Vienna Best Palaces
Vienna is famous for its fabulous and beautifully preserved palaces. If you are ready to get to know historical architecture here is a list of the most beautiful palaces in the city.
Vienna Palace | ©Najoie Eddahbi
No matter what time of the year you decide to visit the Austrian capital, one of the best things to see and do in Vienna is possibly a tour of the city's history and architecture through its beautiful palaces and stately homes.
As you will soon realize, Vienna is full of them so it can be difficult to choose which palaces to visit. Here is a list of some of the best alternatives, designed for those who are visiting Vienna for the first time, but also for those who want a tour off the beaten track. Enjoy your adventure!
1. Schönbrunn Palace Vienna
No tour of Vienna would be complete without a stop at one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Schönbrunn Palace was the official home of the imperial family. It is a beautiful residence with magnificently preserved rococo interiors that speaks perfectly of the luxury and ostentation of the kings of the time. For this and much more, a guided tour of Schoenbrunn Palace and its beautiful gardens is a must on any trip to the city.
Where it is and how to get there
Schönbrunn Palace is located at Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse, 47; you will find in the city of Vienna several means of transportation that take you to this destination such as streetcar (lines 10 and 58), bus (line 10A) and subway (line UA). The nearest subway terminal, Schönbrunn, is just a few minutes' walk from the palace.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The opening hours vary depending on the time of year. All year round the opening is at 08.30 am. From April 1 to June 30 it closes at 5.30 pm; from July 1 to August 31 at 6.30 pm; from September 1 to October 31 at 5.30 pm; from November 1 to March 31 at 5.30 pm.
- Price: The guided tour includes a tour of Vienna and costs 56 €.
2. Vienna Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg Palace is the largest palace in Vienna, a magnificent Baroque-style residence that served as the home of the Habsburg dynasty for at least 600 years.
I personally find it a must-see on any tour of Vienna both to see the Sisi Museum, the country's most iconic empress, and to admire the interior of the fantastic imperial apartments.
Where it is and how to get there
Located in the heart of Vienna, at Michaelerplatz 1, getting to the Vienna Hofburg Palace is really easy and you have several means of transportation: the Herrengasse metro station (line U3) is only 8 minutes from the Palace; the Burgring stop 6 minutes from the complex serves the city streetcar (lines 1,2 and D) and the bus (lines 2A and 57A).
Useful information
- Opening hours: Throughout the year the palace opens its doors at 09h. From September to June it is open until 5.30 pm and from July to August until 6 pm.
- Price: The adult entrance ticket costs approximately 15€ per visitor; if you buy the Vienna Explorer Pass this attraction is included.
3. Belvedere Palace Vienna
The Belvedere is a complex of buildings consisting of two beautiful baroque palaces linked by a beautiful French-style garden. Construction began with the aim of serving as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
It took some time to finish the complex and practically nothing remains of the palace interiors. However, it is well worth a visit to the Upper Belvedere Palace to see the Belvedere Art Museum, the beautiful facades and the beautiful and well-preserved gardens.
Where it is and how to get there
The grounds of the complex are located in the 3rd district of the capital. If you are on your own, the main entrance to the complex is on Prinz Eugen Street. The easiest way to get there is by Tram taking the D line to Schloss Belvedere a 2 minute walk or the 71 line to Unteres Belvedere a 6 minute walk.
Useful information
- Opening hours: Open to the public daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Price: Admission to the Upper Belvedere Palace costs 17 €.
4. Hetzendorf Palace
Hetzendorf is a medium-sized baroque palace. Although it is not open to the public, as it houses the Hetzendorf School of Fashion, its exterior and chapel are hidden gems. In addition, the Hetzendorf is located just behind the Imperial Palace, so you can take the opportunity to approach it after your guided tour of Schoenbrunn Palace.
In fact, the beautiful Schloss Hetzendorf chapel can be visited most of the year. In addition, in the entrance courtyard of the palace you will find a nice pub-restaurant with magnificent views of the grounds. If you visit Vienna in summer consider having a coffee or beer in this nice place.
Where it is and how to get there
The palace is located at Hetzendorfer Str. 79. The easiest way to get there is to take the Vienna subway (line U6) to the Schloss Hetzendorf station located just 2 minutes walking distance. You can also take the streetcar (line 62).
Useful information
- Opening hours: The School of Fashion and Design operates from Monday to Friday from 07.30 am to 3.30 pm.
- Price: Not available for interior tours. Access to the chapel is free of charge.
5. Mollard-Clary Palace
The Mollard-Clary Palace is a fabulous baroque style building built in the 1680s by Count Franz Von Mollard. The facade of the building is impressive and very beautiful as well as its interiors, which you will be able to see if you decide to visit the museums that the Austrian National Library has housed inside since 2005.
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Balloon Museum: Founded in 1956, it is the only museum in the world dedicated to exhibiting a fantastic collection of globes.
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Esperanto Museum: More of a documentation and archive center founded in 1927 and focused on Esperanto.
