best schonbrunn palace tour

The 5 Best Schönbrunn Palace Tours [2024 Reviews]

I’m a huge fan of Baroque architecture, so one of the places I knew I absolutely knew I had to visit during my last trip to Europe was the Schönbrunn Palace.

It’s known as one of the continent’s most beautiful Baroque complexes but is full of history. Owned by the Habsburgs since the 1500s, countless movies have been filmed here, and even Mozart performed here in the late 1700s!

I’ve gone ahead and carefully compiled a list of the 5 top Schönbrunn Palace tours available, that are well worth the time and money. Let’s get started!

Best Schönbrunn Palace Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best rated schönbrunn palace tours for 2024.

• Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert
• Private Tour: Half-Day History of Schönbrunn Palace
• Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens
• Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour
• Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide

Schönbrunn Palace Tour Reviews

1. exclusive evening at schönbrunn palace: after-hours audiotour, dinner, concert.

• Duration:  5 hours
• Departure: Schonbrunn Palace, Schlosstrasse 47, Vienna 1130
• Departure Time: 5:15 PM
• Includes:  Access to Schönbrunn Palace after official Opening Hours, Self-guided audio tour of Schönbrunn, Palace 3-course dinner within walking distance from Palace Concert in Orangery (choose from different seating options), Glass of sparkling wine at intermission (VIP and Category A seating only)

Starting things off on the right foot, we have the longest tour of its kind: clocking in at 5 hours, it is so much more than seeing the palace.

The Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert  is not only an incredible experience on its own, but it makes for the perfect date-night activity! Vienna has a rich, internationally renowned art scene, and this tour perfectly exemplifies that.

Tour start times do vary, but I found that it was easy to access a time that fit nicely into my nearly full itinerary. Quite possibly the only thing I would’ve changed about this tour is that it didn’t include a hotel pickup and drop-off so we had to meet there at the palace.

However, if you’re really looking to experience Austrian culture in a relatively quick-yet-comprehensive experience, this is it. Once at the former Habsburg summer residence, you’ll head inside and start an audio tour on your smartphone which I actually surprisingly liked!

It’s one of the better audio tours I’ve taken and allowed us to self-guide and really go at our own pace through the guest apartments and Emperor Franz Joseph’s quarters.

Expand To See More See Less

After strolling around these breathtaking corridors, we headed to a restaurant a couple of blocks from the Palace to enjoy a delectable 3-course meal of traditional Austrian dishes before heading to the Orangery Schönbrunn.

Once at the Orangery, it was time to sit down and relax while enjoying a classical music concert, which was quite striking!

We were able to select between the different ticket categories, where we listened to the phenomenal Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra, along with a soprano, baritone, and 2 ballet dancers.

During the intermission, it was great to chat about what we’d experienced and sip on a glass of sparkling wine – truly felt fantastically Austrian!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. private tour: half-day history of schönbrunn palace.

• Duration:  3 hours
• Departure:  Hotel pickup and drop-off included
• Departure Time: 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM
• Includes: Private guide, skip the line access

This next tour is a bit shorter than the previous option, as it doesn’t include the dinner and the orchestral performance.

However, what it does offer is a personalized experience with a professional guide who will take you through some of the most marvelous aspects of Austria’s past and present.

The Private Tour: Half-Day History of Schönbrunn Palace is far from a cookie-cutter tour with information that anyone could relay.

This is definitely one of the more “upscale” tours, so instead of being crowded into a bus or van, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and it’ll just be you and the rest of your party.

Our travel to the palace was quite lighthearted and fun, with the guide instantly feeling like one of my longtime friends who just happens to be local to Vienna. Upon arrival to the palace, my little architecture-buff self was blown away at the exquisite example of Baroque architecture!

We started our tour off at the palace’s gardens, which is also a perfect example of Baroque landscaping, complete with meticulously manicured flowerbeds, a massive Gloriette arch on a hilltop, and fantastic views of Vienna’s woods.

Throughout our explorations, our guide regaled us with fun anecdotes, interesting history facts, and more specifically, military history relating back to the palace.

I didn’t know much about the Habsburg’s political and cultural strongarm before, but I was certainly enthralled with all that they were telling us!

Once inside the palace, we walked through many different chambers practically dripping in riches! The Rococo design of the opulent ‘Millions Room’, as well as the fantastic aesthetics of the Porcelain Room really gave insight into how this dynasty lived.

While the palace alone was impressive, our guide really made the history of the place come alive thanks to their knowledge and passion – highly recommended!

3. Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens

• Duration:  1 to 2 hours
• Departure: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien
• Departure Time: Between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Includes:  Schonbrunn Palace Tour with Garden led by 5-Stars Guide with Austrian Official Licensed Tour of Schonbrunn Garden, Gloriette Hill, Schonbrunn, Palace exterior, Skip-the-line tickets for Highlight Tour in Schonbrunn Palace (in 2-hour option)

I know that a lot of people like myself like to really cram in as much as possible if it’s their first time to a city. This can make things a bit challenging, but this is one of those tours that I find easy to fit into a busy schedule.

The Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens  comes with a 1-hour and 2-hour tour options that let you get to know the Palace and its history without spending all day there.

This tour doesn’t come with a hotel pickup, so you’ll come straight to the palace with your group to not waste any time.

The next step will depend on the tour option you select: the 2-hour option includes a trip to the impressive palace gardens and up Gloriette Hill, where its massive arch sits looming over the rest of the scenery.

The 2-hour selection also includes convenient Skip-the-Line tickets, so you won’t waste any time queuing up and waiting your turn.

