Autumn In Vienna

Born in Austria, raised in Africa, lived in Indonesia & Australia, studied in the US & is exploring the world.
@cookiesound

October 13, 2011 • Austria• 5 Comments • 24,092 Views

Things To Do In Vienna In Autumn.

It’s that time of the year again; the transition from summer to winter started as expected. Our summer here in Austria was more than strange but it seems like autumn will be as usual; a bit chilly with fresh air, clear sky and a sea of colourful trees. Yes, autumn really has arrived … and I’d like to share two of my favorite autumn spots/activities in (and around) Vienna:

  • Lainzer Tiergarten & Hermesvilla: The Lainzer Tiergarten used to be a hunting ground for the Habsburger. Today it’s a famous and well visited place for delightful excursions. What’s really lovely about this place is that your trip can either be topped with a yummy lunch/coffee at the café or a visit to the museum in the Hermesvilla (or both of course). Emperor Franz Josef I gave this chalet to his wife Empress Elisabeth (better known as “Sisi”) because she was a huge nature fan and wanted a place for her own. Not bad huh?
  • A walk in the Viennese Woods: I’m also a big nature fan and since I’m lucky (to also have a huge chalet … haha) to live near the Viennese Woods, a walk through this colorful setting is one of my favourite autumn activities.
With free entrance and up to 500.000 visitors each year, the Lainzer Tiergarten is a famous excursion destination for runners, walkers and families.
With free entrance and up to 500.000 visitors each year, the Lainzer Tiergarten is a famous excursion destination for runners, walkers and families.
If you're lucky, boars or deers will pass you way while walking through the Lainzer Tiergarten. Today it's home to about 900 wild boars, 220 fallow deer, approx. 700 mouflons, and 90 red deer.
If you’re lucky, boars or deers will pass you way while walking through the Lainzer Tiergarten. Today it’s home to about 900 wild boars, 220 fallow deer, approx. 700 mouflons, and 90 red deer.
I usually start my walk at the Lainzer Tor to the Hermesvilla. From here, you can continue up to the Hubertuswarte and Hirschgstemm, and from there to Pulverstampftor. The walk is about 10 km in long (2 - 2.5 hours) and a bit hilly.
I usually start my walk at the Lainzer Tor to the Hermesvilla. From here, you can continue up to the Hubertuswarte and Hirschgstemm, and from there to Pulverstampftor. The walk is about 10 km in long (2 – 2.5 hours) and a bit hilly.
The Lainzer Tiergarten was first created by Emperor Ferdinand I in 1561, when the area was fenced off by a wooden fence, to allow for a private hunting ground.
The Lainzer Tiergarten was first created by Emperor Ferdinand I in 1561, when the area was fenced off by a wooden fence, to allow for a private hunting ground.
In 1781, the wooden fence was replaced by a stone wall. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the hunting grounds became a public nature preserve, and have remained so ever since, with the exception of the time period of 1940 to 1955, when the entire grounds were closed.
In 1781, the wooden fence was replaced by a stone wall. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the hunting grounds became a public nature preserve, and have remained so ever since, with the exception of the time period of 1940 to 1955, when the entire grounds were closed.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric is a highly poisonous mushroom found all over the Vienna woods.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric is a highly poisonous mushroom found all over the Vienna woods.
Walking through the Vienna woods will give you heaps of amazing photo opportunities.
Walking through the Vienna woods will give you heaps of amazing photo opportunities.
You'll see all sorts of shapes...
Autumn at the Lainzer Tiergarten in Vienna, Austria.
We live in a little village just outside of western Vienna and are very lucky to have the Viennese woods right in front of our doorstep.
We live in a little village just outside of western Vienna and are very lucky to have the Viennese woods right in front of our doorstep.
The farmers around Vienna are preparing the fields for winter.
The farmers around Vienna are preparing the fields for winter…
...while the cows enjoy the last sun-rays.
…while the cows enjoy the last sun-rays.
As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. And this is why leaves change their colour.
As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees “know” to begin getting ready for winter. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. And this is why leaves change their colour.
5 Comments

Join the Discussion

“Things To Do In Vienna In Autumn.”

  1. Jürgen •

    wahnsinn.. sieht aus wie richtig tief am ländle, wenn man gute fotos machen kann

  2. Lim BC •

    Hi
    great shots of the autumn colours! We plan to go to Austria somewhere in the 3rd week of October (around 20th). Is this the best time to see the Autumn colours?
    Thanks n best regards

  3. Nisa •

    Hi Lim!
    Thanks so much for your comment. How long (and where) will you be in Austria?
    Anytime in October should be a perfect time to visit. The thing that’s really important for great autumn photos is that there’s no wind. This year (2012) for example, we had very strong winds that blew away all the leaves from the trees and therefore photos didn’t turn out as good as I wanted them… ON the contrary, the year before was really calm and I got so many wonderful photo opportunities :)
    Let me know if you need any other tips for your stay in Austria!
    Best, Nisa

  4. Life •

    Hi,

    How do I reach the Lainzer Tiergarten from Vienna? Is it safe to travel alone to this area? :)

    Rgds,
    Life

Leave a Comment

Explore Europe with us

Related Travel Stories

We have many more travel stories available, so just start exploring them right away.

Explore Europe