The origins of the Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) can be traced to Emperor Francis I's menagerie, founded in 1752 and the oldest continually-operating zoo in the world.
With many of its original Baroque buildings still intact, it's one of the most pleasant zoos in Europe to visit, particularly if you spend a little time seeking refreshment in the original 18th-century Imperial Breakfast Pavilion that now houses a great café.
A highlight of the zoo's more than 750 species are its giant pandas, including cubs, as well as the many fascinating creatures housed in the interactive Rainforest House and Aquarium.