While it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, I was still thoroughly taken aback by just how much beauty and art can be exhibited in one, expansive place.

Our tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, telling us all about how it started off as a hunting lodge, and was even where Marie Antoinette was born! That’s particularly interesting, considering that the palace was actually modeled after Versailles!

Our tour went through over 25 Imperial rooms, and even though the palace holds over 1,400 rooms, these were still amazing. Dating back to 1569, you can imagine just how many awe-inspiring stories have taken place here.

I’ll admit that I’m not often impressed by wealth and opulence, but it’s pretty much impossible not to be affected by this amazing place!

4. Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour

• Duration:  2 hours
• Departure:  Schönbrunn, 1130 Wien, Austria
• Departure Time: 10:30 AM
• Includes:  Skip-the-Line entry, tour Schönbrunn Palace, professional guide, headsets to hear guide clearly

While the other tour did include a 1-hour tour option, I always recommend to people that they take the full tour, including the garden.

The Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour  will show you exactly why you won’t regret paying a bit extra for that outdoor access!

You’ll get to follow in the footsteps of countless emperors, empresses, and other people of influence over these grounds and inside the palace walls!

This is yet another tour that does not include a hotel pickup, but I don’t really find it necessary when it’s not all that difficult to find one’s way to Schönbrunn Palace. If you’ll be traveling with the entire family – particularly with young kids to teenagers – I recommend this tour.

The guide was very engaging, and made sure that we had not one moment to even think about being bored!

Before we entered the palace, our guide told us fascinating stories of the palace, including its beginning as a hunting lodge, its architectural influences, and much more.

I’d read a bit about the palace beforehand, but I feel like what they told us went far beyond anything I could’ve Googled or read in a history book.

I feel like I got a really accurate concept of the Austrian monarch hundreds of years back, in a way that’s both respectful and entertaining.

This tour is great because it includes Skip-the-Line entry, which saves a ton of time as the queues at the palace (especially during the weekends and summer season) can get very lengthy. I mean, they even let us skip the line at the baggage storing station!

We were able to marvel at the architecture both on the inside and outside, the royal history involved, and the artwork indoors.

5. Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Departure:  Group Center Schönbrunn, Schloss, 1130 Wien, Austria
• Includes:  Guided tour

Something that I’ve noticed about many tours around the world, is that they’re conducted by people who may not actually be experts on the subject they’re touring.

With the Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide , that’s not really something I have to worry about as they only allow professional historians to conduct the tours!

Lasting anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours, this tour went far beyond the typical facts that you’ll learn about the Palace online or from your average tour.

Something else I really appreciated about this option was that they only allowed a maximum of 6 group participants, which made it easy to ask questions and have a more personalized experience.

We started off by meeting our guide right at the palace, and it did come with many different tour start options so you don’t have to worry about it being difficult to fit into your itinerary.

It is important to note that the tour price does  not  include the price of the entrance tickets, so make sure you keep this in mind beforehand.

This tour starts off with the formal garden tour, where we were able to see the perfectly taken care of flowers and plants, along with the impressive Gloriette arch perched on top of a hill overlooking the ominous forests.

It made a lot of sense when they told us that the palace was originally used as a hunting lodge, and we started to become more familiar with Franz Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth (Sisi).

We then entered the palace, exploring the Rococo-style state rooms, the Great Gallery, the Yellow Salon, and Franz Joseph’s private suite.

Empress Maria Theresa had an equally as interesting story, and we were able to learn all about her while venturing through some of her most beloved rooms and quarters.

The Hall of Ceremonies was quite a sight to see, along with the Gobelin Salon, the Feketin Room, and her music room, where Mozart performed at 6 years old.

It’s hard to wrap your head around the vast amount of history that’s taken place inside these walls, but it’s quite a ride learning about it!

Tour Guides

The Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert is our Editors Choice for the best Schönbrunn Palace tour

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

Europe ‎ > ‎ Austria ‎ > Vienna   >  Schonbrunn Palace Tours  

Top 10 Vienna Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Vienna

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Ring Tram Tour
• Schönbrunn Palace
• More Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helfpful Visitor Tips
• Suggested Itineraries

Schönbrunn Palace Tours:

Location :  Western Vienna Getting Here :  Take the U4 Metro right to Schönbrunn‎ Visiting Hours :  April-June 8:30am-5:30pm; July & August 8:30am-6:30pm; September & October 8:30am-5:30pm; November-March 8:30am-4:30pm; Grounds open Dawn-Dusk Admission Cost : Most of the outside grounds are free, but tours are required for the Palace interior which the quick Imperial Tour at 14.20€ and full Grand Tour for 17.50€ ( buy here ).  The Sisi Combo ticket for 29.90€ is also a great deal and explained below. Zoo Hours :  The Tiergarten Zoo’s hours follow closely to that of the palace and costs 14€ for adults, 6€ for children. Fun Scale : 9.7 out of 10

The huge 1,441 room Schonbrunn Palace is one of the very best estates in Europe and shows the might of the former Hapsburg ruling family. Established in the early-1700s you can tour dozens of the lavish rooms, stroll the beautiful grounds, walk behind a waterfall, see the exceptional Museum of Carriages, and even visit the World’s oldest continuously run zoo. Make sure Schonbrunn is on the top of your Vienna must see list!

History Of Schönbrunn Palace:

As far as European palaces go, Schönbrunn is the only one that is in the same league as France’s Versailles.  The grounds of the current Palace have been used since the Middle Ages, but it was in 1569 when the  Hapsburg royal family  took control of the grounds that is officially turned into a royal property.  For the first 200 years the Hapsburg’s owned the property each heir would tinker with the grounds, but none of them ever finished building true Estate.

