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The 5 Best Schönbrunn Palace Tours [2024 Reviews]

I’m a huge fan of Baroque architecture, so one of the places I knew I absolutely knew I had to visit during my last trip to Europe was the Schönbrunn Palace.

It’s known as one of the continent’s most beautiful Baroque complexes but is full of history. Owned by the Habsburgs since the 1500s, countless movies have been filmed here, and even Mozart performed here in the late 1700s!

I’ve gone ahead and carefully compiled a list of the 5 top Schönbrunn Palace tours available, that are well worth the time and money. Let’s get started!

Best Schönbrunn Palace Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best rated schönbrunn palace tours for 2024.

• Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert
• Private Tour: Half-Day History of Schönbrunn Palace
• Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens
• Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour
• Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide

Schönbrunn Palace Tour Reviews

1. exclusive evening at schönbrunn palace: after-hours audiotour, dinner, concert.

• Duration:  5 hours
• Departure: Schonbrunn Palace, Schlosstrasse 47, Vienna 1130
• Departure Time: 5:15 PM
• Includes:  Access to Schönbrunn Palace after official Opening Hours, Self-guided audio tour of Schönbrunn, Palace 3-course dinner within walking distance from Palace Concert in Orangery (choose from different seating options), Glass of sparkling wine at intermission (VIP and Category A seating only)

Starting things off on the right foot, we have the longest tour of its kind: clocking in at 5 hours, it is so much more than seeing the palace.

The Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert  is not only an incredible experience on its own, but it makes for the perfect date-night activity! Vienna has a rich, internationally renowned art scene, and this tour perfectly exemplifies that.

Tour start times do vary, but I found that it was easy to access a time that fit nicely into my nearly full itinerary. Quite possibly the only thing I would’ve changed about this tour is that it didn’t include a hotel pickup and drop-off so we had to meet there at the palace.

However, if you’re really looking to experience Austrian culture in a relatively quick-yet-comprehensive experience, this is it. Once at the former Habsburg summer residence, you’ll head inside and start an audio tour on your smartphone which I actually surprisingly liked!

It’s one of the better audio tours I’ve taken and allowed us to self-guide and really go at our own pace through the guest apartments and Emperor Franz Joseph’s quarters.

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After strolling around these breathtaking corridors, we headed to a restaurant a couple of blocks from the Palace to enjoy a delectable 3-course meal of traditional Austrian dishes before heading to the Orangery Schönbrunn.

Once at the Orangery, it was time to sit down and relax while enjoying a classical music concert, which was quite striking!

We were able to select between the different ticket categories, where we listened to the phenomenal Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra, along with a soprano, baritone, and 2 ballet dancers.

During the intermission, it was great to chat about what we’d experienced and sip on a glass of sparkling wine – truly felt fantastically Austrian!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. private tour: half-day history of schönbrunn palace.

• Duration:  3 hours
• Departure:  Hotel pickup and drop-off included
• Departure Time: 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM
• Includes: Private guide, skip the line access

This next tour is a bit shorter than the previous option, as it doesn’t include the dinner and the orchestral performance.

However, what it does offer is a personalized experience with a professional guide who will take you through some of the most marvelous aspects of Austria’s past and present.

The Private Tour: Half-Day History of Schönbrunn Palace is far from a cookie-cutter tour with information that anyone could relay.

This is definitely one of the more “upscale” tours, so instead of being crowded into a bus or van, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and it’ll just be you and the rest of your party.

Our travel to the palace was quite lighthearted and fun, with the guide instantly feeling like one of my longtime friends who just happens to be local to Vienna. Upon arrival to the palace, my little architecture-buff self was blown away at the exquisite example of Baroque architecture!

We started our tour off at the palace’s gardens, which is also a perfect example of Baroque landscaping, complete with meticulously manicured flowerbeds, a massive Gloriette arch on a hilltop, and fantastic views of Vienna’s woods.

Throughout our explorations, our guide regaled us with fun anecdotes, interesting history facts, and more specifically, military history relating back to the palace.

I didn’t know much about the Habsburg’s political and cultural strongarm before, but I was certainly enthralled with all that they were telling us!

Once inside the palace, we walked through many different chambers practically dripping in riches! The Rococo design of the opulent ‘Millions Room’, as well as the fantastic aesthetics of the Porcelain Room really gave insight into how this dynasty lived.

While the palace alone was impressive, our guide really made the history of the place come alive thanks to their knowledge and passion – highly recommended!

3. Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens

• Duration:  1 to 2 hours
• Departure: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien
• Departure Time: Between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Includes:  Schonbrunn Palace Tour with Garden led by 5-Stars Guide with Austrian Official Licensed Tour of Schonbrunn Garden, Gloriette Hill, Schonbrunn, Palace exterior, Skip-the-line tickets for Highlight Tour in Schonbrunn Palace (in 2-hour option)

I know that a lot of people like myself like to really cram in as much as possible if it’s their first time to a city. This can make things a bit challenging, but this is one of those tours that I find easy to fit into a busy schedule.

The Vienna: Schönbrunn Skip the Line Palace Tour and Gardens  comes with a 1-hour and 2-hour tour options that let you get to know the Palace and its history without spending all day there.

This tour doesn’t come with a hotel pickup, so you’ll come straight to the palace with your group to not waste any time.

