Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of magnificent palaces and castles in Vienna!
Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Belvedere may already be familiar to you, but did you know that there are numerous other impressive palace complexes?
On this page, we have compiled the 10 most beautiful palaces and castles in and around Vienna. From majestic architecture to breathtaking gardens, these palaces offer an unparalleled experience.
Experience the rich history of the city and the Habsburg dynasty as you explore classics as well as hidden gems. Moreover, we have added popular ticket options for you so that you can enjoy your trip stress-free.
Now let's dive into Vienna's imperial past together.
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1. Schönbrunn Palace
The impressive Schönbrunn Palace is also known as the Versailles of Austria and is one of the most visited sights in Vienna. The former summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family is one of the most beautiful baroque palace complexes in Europe.
The palace complex also includes Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world, the palm house, the maze and the desert house. Along with the entire garden, Schönbrunn Palace is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage as a baroque work of art.
- Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstrasse 47, A - 1130 Vienna
Popular Ticket Options:
- Overview of all available ticket options for Schönbrunn Palace
- Blue Danube Boat Tour with Dinner & Schonbrunn Palace Concert
- Ticket for a Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour(recommended)
- Schönbrunn Palace: Mozart & Strauss Concert, Tour & 3-Course Dinner
- Skip-the-Line: Schönbrunn Palace & Vienna City Tour
- Skip-the-Line Ticket for Schönbrunn Zoo
Best Ticket Options:
2. Belvedere Palace
The majestic Baroque Belvedere Palace consists of two separate palaces, the Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere. The castle ensemble is completed by the magnificent baroque-style castle garden, which is directly connected to the botanical garden.
The former summer residence of the Austrian general, Prince Eugene of Savoy, now houses Austria's most important art collection and the world's largest Klimt collection, including the famous painting "The Kiss".
- Address: Prinz Eugen-Strasse 27, A - 1030 Vienna
Popular Ticket Options:
- Overview of the Best Ticket Options for Belvedere Palace
- Ticket for the Upper Belvedere, including Klimt's Kiss and the Permanent Collection
Best Ticket Options:
3. Hermes Villa
Hermes Villa is located in the middle of Lainz Zoo nature reserve. It is named after a white marble statue of Hermes standing in the garden. Emperor Franz Joseph once gave the castle to his wife, Empress Sissi, who called it "The Castle of Dreams". He hoped that he would be able to keep his wife, who loved to travel, in Vienna more.
Parts of the original furnishings, as well as personal items belonging to the imperial couple, can be viewed today. Renowned artists, including Franz Matsch, Hugo Charlemont, Georg and Gustav Klimt, were involved in designing the private rooms.
- Lainz Zoo is a publicly accessible nature reserve. Admission to Hermes Villa, however, requires an entrance fee. Please refer to their website for the exact opening times.
- Address: Lainzer Tiergarten, A- 1130 Vienna
4. Schloss Hof
Originally built as a hunting and country residence for the general Prince Eugene of Savoy, Maria Theresa had the palace expanded into the largest country palace complex of the Habsburg monarchy, where it used as a summer residence.
Today, the palace with magnificently furnished rooms, a spacious baroque garden with seven terraces and a manor are the main components of the complex and are of particular art and cultural-historical importance.
As one of the largest baroque estates in Central Europe, the estate is home to numerous themed gardens, including a herb, snack and wine gardens, and it is a refuge for rare breeds of domestic animals of old Austrian origin. Schloss Hof is only 3 kilometers away from Niederweiden Palace.
- Admission is subject to a fee, the exact opening times can be found on the Schloss Hoff website.
- Address: Schloss Hof 1, A – 2294 Schlosshof
Popular Ticket Options:
- Vienna PASS including free admission to Schloss Hof & Niederweiden Castle
- Flexipass for 2, 3, 4 or 5 top sights (Schloss Hof & Niederweiden Castle selectable)
5. Albertina
Albertina Museum is located in an impressive palace next to the Imperial Palace. It is named after Albert Casimir Duke of Saxe-Teschen, who had it built. The brothers of the emperors, called archdukes, used to live here.
Once the largest residential palace of the Habsburg dynasty, Albertina is now home to the most important graphic collection in the world. Works by world-renowned artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Picasso and Klimt can be admired here.
Masterpieces of classical modernism are on display in the "Monet to Picasso" collection. The state rooms of the residential palace, some of which have original furniture, are also worth seeing.
- Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
- Experience art history and the magnificent architecture at the Albertina! Secure your tickets for the Albertina incl. temporary exhibition here now!
6. Hofburg Imperial Palace
The imposing Hofburg Imperial Palace in the heart of Vienna dates back to the 13th century. It is considered the largest castle and palace complex in the world. The former residence of the Habsburgs, which later served as a winter residence, is now the official residence of the Austrian Federal President and a congress center.
The complex also houses the Spanish Riding School, the Imperial Armory, Burggarten, Volksgarten, the Palm House, the Butterfly House, the Ephesos Museum, the World Museum, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.
The baroque state hall of the Austrian National Library is one of the most beautiful historical library halls in the world.