By the early 1700’s  Emperor Charles VI  starting using the property as a Summer hunting lodge since the grounds were heavily wooded 4 miles from central Vienna, but still no Palace…  It wasn’t until Emperor Charles VI gifted the residence to his daughter  Maria Theresa  in the mid-1700’s that the Estate started to blossom.  Maria Theresa decided to finish the grounds as a true Palace and added many fascinating features like a huge garden, the mighty  Neptune Fountain , a theater, a festive zoo, beautiful galleries, along with opulent fixtures from Chinese lacquer panels, murals, and colorful wallpapers.  These renovations gave the estate its name Schönbrunn Palace, meaning beautiful fountain/spring.  When Maria Theresa died in 1780, Schönbrunn Palace again fell to the wayside of the uninterested Royal family and was even occupied by  French Emperor Napoleon  twice in 1805 and 1809.

The Palace finally began to start hitting its potential in 1853 when Emperor Franz Joseph I , who was born in the Palace in 23 years earlier, married Elizabeth of Bavaria.  Elizabeth, who was known as  Sisi,  had a very keen eye for design and the motivation to spruce Schönbrunn Palace up better than ever.  Elizabeth quickly came to be beloved by the people of Austria for her individual sense of freedom and how beautiful she was.  In a moment of perfect timing during Sisi’s revamping of Schönbrunn Palace, Austria and Hungary joined as one empire in 1867 giving her an unlimited budget for remodeling any way she wanted.  During the remodeling, the Hapsburg’s built ornate carriages as well as a series of stately  Imperial Apartments .  Schönbrunn Palace even got its current yellow look thanks to a new coat of paint.  Although it may seem that the gold paint was meant to be bold, it was actually used because it was the cheapest color of paint available.  It turns out that even empresses with unlimited budgets can still care about making thrifty decisions.

Toward the end of her life, Sisi spent more time at the Palace of Gödöllő in Hungary, but she definitely left her mark on Schönbrunn Palace and the people of Austria.  Sadly the Empress was assassinated in 1898 at the age of 60  in Switzerland.  Her husband Franz Joseph I outlived Sisi by another 18 years becoming the  longest ruling Austrian royal ever  at almost 68 years on the throne.  His death in 1916 led to the end of the monarchy in Austria just two years later.

Since the height of the Hapsburg Dynasty, Schönbrunn has survived many political changes and even a  WWII bomb  that crashed through 3 floors but failed to explode.  Today the giant 1,441 room palace has 40 rooms available to visit with a paid guided tour and pristine grounds that can be seen for free.  Inside the rooms had been renovated to look like Maria Theresa and Sissi had just spruced them up yesterday.  Our favorite places to see are the Small Gallery where the WWII Bomb crashed through, Neptune’s Fountain where you can walk behind a waterfall,  Tiergarten Zoo  from 1752 which is now the World’s oldest zoo, and the beautiful carriage museum.

Guided Tours Of The Palace:

While you can tour the outer grounds for free, you really need to join a guided tour not only to take it in, but to better understand Vienna’s royal history.  Tours are available daily and can get really busy as it seems to be on everyone’s to-do list.  To avoid large crowds the best times to go are before 9am, between Noon-2pm, or after 4pm.  Please note that the tours start at the top of every hour and you will want to be in line at least 30 minutes early.

The 50-60 minute long  Grand Tour  ( 17.50€ for adults, 11.50€ for kids,  buy HERE ) is the best option because you are allowed to see all 40 of the possible viewable rooms and the tour guides themselves are the most entertaining.  In comparison, the 20-30 minute  Imperial Tours  is a quick version where you only see 22 of the rooms.  While sometimes you can walk right into the palace and a buy a ticket, we recommend getting your tickets ahead of time because of the usual long lines.

To skip the lines and get a mobile-friendly ticket you can  buy HERE , but note they will sell out in the busy season so buy early.  If you are also visiting the Hofburg Palace and Imperial Furniture Collection you can get a combo  Sisi Ticke t also with a Schönbrunn Grand Tour for 29.90€  here .

Museum Of Carriages:

Often overlooked is the exceptional  Museum of Carriages or Wagenburg  ( website )   located in on the Schönbrunn Palace grounds.  The highlights of the Carriage Collection include the gilded “Imperial Carriage,” the Golden Carousel Carriage of Maria Theresia, the Child’s Phaeton of Napoleon’s son, the Black Hearse of the Viennese court, the personal Landaulet of Empress Elisabeth and the only preserved Court Automobile of 1914.

Daily Hours : November-April 10am-4pm & May-October 9am-6pm.   Cost : 6€ (5€ with Vienna Card), 3€ Guided Tour, 2€ Audio Tour.   Photos : ( Collection ).

WWII Bombing:

During WWII a lot of Vienna’s buildings were hit by massive bombs and Schönbrunn Palace was no exception.  A large aerial bomb crashed through the beautiful ceiling of the small gallery, but luckily failed to explode leaving the building intact for us to visit today.

Featured Article

Sign Up For Our Newsletter For Free Travel Tips

Email Address *

Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

  [An * means an affiliate relationship; see footer] City guide | Search the site | April tips

Visiting Vienna

Schönbrunn Grand Tour highlights

The Imperial tour of Schönbrunn Palace ends in the glorious Hall of Ceremonies. But a self-guided Grand tour ticket lets you discover even more Habsburg opulence in rooms carrying the heady scent of historical significance.

