4 Best Tours of Palaces and Castles in Vienna

Austria's geography is dotted with castles and palaces, and Vienna is no exception. Whether in the city centre or the surrounding area, you will find many of these majestic buildings that not only reflect local history but also reveal the luxury and distinction that characterised the Austrian empires from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

Taking a tour of these palaces is one of the best things to do in Vienna. Schönbrunn, Hofburg and Belvedere are ideal places to discover them on a guided tour, but they are not the only ones. Below, I will tell you about the most comprehensive options available during your tour of the Austrian capital.

Schönbrunn Palace is one of Vienna's most iconic buildings, and the best way to get to know it in depth is to take a two-hour guided tour that will transport you back to the splendour of the Habsburg dynasty. During these tours, you can explore the rooms of this Baroque palace, which stand out for their luxurious decoration and ornamentation dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

The advantage of taking a guided tour is that you will have access to the imperial rooms, such as the Grand Marble Hall and the Study, where the emperors made crucial decisions for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The palace, which was originally built as a summer residence, gained prominence over the years to become a political meeting place, hence its opulent interiors.

During these tours, you will also have the opportunity to discover the palace gardens, which cover 160 hectares and are a perfect example of Baroque landscaping, with ornate fountains, classical sculptures and paths that lead into the countryside. One of the highlights of these gardens is the Gloriette, an elegant pavilion offering a panoramic view of Vienna from the top of the hill.

These guided tours usually include priority access and no queues to visit Schönbrunn Palace. In some cases, they even allow you to enter other sites within the complex, such as the world's oldest zoo or the 18th-century hedge maze next to the palace gardens.

Interesting details

• Price: around £50.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can skip the queues and have access to most of the rooms in the palace.

If you want to discover Vienna's largest palace complex, then you cannot miss the ubiquitous Hofburg Palace, located in the heart of the Austrian capital. This building was the former official residence of the Habsburg dynasty and the centre of imperial power for centuries. In addition, it was fortified in its early days, so it was formally considered a castle as it was intended for military use.

Today, the palace is one of the most visited sites in Austria and, among its many attractions, one of the most fascinating is the Sissi Museum, dedicated to the life and legacy of Elisabeth of Bavaria, popularly known as Sissi. On these three-hour tours, you can explore the interior of the building and learn about the palace intrigues that tormented the woman considered to be the last great empress of Europe.

The Sissi Museum displays a unique collection of personal items belonging to the empress, providing a faithful reflection of Sissi's private life. You will discover intimate and unknown facets of this famous monarch and, with the assistance of a guide, learn about everything from her most famous dresses to iconic jewellery and portraits that capture her beauty and elegance.

This tour, however, will not only allow you to learn about Sissi's life, but also to explore the secrets of the Hofburg Palace, which houses centuries of history and witnessed the most important moments of the empire. Admission to visit this site is included in the list of activities on the Vienna Pass tourist card.

Details of interest

• Price: around £48.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover one of Austria's most famous palaces through the history of one of the most captivating figures of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Private tour of the Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere complex was built in the 18th century as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, one of the most successful generals of the empire. Over the years, however, the building took on greater importance, becoming a witness to key historical events. Today, it not only houses one of the most beautiful palaces in Vienna, but also one of the most extensive art collections in Austria, making it one of the best museums in Vienna.

The private tour of this site will allow you to explore it in greater depth, accompanied by an expert guide who will tailor the experience to your interests and be completely dedicated to you. It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get to know the Belvedere, which is considered one of the best palaces in Vienna.

The Belvedere Palace has two buildings: the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere, surrounded by French-style gardens. In the Upper Belvedere, you can admire the art collection, which includes works by artists such as Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka and Gustav Klimt, whose painting The Kiss is one of the main attractions. The Lower Belvedere, meanwhile, houses sumptuous rooms decorated with frescoes and furniture from the imperial era.

One of the great advantages of visiting the Belvedere Palace on a private tour is the opportunity to explore this iconic place at your own pace and without the crowds that often accompany group tours. Your personal guide will take you through the various galleries and halls, providing detailed information in several languages and anecdotes that will enrich your visit.

Details of interest

• Price: around £186.
• Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can avoid the crowds of group tours and have an expert local guide at your disposal to tailor the tour to your interests.

A guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace with dinner and classical music concert included is an experience that combines history, art and gastronomy in one of Vienna's most iconic locations. This palace, which was the summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family, bears witness to European Baroque splendour.

