Going inside Schönbrunn Palace is considered worth it for first-time visitors to Vienna, offering a glimpse into lavish, original Habsburg imperial rooms. The Grand Tour (40+ rooms) provides in-depth history, while the Imperial Tour (22 rooms) is shorter. It is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid long queues, as it is a top attraction.
Schönbrunn Palace is not just another sightseeing stop in Vienna — it's an immersive journey into Austria's imperial history. From the lavish interiors to the expansive gardens, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Europe's most spectacular palaces.
How long should I spend at the Schönbrunn Palace? Plan to spend at least half a day (4 to 5 hours) at Schönbrunn if you want to explore both the palace interiors and the vast gardens.
Inside the palace you can choose between the Palace Ticket, Maria Theresia Tour, the State Apartments and the apartments on the ground floor. In addition you can also visit all the attractions in the park. Step: Select the room or park attraction you want to see – and get started!
You can enter the Palace Park free of charge during opening hours. If you wish to visit the special attractions at Schönbrunn, such as the Privy Garden, the Orangery Garden or the Maze, you will need to purchase individual admission tickets.
How to Visit Schönbrunn: Pro tips from Tour Guide Grete | Vienna travel guide
Which is better, Hofburg or Schönbrunn?
Which Palace Should You Choose? Choose Schönbrunn Palace for gardens, grandeur, and family experiences. Choose Hofburg Palace for imperial history, royal artifacts, and the story of Empress Sisi. Choose both for the full picture of Vienna's royal life.
Yes. During opening hours, filming and photography is generally permitted in the state rooms. The use of tripods, selfie sticks or similar photographic or video equipment is prohibited at the Palace, as is the use of flash and similar forms of lighting.
Due to the very high number of visitors, we strongly recommend booking tickets online in advance. Short-term visits without prior booking cannot be guaranteed. This way you can avoid long waiting times or possibly sold-out time slots!
1 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index, Vienna frequently places as one of the world's top cities to live in. And while it's never explicitly called a 15- or 20-minute city, it nevertheless responds to the social, technological and ecological challenges that we all face.
The Belvedere is not only a magnificent Baroque palace. As a museum it also houses one of Austria's most valuable art collections – with key works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
In Vienna, DO greet people politely ("Guten Tag"), respect quietness on transport, validate transit tickets, embrace the slow cafe culture, stand on the right on escalators, and carry cash, while DON'T be loud in public, jaywalk, eat on the subway, expect fast service in cafes, or forget to separate your recycling. Be mindful of personal space and the strong local etiquette for politeness and efficiency, especially regarding greetings and public transport rules.
Schönbrunn offers the most authentic preserved historical environments with original furnishings and intact room arrangements. Versailles provides comprehensive historical context but with more museum-style presentations. Buckingham Palace offers authentic royal ceremonial spaces but limited historical depth.
If there's one place where a guided tour is worth every cent, it's Schönbrunn Palace: With over 1,400 rooms spanning centuries of imperial life, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer scale and details of gilded staterooms, frescoed ceilings, and ornate furnishings.
Is it still illegal to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night?
Private individuals are free to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night for private use or to share on social networks, for example. The situation is different for professionals: the Eiffel Tower's various illuminations (golden, sparkles, beacon, and illuminations for special events) are protected by copyright.
The palace was built at the end of the 17th century as a summer residence for the emperors of the Habsburg Empire. Marie Antoinette, Napoleon and Empress Elizabeth (better known as Sisi) have all lived at Schloss Schönbrunn at some point.
The Hofburg Palace is a must-see when visiting Vienna. The power-house of the Austrian empire, it holds a wealth of rich culture and history waiting to be explored. The Habsburg emperors built their imperial forum into one of the most lavish locations and now it stands as the official seat of the Austrian President.
The cultural and picturesque Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna's most popular historical attractions and is waiting to be discovered. There is so much to discover in Schönbrunn. Make sure you have enough time to stroll through the entire estate.
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.
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.