• Takes you into numerous extra rooms
• Includes those likely used by Napoleon
• Look for the Vieux-Laque Room
• Book a Schönbrunn concert, tour & more *
• Palace tours overview & ticket tips
• Schönbrunn overview & visitor tips

Is the Grand Tour worth it?

(Schönbrunn Palace, Vieux-Laque room © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. – Alexander Eugen Koller)

The Grand tour takes you through all the rooms of the Imperial tour of the palace and then into another set of interior locations of equal magnificence.

This extended self-guided tour only costs a little more (an extra €5 at the time of writing), but adds another 13 rooms or so. So, as I mentioned on the tour overview page , I’d definitely recommend doing the full Grand option if you have the time.

Here are my pick of the highlights from my own trip around these additional chambers…

• Right at the start (still in the Hall of Ceremonies where the Imperial tour ends) is the grand painting of wedding celebrations with the fake Mozart . Just in case you thought picture manipulation was a modern invention.
• For another encounter with great moments in world history, enter the Blue Chinese Salon . Just over a hundred years ago, the last Emperor (Karl I) stood here and agreed to give up any role in government following the defeat of Austria-Hungary in WWI.

This scene brought an end to a monarchy that had ruled Vienna and various dominions throughout Europe for hundreds of years.

(Find tickets and experience options for the palace and zoo)

• Perhaps my favourite location: the Vieux-Laque Room (see photo above). Empress Maria Theresa redecorated it in honor of her late husband.

The artistry is breathtaking, but the chamber also reveals a rarely-seen side of the monarchy.

You get the sense that here was not an Empress at all, but simply a woman in love with a man whose death in 1765 affected her deeply. A reminder that wealth and power offer no protection from loss and grief.

• Back to history and the Napoleon Room , with no prizes for who likely stayed here. Napoleon based himself at Schönbrunn during his occupation of Vienna in the early 19th century.

Echoes of Napoleon’s stay resonate around the city.

For example, the Burggarten owes its existence to his army’s truculent and destructive withdrawal and his carriage sits in the Wagenburg . His second wife (Marie Louise – daughter of the Austrian emperor) lies in the Kapuzinergruft crypt. And their son’s rather ornate cot resides in the Imperial Treasury .

You can even find the coat Napoleon wore when he left for exile on Elba in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum . Vienna is full of these kinds of historical mementoes.

(Rooms related to Empress Maria Theresa form a strong theme in the additional rooms on the Grand Tour. Image courtesy of the Rijksmuseum)

• The walls in the Porcelain Room may look like, well, porcelain, but are actually drawings on wood.

Quite apart from the beauty of the illusion, the panelling includes remarkably-decent paintings (at least to my untrained eye) by Empress Maria Theresa’s children. In fact, royal paintings, drawings, and artistry appear throughout the tour.

• The extremely rare and valuable East Indian rosewood panelling and embedded Indo-Persian miniatures explain the name of the Millions Room .
• The Rich Room contains a bed which stands at the opposite end of the scale to the simple piece of furniture Franz Joseph died in (see the Imperial Tour ). The bed of state was made for Empress Maria Theresa and intended for ceremonial purposes.

(Aside: you know you’ve made it in life when you have a bed for purely ceremonial purposes. The only question I have, though, is quite what that involves. The annual Changing of the Sheets? Or something formal around the efforts required to ensure an heir?)

And that’s just about it for your tour of Schönbrunn Palace. It may be the highlight of a trip to Schönbrunn, but by no means the only one: try some more suggested activities .

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Data Privacy Policy

The protection of your data is important to us! All data is encrypted and transmitted securely with an SSL protocol. You can read our privacy policy HERE .

Imperial Tour – Schönbrunn Palace

• The Imperial Tour takes in the apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth and the south-facing reception rooms looking out onto the palace gardens.
• The private apartments of the last imperial couple to reside at Schönbrunn allow you an insight into their lives, particularly into that of the famous Empress Elisabeth, while also giving you an opportunity to admire the 18th and 19th century interiors.

We would like you to pay attention to the following offer:

The Grand Tour of the palace includes forty rooms. As well as the state rooms and private apartments of the imperial couple Franz Joseph and Elisabeth you will also see the precious eighteenth-century interiors from the ...

Group Reservations

For your private group (minimum of 10) you can make a firm booking to tour Schönbrunn Palace. The  bookings team will check the time slot you have booked and depending on availability will send you an email by return to confirm the booking.

Reserved tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes prior to admission time.

Find the form HERE .

Description

At home with Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth

On the Imperial Tour you’ll first explore the apartments of Franz Joseph, whose private rooms were furnished with an astonishing lack of pomp, and the suite occupied by his famous wife Sisi with its beautiful textile wall hangings and upholstery. Immerse yourself in the extravagant grandeur of the Great Gallery, the exotic charm of the ‘Chinese Cabinets’ and the magnificence of the Hall of Ceremonies.

Duration c. 30-40 mins

Ticket- Details

This ticket does not include a guided tour, valid for single admission.

Audio guides or printed descriptions for the palace are available free of charge in sixteen languages depending on availability. You will be offered these at the beginning of the tour.

Concessions are only available at the museum ticket desks.

Free admission for children under 6.

  P lease note : if you take advantage of a reduction in the price of admission, proof of entitlement to this concession must be produced on admission. If the reduction has been claimed without entitlement the ticket will be automatically invalidated.

Students (up to and including age 25 ) must produce a valid student identity card (ISIC) together with a ticket on admission.

Concessions are  also  available at the museum ticket desks .

Please note

Selected times of admission are binding! If you turn up late your ticket will no longer be valid.

The use of tripods, selfie sticks or similar photographic or video equipment is prohibited at the museum, as is the use of flash and similar forms of lighting.