The next step will depend on the tour option you select: the 2-hour option includes a trip to the impressive palace gardens and up Gloriette Hill, where its massive arch sits looming over the rest of the scenery.

The 2-hour selection also includes convenient Skip-the-Line tickets, so you won’t waste any time queuing up and waiting your turn.

While it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, I was still thoroughly taken aback by just how much beauty and art can be exhibited in one, expansive place.

Our tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, telling us all about how it started off as a hunting lodge, and was even where Marie Antoinette was born! That’s particularly interesting, considering that the palace was actually modeled after Versailles!

Our tour went through over 25 Imperial rooms, and even though the palace holds over 1,400 rooms, these were still amazing. Dating back to 1569, you can imagine just how many awe-inspiring stories have taken place here.

I’ll admit that I’m not often impressed by wealth and opulence, but it’s pretty much impossible not to be affected by this amazing place!

4. Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour

• Duration:  2 hours
• Departure:  Schönbrunn, 1130 Wien, Austria
• Departure Time: 10:30 AM
• Includes:  Skip-the-Line entry, tour Schönbrunn Palace, professional guide, headsets to hear guide clearly

While the other tour did include a 1-hour tour option, I always recommend to people that they take the full tour, including the garden.

The Vienna: Skip the Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Guided Tour  will show you exactly why you won’t regret paying a bit extra for that outdoor access!

You’ll get to follow in the footsteps of countless emperors, empresses, and other people of influence over these grounds and inside the palace walls!

This is yet another tour that does not include a hotel pickup, but I don’t really find it necessary when it’s not all that difficult to find one’s way to Schönbrunn Palace. If you’ll be traveling with the entire family – particularly with young kids to teenagers – I recommend this tour.

The guide was very engaging, and made sure that we had not one moment to even think about being bored!

Before we entered the palace, our guide told us fascinating stories of the palace, including its beginning as a hunting lodge, its architectural influences, and much more.

I’d read a bit about the palace beforehand, but I feel like what they told us went far beyond anything I could’ve Googled or read in a history book.

I feel like I got a really accurate concept of the Austrian monarch hundreds of years back, in a way that’s both respectful and entertaining.

This tour is great because it includes Skip-the-Line entry, which saves a ton of time as the queues at the palace (especially during the weekends and summer season) can get very lengthy. I mean, they even let us skip the line at the baggage storing station!

We were able to marvel at the architecture both on the inside and outside, the royal history involved, and the artwork indoors.

5. Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Departure:  Group Center Schönbrunn, Schloss, 1130 Wien, Austria
• Includes:  Guided tour

Something that I’ve noticed about many tours around the world, is that they’re conducted by people who may not actually be experts on the subject they’re touring.

With the Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with a Historian Guide , that’s not really something I have to worry about as they only allow professional historians to conduct the tours!

Lasting anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours, this tour went far beyond the typical facts that you’ll learn about the Palace online or from your average tour.

Something else I really appreciated about this option was that they only allowed a maximum of 6 group participants, which made it easy to ask questions and have a more personalized experience.

We started off by meeting our guide right at the palace, and it did come with many different tour start options so you don’t have to worry about it being difficult to fit into your itinerary.

It is important to note that the tour price does  not  include the price of the entrance tickets, so make sure you keep this in mind beforehand.

This tour starts off with the formal garden tour, where we were able to see the perfectly taken care of flowers and plants, along with the impressive Gloriette arch perched on top of a hill overlooking the ominous forests.

It made a lot of sense when they told us that the palace was originally used as a hunting lodge, and we started to become more familiar with Franz Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth (Sisi).

We then entered the palace, exploring the Rococo-style state rooms, the Great Gallery, the Yellow Salon, and Franz Joseph’s private suite.

Empress Maria Theresa had an equally as interesting story, and we were able to learn all about her while venturing through some of her most beloved rooms and quarters.

The Hall of Ceremonies was quite a sight to see, along with the Gobelin Salon, the Feketin Room, and her music room, where Mozart performed at 6 years old.

It’s hard to wrap your head around the vast amount of history that’s taken place inside these walls, but it’s quite a ride learning about it!

Tour Guides

The Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert is our Editors Choice for the best Schönbrunn Palace tour

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best florence wine tours [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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Schönbrunn Palace Insider Guide: How To Prepare Your Visit

Because it's my home city's top tourist attraction, this Schönbrunn Palace insider guide to Vienna's most stunning castle will take you a step ahead . With millions of visitors per year the Hapsburg palace is a well-trodden path. To inspire your visit let me share my own guide to pomp and stucco, hidden corners and insider experiences.

Why Is Schönbrunn Palace Important?

A UNESCO World heritage site, this Vienna palace showcases one of the most significant baroque architectures in Europe. In 1696, Schönbrunn was built after the Habsburg Emperors celebrated their second victory over the Turks in 1683. In fact,  Schönbrunn replaced the old Imperial summer residence, which had been badly damaged in the Battle of Vienna . To demonstrate their power across Europe, a splendid palace was important for the Habsburgs.

Later on, when Maria Theresa of Austria turned Schönbrunn into her summer residence around 1750,  it began to play a key role in Vienna's culture. For example, lavish court life was influential in creating our love for classical music and elegant balls.

Other than the palace, Schönbrunn gained importance because it established the world's first zoo in 1752.

What Does Schönbrunn Mean?

