Things to do in Schonbrunn Palace
From the hunting grounds of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II to the lavish summer residence of the Habsburg, the Schönbrunn Palace has a rich history that spans well over 300 years. Now a celebrated symbol of Vienna and the city’s top attraction, since 1996 this sumptuous Baroque palace has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Of the 1441 rooms, 40 are currently open to the public and run the gamut from ornate salons to Rococo staterooms and the residential suites of Emperor Franz Joseph and wife Empress Elizabeth (aka Sisi). Admire the extravagant interiors that have changed little since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa and don’t miss historic rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors, where six-year-old Mozart performed for said empress in 1762.
The complex is also surrounded by immense gardens that are well worth a stroll. Opened to the public since 1779, they are home to a range of attractions including the Orangerie, the world’s oldest zoo, the glorious hill-top Gloriette and the somewhat misleadingly named Roman Ruins (it’s a horticultural feature). While the park is free, individual attractions require admission tickets. The palace also tends to get overcrowded during summer so it’s wise to buy tickets online in advance.
Our recommendations in Schonbrunn Palace
Ticket for the Wagenburg - the Imperial Carriage Museum at Schönbrunn Palace
Marvel at the former royal carriages and learn more about their function and evolution. Also be fascinated by the driver's uniforms and by royal robes.
Vienna PASS for up to 90 free attractions
Book your Vienna PASS for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days and enjoy free entry to up to 90 popular attractions and museums and unlimited use of the sightseeing bus.
Schönbrunn Palace and gardens guided tour
Book now and embark on a journey through time and elegance exploring the Schönbrunn Palace with an expert guide and skip-the-line tickets included.
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An evening in Schönbrunn: dinner and concert
Enjoy an unforgettable evening at the splendid Schönbrunn Palace including an elegant three-course dinner followed by a classical concert.
Ticket for the Wagenburg - the Imperial Carriage Museum at Schönbrunn Palace
Marvel at the former royal carriages and learn more about their function and evolution. Also be fascinated by the driver's uniforms and by royal robes.
Vienna PASS for up to 90 free attractions
Book your Vienna PASS for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days and enjoy free entry to up to 90 popular attractions and museums and unlimited use of the sightseeing bus.
Schönbrunn Palace and gardens guided tour
Book now and embark on a journey through time and elegance exploring the Schönbrunn Palace with an expert guide and skip-the-line tickets included.
en, de
An evening in Schönbrunn: dinner and concert
Enjoy an unforgettable evening at the splendid Schönbrunn Palace including an elegant three-course dinner followed by a classical concert.
After-hours palace tour, dinner and concert at Schönbrunn Palace
Enjoy an amazing evening at Schönbrunn Palace including an audio-guided tour, a three-course dinner and a concert with the best of Mozart and Strauss.
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Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with Guide in Spanish
Book a 2.5-hour group tour of Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with a professional guide.
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Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with Guide in French
Book a 2.5-hour group tour of Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with a professional guide.
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Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with Guide in Italian
Book a 2.5-hour group tour of Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens with a professional guide.
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Schönbrunn Palace Park Walking Tour in Spanish
Book now and discover the rich history of Schönbrunn Castle Park, wander through its lush grounds and iconic landmarks with an expert guide.
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Skip-the-Line Entrance with Guide to Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens
Visit Vienna's first attraction with a 5-star licensed guide and official partner of Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, enjoying skip-the-line access to the venue.
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Schönbrunn: Christmas market, palace tour and concert
Enjoy a culturally and culinary unique evening at Schönbrunn, admire Christmas atmosphere at the beautiful Christmas and New Year's Market Schloss Schönbrunn.
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Vienna Empress Sissi walking tour
Embark on a captivating Vienna Empress Sissi walking tour, tracing her legacy from the Church of St. Augustine to the Hofburg Palace's Sissi Museum.
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How to get there
Schonbrunn Palace
Vienna
Austria
Reviews Schonbrunn Palace
“It would have been helpful to make the experience more relevant to TUI, for instance being informed that the pick up point for the bus a was 3 min walk from the boat NOT the city centre wasting a lot of time, Queuing and boarding was very disorganised, both in the city centre for the main bus and the road train tour of the palace grounds. The bus itself was clean and the tour commentary was clear and informative, but overall a lot of room for improvement of the experience.”
“The bus had no air conditioning. The audio was playing music most of the time rather than pointing out the landmarks There is little of interest outside of the old town so it would be cheaper to take a metro into the town and nack”
“Cost 34 euros was on the yellow line tour for 90 minutes mostly no commentary and could only see places at a distance much better value was a 1 day travel card on the underground for 8 euros was quicker and easier to use”
“The bus stop was quite a walk from the mooring and not easy to spot. The bus route close to the ship does a comprehensive 2 hrs round circuit but if you miss a stop you cant go back on yourself. It takes you first over to the other side of the river rather than into the city centre. The commentary is pleasant but not always very informative. Bus stops are sometimes hard to find. Buses run frequently and to time. Once into the city more routes are available to take you to all main areas.”