Opening hours

Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, including public holidays!

1 September 2022 to 31 March 2023 I 9.00 am–5.00 pm

1 April to 2 November 2023 I 8.30 am–5.30 pm

3 November 2023 to 31 March 2024 I 8.30 am–5.00 pm

Further information

Accessible for wheelchair users.

All exhibition areas are accessible barrier-free via ramps or lift.

Public transport Underground: U4; get off at Schönbrunn Trams: 10 and 60; get off at Schönbrunn Bus: 10A; get off at Schönbrunn

Open in Google Maps

This ticket admits the visitor to the Vienna Furniture Museum, a furniture collection that has no parallel anywhere in the world.

Culture and history, enjoyment, gentle exercise and views - the best price-performance ratio for a day at Schönbrunn.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Viennese court, and follow fundamentally different people such as Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph and Napoleon Bonaparte through their eventful lives.

At the Schönbrunn Palace Children’s Museum in Vienna all three- to twelve-year-olds can make this dream come true while learning lots of interesting things about the everyday life of the imperial children.

This website uses cookies - more information on this and your rights as a user can be found in our privacy policy at the end of the page. Click on "I agree" to accept cookies and be able to visit our website directly, or click on "Cookie settings" to manage your cookies yourself. Privacy policy

COOKIE SETTINGS

Here you can view or change the cookie settings used on this domain.

Cookies are a technical feature necessary for the basic functions of the website. You can block or delete these cookies in your browser settings, but in doing so you risk the danger of preventing several parts of the website from functioning properly.

The information contained in the cookies is not used to identify you personally. These cookies are never used for purposes other than specified here.

We employ analysis cookies to continually improve and update our websites and services for you. The following analysis cookies are used only with your consent.

Visit the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna’s imperial elegance

Things to do in Vienna Vienna Attractions Landmarks in Vienna Schönbrunn Palace

The Schönbrunn Palace, located in Vienna, Austria is a magnificent baroque palace that dates back to the 16th century. It was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 due to its impressive architecture and vast gardens. The palace features 1,441 rooms, 40 of which can be visited, and is the largest palace in Austria.

It has a grand cour d'honneur, which is the entry court to the palace, as well as two magnificent gardens that are filled with various sculptures, fountains, and pavilions. The palace also features an array of attractions such as the Imperial Apartments, where Empress Sisi spent much of her time; the Hall of Mirrors, which contains over 60 Baroque paintings; and a natural history museum with dinosaur fossils on display. Visitors can also explore the Schönbrunn Zoo and take part in guided tours throughout the grounds. Read ahead to know more about the Schönbrunn Palace and to get a unique insight into Austria's rich history.

Schönbrunn Palace - In A Nutshell

Handy information.

Hall of Mirrors Schonbrunn Palace Park Grand Gallery The Gloriette The Imperial Apartments

Things to know

Number of visitors per year: 2 million UNESCO World Heritage Site designation: 1996 Established: 1700 Architect: Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Nicolò Pacassi Architectural style: Baroque architecture

Opening Hours And Address

Palace Timings January to June (Every day): 9:30 AM to 5 PM July to December (Every day): 9 AM to 5:30 PM Garden Timings Everyday: 6:30 AM to 5 PM. Address :Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien, Austria Get Directions

Why You Must Visit The Schönbrunn Palace

The Schonbrunn Palace is a must-see destination for travelers visiting Vienna. It's one of the most stunning palaces in all of Europe, with an impressive history that dates back to 1569. Visitors can explore the palace’s sprawling grounds and marvel at its awe-inspiring architecture. From grand state rooms to beautiful gardens and fountains, there is much to see while exploring the palace. The palace also has the Schonbrunn Zoo located onsite, which has been a popular attraction since 1828! With its colorful baroque design, manicured gardens, interesting artifacts and historical tours, this iconic landmark offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a romantic stroll or simply want to soak up some culture, the Schonbrunn Palace is an unforgettable experience.

Recommended Schönbrunn Palace Tickets

History of the schönbrunn palace.

The Schonbrunn Palace was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Habsburg dynasty beginning in the 16th century. Before it became a palace, Schonbrunn was owned by members of the Habsburg family for centuries. Emperor Maximilian II purchased the land in 1569 and gave it to his son, Rudolph II, who initially used it as a hunting lodge. In 1683, Emperor Leopold I remodeled it and added a formal garden with terraces and fountains.

By the turn of the 18th century, Maria Theresa had taken over control of the palace from her father. She ordered extensive renovations to be done on Schonbrunn and turned it into an opulent summer residence for the Imperial family. During this period, many of the existing Baroque structures were constructed and vast gardens were established around the palace grounds.

After the passing of Maria Theresa in 1780, Schönbrunn Palace saw no use until Emperor Franz II (I) came to power during the early 1800s. When plans for the Congress of Vienna began forming in 1814/15, it became apparent that renovations were sorely needed at Schönbrunn if it was going to meet modern standards. Under court architect Johann Aman's supervision and with a refurbished façade, this palace acquired its famous look which still stands today.

In 1918, after World War I ended, Schonbrunn Palace was seized by the Republic of Austria and declared a state property. It has since been open to visitors as a museum where tourists can explore its various rooms, including those used by the Imperial family. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Austria and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Schönbrunn Palace Architecture

Characterized by ornate exterior facades and luxurious internal arrangements masterminded by some of that age's most renowned architects and artists, the Schonbrunn Palace unquestionably radiates an aura of aristocracy. The majestic main building is comprised of two colossal wings linked together by a central pavilion that showcases an elaborate staircase hall, and it's perched on remarkable parks and gardens that are landscaped with terraces, groves, and meadows. Furthermore, the Gloriette offers visitors awe-inspiring panoramas of Vienna from its mountain peak!