The name Schönbrunn derives from 'schöner Brunnen' - beautiful well. According to a legend, Emperor Matthias hunted in this area in the early 17th century. When he discovered an artesian well he exclaimed 'what a beautiful well!'.

Schönbrunn Palace Inside

The first floor's 40 rooms are open for visitors, among them the Great Gallery. Definitely, this is enough to gain an insight into the lives of key Habsburgs: Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Francis Joseph and his wife Empress Sissi (Elisabeth).

Most of the rooms are decorated in (neo-)rococo and Biedermeier: typical for Austrian Imperial style, white ceilings and furnishings carry golden embellishments. Among the most characteristic features are the French-style chairs in red damask, and enormous crystal and golden chandeliers. Belgian tapestries, gigantic landscape paintings and Imperial family portraits decorate the palace walls.

Schönbrunn In Virtual Reality

Adding an extra layer to their experience visitors can situate themselves in an elegant Baroque-style chair and don a pair of Virtual Reality glasses. During a multi-sensory adventure with vivid imagery and evocative soundscapes they catch an authentic glimpse into the daily life within its walls. Transporting themselves to pivotal moments of the 18th century, they listen to Mozart's earliest compositions and partake in meals alongside Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph.

Rather than traditional animation-based VR, this experience involves real actors reenacting historical scenes, enhancing the authenticity of the encounter. Find out more.

Taking Photos Inside Schönbrunn Palace

Unfortunately, taking pictures and videos inside Schönbrunn Palace is not permitted. If you are a professional filmer and photographer you will need to apply for a permission with the management up to three weeks in advance of your visit.

Schönbrunn Palace Hours

• from 1st April to 30th June: 8.00 am to 5.30 pm
• 1st July to 31st August: 8.00 am to 6.30 pm
• from 1st September to 31st October: 8.00 am to 5.30 pm
• 1st November to 31st March: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm

How Long Does Schönbrunn Take?

First, you can book standard guided group tours of the gardens and palace of Schönbrunn right at the visitor center.  In busy times the groups can comprise up to 30 participants.

However, there are also wonderful (small) group and even private skip-the-line tours available if you book in advance. If you really want to get behind the story of Schönbrunn and the Habsburgs opt for a small group tour led by an engaging historian. Not of the dry sort, but the contagiously passionate one. Unlike other tours, this 3-hour walk starts in the baroque gardens. Along with the palace ground's bigger picture you will get the big historical picture first before diving into the palace and more detailed stories.

Is Schönbrunn Palace Free?

To enter the palace, you need to pay for a ticket. However, the gardens of Schönbrunn are free, unless you'd like to visit a special attraction such as the orangery, the maze or the Crown Prince's Garden (Kronprinzengarten.) The cheapest palace ticket is EUR 16 per person, the most expensive is EUR 20 (2019 prices.) If you want to extensively visit the palace and other key local attractions, a Vienna travel card can save you money.

Gloriette And Schönbrunn Gardens

There is an observation terrace on the flat roof, which you can access between April and November. In the summer, sit outside in the side arcades overlooking Schonbrunn gardens, and at the back of the belvedere, facing a tranquil pond.

Other attractions of the baroque gardens of Schonbrunn include the Crown Prince Gardens, the Maze, the Palm House, and the Tirolergarten at the zoo.  Moreover, Tirolergarten features an original 18th century farmhouse from Tyrol with a nice restaurant and outdoor terrace.

Vienna Palace Palm House

Whereas you will know Mediterranean, Tropical and Northern vegetation, the Habsburgs got all excited about it in the palm house. Clearly, the best time to visit the Palmenhaus is when it's cold outside. Before you visit, consider buying combined tickets of the gardens and palace of Schönbrunn including the Palm House.

Vienna Zoo At Schonbrunn

While my kids adore the pandas, flamingoes, penguins and lions, I particularly love the forest-like settings.

Since the entrance is at the upper part of the Schönbrunn gardens combine it with a visit to the Gloriette Café.  Find out more in my Vienna Zoo guide.

Café Pavillon

Apart from its colourful interiors children love the outside playground and sandpit, and adults the deckchairs just next.

Other than delicious coffee and pastries, delve into Austrian snacks such as scrambled eggs on dark bread with chives, and Brettljause (cold meat and veg platter). Much less formal than the Vienna castle the café is close to the Obelisk in the gardens, and very popular with locals. In particular, it is perfect if you want to escape tourist magnets like Gloriette, Tirolerhaus and Residenz Café.

Puppets Theatre Vienna

Essentially, the multiple award winning theater for adults and kids builds on an 18th-century tradition. Most of the time the graceful wood-carved puppets on a string  perform operas such as Mozart's The Magic Flute  and Strauss'  Die Fledermaus  ( The Bat ). The acoustics are better than you may think. As for the length of the performances you can watch 2-hour operas for adults, and shortened versions for children.

Locationwise, the marionette theater is located in the Hofratstrakt on the left of the palace. Read our story of seeing the marionette opera Mozart's Magic Flute.

Schönbrunn Palace Events

At their regular concerts, you can listen to those composers Vienna is most famous for: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Vienna waltz king Johann Strauss. Prepare that the acoustics are not the best, the hall is small and sometimes fold-up chairs are used.

Beware that during the off-peak season (1st November to 23rd December and 2nd January to 31st March) an 8-musician ensemble will perform rather than the whole orchestra.   Access concert and event calendar.

