The Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna’s most striking Baroque landmarks, known for its landscaped gardens and world-class art collections.
Built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of Austria’s most valuable cultural treasures.
History of the Belvedere Palace
The palace complex consists of the Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere, connected by sweeping formal gardens. Architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt designed the estate as a symbol of power and prestige for Prince Eugene, one of the most successful military leaders of his time.
Over the centuries, the palace has hosted imperial functions and now serves as a museum complex.
Five great things to do while you’re in Vienna
- Take a guided bike tour through the Old City and along the Danube.
- Enjoy a classical music concert at St Peter’s Church.
- Taste gruner veltliners and much more on a wine tour through the Weinviertel region.
- See the World Heritage-listed sights of the Wachau Valley on a super-scenic day trip.
- Explore Vienna’s food scene in café’s and markets with an expert guide.
Exploring the Upper Belvedere
The Upper Belvedere houses the most significant part of the collection, including the largest group of works by Gustav Klimt.
His painting “The Kiss” is the highlight for many visitors, alongside pieces by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and French Impressionists such as Monet and Renoir. The ornate marble halls and ceiling frescoes also provide a glimpse into the Habsburgs’ former imperial grandeur.
The Lower Belvedere and gardens
The Lower Belvedere showcases temporary exhibitions and offers insight into Baroque architecture and design. Its highlights include the Marble Hall, the Golden Cabinet, and the Grotesque Hall.
Between the two palaces stretch beautifully designed formal gardens, laid out in symmetrical patterns and adorned with fountains and statues. They are free to enter and make a pleasant walking route between the buildings.
The newest addition to the Belvedere – the contemporary art museum Belvedere 21 – is in a separate building to the south of the palace complex.
Belvedere ticket prices
There are multiple ticket options for the Belvedere Palace complex, and they are needlessly confusing. However, these are the prices as of September 2025, when I most recently checked.
| Venue | Category | Online Price | On-site Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Belvedere | Adult | €19.50 | €21.00 |
| Senior (65+) | €15.50 | €17.50 | |
| Student (under 26) | €15.50 | €17.50 | |
| Youth (under 19) | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Vienna City Card holder | €18.00 | – | |
| Disability Card holder | €8.00 | – | |
| Lower Belvedere | Adult | €16.50 | €18.00 |
| Senior (65+) | €13.00 | €14.50 | |
| Student (under 26) | €13.00 | €14.50 | |
| Youth (under 19) | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Vienna City Card holder | €15.00 | – | |
| Disability Card holder | €8.00 | – | |
| 2-in-1 Day Ticket (Upper + Lower) | Adult | €29.00 | €30.50 |
| Senior (65+) | €23.50 | €25.00 | |
| Student (under 26) | €23.50 | €25.00 | |
| Youth (under 19) | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Vienna City Card holder | €26.50 | – | |
| Disability Card holder | €10.00 | – | |
| 3-in-1 Day Ticket (Upper + Lower + Belvedere 21) | Adult | €32.00 | €33.50 |
| Senior (65+) | €24.50 | €26.00 | |
| Student (under 26) | €24.50 | €26.00 | |
| Youth (under 19) | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Disability Card holder | €12.00 | – | |
| Companion | €0.00 | – | |
| Belvedere 21 | Adult | €9.30 | €11.00 |
| Senior (65+) | €6.90 | €8.00 | |
| Student (under 26) | €6.90 | €8.00 | |
| Youth (under 19) | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Vienna City Card holder | €7.00 | – | |
| Disability Card holder | €5.00 | – |
Practical tips for visiting Belvedere Palace
- Location: Prinz-Eugen-Straße, in Vienna’s 3rd district, just a short walk from Hauptbahnhof station.
- Opening hours: Generally open daily, though hours vary between Upper and Lower Belvedere; check in advance if planning a combined visit.
- Tickets: Separate tickets are available for each palace, or you can purchase a combined entry.
- Best time to visit: Early morning for fewer crowds, especially if you want an uninterrupted view of Klimt’s works.
- Accessibility: Both palaces are wheelchair accessible, with lifts and step-free entrances.
FAQs about Belvedere Palace
- What is Belvedere Palace famous for? It is best known for housing Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” and its Baroque architecture.
- Is entry to the gardens free? Yes, the gardens are free to enter and open year-round.
- Can you visit both Upper and Lower Belvedere on one ticket? A combined ticket is available, though you can also buy separate entries.
- How long should I allow for a visit? Around half a day if visiting both palaces and the gardens.
- How do you get there? The palace is within walking distance of Vienna’s main train station and well connected by tram and bus routes.
More Vienna travel
Other Vienna travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Why the Naschmarkt might be your favourite bit of Vienna.
- The incredible stories inside Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes.
- Leopoldstadt neighbourhood guide.
- Visiting Hundertwasserhaus, Vienna’s quirkiest building.
- Ticket price guide for St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.
