Signature Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Tour

Schönbrunn Palace, the stunning summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, is an excellent place to learn about the Habsburgs, their impact on European history ... and their odd chins. During this 2.5-hour Schönbrunn Palace tour, we'll join a local historian for an in-depth exploration of this crown jewel of Imperial Austria. Along the way, we'll acquire a solid understanding of how the Habsburg dynasty evolved and discover the hidden stories behind its gilded details and ornate furnishings.

Preceded by an expanse of lawn and winding footpaths, the façade of Schönbrunn presents a spectacular, cinema-worthy view as we approach. This sprawling structure houses almost 1500 rooms and has a significant area open to the public, including intimate salons, larger galleries, and the private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. As we walk through the labyrinth of residential and ceremonial rooms, we’ll look at ancient artwork and painstakingly preserved interiors, sparking discussions of the progression of the Habsburg Monarchy and its persisting historical importance for Europe. (For a more detailed look at the Habsburg art collection check out our Kuntshistoriches Museum Tour.)

Along with its glorious gardens, Schönbrunn provides a unique insight into the lives and loves of a long line of imperial monarchs. Together with an expert Vienna guide, we’ll seek out details of the palace’s design and decoration to help transport our imaginations back to the time of the Habsburgs. In doing so, we’ll develop a deeper understanding of how one family came to hold such power and wide political influence and how the effects of this history are visible in Vienna even today. (We also get a small taste of this on our Introduction to Vienna Tour through the 1st District.)

After the walk, there is the opportunity—weather and time permitting—to stroll through the gardens independently, filled with new knowledge about the personalities behind this imposing site.

Please note that ticketing availability at the Palace lies outside of our control and can be limited in the busy summer months or on major holidays. We may contact you to request flexible scheduling in order to confirm the walk on your desired date.

Where does this walking tour meet?
You will meet on the palace grounds. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point and a map.

What are skip-the-line tickets?

For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the palace without waiting to purchase tickets. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

Please note: we strongly encourage starting in the early morning (9:30 am or earlier) or late afternoon (3:00 pm or later). The palace has fewer visitors during those periods and the experience is significantly better!