Children's Museum

Most importantly, the  Kindermuseum  is very interactive and lets children learn history from their own perspective: how the Imperial children lived, what they ate, what they played, and generally how their life was like at Schonbrunn Palace and Vienna.

Definitely, the highlight of the show for my kids and many others was slipping into imperial costumes and having their photograph taken on a throne or with a group painting of imperial ladies in the back.

Opening hours:  daily 10.00am to 5.00pm; Cashier closes at 4.00pm. Tickets:  EUR 8.80 (adults); EUR 6,50 (adults with a  Vienna Travel Card  ); EUR 6,70 (children between 3 and 18 years); for further information visit website .

Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market And Winterwonderland

From 2023, the Crown Prince Garden will host an enchanting display of light sculptures at its new Winterwonderland. Available daily from mid-November (4.30pm to 9.30pm, 30 min slots ) this magical spectacle uses the mystique of dark winter evenings, and the baroque allure of the palace to weave a tapestry of light.

Featuring an array of luminous themes and a projection show the light park first guides you through a luminous tunnel. Further on, the animals of the hunting garden, radiant bees, the allure of Empress Sisi and Emperor Francis Joseph, and the opulent attire for a grand baroque ball appear. And noná (of course) as we would say,  everything culminates in a majestic imperial ballroom, resonating with the melodies of waltzes.

Schönbrunner Bad Swimming Pool

When Emperor Francis Joseph was a child in the 1830ies, he used to splash around at the water reservoir that used to be there. At the turn of the 20th century, the bath was transformed into the Imperial Swim School. More recently, the Vienna Municipality renovated the two outdoor pools and manicured the lawn for sunbathers. On a warm July morning I finally glided through the waters  - divine!

Opening Times : April, May: 8.30am to 7pm; June, July to 15th August: 8.30am to 10pm; 16th to 31st August: 8.30am to 8pm; from 1st Sept: 8.30am to 7pm Admission : EUR 8 to 11 for an afternoon (adults);

How To Get To Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

From the city centre the U4 metro line takes you straight  to Schönbrunn Palace in 10 minutes. However, there is also bus 10A and tramway 60 stopping at the palace.

To give you an idea of how long it takes to go by taxi or Uber from the city center, you will reach Schönbrunn in 15 to 25 minutes from the Vienna State Opera on Ringstrasse.

Below, this map helps you to locate Schönbrunn Palace in relation to the city centre. On top, it gives you an idea of the dimensions of the whole Vienna castle compound.

go to Imperial Palace Vienna  - Hofburg Wien Guide and Map explore the Imperial tragedy of Mayerling Austria in the Vienna Woods find out more about  Empress Sissi 's Palace of Dreams In Vienna

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Schoenbrunn Palace

Relive the fairytale atmosphere of the Sissi films by visiting Schönbrunn Palace , the summer residence of the Habsburgs: it is one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Europe and one of the most romantic.

In addition to Emperor Franz Joseph and his bride, Empress Elisabeth better known as Sissi , Napoleon, Maria Theresa of Habsburg, emperors of Austria and other nobles of the Habsburg court also lived at Schloss Schönbrunn.

Its sumptuous rooms decorated with the finest taste were the scene of events that shaped the history of Austria and Europe, such as the birth of Emperor Franz Joseph, the Congress of Vienna, Napoleon’s speeches, the first public appearances of the ‘child prodigy’ Wolfang Amadeus Mozart and the end of the Austrian monarchy in 1918.

Of the 1441 rooms in the castle, “only” 40 are open to the public: enough for a unique experience of strolling in luxury, listening to the stories of emperors and princesses and imagining what it might have been like to live as a nobleman in the elegant and cultured Vienna of the 18th and 19th centuries . You too can be an emperor for a day.

When to visit Schönbrunn Palace

Schoenbrunn Palace is open all year round , even on public holidays. The opening hours of the palace, the park and the fountains vary depending on the season. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing time.

There is no best time to visit the château : in spring the park is in full bloom, in summer you can take advantage of the sun and light for wonderful walks and photographs, the colours in autumn are particularly romantic and in winter the view of the snow-covered palace is something absolutely unforgettable.

The origins of the castle

The palace that would later become Schönbrunn Palace was owned by the Habsburgs from 1569, when Maximilian II acquired an estate and residence in what is now the suburban area of Hietzing, at that time only countryside.

It was Ferdinand II’s wife, Eleonora Gonzaga , who had an aristocratic residence built in 1642; she is said to be responsible for the name Schönbrunn. Another woman, Maria Theresa , was responsible for the extension and transformation of Schönbrunn into the Habsburg summer residence. This was the heyday of the castle, which became the centre of political and court life.

After Maria Theresa’s death, the castle remained uninhabited for a few years, but returned to a period of splendour during the reign of Franz Joseph .

With the fall of the monarchy, the castle passed into the ownership of the newly created Republic of Austria; today it is owned by a state-controlled private company.

In 1996 Schönbrunn Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things to do at Schoenbrunn Palace

A visit to Schoenbrunn Palace is a fascinating journey through Austrian history and the lives of kings, emperors and princesses.

The rooms at Schönbrunn that are open to the public include the private rooms of Franz Joseph and Sisi in the west wing of the palace, the state rooms in the central section, the imperial flats of Maria Theresa and Franz Stephan I and the flat in which Archduchess Sophie and Archduke Franz Karl, Franz Joseph’s parents, lived. The tour starts at the Blue Staircase in the west wing.

