12 Things to Do with Kids in Vienna

Vienna is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its imperial air with grand palaces and baroque architecture are some of the virtues that make it a special destination. Perhaps, because of this, you may think that Vienna is more of a destination for adults. However, it has a wide range of activities for children.

Many tourist attractions and museums have specific programmes for children. In addition, you will find a museum dedicated exclusively to children, an amusement park, large playgrounds and many more options that make it a highly recommended family destination.

In the immense gardens of the Royal Palace of Schönbrunn there are spaces where children can play and enjoy themselves more than adults.

One of them is the Schoenbrunn Zoo, considered to be the oldest zoo in the world and the best in Europe. It was Emperor Franz I who ordered a menagerie to be built in the palace gardens in 1752. Since then it has been home to thousands of species of animals and has been visited by millions of people.

If you book your ticket to Schoenbrunn Zoo Vienna, the little ones will especially enjoy the more than 700 species of animals in the zoo, including the famous family of pandas, African elephants, rhinoceroses and tigers among many others. There are shows of all kinds where children can interact directly with some of the animals. It is, without a doubt, an ideal place to spend a family day out.

With so many palaces, museums and monuments, it's not uncommon for the little ones to get bored at some point. It's always a good idea to reward them with activities that they will enjoy 100%, and what better place to do that than an amusement park? In the huge Prater park in the east of Vienna, you will find a complete amusement park with the same name as the park itself.

The main attraction of the Vienna Prater is a giant Ferris wheel, so be sure to book your ticket for Wiener Riesenrad, which is its official name. Built in 1897, it is 65 metres high and offers one of the best panoramic views of the entire city. In addition to the Ferris wheel, there are roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, bumper cars and all kinds of rides to suit all tastes. Tickets cost around 10 euros, a reasonable price for a fun family day out.

Another popular activity for children is a visit to Vienna's famous riding school. Known as the Spanische Hofreitschule, or Spanish Riding School, this is one of the most prestigious places in terms of horse training. You can visit the facilities and watch the horse shows that take place every week.

The place is very particular as it has the elegant decoration of an opera house but with the sand surface where the horses train together with their riders. The show jumping and dressage is very popular, so if you decide to see it as a family it is best to book your ticket as soon as possible. You can also enjoy training at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The little ones at home are sure to be thrilled with the experience.

I recommend that you book your visit to Schönbrunn Palace as soon as possible because it is one of Vienna' s main palaces and one of the most visited spots in the city. In this huge complex you can visit the palace rooms and gardens and there is a special programme for children so that they can enjoy the visit in a unique way.

To give an insight into the way of life of the Habsburgs, the royal family that occupied the palace, there is a place near the entrance where children can dress up in period costumes. In addition to dressing up as real nobles, they will also have a great time preparing a table worthy of an imperial dinner and many other didactic activities with which they will learn as well as have a great time.

Vienna is also famous for its sweet desserts, with Sacher Cake being the most popular dish in the city. But there are many other desserts and sweet dishes that will sweeten the trip for children, and adults of course. In addition to visiting the Sacher Hotelwhere they serve the legendary cake, I recommend you to go to the Demel bakery, one of the most famous in the city, where they sell the best sweets in Vienna.

Another obligatory stop if you love sweets and especially ice cream is Zanoni & Zanoni where they have the best ice cream in Vienna as well as a pastry area.

And if you want to take them to a place they'll love, be sure to book a menu for the Hard Rock Cafe in Vienna

Animals, dinosaurs, minerals and precious stones... All of these things tend to captivate children and even more so if they are allowed to interact and learn from and with them. So be sure to book your ticket to the Natural History Museum. Considered one of the best museums in Vienna, it houses an exhibition of more than 20 million objects, minerals and remains of living beings brought together under one roof at the initiative of the Habsburgs.

In this museum there are temporary exhibitions and permanent collections focused on children's learning in a fun and entertaining way. The collection of fossils and dinosaurs is usually their favourite, although there is something for everyone.

