Vienna’s Courtyards and Gardens: Hidden Gems in the City Centre

Vienna is most associated with culture, art and cafés. But do you ever think of the city as the perfect place to connect with nature? Well, Vienna has a way of surprising you, and some of its best-kept secrets are hiding in plain sight. There are gardens and courtyards tucked away in the most unexpected places where you can enjoy the peaceful side of the city – if you just know where to look.

While the palace is magnificent, the park at Schönbrunn is breathtaking. The beautifully landscaped gardens, the impressive fountains such as the one in the main courtyard (Ehrenhof) at the entrance and the charming statues all testify to Vienna's imperial history. An absolute highlight is the Gloriette on top of a hill, offering stunning views of the palace and the city, but if you want the perfect spot for some reflection, make sure to go to the forecourt outside the Orangery.

• Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna

If you're looking for a place that combines natural beauty, relaxation and family fun, head to this green spot in Vienna's 18th district. Hills, meadows and meandering paths invite you to take a stroll and marvel at the ponds, waterfalls and fountains dotted around the park. Exotic plants and ornamental trees from around the world make you feel like you're in a botanic paradise. And your kids will have a blast at one of the many playgrounds or the facilities for beach volleyball, football, basketball and skating.

• Hasenauerstraße, 1180 Vienna

These two gardens, just a short walk apart, are on either side of Heldenplatz square. Burggarten, right next to Hofburg Palace, is a leafy oasis that's home to a magnificent glasshouse with tropical plants and a butterfly house. It's also known for its monument to composer Mozart, in a small, hedge-lined courtyard in the park's southwest corner. We recommend coming in the early morning or late evening for some quiet time.

Volksgarten is a bit further up the Opernring, inviting you to a leisurely stroll through a quiet park that is a feast for the senses, especially when the roses in the gorgeous parterre are in bloom. We also love the Neoclassical Theseus Temple and the Triton and Nymph fountain. Contrast this elaborate fountain with the wholly contemporary water feature in the Museumsquartier courtyard, about 10 minutes' walk southwest, and one of Vienna's largest public spaces, with several excellent museums.

• Burggarten and Volksgarten, 1010 Vienna

You may ask yourself if you're in Versailles when you step into this 52-hectare Baroque garden, and for good reason: Augarten's design was inspired by the former royal residence just outside Paris. The manicured lawns, ornamental flower beds and shady avenues aren't the only reason to visit, though. This garden is a showcase of Viennese history and culture, with two flak towers from WWII as well as a school for the world-famous Vienna Boys' Choir and a porcelain factory. For a deeper dive into local culture and history, book a stay at Hotel Mercure Wien City, just 10 minutes on foot from Augarten and inspired by the early-20th-century Vienna Workshop design movement. 

• Obere Augartenstraße, 1020 Vienna

If you're an art lover, you'll have heard of the Belvedere museums, but the next time you're in Vienna make sure you spend just as much time in the stunning gardens that connect the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces and courtyards. You'll be treated to carefully tended lawns, graceful fountains and elegant statues on three terraces. And that's just the main garden, or Schlossgarten. A smaller one, Kammergarten, which was once the private garden of 17th-century field marshal Prince Eugene, spans two terraces and shows the Baroque axial design at its most impressive.

• Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna

Nestled in the historic Sünnhof passage in the city's east, this hidden gem of a courtyard bar in the elegant Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier Wien is a lovely spot to unwind. The passage itself dates back to the 19th century, with the arches and gently curving lines that characterise Art Nouveau architecture. It was once a hotspot for artists and musicians, and amid the quaint cobblestones, wrought-iron lamps and vibrant flowerbeds, you can connect with the city's creative spirit.

These gardens and courtyards are peaceful, magical and just what you need to recharge. Keen to find more hidden gems in Vienna? Discover our guide to the city's lesser-known palaces.