Of the 40 rooms that can be visited, the most luxurious, curious or historically interesting are:

• Breakfast Room : the most beautiful of the private rooms of Sisi and Franz Joseph, with a romantic view of the garden and handmade embroidery by Maria Theresa and her daughters.
• Hall of Mirrors : here Mozart played at the age of six in the presence of the royal court in 1762.
• Grand Gallery : one of the most opulent rooms in the castle, it is a riot of mirrors, crystal chandeliers and frescoes. The historic Congress of Vienna, which decided the political fate of Europe, was held here.
• Chinese Room : a circular room used by Maria Theresa for her secret consultations. Through a hidden door she had access to her private rooms, while an opening in the floor allowed a set table to be brought into the room so that Maria Theresa’s noble guests could dine without being disturbed by servants.
• Ceremonial Room : this room contains paintings of the marriage of Joseph II to Isabella of Parma by Martin van Meytens.
• Blue Chinese Room: in this room Charles I abdicated in 1918, bringing about the end of the monarchy in Austria.
• Napoleon’ s Room: as the name suggests, this is the room where Napoleon slept.
• Room of Millions : the millions that give this room its name are those spent by Maria Theresa on decorations. We won’t tell you what the decorations are – come and find out!
• Bergl Room : it contains paintings by Johann Wenzl Bergl that seem to recreate the green charm of the garden outside.

Admission tickets to Schönbrunn Palace

You can choose between two different tours for your visit to Schloss Schönbrunn .

The Imperial Tour is the shorter tour, allowing you to visit 22 rooms in the west wing and the central section of the palace, and takes about 35 minutes. Included in the tour are the flats of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sisi, the ballrooms and state rooms. This tour is perfect for those with little time or for those who think they can’t handle too much stucco or crystal!

To fully experience the magic of the castle, choose the Grand Tour , which comprises 40 rooms and lasts about 60 minutes. In addition to the rooms that can be visited on the Imperial Tour, this tour includes the 18th-century rooms from the time of Maria Theresa.

Guided tours are available for the Grand Tour in German and English, and for both tours you can request an audio guide available in 16 languages.

The Sisi ticket, on the other hand, is a combined ticket that allows you to visit the three most famous sights related to the life of Austria’s most famous empress at a discounted price (it also includes the Hofburg and the Imperial Furniture Collection with its permanent exhibition ‘Sissi, Myth of Cinema – Imperial Furniture for a Cinematic Masterpiece’).

Discounted tickets for children and convenient family passes are also available.

Skip-the-line ticket

Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most visited destinations in Austria. In order to avoid queues or even worse a sell-out, it is advisable to buy your ticket online before departure . This way, you can be sure of a stress-free visit to one of Europe’s most beautiful palaces!

Concert tickets

Classical music concerts are regularly held at the Schoenbrunn Palace Orangery. It is certainly an original way to visit this beautiful castle!

Schönbrunn Gardens

Open year-round with free admission, the Schoenbrunn Gardens are an ideal continuation of the splendour of the palace in the open air, adorned with an impressive number of fountains, statues, monuments, trees and flowers and the opulent Gloriette, a stately building that houses a fine café.

Beloved by the Viennese, who have been able to take advantage of its elegant avenues for relaxing strolls through the greenery since 1779, the park is of exceptional historical and artistic value, so plan some time to spend outside before or after your visit to the palace.

Also part of the Schoenbrunn Gardens complex are the Imperial Carriage Museum , the Crown Prince’s Garden, the Orangery Garden, the Maze, the Palm House and the Desert House, which can only be visited by purchasing a separate ticket.

A famous attraction within the park is the Schönbrunn Z oo, considered the oldest zoo in the world and one of the best in Europe.

How to get to Schoenbrunn Palace

It couldn’t be easier to get to Schoenbrunn Palace from the centre of Vienna : underground line U4, tram 10 and bus 10A stop right in front of the palace. You can’t miss a stop because you have to get off at… Schönbrunn!

If you are travelling by car, take the Altmannsdorf exit off the A23 (south-eastern bypass); if you are coming from the A1 motorway, follow the road through the city centre to Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse 47.

Useful information

Entrance ticket.

• Monday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Tuesday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Wednesday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Thursday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Friday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Saturday: 08:30 - 17:30
• Sunday: 08:30 - 17:30

Metro stops

• Schonbrunn (518 mt)
• Schonbrunn U (520 mt)

Where is located Schoenbrunn Palace

How to save on transport and entrance fees.

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The Secrets of Schönbrunn – Schönbrunn Palace Highlights Tour

Tour description:

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna’s symbols and among the must-visit sights the city has to offer. In this palace, the past and present merge in the elegance of imperial architecture and the lush beauty of its gardens. On this Schönbrunn Palace highlights tour, you will get to enjoy a boutique, private experience, led by our expert guides who will show you the palace and its grounds in a fun and fascinating way.

Within the grand walls of Schönbrunn, every room tells a story. From the magnificent state rooms where leaders once gathered, to the intimate apartments that offer a glimpse into the personal lives of emperors and empresses, our tour unveils the human side of history. Our guides are not just historians; they are storytellers who aim to bring the past to life. They will share tales of intrigue, ambition, and the daily lives that unfolded within these spaces.