- Address: Michaeler dome, 1010 Vienna
Popular Ticket Options:
- Overview of the Best Ticket Options for the Imperial Treasury.
- Skip-the-Line Hofburg Ticket & Sisi Museum Tour in a small group
- Hofburg and Empress Sisi Museum Guided Tour (recommended)
- Hofburg, Sisi Museum & Imperial Apartments Tour
- Vienna Pass with free admission to the Hofburg (Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, Silver Chamber)
Best Ticket Options:
- Tickets for Vienna: Skip-the-Line Sisi Museum, Hofburg Palace and Gardens Tour
- Tickets for Hofburg Palace and Sisi Museum: Guided Tour
- Tickets for Sisi Museum Hofburg Vienna: Small-group Guided Tour with Priority Entrance
- Tickets for Imperial Treasury
- Tickets for Kunsthistorisches Museum & Imperial Treasury: Skip The Line
7. Laxenburg Palace Park
15 kilometers south of Vienna lies Laxenburg Palace Park, which is one of the most important historical landscape gardens in Europe and a historical landmark. The most striking feature of the palace park is the approximately 25-hectare palace pond, in the middle of which lies Fransenburg, a replica of a medieval knight's castle that was built on an artificial island in the middle of the palace pond.
The park also contains the Old Palace and the Blue Courtyard, as well as many monuments, pleasure buildings and garden areas. A panoramic train runs through the park. Emperor Franz Josef I and Empress Elisabeth spent their honeymoon in Laxenburg in 1854.
- There is an admission fee to enter, please refer to the palace's website for further details.
- Address: Schlossplatz1, A – 2361 Laxenburg
8. Liechtenstein Castle
On the edge of the southern Vienna Forrest, lies the ancestral castle of the Princes of Lichtenstein, built in 1130. It is visible from afar and towers high on the summit of a rocky ridge. In addition to the castle complex, which is under monument protection, numerous furnishings, such as weapons and furniture, beamed ceilings, reliefs and the castle chapel can be viewed.
Guided tours through the treasury, the red fireplace room and the tower ascent are offered. The castle complex offers a fantastic view in all directions, far beyond Vienna.
- For exact opening hours, please refer to the castle's website.
- Address: Am Hausberg 2, A - 2344 Maria Enzersdorf
9. City Palaces
City palaces were residences for the city nobility or second homes for the landed gentry. Most are in the historic city center, with many on Vienna's Ringstrasse. Today they are used for a variety of purposes, not all of which are publicly accessible, but definitely worth a look from the outside.
Here are some examples:
- Schwarzenberg Palace: Built in 1697 as a summer residence, Schwarzenberg palace is one of the most important garden palaces in Vienna. It is right next to Belvedere Palace. The garden is not open to the public. Today it houses, among other things, the Swiss embassy, the Swiss consular department and a 5-star hotel. Address: Prinz Eugen-Strasse 5, 1030 Vienna
- Auersperg Palace: The baroque palace from 1710 was used for musical events of great social importance. Among others, works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Josef Haydn were performed here. Currently, the palace is not open to the public, it is used as a venue for congresses, trade fairs, balls and concerts. The Rose Ball was held here until 2014. Address: Auerspergstrasse 1, A – 1080 Vienna
- Coburg Palace: The late-classical city palace, completed in 1845, is located in the 1st district of Vienna, just a few minutes from St. Stephen's Cathedral. Works by Johann Strauss were performed here in 1851. Today, in addition to company headquarters, the palace houses the 5-star luxury Palais Coburg Hotel and two restaurants, including Silvio Nickol gourmet restaurant, which has been awarded two Michelin stars. Address: Coburgbastei 4, A – 1010 Vienna
- Ferstl Palace: In its current form, Ferstl Palace was built around 1860 by the architect Heinrich von Ferstel, as a building for the national bank and stock exchange. At the turn of the century, with its various event rooms and Café Central, which is still on the premises today, it was the center of Viennese social life. Today, conferences and presentations take place in the former stock exchange halls of the privately owned Ferstl Palace, and Café Central uses one of the inner courtyards, among other things. Address: Herrengasse 14, A – 1010 Vienna
10. Niederweiden Castle
Niederweiden Baroque Palace is about 55 kilometers from Vienna and only 3 kilometers from Schloss Hof. The hunting lodge built in 1693/94 was sold in 1726 to Prince Eugene of Savoy, who had the 15-hectare baroque garden laid out to the east of the castle, which was reconstructed in historical detail with a labyrinth and maze.
Today, Niederweiden Castle is used permanently as an exhibition venue, including the Empress Sisi special exhibition, which presents showpieces from the Empress Elisabeth collection. Also worth seeing is the baroque game kitchen with true-to-original furnishings.
- Admission is subject to a fee, the exact opening times can be found on the castle's website.
- Address: Schloss Niederweiden 1, A - 2292 Engelhartstetten
Popular Ticket Options:
- Vienna PASS including free admission to Niederweiden Castle & Schloss Hof:
- Flexipass for 2, 3, 4 or 5 top sights (Niederweiden Castle & Schloss Hof selectable)
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