Belvedere Palace is a historic building complex in Vienna, Austria, that consists of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The palaces were built in the early 18th century by Prince Eugene of Savoy as his summer residence and a place for festivities. Today, they house several museums that showcase Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day, including masterpieces by Klimt, Schiele, and van Gogh.
The Upper Belvedere is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and the Lower Belvedere is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. The admission fee for each palace is 16.70 euros for adults, 13.40 euros for seniors and students, and free for children and youth under 19. You can also buy a combined ticket for both palaces for 24 euros, or a three-in-one ticket that includes the Belvedere 21, a venue for contemporary art, for 26.10 euros.
To get to Belvedere Palace, you can take the tram line D or 71, or the bus line 69A to Schloss Belvedere or Quartier Belvedere. You can also take the S-Bahn or regional trains to Quartier Belvedere station, which is a short walk from the palace. Alternatively, you can take the U-Bahn line U1 to Südtiroler Platz and then walk for about 15 minutes.
Some tips for visiting Belvedere Palace are:
- Book your tickets online in advance to avoid queues and secure your desired time slot, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Plan at least two hours for each palace, as there is a lot to see and admire.
- Don’t miss the famous painting The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, which is located in the Upper Belvedere.
- Enjoy the beautiful gardens that connect the two palaces, which feature fountains, sculptures, and flowers.
- Check out the temporary exhibitions in the Lower Belvedere and the Orangery, which often feature works by international artists.
- Visit the Palace Stables, where you can see medieval art and learn about the history of Prince Eugene’s horses.
There are some prohibitions that you should be aware of when visiting Belvedere Palace:
- No photography or filming is allowed inside the museums, except for personal use without flash or tripod.
- No food or drinks are allowed inside the museums, except for water bottles.
- No pets are allowed inside the museums, except for guide dogs.
- No smoking is allowed anywhere on the premises.
- No backpacks or large bags are allowed inside the museums, but you can use the lockers or cloakroom for free.
Belvedere Palace is one of the most impressive and popular attractions in Vienna. It offers a unique opportunity to admire stunning architecture and art in a historic setting. Whether you are interested in Baroque style, Austrian culture, or modern art, you will find something to enjoy at Belvedere Palace.
