Schönbrunn Palace Guide

The Imperial Tour takes you through 22 of Schönbrunn’s most magnificent state rooms, focusing on the daily lives of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). Highlights include the opulent Blue Staircase, the Walnut Room where Franz Joseph worked at his standing desk from 4 AM daily, the Franz Joseph’s Study with its simple military furnishing that belied his immense power, the stunning Mirror Room where the six-year-old Mozart performed for Empress Maria Theresa in 1762, and the lavish Great Gallery — a 43-meter-long, 10-meter-high Rococo masterpiece with ceiling frescoes and crystal chandeliers that hosted state banquets and balls. The audio guide (included) provides fascinating context about the daily routines, relationships, and tragedies of the Habsburg family.

The Grand Tour extends the Imperial Tour with an additional 18 rooms from the era of Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century. These rooms showcase the height of Rococo extravagance with gilded stucco, ceiling paintings, exotic Asian lacquer panels, and the famous Millions Room — so named because its rosewood paneling inlaid with Indo-Persian miniature paintings was rumored to have cost a million guilders. You also visit the stunning Vieux-Laque Room with its Japanese black lacquer panels, the Porcelain Room with walls entirely decorated with wooden frames resembling blue-and-white porcelain, and Maria Theresa’s private apartments. The Grand Tour takes approximately 50-60 minutes and is recommended for first-time visitors who want the complete Schönbrunn experience.

The vast Baroque gardens of Schönbrunn are free to enter and could easily occupy half a day of exploration. The formal French-style parterre stretches from the palace facade toward the Gloriette, a magnificent Neoclassical arcade perched on the hilltop that offers the best panoramic view of the palace, gardens, and Vienna skyline. Along the way, you pass the Neptune Fountain — a massive 1780 sculpture depicting the god of the sea — the Roman Ruins folly (a deliberate 1778 ruin designed to evoke the grandeur of ancient Rome), the Obelisk Fountain, and beautifully manicured tree-lined avenues. The gardens also include the Orangery, the Privy Garden with its ornamental flower beds, and a vast area of English-style landscaped parkland. Climbing the hill to the Gloriette takes 15-20 minutes and is absolutely worth the effort for the views.

Founded in 1752 by Emperor Franz I, the Tiergarten Schönbrunn is the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo and has been voted the best zoo in Europe five times. Set within the palace grounds, it houses over 700 animal species including giant pandas (one of only a handful of European zoos with pandas), polar bears, Siberian tigers, orangutans, elephants, and giraffes. The Baroque imperial pavilion at the center, where the imperial family once breakfasted while watching the animals, now serves as a café. The Rainforest House, Aquarium House, and the 2024-renovated Polar World exhibit are standout attractions. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit. The zoo is excellent for families and is seamlessly integrated into the palace grounds.