Where it is and how to get there
The Mollard-Clary Palace is located at Herrengasse 9 in Vienna's 1st district. It is quite close to the Hofburg Palace and the famous Clock Museum. Getting to this area of the city is very simple: you can use the Vienna streetcar (line 1), whose nearest stop is Rathausplatz/Burgtheater, a 9-minute walk from the Palace entrance. You can also use the city subway (line U3), whose nearest stop, Herrengasse, is only a 3-minute walk away.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The opening hours of the museums change according to the season; all year round they are open from 10 am to 6 pm. However, from June to September they operate every day, but from October to May they are open from Tuesday to Sunday, remaining closed on Mondays.
- Price: The entrance to the museums located inside the Palace has an approximate cost of 15 € per person. Minors enter free of charge and by purchasing the Vienna Pass, the entrance is included.
6. Kinsky Palace
The Kinsky Palace is the name given to a wonderful baroque palace located in the center of the Austrian capital. Built in the eighteenth century in its beginnings as a mandate of the crown for Count Duan, it was later acquired by the Kinsky family of Bohemia.
The baroque interior of the Palace is magnificently preserved, a sign of the care taken by its owners over the years. It is worth a visit to Freyung Square to admire the fantastic yellow and white facade and its fabulous entrance gate.
Where it is and how to get there
Located at Freyung 4, you will find several means of transportation to get to Kinsky. The most recommended is the Vienna streetcar (line 1), as the Schottentor stop is only a 5-minute walk away; the Herrengasse metro station is a 7-minute walk (lines U1 and U2).
Useful information
- Opening hours: Unfortunately, the Kinsky Palace is not available for sightseeing tours inside as the palace functions as a prestigious private event center.
7. Pálffy Palace
The princely Pálffy family owned the Pálffy Palace in the 17th century. It has an interesting facade with a marked Renaissance style; however, the most striking are its interiors, excellently preserved.
Today the building is used as a center for events, musical performances and various types of public functions. It also houses the Phantasten Museum, an exhibition area dedicated mainly to the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. There you will find an average of 150 works and sculptures made by Austrian artists and international artists.
Where it is and how to get there
This beautiful palace is located in Josefsplatz, in the center of Vienna, and you will find several means of transport to get there. The most recommended are to take the Vienna subway (line U6) to Palffygasse station or the City Tram (line 43) to Palffygasse station, located just 6 minutes walk from the entrance of the Palace.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The small Phantasten Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.
- Price: Access is free of charge.
8. Auersperg Palace
Built between 1706 and 1710, Auersperg holds the title of being the oldest baroque palace in Vienna, making it one of the most famous and beloved historical buildings of the Viennese.
The current layout of the building includes a majestic restaurant serving both traditional Austrian and international cuisine. The rooms of the palace lend themselves to the organization of all kinds of exclusive events ranging from weddings, corporate events, conferences, gala events and even concerts; a great plan to do in Vienna at night.
Where it is and how to get there
The Palace is located at Auerspergstraße 1, in the central area of Vienna. You will find various means of public transportation to reach this area, including the subway (line U3) and the city streetcar (line 46) both stopping at the Auerspergstraße terminus, located just two minutes from the Palace.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The facilities and offices of Auersperg Palace are open from 09h to 07h; Monday to Friday.
- Price: There are no tours inside the Palace, but there are frequent classical music concerts by the Vienna Resident Orchestra. The price of the experience is approximately €45.
9. Trautson Palace
Owned by Count Johann Leopold Donat de Trautson, the palace was built in 1712 using as inspiration for the facade the luxurious town hall of Amsterdam. From this fact derives its facade full of details and architectural elements.
The building is not open to the public but it is possible to admire its exteriors and tour the surrounding areas including the gardens and the orangery.
In its glory years, the Palais Trautson was one of the most elegant dance and party venues in the city. In 1760, Empress Maria Theresa acquired it and converted it into the barracks of the Hungarian Guard. For much of its history it remained the property of Hungarian royalty, until 1961 when Hungary sold the property to the Austrian state, which currently uses it as the seat of the Ministry of Justice.
Where it is and how to get there
Located in Museumstraße 7, district 7, you will have several means of public transport that will allow you to reach this location. You can arrive by subway (line U3) the nearest station is Volkstheater located just 4 minutes walk away. You can also use the city streetcar (line 49); the nearest station is Auerspergstraße located just 3 minutes walk from the Palace.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The building is for private use and there are no set visiting hours.
- Price: Free admission to the greenhouses and gardens and also to admire the exterior facade.
10. Epstein Palace
Vienna's Epstein Palace was built at the end of the 19th century by order of the banker Gustav Ritter Von Epstein. With a Renaissance-style design, it has a vertical height of five levels and is one of Vienna's best preserved buildings of the period.
Over the years, the space has served a variety of uses and is now part of the Vienna Parliament 's provisions whose main building is right next door and was designed by the same architect.
Where it is and how to get there
The palace is located at Dr. Karl Renner-Ring 1. To reach this area of Vienna by taking the city streetcar (line D), the nearest station Ring/Volkstheater is only a minute's walk away. Another way to get here is to take the Vienna subway (line U3) and the nearest Volkstheater station is only a 4-minute walk away.
Useful information
- Opening hours: The facility is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.
- Price: The Epstein Palace offers free guided tours every Saturday from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. Tours are only available in German and English and must be booked in advance by email or phone.