Schönbrunn Palace
Schloss Schönbrunn
The Habsburg summer palace: a Baroque palace with 1,441 rooms, set in a giant garden that includes the Gloriette triumphal arch on the hill and the zoo. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Austria's most popular attraction.
Schönbrunn takes its name from a 'beautiful spring' discovered here by Emperor Matthias in the 17th century. Starting in 1696, it was designed by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. In the mid-18th century, Empress Maria Theresa remodeled it into the Rococo summer palace seen today, with 1,441 rooms. It is Austria's most important cultural heritage and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1996. Mozart performed for the Empress in the Hall of Mirrors at age six. Napoleon lived here during his two occupations. Emperor Franz Joseph was born and died here. In late 1918, the last emperor, Karl I, signed his declaration of abdication here. There are two tours. The 'Imperial Tour' covers 22 rooms and costs about €22, including the living quarters of Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi, the Hall of Mirrors and the Grand Gallery. The 'Grand Tour' covers 40 rooms and costs about €26, adding Maria Theresa-era rooms such as the Million Room and the Chinese Room. Timed tickets must be booked in advance on the official site, schoenbrunn.at, and peak-season slots often sell out early. Photography is prohibited inside the palace. The 160-hectare garden is free to enter. The Neptune Fountain at the end of the central axis and the Gloriette on the hill (climbing it costs extra, and it has a café inside) offer classic views of the palace and Vienna. The world's oldest zoo (1752, about €24, with giant pandas), the Palm House, the maze and the Orangery require separate tickets. You can also buy the Classic Pass, which covers several attractions. Getting there: it's a 5-minute walk from Schönbrunn station on U-Bahn line U4, or take tram 10 or 60 to the Schloss Schönbrunn stop. Allow at least half a day. In summer, you can hear court concerts of Mozart and Strauss at the Orangery.
Opening hours
Palace 08:30–17:30 (until 18:30 in summer); gardens 06:30 to sunset
Nearby sights
- Technisches Museum Wien
- Schönbrunn Zoo
- MuseumsQuartier & Leopold Museum
- Natural History Museum Vienna
- Naschmarkt
- Austrian Parliament Building
- Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Vienna City Hall