The palace’s gardens, an integral part of the Schönbrunn experience, unfold in an array of colors and shapes, designed not just for beauty but as a statement of power and control over nature. Following the tour inside the palace, you will get to explore these gardens, enjoy incredible stories while taking beautiful pictures. 

Tour highlights:

The State Rooms: See the impressive state rooms where history and royal life unfold.

The Private Apartments: Get a closer look at where the palace’s famous residents lived their daily lives.

The Great Gallery: The famous hall that was used for major events and celebrations.

The Palace Gardens: Explore the large, impressive and well-kept gardens by the palace.

Why book our Schönbrunn Palace Highlights Tour?

This tour is perfect for those who want to get the most out of their visit to Schönbrunn Palace. Instead of merely walking through the rooms, our guides will bring them to life with fascinating tales. The tour will add depth not only to the palace visit but in general to your experience in Vienna. Much of what you will hear will also be relevant as you explore the beautiful streets of the old town or visit one of its many museums and historical sites.

Important details:

Tour time: This tour is an exclusive, private tour. Simply contact us to choose the time in advance. Duration: The tour lasts approximately 1.5-2 hours. Guide: One of our awesome guides is looking forward to meeting you. See our full team of guides here . Children: This tour is excellent for children who love stories, secrets and history. Accessibility: This tour is wheelchair accessible. What to wear: Comfortable shoes! Also, always check the weather forecast to bring the right clothes (the tour is partially outdoors).

Tour conditions:

Cancellation policy: You can cancel your booking up to 48 hours in advance. If you cancel your booking less than 48 hours before the tour we won’t be able to issue a refund. Certain exceptions apply such as emergency situations. Please note, we reserve the right to cancel the tour up to 48 hours in advance too. We will do so if our guide is unavailable due to a sudden change or if we do not have the minimum number of participants required for the tour.

Copyrights: The content of the tour is produced by our hard working team of licensed guides. Therefore, recording the tour or taking pictures of artefacts and material used by the guide is strictly forbidden.

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Our public tours are available mostly on weekends yet we always try to open new dates. Tell us if you prefer this tour as a public tour or as a private tour and we will get back to you with an offer!

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Imperial Tour – Schönbrunn Palace

• The Imperial Tour takes in the apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth and the south-facing reception rooms looking out onto the palace gardens.
• The private apartments of the last imperial couple to reside at Schönbrunn allow you an insight into their lives, particularly into that of the famous Empress Elisabeth, while also giving you an opportunity to admire the 18th and 19th century interiors.

We would like you to pay attention to the following offer:

The Grand Tour of the palace includes forty rooms. As well as the state rooms and private apartments of the imperial couple Franz Joseph and Elisabeth you will also see the precious eighteenth-century interiors from the ...

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Group reservations.

For your private group (minimum of 10) you can make a firm booking to tour Schönbrunn Palace. The  bookings team will check the time slot you have booked and depending on availability will send you an email by return to confirm the booking.

Reserved tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes prior to admission time.

Find the form HERE .

Description

At home with Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth

On the Imperial Tour you’ll first explore the apartments of Franz Joseph, whose private rooms were furnished with an astonishing lack of pomp, and the suite occupied by his famous wife Sisi with its beautiful textile wall hangings and upholstery. Immerse yourself in the extravagant grandeur of the Great Gallery, the exotic charm of the ‘Chinese Cabinets’ and the magnificence of the Hall of Ceremonies.

Duration c. 30-40 mins

Ticket- Details

This ticket does not include a guided tour, valid for single admission.

Audio guides or printed descriptions for the palace are available free of charge in sixteen languages depending on availability. You will be offered these at the beginning of the tour.

Concessions are only available at the museum ticket desks.

Free admission for children under 6.

  P lease note : if you take advantage of a reduction in the price of admission, proof of entitlement to this concession must be produced on admission. If the reduction has been claimed without entitlement the ticket will be automatically invalidated.

Students (up to and including age 25 ) must produce a valid student identity card (ISIC) together with a ticket on admission.

Concessions are  also  available at the museum ticket desks .  Disability discount are  only  available at the museum ticket desks  with valid ID. Admission is free for a person accompanying a blind/vision-impaired visitor or a wheelchair user, provided that a companion person is included in the disabled visitor’s ID. 

Please note

Selected times of admission are binding! If you turn up late your ticket will no longer be valid.

The use of tripods, selfie sticks or similar photographic or video equipment is prohibited at the museum, as is the use of flash and similar forms of lighting.

Opening hours

Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, including public holidays!

2 April to 30 June   8.30 am–5.30 pm

1 July to 31 August   8.30 am–6.00 pm

1 September to 3 November  8.30 am–5.30 pm

4 November to 31 March  8.30 am–5.00 pm

Further information

Accessible for wheelchair users.

All exhibition areas are accessible barrier-free via ramps or lift.

Public transport Underground: U4; get off at Schönbrunn Trams: 10 and 60; get off at Schönbrunn Bus: 10A; get off at Schönbrunn

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Visiting Vienna

10 things you should do at Schönbrunn

Vienna’s most popular tourist sight is the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. But what should you do at the home of Emperors and Empresses with its gardens and park?