The royal building's exterior was crafted in the classic Rococo style, with lavish decorations such as curves and scrolls. The most noteworthy of these is certainly the central pavilion, which features a magnificent clock tower decorated with sculptures symbolizing justice and truth. Inside the palace, one can find gorgeous high ceilings, elegant wood carvings, intricate stucco designs, marble floors and pillars - all marvelously put together to complete this grandiose masterpiece!

The Schonbrunn Palace Park is a work of art, crafted by celebrated architects Jean-Nicolas Jadot de Ville-Issey and Nicolas-François Blondel. Trees are planted in an exquisite pattern radiating from the center of the palace, with 1,400 trees forming around it. A maze, artificial lake and fountains add to its beauty; grottoes further enhance its charm!

The Schonbrunn Palace symbolizes the impressive Habsburg monarchy and continues to mesmerize tourists all over the globe with its stunning beauty. It is undeniably one of Vienna's most emblematic symbols, reminding us of the city's erstwhile grandeur.

Top Highlights Of The Schönbrunn Palace

1 hall of mirrors.

The Hall of Mirrors, with its divinely gilded Rococo décor, stands as a beacon for the opulent elegance of Maria Theresa's reign. The shimmering white walls coupled with the ornate wooden paneling and glimmering mirrors reflect candlelight in an awe-inspiring display. Its beauty is simply unparalleled! Illuminating the grandeur of the Rococo era, this room is bound to a famous individual: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When he was only six years old, it's said that he performed in this very room for Maria Theresa during 1762 - an event destined to live on as part of history!

2 Blue Chinese Salon

Maria Theresa and her husband Franz Stephan's palatial apartment began with the Blue Chinese Salon, a chamber graced by its radiantly luxurious decor. The room's title is derived from its distinctive Chinese wallpaper emblematic of 18th century enthusiasm for Eastern Asian art pieces.

3 Great Gallery

The Great Gallery is a stunningly lavish room, measuring 43 metres in length and nearly ten metres wide. Its luxurious interior with its gilded stucco decorations and ceiling frescoes captures the essence of Rococo art perfectly. Not only is it an architectural masterpiece at the heart of the palace, but its elaborate decor also pays tribute to Maria Theresa's rule over Habsburg.

4 Round Chinese Cabinet

Nestled within the Small Gallery, two majestic state rooms gleam with exquisite works of art from China and Japan. Richly lacquered panels are ensconced in stark white wooden paneling, decorated by gilt frames that cradle a plethora of delicate porcelain objets d'art - beauty, and abundance only revealed upon closer inspection.

5 Vieux Laque Room

Boasting immense art-historical importance, the Vieux Laque Room at Schönbrunn is a sight to behold. The black lacquer panels from China provide an aura of luxury throughout and it was originally built as Franz I Stephan's personal reception room. After his untimely passing in 1765, Maria Theresa dedicated the space to him and eventually gave it its present look we see today. Altogether, this awe-inspiring interior serves as testament to their love for one another that transcends time itself.

6 The Gloriette

The Gloriette is a famous structure in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. Built in 1775 by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, it stands atop a 60-meter high artificial hill overlooking the palace grounds and the city of Vienna beyond. From its vantage point, visitors can take in stunning views of the palace grounds, surrounding woods and meadows, as well as sweeping vistas of Vienna’s skyline.

7 Carriage Museum

Step into the world of imperial splendor at the Imperial Carriage Museum. Awe-inspiring carriages, exquisite gowns and fine works art offer a vivid glimpse into court life – from coronations to weddings, arduous journeys to high-spirited hunts, children’s games and funeral processions.

8 Schonbrunn Zoo

Steeped in history, the Schonbrunn Palace Zoo is renowned as the oldest operating zoo on Earth. Emperor Francis I opened this majestic establishment centuries ago and today it remains a beloved destination for families who want to explore its extraordinary wildlife offerings—including a polar bear enclosure, a captivating panda section, and even an aerial walkway that traverses through lush forests.

9 Privy Garden

The Privy Garden at Schonbrunn Palace is a stunning display of the majestic beauty of nature. The grounds, designed by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg in 1775, are an 18th-century formal baroque garden that boasts a series of terraces and wide avenues lined with statues and fountains. It also features an impressive array of cut hedges, radiating patterns and ornate flowerbeds bursting with colorful blooms.

10 Schonbrunn Palace Concerts

Following your meal, why not cap off the night with a visit to the prestigious Schönbrunn Orangerie? This celebrated concert hall was once graced by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself in 1786! The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra will then take center stage and treat you to a selection of some of these musical geniuses' most prized works. It's an event that every classical music lover – and even those who aren't necessarily fans – should experience firsthand!

Schönbrunn Palace Timings

Palace Timings:

• January to June (Every day): 9:30 AM to 5 PM
• July to December (Every day): 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Garden Timings:

• Everyday: 6:30 AM to 5 PM.

Recommended duration of visit

You can spend anywhere between 2 to 4 hours at the Schonbrunn Palace. A 2-hour Guided Tour lets you avoid the queues and discover the UNESCO World Heritage. You get an exclusive look at grandeur as you explore the palace grounds and gardens. You can also enjoy a dinner + concert package that lasts for 4 hours. This includes a three course meal followed by a stunning orchestral performance!

Best Time to Visit

The mild weather from April to May or September to October is the best time to visit the Schonbrunn Palace.

