The traditional Spanish Riding School l invites you to witness the timeless riding skills of the Haute Ecole, presented by the world-famous dancing Lipizzaner horses.
A visit to the Spanish Riding School, one of Vienna's must-see sights, is an absolute must for every visitor to the city.
In this comprehensive guide to the Spanish Riding School, you will discover everything there is to know about this iconic attraction. We'll cover how to get there, popular ticket options, and guided tours.
Let's get started!
Other Recommended Articles:
Ticket Options for the Spanish Riding School
With numerous websites offering tickets for the Spanish Riding School, it can be difficult to choose the right tickets. That's why we've taken the initiative to compare all the available options for you.
Below, you'll find a curated list of the most popular tickets for the Spanish Riding School, including the cheapest options. Simply click on your preferred choice to purchase your tickets.
Most Popular Tickets:
- Overview of all Spanish Riding School Tickets
- Vienna Spanish Riding School Guided Tour
- Performance of The Lipizzans at Spanish Riding School
- Spanish Riding School morning training tickets
- Combo ticket: Spanish Riding School Vienna with music + tickets for the Upper Belvedere Palace
More Ticket Options:
- Tickets for Horse Training at the Spanish Riding School
- Tickets for Guided Tour at the Spanish Riding School
- Tickets for Lipizzaner Performance at the Spanish Riding School
- Spanish Riding School: From Stables to Attic Floors Tour
- Spanish Riding School Tour + Horse Training
- Kunsthistorisches Museum + Horse Training
- Vienna FLEXI Pass: Save 30% on Your Choice of 2-5 Top Attractions including Spanish Riding School
What Can I Do at the Spanish Riding School?
In the Spanish Riding School, you can experience the magic and elegance of bygone times in the baroque atmosphere of the Hofburg Palace.
As the only institution in the world, the Spanish Riding School preserves the old horsemanship tradition by devoting itself to the classic training and dressage of the elegant Lipizzaner horses, the oldest breed of horse in Europe, for over 450 years. For this reason, the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School has been part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2015.
Be enchanted by the unique performances at the Spanish Riding School. During a visit to the "morning work", the daily morning training of the Lipizzaners, you can see the dancing horses train to classical music.
A breathtaking equestrian spectacle is presented at the evening performances, which are extremely popular. This is presented in the sensational, baroque winter riding school, the most beautiful riding hall in the world, accompanied by classical Viennese music.
As part of a guided tour, such as the Architectural Tour, those interested can gain an exclusive insight into the history, tradition and architecture of the Spanish Riding School.
How Do I Get to the Spanish Riding School?
The Spanish Riding School is located in the Vienna Imperial Palace in the heart of the city. The easiest way to reach it on foot is via Michaelerplatz or Heldenplatz.
For the most convenient public transportation options to reach the Spanish Riding School, consider the following:
- By Subway (U-Bahn):
Lines U1 and U3 to Stephansplatz and 5 minutes walk
Line U3: to Herrengasse and 3 minutes on foot
Line U4 to Karlsplatz and 11 minutes on foot - By Tram:
Lines 1, 2, 71 and D to stations Oper/Karlsplatz, Burgring or Ring/Volkstheater and 8 minutes on foot
Line 62 to Karlsplatz and 9 minutes on foot - By Bus:
Lines 1A and 2A to Michaelerplatz or Habsburgergasse and 1 minute on foot
Timetables:
Vienna Roadwork Maps:
The most popular and best-selling tickets for Vienna on GetYourGuide, Headout & Tiqets
Planning to stay a bit longer in Vienna and explore more of the Austrian capital? We have compiled a list of the most sought-after tickets according to the popular ticket portals GetYourGuide, Headout and Tiqets. Simply click on the description of the ticket that interests you to secure your favorites.
- Skip-the-Line Ticket for Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens + 2-hour Guided Tour in English, Spanish or Italian
- Tickets for the Training at the Spanish Riding School
- Skip-the-Cashier-Desk-Line Ticket for a Ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel
- Tickets for Vivaldi's Four Seasons concert in Karlskirche
- Tickets for a Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: 24, 48 or 72 hours
Most Popular Ticket Options:
- Skip-the-Line Ticket for Schönbrunn Zoo
- Ticket for the Upper Belvedere, including Klimt's Kiss and the Permanent Collection
- Tickets for Belvedere Palace: Lower Belvedere and other Ticket Options
- Albertina: State Rooms, Permanent Collection Batliner, Temporary Exhibitions
- Entrance Ticket to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna
- Tickets for the Museum of Illusions
History of the Spanish Riding School
The tradition of the Spanish Riding School goes back to the 16th century, when an open riding and tournament arena was built on today's Josefplatz, near the Hofburg Imperial Palace. This Spanish Riding Stable was officially mentioned in 1565, making the Spanish Riding School the oldest classical riding school in the world.
From 1565 to 1569, during the reign of Ferdinand I, the stable castle was built by converting a residence intended for Ferdinand I into stables. From then on, these housed the personal horses of the Habsburgs. Today, the Riding School is one of the most visited sights in Vienna.
Lipizzaner Horses
The breeding of Andalusian horses began under Archduke Charles II. For this purpose he had them build a stud farm in Lipica, today's Slovenia, in 1580. In the centuries that followed, the Habsburg kings devoted themselves to breeding a breed that met the requirements of the classical ideal of horsemanship. The best of them were sent to the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The name of the Lipizzaner horses was later derived from this Lipica stud farm.
New Riding Arena
After the riding arena was severely damaged during the second Turkish siege of Vienna, Emperor Charles IV had a winter riding school built in the Michael Wing of the Hofburg Palace from 1729 to 1735. The magnificent winter riding school, which is now considered a baroque jewel, was designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and built by his son Emanuel Fischer von Erlach.
Since then, almost exclusively the breeding horses from the Lipica court stud farm have been used at the court riding school.
Traveler's Tip: City Passes for Vienna
Vienna offers several appealing city passes for travelers that can help you save money and time. We highly recommend purchasing one of these cards.
To learn more about the popular tourist cards, including prices and included activities, check out our article "Best City Pass for Vienna: Compare Prices & Included Activities". Alternatively, you can easily compare and purchase the card of your choice by clicking on one of the buttons below the following brief descriptions.
1. Vienna City Card
The Vienna City Card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, providing discounts at 200 attractions, museums, restaurants, theaters, and stores. Additionally, it offers unlimited and free use of public transportation.
2. Vienna Pass
The Vienna Pass is available for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days and grants you free admission to over 60 attractions in Vienna. It often allows you to skip the queues.
3. Vienna Flexi Pass
The Vienna Flexi Pass allows you to choose your favorite 2 to 5 attractions from a selection of over 40 options. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.
4. Go City Explorer Pass
The Go City Explorer Pass enables you to choose your favorite 2 to 7 attractions from over 40 options in Vienna. You can visit them for free and, if available, enjoy fast-track admission.
Address & Map
Address: Michaelerplatz 1 (visitor center), 1010 Vienna