Here my top ten suggestions for 2024…

• Book a Schönbrunn concert or tour * (& more)
• Schönbrunn overview

My top tips

Now, you probably imagine I’d begin with the palace itself. We’ll get to that, of course, but first a couple of insider tips…

1. Go early for photos

( Schloß Schönbrunn, Wien – Early-morning view of Schönbrunn palace looking down from the Gloriette )

The Schönbrunn ticket office and staterooms normally open during conventional working hours. However, the grounds and gardens open from 6.30am and require no ticket: you can wander around most of it for free.

An early start gives you plenty of time to take photos with nobody but the occasional jogger to spoil the view of the palace exterior, landscaped gardens and other features.

I took the above snap at around 7.10am with just one person in sight. Shame about the overcast sky, but you can’t have everything.

Talking of photos…

2. Go behind the main fountain

( Schloß Schönbrunn, Wien – The Neptune fountain

The giant Neptunbrunnen fountain dominates the opposite side of the main gardens to the palace. Behind it rises a hill topped by the Gloriette triumphal arches (see Tip 5 below).

Go up the slope around either side of the fountain and track back behind the monument. Peep through the cave or over the retaining wall for fabulous views of the palace and grounds (and an excellent photo opportunity).

3. Take the Grand palace tour

(Schönbrunn Palace, Vieux-Laque room © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. – Alexander Eugen Koller)

Nice as the surrounding sights and gardens are (more on that below), if you’re going to go to Schönbrunn Palace then you really ought to go inside Schönbrunn Palace.

If you’re not on a guided tour *, the palace has various ticket options for self-guided visits . If you choose the latter option, then I recommend you do the longest Grand Tour .

You see much more than on the other tours for relatively little extra cost. The additional rooms include such joys as the stunning black and gold Vieux Laque Room, the Millions Room with its precious rosewood panels, and Empress Maria Theresa’s bed of state.

(The Empress had a special bed for ceremonial purposes. IKEA and co have missed a trick there.)

4. Take in a concert

(The Wiener Philharmoniker, Andris Nelsons, and Gautier Capuçon performing at a recent Sommernachtskonzert; press photo © Max Parovsky)

One of the many things Vienna does well is embed activites in wonderful, historical surroundings.

Mozart and Salieri used to perform in Schönbrunn’s impressive Baroque Orangery and the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra and Ensemble continue the tradition with regular concerts .

Those concerts typically have upgrade options that include dinner or evening access to a palace tour.

If you’re very lucky with timing, enjoy a free evening concert in the gardens from the world-famous Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra at the annual Summer Night Concert . I had a wonderful experience there.

(Find tickets and experience options for the palace and zoo)

5. Climb the Gloriette

( Schloß Schönbrunn, Wien – The Gloriette rooftop gives you views across Vienna)

They reckon they built the Gloriette to give the Empress something nice to look at out of her palace windows.

Equally, the location itself offers some particularly spectacular views. It already sits on top of a hill facing the palace, but consider climbing up to its rooftop viewing terrace (though that requires a ticket).

Once on the roof, enjoy one of the better views of the Schönbrunn complex and the wider city: look over to Vienna’s centre and Stephansdom cathedral, out to the hills in the west, across to the Danube City, and elsewhere.

6. Plan for the markets

(Weihnachtsmarkt Schloß Schönbrunn © www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at; Photo: Andreas Tischler)

Place an arts and crafts market in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace, and you’re onto a good thing.

But don’t leave it at that.

Make sure the stands are high quality. Throw in food and drink stalls selling traditional Austrian fare. And give it all a seasonal touch.

Welcome to the Schönbrunn Christmas , Easter and New Year markets. Possibly the best of their kind in Vienna: all always prove excellent on my annual visits. All have new organisers from the 2024 Advent season onwards, but I’m hopeful they’ll retain their high quality.

The Christmas & New Year market runs from early November to early January; the Easter market usually opens across the two weeks leading up to Easter Monday.

7. Go late for photos, too

(Schönbrunn Christmas market seen at night from the main entrance)

The early morning light across the Schönbrunn gardens has a certain flair to it, especially when all is quiet.

However, there’s something equally special about the palace lit up at night, though lighting may be curtailed in the current times as energy-saving initiatives continue throughout Vienna.

Even if the park and gates are closed, you can get pretty impressive photos from the road outside the main entrance, particularly at Christmas when the seasonal market fills the courtyard (see the photo above).

8. See a panda bear

(The highlight of the zoo)

As someone with a biology degree, I’m all for objectivity when it comes to the animal world. But…pandas! Cute, furry and maker of poor choices when it comes to evolutionary survival strategies.

Not an animal you normally associate with Baroque palaces. However, the extended park at Schönbrunn houses Tiergarten Schönbrunn : the oldest working zoo in the world and one of the best, too.

The zoo covers a huge area with all sorts of indoor and outdoor attractions that include a two-storey rainforest house, aquarium, big cats, and all the other usual animal suspects.

Just a word of warning, though: the current pandas are returning to China for their twilight years in autumn 2024. A new pair should arrive sometime afterwards, but I don’t have concrete details or dates, yet.

9. Just walk around

( Schloß Schönbrunn, Wien – the main gardens in early spring)

Unless you’re on a tight schedule, take your time to wander around the park away from the hotspots like the palace or Gloriette.

The extensive landscaped grounds and parkland hide many pleasant surprises…

A fountain here, a rose garden there.

