Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn)

The basics

More than 40 of the palace’s 1,441 rooms are open to the public, including the private imperial apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), as well as the exquisite 18th-century rooms of Empress Maria Theresa—the only female ruler of the Habsburg dynasty. In addition to the impressive palace, there are other attractions on the Schönbrunn Palace grounds worth visiting. The vast palace gardens include the spectacular Palm House made from iron and glass, the Desert Experience House, the Orangery Garden, a hedge maze, and even a zoo.

Book a Schönbrunn Palace skip-the-line tour to beat the crowds and benefit from the knowledge of an expert guide, or opt for a private Schönbrunn Palace tour for a more personalized experience. Most imperial tours end in the Hall of Ceremonies, but private tours can provide you with access to more exclusive rooms and allow you to linger. For example, you may want to spend more time admiring the gold lacquer Chinese panels in the Vieux-Laque Room.

For an evening of culture and music, attend the Schönbrunn Palace Concert in Vienna in the Schönbrunn Palace Orangery and listen to famous works by Mozart and Strauss. Or, get an overview of the city and the palace on a Big Bus Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, stopping at other highlights such as the Vienna Opera House, the Danube River, the Sii Museum, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Things to know before you go

• Filming and photography are not permitted inside the palace.

• The palace has nine onsite dining options, including outdoor cafés and formal sit-down restaurants.

• The main gate has three accessible parking spaces, and you can rent wheelchairs free of charge. All display rooms are wheelchair-accessible.

• An ATM and free lockers are available at the Group Center.

• Download the Schönbrunn App before arriving to have access to an interactive map and tips for the best photo spots.

How to get there

Schönbrunn Palace is located on the outskirts of Vienna, roughly 15 minutes by road from the city’s historic center and 30 minutes by road from Vienna International Airport. There is a parking facility at the palace with free parking on weekends and short-term parking for a fee on weekdays, however, public transportation is the easiest option; the U4 underground line, the 10 and 16 trams, and the 10A bus run directly to the palace—just get off at the Schönbrunn stop.

When to get there

Mid-March through early November is the best time to visit Schönbrunn Palace but note that the summer months of July and August will be the busiest. During these months, it’s best to visit earlier in the day. Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) tickets are sold for fixed admission times to prevent overcrowding and long waiting times. Spring and fall bring mild weather and fewer people.

The Schönbrunn Palace Orangery

For lovers of music and culture, an evening visit to Schönbrunn Palace is a must. The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra performs concerts in the fully renovated Palace Orangery, where Mozart himself often played. The orchestra is accompanied by ballet dancers and opera singers, and they perform various works from Mozart and Strauss.

Which tour is best for Schönbrunn Palace?

If you wish to see as much of the palace as possible, the best tour of the palace is the Grand Tour. This audio tour takes around 60 minutes and includes the State Apartments, south-facing reception rooms, private apartments, and piano nobile (main floor). For those more interested in the lives of Franz Joseph or Maria Theresia, the 75-minute guided tour is a great option.

Is it worth going inside Schönbrunn Palace?

Yes, it is worth going inside Schönbrunn Palace. The baroque architectural details are incredible, and the extravagant decor has been incredibly well preserved. You will also learn about the imperial family who occupied the breathtaking palace for centuries. If you don’t go inside the palace, you can still visit the gardens or buy tickets for the Desert House or Palm House.

How much time do you need to visit Schönbrunn Palace?

You should allow between 2–4 hours at Schönbrunn Palace, depending on how much of the palace interior and gardens you plan on seeing. Two hours will let you take a 30-minute tour of the State Apartments and allow time to walk through the gardens and grab a bite at one of the eateries on-site. Many of the more popular tours of the palace run approximately an hour in length and you will want to allow plenty of time to see the gardens as well.

What is the best month to visit Schönbrunn Palace?

April is the best month to visit Schönbrunn Palace as spring brings the palace gardens to life. This time of year also lets you avoid the crowds of visitors that come in summer and in the holiday season before Christmas.

Is Schönbrunn Palace accessible?

Yes, Schönbrunn Palace is accessible for visitors with wheelchairs or mobility concerns. Display areas use ramps or lifts to ensure barrier-free accessibility inside the palace, and there are barrier-free toilets, dedicated parking spaces by the main gate, and free wheelchairs available for use.

Are there restrooms at Schönbrunn Palace?

Yes, there are many restrooms at Schönbrunn Palace and within the palace gardens. You’ll find them by the ticket desk, on the palace's first floor, in several places around the gardens including by the Gloriette, and at the entrances to Schonbrunn Zoo.

Ways to explore

Half a day at Schönbrunn Palace flies by when you tour the palace’s exhibition rooms and explore the vast palace gardens, home to a spectacular Palm House, Gloriette panoramic terrace, and zoo. Choose from two self-guided routes following an audio guide or book a Schönbrunn Palace skip-the-line tour to beat the crowds and benefit from a guide’s knowledge. Private palace tours let you linger at points that interest you, such as the Vieux-Laque Room with its gold-lacquered Chinese panels. Alternatively, attend a Schönbrunn Palace Concert in Vienna for an evening of Mozart and Strauss in Schönbrunn Palace Orangery.

Accessibility

Display rooms at Schönbrunn Palace are wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are available to rent at the ticket gate.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, but children under 14 must be supervised in the exhibition rooms.

What to pack

Camera, bottled water, umbrella

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, layers in colder months

Not allowed

Tripods, selfie sticks, food/drink (except water), drones

Amenities

Cloakroom, lockers, gift shop, cafés/restaurants

Address

Schönbrunn Palace is in an outer district of Vienna called Hietzing. To get there from the city center, visitors can drive, take public transportation, or take a hop-on hop-off bus.

Driving

When driving to Schönbrunn Palace from the city center, take the Linke Wienzeile/B1. After about 10 minutes, the palace will be on your left. The palace’s paid parking lot is opposite the entrance. Electric vehicle charging spaces are available.

Public transportation

Take the U4 line from Karlsplatz to the Schönbrunn station for the quickest trip via public transit. Other, more niche options include the 60 tram from the Westbahnhof station and the 10A bus from Heiligenstadt—both run directly to the palace.

Best times to visit

Visit early in the day or wait until midafternoon to avoid the palace’s busiest times, when tickets often sell out and entrance lines are long.

Best days to visit

Avoid the larger crowds that visit on Fridays and weekends by going Monday–Thursday.

Best months to visit

The best months are the ones on either side of July and August—the busy summer months—such as April to June and September to October, which offer nice conditions for visiting the grounds without overwhelming crowds.

Special events

Christmas markets in November and December add a festive flair to the courtyard in front of Schönbrunn Palace, while the holiday season offers special concerts for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.