Palaces & Residences

<p>Six hundred years of Habsburg rule left Vienna with a density of palaces that is rare in Europe. And unlike in many capitals, they don't sit on the outskirts but right in the middle of the city.</p>
<p>The Hofburg, the former imperial palace, was the winter residence and is now the official seat of the Austrian Federal President – a complex that grew over centuries, with every ruler adding a wing. Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence and is the most visited attraction in Austria; its park, with the terrace at the Gloriette, is free to enter.</p>
<p>The Belvedere was built not for the imperial family but for Prince Eugene of Savoy, and is considered one of the finest Baroque ensembles in Europe. Much quieter are the city palaces of the nobility, such as the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein City Palace), and the Hermesvilla in the Lainzer Tiergarten, which Franz Joseph had built for Elisabeth.</p>
<p>In practical terms, it pays to separate interiors from grounds. The parks of Schönbrunn and the Belvedere cost nothing and easily fill half a day; for the interiors you need tickets, and in high season you should book them in advance.</p>
<p>If you're short on time, decide by location: the Hofburg is right in the city center and fits easily into a walk, while Schönbrunn is a trip of its own, about twenty minutes away.</p>

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About Palaces & Residences in Vienna

Six hundred years of Habsburg rule left Vienna with a density of palaces that is rare in Europe. And unlike in many capitals, they don't sit on the outskirts but right in the middle of the city.

The Hofburg, the former imperial palace, was the winter residence and is now the official seat of the Austrian Federal President – a complex that grew over centuries, with every ruler adding a wing. Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence and is the most visited attraction in Austria; its park, with the terrace at the Gloriette, is free to enter.

The Belvedere was built not for the imperial family but for Prince Eugene of Savoy, and is considered one of the finest Baroque ensembles in Europe. Much quieter are the city palaces of the nobility, such as the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein City Palace), and the Hermesvilla in the Lainzer Tiergarten, which Franz Joseph had built for Elisabeth.

In practical terms, it pays to separate interiors from grounds. The parks of Schönbrunn and the Belvedere cost nothing and easily fill half a day; for the interiors you need tickets, and in high season you should book them in advance.

If you're short on time, decide by location: the Hofburg is right in the city center and fits easily into a walk, while Schönbrunn is a trip of its own, about twenty minutes away.

Frequently asked questions

You can enter the palace park for free, and it's big enough to fill half a day. The path up to the Gloriette and the view over the city are also free. You need a ticket for the interiors and for certain areas of the park, such as the Maze or the Crown Prince Garden.

The Hofburg was the winter residence in the middle of the city and is still in use today – it houses the Federal President, museums and the Spanish Riding School. Schönbrunn was the summer residence on what was then the edge of the city, with a large park. If you can only visit one: Schönbrunn for the park and the overall impression, the Hofburg for its central location and the museums inside.

For the interiors with an audio guide, allow one to one and a half hours, depending on the tour you choose. If you add the park, the Gloriette and perhaps the zoo, it quickly becomes a full day. Getting there from the city center takes about twenty minutes on the U4.