A tree-lined avenue with a glorious view of the palace at its end. (As seen, for example, in the movie Corsage .)

(The Roman ruins; press photo © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H., Severin Würnig)

A set of Roman ruins or an obelisk . Neither genuine, but examples of how the rich used to spend their money back in the 1700s.

A red squirrel or three.

A quiet café free from the hubbub of palace visitors.

A little nook or cranny for hushed conversations with loved ones away from governesses and chaperones (yeah, I’ve been writing too much historical fiction ).

In particular, don’t forget to…

10. Cross to the west

(Schloß Schönbrunn, Privy Garden © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H., Foto: Alexander Eugen Koller)

Most people assume the trim, patterned flower beds next to the palace form the extent of the landscaped parts of the Schönbrunn complex.

You can pay a little extra and visit the Privy Garden for more flower-based colour and geometric designs.

Or walk west from the palace all the way to the outer limits of the park and up around the back of the zoo.

This route takes you through the Kammergarten, across to the topiary and flower beds next to the huge palm house (a historic iron and glass construction that looks wonderful on photos), then on through a botanic garden.

Many people don’t find their way to these places, so it’s generally quieter than elsewhere.

(Of course there’s plenty more to Schönbrunn than these ten tips. Take a look at the overview page for information on all the sights and activities.)

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Schönbrunn Palace Tour

• 8.90 / 10 1,105 reviews | 12,137 travellers Interesting social, historical, artistic and personal explanation of the period. Very well done by Eric. 10 Alfonso
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Discover one of the most elegant buildings in Vienna on this guided tour of the Schönbrunn Palace – you'll be captivated by this UNESCO World Heritage Site !

Description

At the indicated time, we'll meet in the main courtyard of the  Schönbrunn Palace  to begin our guided tour of the historic building. As we admire the elegant façade, our guide will reveal fascinating facts about the former summer residence of the Habsburgs .

Following our introduction to the palace, we'll enter inside for a  guided tour of its different rooms  - you'll be enchanted by the opulent luxury of the decor . Our tour will take us to see more than 20 of the rooms, most of them decorated in elaborate Rococo style.

During the tour, we'll have access to more than 20 bedrooms to discover the Rococo Style with which they're decorated. We'll get to see some stunning spots such as the Blue China Room, the Breakfast Room and the Great Gallery , which strecthes to more than 40 metres in length.

Our tour of the Schönbrunn Palace will come to an end 2.5 hours later.

Vienna & Schönbrunn Palace Tour

Complete your experience of Vienna by combining your tour of the Schönbrunn Palace with a  guided tour of the city's most emblematic monuments on our   Vienna & Schönbrunn Palace Tour .

More Information

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Skip the line entry to Schönbrunn Palace

English–speaking guide

When to book?

You can book up until 3 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation.

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Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
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• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.

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Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities .

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A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

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Schönbrunn Digital

The gardens, schönbrunn palace.

Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the No. 1 sight in Vienna!

At the end of the seventeenth century Emperor Leopold I commissioned the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, who had received his training in Rome, to design an imperial hunting lodge for his son, Crown Prince Joseph, later to become Emperor Joseph I. Replacing the château de plaisance built on this site for the dowager empress Eleonora of Gonzaga in 1642, it was to grow into a palatial imperial residence over the course of the eighteenth century.

Take a virtual tour! Besides the state rooms and private apartments of the imperial couple you´ll also see the precious 18th-century interiors from the time of Maria Theresia.

The history of Schönbrunn and the buildings that previously stood on this site dates back to the fourteenth century. Emperor Matthias discovered a spring that gave the estate the name it still bears today.

Imperial summer residence

During the reign of Maria Theresa, as an imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace became the glittering focus of court life. From this time on, it played host to the leading statesmen of Europe.

Google Arts & Culture

Discover the valuable equipment of Schönbrunn Palace at the Google Art Project Schönbrunn. Here you can look at paintings, objects and statues in high-resolution quality:

Google Arts & Culture Schönbrunn Palace

The palace is magnificent, the furniture befitting of a queen and in the best of taste. The gardens have everything that art has ever created.

Johann Edler von Kurzböck, 1779

Unesco-Logo-Ehrenhof Brunnen West

Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. / Alexander Eugen Koller

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most important cultural assets, and since the 1960s has been one of Vienna’s major tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.

At the 20th session of the World Heritage Committee held in December 1996, Schönbrunn Palace was put on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, an institution founded in 1972. Inclusion in this list confirms the importance of the palace and its gardens as a unique Baroque ensemble.

Who owns the palace?

In the possession of the Habsburg dynasty since Maximilian II, as former court property the palace passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria at the end of the monarchy in 1918 and was administered by the Schlosshauptmannschaft Schönbrunn (a local government body) until 1992.

In 1992 Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. was founded and entrusted with the administration of the palace as a limited-liability company solely owned by the Republic of Austria. The company’s corporate mission embraces the tasks of preservation, utilization and finance: the funding for the preservation of the historic fabric of the palace and garden monuments, together with the revitalization of the entire Schönbrunn complex, has to be generated from the company’s own resources without recourse to state subsidies.

Discover more

The habsburgs.

The „World of the Habsburgs“ is a virtual exhibition showcasing the history of the Habsburgs and their times.

Tour through the park - Experience a tour of the Great Parterre, the Angel Fountain, the many statues and more.

Further Reading

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