This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, including the two main palace buildings – the Upper and Lower – the stables complex, the Orangery, and the impressive gardens.
Additionally, there is a detailed description of the various museums within the Belvedere Palace complex, including information on the art exhibition in the Upper Belvedere Palace where “The Kiss,” the famous painting by Gustav Klimt, is located. There is also an option to book entrance tickets in advance for the exhibition featuring “The Kiss.”
The first part of the article will cover the entire complex, what is in each palace, what the palace gardens include, and more. Afterward, there is a detailed description of the art exhibitions and the various museums in and around the Belvedere Palace. Finally, there is essential information for your visit, including how to get there by public transport, opening hours, booking tickets in advance, and more.
Let’s start with an explanation of the palace and its parts:
Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace, located in Vienna’s 3rd district, consists of two separate buildings: the Upper Palace and the Lower Palace. The palaces were built at the beginning of the 18th century, during a period of prosperity in Vienna following several victories against the Ottoman Empire. Designed as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the palaces feature Baroque architecture by the renowned architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. Between the two palaces are lovely and well-kept gardens. Today, walking through the gardens is open to the public and is free of charge!
This is what the Belvedere Complex and its Gardens look like
Important Buildings in the Belvedere Palace Complex
1. Upper Belvedere Palace (Oberes Belvedere)
Construction of the palace began in 1717 and finished in five years, though the entrance hall (Sala Terrena) required a year of repairs in 1732. Largely unchanged since, the palace showcased the wealth of the House of Habsburg and hosted important guests. By the late 18th century, it became the Imperial Gallery, displaying paintings from the Hofburg Palace. Today, it houses the largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s works, including The Kiss. Click here to book entrance tickets in advance for the palace and the exhibition of Klimt’s paintings.
Main Rooms in the Upper Belvedere Palace
- The Entrance Hall (Sala Terrena) – This area was originally designed as a spacious hall, but after it risked collapse in 1732, four supporting columns were added to reinforce its vaulted ceiling. From the entrance hall, one side opens to the palace garden, while the other leads to the magnificent grand staircase.
- The Grand Staircase (Prunkstiege) – The palace’s original entrance was on the southern side, leading directly to the grand staircase to the main floor. The walls display striking frescoes depicting Alexander the Great’s victory over Darius, King of Persia. The ceiling once held a large-scale painting, but roof construction issues led to its removal in the 19th century, and the rose motif that remains today replaced it.
- The Carlone Hall (Carlonesaal) – This beautifully decorated hall is named after Carlo Innocenzo Carlone, who created the stunning artworks that adorn it. The ceiling features an impressive fresco depicting the triumph of the Roman goddess Aurora. Thanks to its consistently cool temperature, the hall offers a pleasant retreat for visitors even during the summer months.
- The Marble Hall (Marmorsaal) – The Marble Hall, the most impressive room in the Upper Belvedere Palace, is the first space you enter after climbing the stairs. Spanning two levels, it features stunning wall and ceiling paintings and a gleaming reddish-brown marble floor. In 1955, it hosted the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, restoring Austria’s sovereignty. Today, the hall is open to visitors.
- The Palace Chapel (Schlosskapelle) – This beautifully preserved chapel is one of the palace’s most impressive rooms. Octagonal in shape, it spans two levels—lower for palace staff, upper for nobility—and features decorative columns, large windows, a marble floor, and an ornate ceiling reminiscent of the Marble Hall. The altar displays Francesco Solimena’s painting of the Resurrection of Jesus, which took about ten years to complete, along with two large statues of Jesus’s apostles. A prayer service is still held here every Sunday at 12:00 PM.
2. Lower Belvedere Palace (Unteres Belvedere)
The Lower Palace was built before the Upper Palace. Its construction began in 1712 and was completed in 1716. The entrance to this building was through the main gate near Rennweg, which led to the central courtyard. The original entrance led directly to the central Marble Hall. The Lower Belvedere Palace was mainly used for residential purposes, but some of Prince Eugene’s collections were also stored there.
Main Rooms in the Lower Belvedere Palace
- The Marble Hall (Marmorsaal) – This hall was mainly used for hosting official ceremonies for important guests. The hall is divided into two levels. Its walls were built in a style reminiscent of triumphal arches and are decorated with various ornaments alluding to the military victories of Prince Eugene. The impressive ceiling painting is the work of the artist Martino Altomonte and depicts the story of Apollo in the sun chariot.
