Since Vienna is a large capital city, I haven't seen many wild animals wandering around. Most of the animals I encounter are the ones you might expect in a city: lots and lots of pigeons, which seem to be everywhere, especially in parks and public squares. I have also spotted a few squirrels running around the trees.
Interestingly, the squirrels here look a little different from the ones you might see in the United States. In Vienna, as in much of Europe, squirrels are usually reddish-brown, with smaller bodies and little tufts of fur on their ears. In North America, many people are more familiar with larger gray squirrels. I always enjoy spotting the little red ones darting between the trees!
Vienna is also home to a very famous zoo: Schönbrunn Zoo, which is actually the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world! It opened in 1752, originally as a private collection of animals for the imperial family who lived at Schönbrunn Palace. Today, it is home to hundreds of different animal species, including giant pandas, elephants, giraffes and penguins. I haven't had the chance to visit yet, but I am hoping to go soon!
Although Vienna is a large city, there are actually some wonderful places to explore the outdoors in and around the city! On Vienna's outskirts, there are several well-marked hiking routes called Stadtwanderwege, or “city hiking trails.” One particularly beautiful route leads up to Kahlenberg, a hill surrounded by vineyards and forests, with spectacular views over the Danube River and the city below.
