Schönbrunn Palace
Schloss Schönbrunn · Vienna, Austria
The Habsburgs' summer palace: an imperial dream of 1,441 rooms
Know before you go
- Follow the no-photography rules in certain rooms
- don't touch the furnishings
- at concerts and operas don't leave early or cough loudly.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The empress's wedding present
Schönbrunn was the Habsburgs' main summer palace. Maria Theresa rebuilt and enlarged the estate, which she had received on her marriage, into its present form in the 1740s and 1750s; she also ordered the Gloriette on the heights of the garden, to glorify Habsburg power. After the empire's fall in 1918 the palace passed to the Republic of Austria and was preserved as a museum, and it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Source: Wikipedia: Schönbrunn Palace
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
From hunting lodge to the heart of Maria Theresa's empire: the six-year-old Mozart played for the empress here, Napoleon stayed twice, and the legend of Empress Sisi left its mark. The Baroque palace, French-style gardens and the Gloriette make it 'Austria's Versailles'. Viennese are still proud of the Habsburgs, and court café culture and the New Year's Concert are echoes of empire.
Local customs
- Austrians value etiquette — greet people and queue in order
- touring the palace interior requires a timed ticket, and crowd control is strict in peak season.
Religion & beliefs
- Austria has a deep Catholic tradition, and the palace chapel still holds services
- keep quiet in religious spaces.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Austria: be ready to show your passport
- Carry your passport
- Assuming your driving licence counts as ID
The law requires you to be able to show your passport at all times; Austria does not accept a UK driving licence as official ID.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Austria travel advice
Austria: buy a vignette before using the motorway
- Stick the motorway vignette on the inside of the windscreen
- Driving on motorways and expressways without a vignette
You will be fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Austria travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Follow the no-photography rules in certain rooms
- don't touch the furnishings
- at concerts and operas don't leave early or cough loudly.
Locals appreciate DO
Viennese appreciate visitors who know their music and love coffee — ordering a Melange with Sachertorte at Café Central and going to a Mozart concert in the evening is the way to fit into Vienna.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Spring and autumn are best, the gardens most beautiful in summer, and the Christmas-market season (December) enchanting too |
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Travel tips
- Spring and autumn are best, the gardens most beautiful in summer, and the Christmas-market season (December) enchanting too. Entry is by timed booking and often sells out in the 2026 peak season — be sure to book on the official website days ahead
- the 'Grand Tour' ticket (40 rooms) is the best value
- the gardens are free, and you can climb to the Gloriette for a panorama.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Wiener schnitzel
- Beef soup with liver dumplings / pancake strips
- Goulash
Wiener Schnitzel (veal), beef soup with liver dumplings / pancake strips, beef goulash, Sachertorte, apple strudel + Viennese coffee (Melange)
| Where to eat | The palace café, restaurants in Hietzing next to the palace; in the city, cafés such as Demel / Café Central (photo stops) and the Naschmarkt |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Ordering one coffee in a café and sitting for ages reading the papers is part of the culture; squeeze lemon on your schnitzel — it's not usually served with ketchup; round up the bill as a tip |
| Typical price per person | EUR 22–40 ≈ CNY 183–332 |
| Tips | For Wiener Schnitzel look for the veal version — the pork version is called 'Schnitzel Wiener Art'; check concert-and-dinner packages before eating at the palace. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Kobako · CC BY-SA 2.5
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from Schönbrunn official booking information
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