors by only a low border and enjoy getting sunshine in their little realm.

Palms in Vienna

In addition, a prehistoric garden with a cave has been created, as well as a biotope and palm trees, and you’ll even arrive at a “beach,” a sand beach surrounding another biotope. Even if you’re tempted: swimming is not permitted!

A brief excursion to the tropics is possible, though. The Palmenhaus (please note its opening hours), always has tropical temperatures in which plants and animals feel especially good. “You need to have a bit of luck, however, to see a tree shrew, a saurian or a fruit bat,” Zlatko Sujeranovic admits with a smirk, “but the Palmenhaus in the Hirschstetten Flower Gardens is in my opinion more beautiful than the one near the Hofburg Palace!”

Wedding place

For a break in the meantime, there are several cafés in the Hirschstetten Flower Gardens, and if you’d like to dine somewhere nearby, Mr. Sujeranovic recommends the “Zum 100-er” wine tavern on Hirschstettner Strasse (only a 5-minute walk) or the Restaurant “Zur Krieger-Heimstätte” on Quadenstrasse 56 just 2-minute walk away from the main entrance.

Free admission

The gardens are currently (2019/2020) open from Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM;
in July and August on Saturday until 8:00 PM (closed Mondays!).

Beach

Take the U1 underground train to final stop, Kagranerplatz, then tram 26 towards Hausfeldstrasse, and get off at Spargelfeldstrasse. From there, take the north entrance to Oberfeldgasse. The main entrance is located at Quadenstrasse 15.

From June through October there are ongoing events at the Hirschstetten Flower Gardens, and during Christmastime there is a very beautiful Advent market – but more on that another time!

For now, let’s enjoy summer!