To see Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss in Vienna, visit the Upper Belvedere Museum (Belvedere Palace), which holds the world's largest collection of his paintings. Tickets, costing approximately €19.50, should be pre-booked online to avoid long queues, with the museum open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
With "The Kiss," which was bought in 1908 by the Moderne Galerie and is now on permanent display at the Upper Belvedere, Klimt reached the pinnacle of his "golden" phase.
On Valentine's Day, the Belvedere welcomes guests to share a kiss in front of “The Kiss.” On February 14, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight, couples can get their picture taken professionally and free of charge in front of Gustav Klimt's iconic painting The Kiss at the Upper Belvedere.
The gardens cost nothing to view and have been open to the public since 1780. The gates usually unlock at 6.30 or 7 in the morning, with closing times depending on the season.
Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna's most popular tourist spot. And for good reason: it's gorgeous. A tour through the interior is a tour through some pretty impressive European history.
For my money, I'd rather skip the palace and do the gardens, maze, and the Gloriette. I love the walk up to it (really beautiful) and then also the view is lovely! The restaurant inside the Gloriette is very nice and a great place to just relax and enjoy the view.
At peak times, there may be delays. We therefore recommend that you buy your tickets in advance online: To your benefit, you will always have an up-to-date overview of all the available time-slots – and you avoid queuing at the ticket office and can go directly to the entrance.
The painting now hangs in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum in the Upper Belvedere Palace in Vienna, and is considered a masterpiece of Vienna Secession – the local variation of Art Nouveau – and probably Klimt's most important work.
What is the difference between the upper and Lower Belvedere Vienna?
While the Upper Belvedere was all about representation, the Lower Belvedere acted as the residential palace of Prince Eugene. The lavish splendor of the owner is reflected in the Groteskensaal (Hall of the Grotesque), the Marble Gallery and the Golden Room.
The Ministry of Culture and Education (Ministerium für Kultus und Unterricht) bought the picture for the state's Moderne Galerie collection at Lower Belvedere palace in Vienna. And that was more or less it, because it's still at Belvedere (albeit at the Upper Palace now).
Popular items to buy in Vienna include Mozartkugeln (chocolate pralines), Sachertorte (famous chocolate cake), and Austrian wines. Traditional Viennese porcelain, Gustav Klimt-inspired souvenirs, and handmade crystal glassware also make great gifts.
Vienna's Ringstrasse. The world's most beautiful boulevard is home to many of Vienna's most famous sights and museums, as well as grand palaces and spacious parks.
Ottakring, situated in the western part of Vienna, is a diverse district known for its vibrant atmosphere. Most of Ottakring is safe. But areas around the Ottakring U-Bahn station and Gürtel Street are sketchy. Especially at night, you might encounter drunk people or people fighting.
This being said, here is what you should not miss when it comes to Vienna's traditional food: Wiener Schnitzel, Spare Ribs, Tafelspitz, Goulash, Würst, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce, and Sachertorte.
Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is common. Be careful on public transport and in areas popular with tourists. Take care using ATMs. Avalanches, flash floods and mudslides occur in alpine areas.