It is a perfect place to visit with the whole family, as adults will enjoy it just as much and will especially appreciate the value of some of its gems, such as the famous Venus of Willendorf, which has its home in the Natural History Museum of Vienna.

The fun at Schönbrun Palace Gardens doesn't end with a visit to the zoo. There are also green areas that are especially attractive for children. In the same gardens there is a playground with a fun maze surrounded by hedges and fountains for extra charm. Getting lost in the Labyrinthikon, as the park is known, is especially entertaining for the little ones.

Please note that this park in the palace gardens is only open at certain times of the year, from March to early November.

The Zoom Museum is a place designed exclusively for children, which makes it a must for the little ones if you visit Vienna. The museum's programme and activities are constantly changing, but always offer different options for different age groups.

All activities focus on the senses and range from hand-painting to music workshops and games. All of them are led by qualified art teachers to entertain and teach children. The museum's activities have limited places and are in high demand, so it is advisable to book in advance.

Another place that often makes a special impression on children, but also on adults, is the House of Butterflies. In Vienna it is known as the Schmetterlinghaus and is a butterfly house with a large collection of chrysalises and butterflies, the latter fluttering freely inside.

Seeing hundreds of butterflies flying in unison is always a beautiful experience, but if you are lucky one of them may land on you and act as an improvised "guide" to this magical place. Another attraction are the chrysalises which, if you are lucky, you can watch as they open and give way to another butterfly. It is located between the Albertina Museum and Burggarten Park on Josefsplatz.

Another museum worth visiting with children is the House of the Sea. The building houses numerous freshwater and saltwater aquariums with thousands of marine species on display with themed areas and fun activities. Highlights include the 360-degree shark tunnel, the crocodile area, and the recreations of the coral areas. There are activities for children and not so children, such as the possibility of diving with sharks or feeding them, as well as shows and guided tours.

Apart from the aquariums and marine animals, another of the attractions of this place is its rooftop terrace. On the eleventh floor of the tower that houses the House of the Sea there is a restaurant and bar with 360º views of the city of Vienna. The viewing platform can be visited in addition to the zoo and the restaurant.

The Marionettentheater, or Marionette Theatre, is famous throughout Vienna and the rest of Europe for its performances with particularly realistic and carefully crafted puppets.

The theatre belongs to Schönbrunn Palace and hosts performances of such well-known plays as Hansel and Gretel, Aladdin, Pinocchio or its special play The Secret of Sissi about the famous empress of Austria.

The décor of the theatre itself will leave you spellbound, but you can't pass up the opportunity to see one of their plays if you're travelling with the family. The main performances are in several languages, although for the visual value alone it is not a prerequisite that you understand the language of the play.

Vienna's historic centre is one of the most beautiful and complete of all European capitals. In its streets there are countless monuments to see, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Town Hall or the Opera House, which you must see. Because it is so large, walking through it can be a bit of a chore for children, although there is a special way of walking through it that is sure to change the attitude of the little ones at home.

You can do it in the typical fiaker, a traditional horse-drawn carriage inherited from the aristocracy of the Austrian capital. These carriages allow adults to enjoy the sights of the city while the children have a unique experience. You can choose from several routes of varying distances and lengths and these carriages depart mainly from the Stephansdom or Michaelerplatz squares.

Now you know the best things to do in Austria's capital with children, it's time to get out your pen and paper and jot down some tips if you're travelling to Vienna with children :

• Public transport in the city is free for children under the age of 6.
• Most of the main tourist attractions are also free for children under 6, with a few exceptions.
• Many of the city's museums are free for children under 18.
• If you get the Vienna Pass, which I recommend, transport and many museums and monuments are included and free for children under 15.
• Most tourist attractions have family ticket packages, so be sure to ask at the ticket office.
• Gastronomy can also be an attraction for children. Breaded steaks known as schnitzel, sausages and sweets such as Sacher cake are favourites with the little ones. Restaurants do not usually have children's menus, but smaller portions for children are available.