Getting There

• By Metro: Take a train from route U4 to reach the palace Nearest Stop: Schloss Schonbrunn
• By Tram: Board on any train on line 10 or line 60 Nearest Stop: Schloss Schonbrunn
• By Car: The distance between the Vienna International Airport to the Schonbrunn Palace is 28.9km Nearest Stop: Schönbrunn Palace Parking Lot
• By Bus: Get on a bus on route 10 A to reach the Palace Nearest Stop: Schloss Schonbrunn
• By Taxi: Take a cab from the city center along lines 10 and 58 Nearest Stop: Schloss Schonbrunn
• By Train: Board a train along the Westbound tram line 608 Nearest Stop: Schloss Schonbrunn

Restaurants Nearby

The Wiener Grill Haus is an excellent local food place. The restaurant is a 10 minute walk from the Schonbrunn Palace. Known for its excellent service and friendly staff, the Wiener Grill Haus is a great place to enjoy a good portion of ribs, salad and chicken wings with fries and sauce

This restaurant is great for someone who wants to discover Viennese cuisine. The Wiener Tafelspitz, also known as Viennese fillet of beef, is their signature dish. It is said that the dish was made famous by Emperor Franz Joseph I himself!

Located inside the Schonbrunn Palace, Cafe Gloriette is known for their cakes, breakfast and coffee. The Kaffee Advokat is a must try, and they claim that Maria Theresia preferred to drink coffee with orange liqueur herself! You can also indulge in Herrengulasch (a savory goulash) with dumplings, sausages and eggs to experience a traditional Viennese meal. Top it off with the delightful vegetable strudel accompanied by cream of chives and salad for an unforgettable culinary adventure!

This one's a classic hot-dog and beer restaurant. A perfect place if you want to snack between meals. The bratwurst and the cheese sausage are popular here. Combine that with a beer and you're good to go for a day of exploring!

Interesting Facts about the Schönbrunn Palace

• Schonbrunn Palace was originally a hunting lodge that was built for the Habsburgs in 1569
• The palace's Baroque architecture and gardens were designed by famous architects such as Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Lukas von Hildebrandt
• Schonbrunn is one of the most popular attractions in Vienna, with over 2 million visitors every year
• It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its cultural significance to Austria and Europe as a whole
• The name 'Schonbrunn' means 'beautiful spring' in German, referring to an artesian well on the property which provided water to the palace
• Between 1744 and 1918, Schonbrunn Palace was home to the powerful Habsburg rulers who ruled over modern day Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia and other parts of Europe
• Emperor Franz Joseph I lived in Schonbrunn Palace for almost 70 years until his death in 1916
• The palace has 1,441 rooms spread across four floors, making it one of the largest Baroque structures ever built
• There are also 14 km of paths that wind through Schonbrunn's expansive gardens and parks, including a zoo which opened in 1752 – making it the oldest zoo in the world!
• Throughout its history, Schonbrunn Palace has been the location of many important historical events, including several treaties and negotiations between European empires

Insider Tips

• Book your tickets in advance to avoid the long queues at the ticket office
• Arrive early to make the most of your time exploring the grounds and gardens
• Visit the Gloriette viewpoint for a stunning view of Schonbrunn Palace and Vienna
• Take a guided tour which will give you exclusive access to some of the palace’s more hidden gems, like secret passageways and courtyards typically off-limits to visitors on self-guided tours!
• Stop in one of Schonbrunn’s cafés or restaurants for traditional Viennese pastries and coffee while admiring the breathtaking views
• Don’t forget to take some time to explore the stunning gardens, which are full of surprises!
• Make sure to use the free audio guide available at the entrance for a great overview of Schonbrunn Palace and its history
• Check out special events like concerts and fireworks that are held in Schonbrunn Palace throughout the year!
• Don’t forget your camera - there are plenty of beautiful photo opportunities around every corner of Schonbrunn Palace!

Other Attractions around the Schönbrunn Palace

The Technical Museum Vienna (Technisches Museum Wien) is a museum in Vienna, Austria that showcases the history of technology and engineering. Founded in 1908, it is one of the oldest museums of its type in Europe and boasts an impressive collection. Its displays include items as varied as historic steam locomotives, printing presses, early aircraft designs, and automobiles from throughout the past two centuries.

The Haus des Meeres is an aquarium in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1934 and is one of the oldest public aquariums in Europe. The main attraction of the Haus des Meeres is its huge variety of fish, marine mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and plants. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of interactive displays featuring live animals such as sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, eels and jellyfish.

The Chocolate Museum Vienna “BO-YO” is a dream come true for any chocolate lover. Located in the heart of Vienna, this museum and shop offers an incredible selection of chocolates from all over the world. Visitors can explore the history and science of chocolate making and learn about its many uses throughout time

The Hofburg is a former imperial palace located in Vienna, the capital of Austria. It was built in the 13th century and has since served as the official residence of the Habsburgs, who ruled over most of Central Europe for over 600 years until 1918. The Hofburg is considered to be one of the grandest and most important buildings in Vienna and its history reflects the rich history and culture of Austria.

Karlskirche is an iconic Baroque church located in Vienna. The exterior features two grand towers which are decorated with statues of saints created by sculptor Lorenzo Mattielli. Inside, visitors can admire the stunning frescoes painted by Paul Troger and Franz Anton Maulbertsch as well as impressive marble sculptures crafted by Balthasar Ferdinand Moll.

Belvedere Palace is a historic palace located in Vienna, Austria. The palace is comprised of two Baroque palaces—the Upper and Lower Belvedere—which are connected by an ornate formal garden and fountain. Today, it serves as a museum complex housing some of the most renowned works of art from the Middle Ages to present day.

