Hotels near Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere is actually two baroque palaces - Upper and Lower - connected by a formal terraced garden with fountains and sculpted hedges. Prince Eugene of Savoy commissioned the complex in the early 18th century as his summer residence. The Upper Belvedere now holds Austria's most important art collection, including Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (1907-08) and Judith (1901), along with works by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and a strong collection of French Impressionists. The building itself, designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, is considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Central Europe.

The Upper Belvedere ticket costs EUR 18.50 and covers the permanent collection plus temporary exhibitions. The Lower Belvedere (EUR 16) hosts rotating shows and the orangery. The gardens between the two palaces are free and offer one of the best photo opportunities in Vienna - the symmetrical view from the Upper Belvedere terrace across the garden to the Lower Belvedere with the city skyline behind. Opening hours are daily 10:00-18:00 (Friday until 21:00). Tram D stops at Schloss Belvedere, or walk 10 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Vienna's main train station).

Pro Tip: Head straight to the Klimt gallery on the top floor of the Upper Belvedere when doors open at 10:00 - The Kiss draws the biggest crowds and you want an unobstructed view. Friday evening openings (until 21:00) are noticeably quieter. The garden between the palaces is an excellent picnic spot with views that cost nothing.