These tours offer a special activity because, in addition to visiting the rooms where emperors such as Franz Joseph and Maria Theresa once lived, you can top off the experience with a delicious dinner and a classical music concert in an elegant setting, making it one of the best things to do in Vienna at night.

The guided tour will first take you through some of the 1,441 rooms of Schönbrunn Palace, where you will discover the decorated interiors and imperial halls. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a gourmet dinner with options for all tastes in one of the elegant restaurants located within the palace grounds. The dinner, which usually includes typical Viennese dishes, is served in an intimate and refined atmosphere that evokes the imperial banquets of yesteryear.

The grand finale of these guided experiences is the classical music concert held in the palace's Orangery. There you can listen to talented musicians performing the famous works of composers such as Mozart and Strauss, which will transport you to the golden age of Viennese music and allow you to witness one of the best concerts in Vienna.

Details of interest

• Price: around £137.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a complete experience that combines local architecture with gastronomy and classical music.

You can book excursions in advance online or hire some of these tours once you are in the city. Keep in mind that if you plan to visit Vienna during the summer or during the high season, when the Austrian capital's attractions are at their busiest, you may lose your spot on the tour or have to choose a time or date that does not fit your itinerary.

That's why, since the palaces are among the city's main attractions, I recommend booking in advance. This way, you can plan an optimal and detailed itinerary before arriving in Vienna, allowing you to maximise your stay in this destination. You'll also be able to better combine these experiences with excursions to the Austrian capital's surroundings.

On the other hand, remember that guided tours of the palaces are among the best tours in Vienna, so if you book in advance , you can get better prices or freeze rates, which will help you make your trip more economical and allow you to better calculate your travel expenses.

On guided tours of Vienna's palaces, you will discover some of the city's finest imperial buildings, which will not only amaze you with their Baroque architecture, but also allow you to learn about the history and imperial profile of the city. Traces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire permeate the most famous palaces of this destination, so these complexes will give you the perfect excuse to delve into royal gossip.

In addition, some of these buildings, such as the Belvedere, contain museums, so you can also make the most of your visit by learning about the local culture and some of the best exhibitions in the city. Keep in mind that they are spread out across different areas, but always close to other attractions, so if you plan to get there by Vienna's tourist bus or public transport, you can combine several activities in one day.

Finally, you will also find alternatives that include music concerts or even dinners, making it an ideal option if you also want to discover Austria's gastronomic heritage and the best dishes of the local cuisine.

• One of the essential tips for visiting Vienna is to book all your activities in advance. The Austrian capital is often an expensive destination, but if you plan ahead, you can save money and even enjoy more complete experiences, such as those that include dinner and admission to a concert during your visits to the palaces and castles of this destination.
• If you don't have any budget restrictions, I recommend that you try the local cuisine and attend a classical music concert in Vienna . In that case, as I also recommend visiting these palaces, a tour with several activities is a perfect alternative to optimise your time and enjoy a varied itinerary.
• Come and join a guided tour! The city's palaces, some of which have more than 1,000 rooms, can be overwhelming if you visit them on your own, but with an expert local guide you can get the most out of your visit and avoid spending hours wandering around the complex without understanding the vital importance of each of the sites you visit or the works of art you come across along the way.

Much of the imperial splendour of this destination lies in its palaces, so you can't say you've really seen the city until you've visited some of these sites. What's more, the imperial spirit of the Austrian capital is evident in its buildings, so you won't just be sightseeing , you'll be immersing yourself in the local culture. On the other hand, if you visit Vienna in winter, these places are perfect for spending the coldest days.

Keep in mind that many of these complexes include other attractions, such as museums, concert halls, restaurants and even zoos, so if you choose not to visit the interior of these sites, you'll be missing out on much more than just imperial architecture during your trip.

Most of the palaces included in these tours are vast. Many have more than 1,000 rooms, imperial halls, museums, zoos, extensive gardens and a large collection of works of art. If you visit them on your own, without the assistance of an expert local guide, you may not get the most out of your tour. Furthermore, you won't be able to access some rooms and halls on your own.

On the other hand, these castles are part of Vienna's main tourist circuit, so they are prone to crowds. Local guides usually know the least crowded times and alternative routes within the complexes, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed tour with opportunities to take the best photographs.