Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors for more than 300 years, and it's where a young Mozart reportedly performed for Empress Maria Theresa. Today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with well over a thousand rooms, one of the largest palace complexes in Europe — though only a fraction is open to visitors.
What's inside the palace
Tours run through the Imperial Apartments, decorated in the rococo style Maria Theresa favoured, with the family's private rooms giving a much more human sense of court life than the grander state rooms. The two standard ticket tiers are the Imperial Tour (around 22 rooms) and the longer Grand Tour (around 40 rooms, including Maria Theresa's apartments and the Hall of Mirrors where the young Mozart is said to have played). Audio guides are included and available in a wide range of languages.
The gardens are the real highlight
Unlike the palace interior, the gardens are free to wander and arguably the better reason to visit. From the rear terrace, formal parterres lead the eye straight up the hill to the Gloriette — a colonnaded structure built as a monument to Habsburg power, and now a café with one of the best panoramic views over Vienna. Budget at least an hour just for the walk up and back, longer if you detour through the maze, the Roman Ruin folly, or the Neptune Fountain.
Schönbrunn Zoo
Tiergarten Schönbrunn, inside the palace grounds, is the world's oldest continuously operating zoo (founded in 1752) and consistently rated one of the best in Europe. It's a separate ticket from the palace but shares the same grounds — see our Schönbrunn Zoo guide for details.
Getting there and avoiding the crowds
Take the U4 subway line to the Schönbrunn stop — it's a short walk from there to the palace gate. Tour buses tend to arrive mid-morning, so the first hour after opening and the last two hours before closing are noticeably quieter. Pre-booking a timed-entry ticket online is worth doing in high season (April–October) so you're not queuing at the ticket office.
Local tip
If you only have time for one thing at Schönbrunn, skip the interior and walk straight to the Gloriette. The view over the gardens and the city skyline beyond is the postcard shot of Vienna, and it costs nothing to see from the terrace outside the café.
Combining with the rest of your day
Schönbrunn sits a little outside the city centre, so most visitors treat it as a half-day trip on its own rather than pairing it with the Ringstrasse sights. If you're building a longer itinerary, see our 2 days in Vienna plan, which slots Schönbrunn in as a dedicated morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Schönbrunn Palace worth visiting?
Yes — it's Vienna's most popular attraction for good reason. Even if you skip the paid interior tour, the free gardens and the view from the Gloriette make it worth the trip out.
How long does a visit to Schönbrunn take?
Budget at least 2–3 hours for the interior tour plus a walk through the gardens, and a half day if you also want to visit the zoo or climb up to the Gloriette café.
Is Schönbrunn Palace free?
The gardens are free to enter. The palace interior and the zoo both require separate paid tickets.