Dev Ramkumar

Born and brought up in Mumbai, I am a content creator by day and a musician by night. My love for travel peaked when my music career took me to various parts of the country. Now, my dream is to explore the world, attend all kinds of music festivals, and experience the culture of each city I visit. My journey has just begun and I've already covered parts of France, Spain, and Thailand.

Be a smart traveler

The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and all things travel.

• Tour of the palace
• Français fr
• Italiano it
• International

Schönbrunn Digital

The gardens, schönbrunn palace.

Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the No. 1 sight in Vienna!

At the end of the seventeenth century Emperor Leopold I commissioned the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, who had received his training in Rome, to design an imperial hunting lodge for his son, Crown Prince Joseph, later to become Emperor Joseph I. Replacing the château de plaisance built on this site for the dowager empress Eleonora of Gonzaga in 1642, it was to grow into a palatial imperial residence over the course of the eighteenth century.

Take a virtual tour! Besides the state rooms and private apartments of the imperial couple you´ll also see the precious 18th-century interiors from the time of Maria Theresia.

The history of Schönbrunn and the buildings that previously stood on this site dates back to the fourteenth century. Emperor Matthias discovered a spring that gave the estate the name it still bears today.

Imperial summer residence

During the reign of Maria Theresa, as an imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace became the glittering focus of court life. From this time on, it played host to the leading statesmen of Europe.

Google Arts & Culture

Discover the valuable equipment of Schönbrunn Palace at the Google Art Project Schönbrunn. Here you can look at paintings, objects and statues in high-resolution quality:

Google Arts & Culture Schönbrunn Palace

The palace is magnificent, the furniture befitting of a queen and in the best of taste. The gardens have everything that art has ever created.

Johann Edler von Kurzböck, 1779

Unesco-Logo-Ehrenhof Brunnen West

Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. / Alexander Eugen Koller

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most important cultural assets, and since the 1960s has been one of Vienna’s major tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.

At the 20th session of the World Heritage Committee held in December 1996, Schönbrunn Palace was put on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, an institution founded in 1972. Inclusion in this list confirms the importance of the palace and its gardens as a unique Baroque ensemble.

Who owns the palace?

In the possession of the Habsburg dynasty since Maximilian II, as former court property the palace passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria at the end of the monarchy in 1918 and was administered by the Schlosshauptmannschaft Schönbrunn (a local government body) until 1992.

In 1992 Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. was founded and entrusted with the administration of the palace as a limited-liability company solely owned by the Republic of Austria. The company’s corporate mission embraces the tasks of preservation, utilization and finance: the funding for the preservation of the historic fabric of the palace and garden monuments, together with the revitalization of the entire Schönbrunn complex, has to be generated from the company’s own resources without recourse to state subsidies.

Discover more

The habsburgs.

The „World of the Habsburgs“ is a virtual exhibition showcasing the history of the Habsburgs and their times.

Tour through the park - Experience a tour of the Great Parterre, the Angel Fountain, the many statues and more.

Further Reading

Videos cannot currently be played. Please accept the required cookies.

COOKIE SETTINGS

Here you can review and adjust the cookie settings used on the domain. Please note that we also provide cookies from US companies. If you allow these cookies, you are also consenting to possible processing of your personal data collected via these cookies in the USA (Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR).

This is relevant to the extent that, based on recent official decisions as well as case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the USA is evidenced as not having an adequate level of data protection (Case C-311/18, Schrems II). Here, it should be borne in mind that access by US authorities (FISA 0702) is not comprehensively restricted by law and does not require the approval of an independent body, and that no relevant legal remedies are available to data subjects in the event of infringements.

If you do not wish this to happen, please accept only necessary cookies.

Cookies are a technical feature necessary for the basic functions of the website. You can block or delete these cookies in your browser settings, but in doing so you risk the danger of preventing several parts of the website from functioning properly.

The information contained in the cookies is not used to identify you personally. These cookies are never used for purposes other than specified here.

• PHPSESSID : Necessary cookie for managing php sessions. Expiration: Session. Type: Typo3 Cookie.
• cookieNoticeTech : Used to check whether the user allows technically necessary cookies. Expiration: Session. Type: custom.
• cookieNoticeGA : Used to check whether the user allows analysis cookies. Expiration: Session. Type: custom.
• cookieNoticeFunctional : Used to check whether the user allows social media cookies. Expiration: Session. Type: custom.
• cookieNoticeAll : Used to check whether the user allows all cookies. Expiration: Session. Type: custom.
• LanguageRecognizer : Used to recognize the language of the user. Expiration: 30 days. Type: custom.

When calling embedded videos from YouTube or Vimeo, a connection is established with the external providers. Further information can be found at  https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=at  or  https://vimeo.com/cookie_policy

We use Matomo to analyze the use of our website.

• _pk_id : Recognises website visitors ( anonymously  – no personal information is collected on the user). Type: First-party persistent cookie, duration: 13 months
• _pk_ses : Identifies the pages viewed by the same user during the same visit. ( anonymously  – no personal information is collected on the user). Type: First-party persistent cookie, duration: 30 minutes
• _pk_ref : This cookie contains information about the referrer (source) from which a user accessed our website. It allows us to evaluate how the use of our website differs by referrer. Type: HTML, duration: 6 months
• _pk_cvar : This cookie transmits user-defined variables. Type: HTML, duration: 30 minutes
• _pk_hsr : This cookie transfers information about the use of heatmaps; it is optional. Type: HTML, duration: 30 minutes