Belvedere Palace: Tickets

Belvedere Palace - Tickets and Visitor Information

‍

What is Belvedere Palace?

• Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna's most famous landmarks and home to one of Austria's most important art collections.
• Built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Baroque palace complex is made up of two magnificent buildings, Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere, and they are connected by beautifully landscaped gardens.
• The palace houses the Belvedere Museum, which contains Gustav Klimt's famous painting The Kiss.
• The combination of grand Baroque architecture, royal history, impressive gardens and artwork makes Belvedere Palace one of the top attractions in Vienna.

‍

Quick Information

• Address: Belvedere Palace, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030, Vienna
• Opening Hours: Daily, but hours vary depending on venue.
• Suggested Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
• Ticket Options

‍

Is Belvedere Palace Worth Visiting?

Yes, Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna's must-see attractions. It is worthwhile if you enjoy:

• Historic palaces
• European art
• Baroque architecture
• Photography
• Vienna's royal history
• Even visitors who are not major art fans often enjoy the palace because of the architecture, gardens and views.

‍

What You Can See At Belvedere Palace

Upper Belvedere is the main attraction and where most visitors begin their visit. Inside you can explore:

• Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, one of Austria's most famous artworks.
• Works by Egon Schiele, Vincent van Gogh and other renowned artists.
• Historic rooms from the former palace, including the Marble Hall.
• Temporary exhibitions from the Belvedere collection.
• The palace also offers one of the best views in Vienna.

Lower Belvedere was Prince Eugene's original residence and provides a different experience from the Upper Palace. You can explore:

• Former royal apartments.
• Temporary art exhibitions.
• The Orangery and Palace Stables.
• Lower Belvedere is often quieter than Upper Belvedere and is worth including if you want to experience the full palace complex.

‍

{{ticket-block-triple}}

‍

About Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vienna's most popular attractions. An incredible Baroque palace built in the early 18th century by the renowned architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, having been commissioned by Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was a successful military leader, art patron and part of the Habsburg dynasty.

The prince commissioned Hildebrandt to build the palace so he could use it as a summer residence and it's said that Hildebrandt took inspiration from the Palace of Versailles in France and adapted it with Austrian influences.

The palace is split into two sections, ‘Upper Belvedere’ and ‘Lower Belvedere’ which are separated by a courtyard and beautifully landscaped gardens.

After Prince Eugene's death in 1736, the palace eventually came into the possession of Empress Maria Theresa, who transformed it into a public museum displaying parts of the imperial art collection.

Exploring Upper and Lower Belvedere

• Upper Belvedere Palace - Has incredible architecture, magnificent halls, and a grand staircase. It was built to demonstrate Prince Eugene's wealth, influence and status as one of Europe's most successful military commanders. The Marble Hall (Marmorsaal) is one of the palace's most impressive interiors. The two-storey ceremonial hall features lavish Baroque decoration and Carlo Carlone's ceiling fresco, completed in 1720. It also has historical significance as the location where the Austrian State Treaty was signed on 15 May 1955. Empress Maria Theresa dedicated the space as venue for some of the royal art collections and the hall is now Austria's National Art Gallery.
• Lower Belvedere: Originally used as a living space by Prince Eugene, the palace includes the ornate ‘Marble Gallery’ (Marmorgalerie), the ‘Hall of Grotesques’, and the ‘Orangery’. The Lower Belvedere now hosts temporary exhibitions. The Orangery was originally built as Prince Eugene's greenhouse and has since been converted into an exhibition gallery space, and the Palace Stables are now home to the permanent collection of Medieval and Renaissance art.
• Gardens: The beautifully landscaped Baroque gardens sit between the Upper and Lower Belvedere Palaces. They feature ornate fountains, sculptures, and manicured flower beds. The gardens are one of the highlights of the palace complex. They offer some of the best views of Upper Belvedere and feature symmetrical pathways to explore.

Art Collections at Belvedere Palace

• Austrian National Gallery - The Upper Belvedere houses the Austrian National Gallery, which boasts an extensive collection of Austrian art, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
• Klimt Collection - The palace is home to the world’s largest collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt, including the famous paintings The Kiss and Judith. The collection is one of the main attractions as it has more than 20 works by the artist.
• Other Notable Works - You can see works by artists such as Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and various masters of the Biedermeier period.
• Special Exhibitions - The Belvedere regularly hosts special exhibitions which feature international and Austrian artists. The exhibitions often explore various themes and artistic movements, making each visit unique.
• Belvedere 21 Museum - Belvedere 21 is a modernist museum dedicated to contemporary art from Austrian and international artists. The museum features indoor galleries as well as an outdoor sculpture garden.

The Belevedere complex is spread over around 17 hectares (42 acres), so to enjoy it all, you need to spend a few hours exploring it, including the palace gardens, Orangery and other areas. Please note that separate tickets are required for Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere and Belvedere 21. If you want to explore multiple areas, check combination ticket options before booking.

‍