- The Marble Gallery (Marmorgalerie) – This area of the palace was probably designed to be the exhibition space for three marble statues of women from the Roman period. The three statues, known as the “Herculaneum Women,” once stood in this room. In 1736, the Dresden government purchased the statues, and the prince replaced them with three new statues specially sculpted at his request. The walls and ceiling of the room display impressive paintings depicting Eugene’s military victories.
- The Hall of Grotesques (Groteskensaal) – Decorating the entrance hall and garden pavilions with grotesque illustrations was very popular at the beginning of the 18th century. In this part of the palace, there are several unique paintings by the artist Jonas Drentwett. Most of these paintings have been preserved in their original form, except for the parts of the painting that were on the wall opposite the gardens, which were damaged in the bombings that Vienna suffered in 1945.
- The Gold Cabinet (Goldkabinett) – During the reign of Maria Theresa, the room was converted into the Gold Cabinet (or the Room of Mirrors and Porcelain). Some of the decorations in this room came from another palace that Eugene owned on Himmelpfortgasse Street in the city. Historians estimate that the room’s redesign was completed in 1765.
3. The Orangery
The Orangery initially functioned as a winter garden with heating for the cold months. In summer, its roof and southern wall came off to keep the fruit trees in place without moving them out of the greenhouse. Special structures of this type, designed for heating sensitive plants in winter, were common in Italy and Germany as early as the 16th century, but assembling and disassembling them each season was an arduous task. The Orangery building at the Belvedere was built in an innovative and sophisticated way that made the task of disassembling and reassembling the roof of the building much simpler.
4. The Palace Stables (Prunkstall)
The stables building once housed the prince’s horses, but today it displays art objects from the Gothic period. The collection features about 150 items, most of which the public can view. Exhibits include objects from the Romanesque period, paintings and sculptures from the Gothic period, and even an altar structure influenced by Renaissance ideas.
5. The Impressive Palace Gardens
The gardens in the Belvedere complex are a wonderful and rare example of historical French-style gardens designed with Baroque influence. In the area in front of the Upper Belvedere Palace, there is a pool in which the palace building is wonderfully reflected. On the other side of the complex, closer to the city center and Rennweg, is the events courtyard bordering the Lower Belvedere Palace building.
- The Privy Garden (Kammergarten) – Located to the right of the Lower Palace and continues to the Orangery in the northern part of the complex. This was the prince’s private garden, reserved for him and his close associates only.
- The Alpine Garden (Alpengarten) – This garden is the oldest of its kind in all of Europe and contains rare alpine plants. The plant collection first appeared at Schönbrunn Palace at the beginning of the 19th century, before moving to the Belvedere Palace gardens, where visitors can see it today. This garden has a variety of special plants, such as 100 Japanese bonsai trees.
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Opening Hours:
- From April 1st to October 31st – The garden opens at 6:30 AM.
- From November 1st to March 31st – The garden opens at 7:00 AM.
Closing Hours:
- October to February: 5:30 PM
- April: 7:00 PM
- May – July: 9:00 PM
- August – September: 8:00 PM
- October: 7:00 PM
- November: 5:30 PM
The Art Exhibitions at the Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere Palace complex is not only an architectural gem in the heart of Vienna but also a cultural and artistic center that includes several different art exhibitions scattered throughout the complex. Of course, if you just want to look at the impressive palace buildings, you can enter the garden grounds for free and enjoy the stunning structures. For those interested in art, the galleries in the Belvedere Palace are a must! The palace houses the largest collection of paintings by the famous artist Gustav Klimt, including the most famous painting, “The Kiss.” Click here to book entrance tickets in advance for the palace and the exhibition (especially recommended during the tourist season in summer and winter).
Exhibitions in the Upper Belvedere Palace – The Famous “The Kiss”
“The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt is the most famous Austrian painting, depicting a loving couple embracing, surrounded by a carpet of colorful flowers. The painting dates to the beginning of the 20th century (1907 and 1908). In this painting, Klimt uses a new and unique technique in which he combines gold leaf with oil and copper paints.
This is a permanent exhibition in the gallery. Click here to book entrance tickets in advance for the palace and the exhibition.
Exhibitions in the Lower Belvedere Palace
“Cézanne, Monet, Renoir“ – The exhibition features chosen pieces from the Museum Langmatt collection, recognized as one of Switzerland’s earliest and most comprehensive private holdings of French Impressionism. It runs until February 8, 2026.
“Franz Xaver Messerschmidt – More than Character Heads” –The exhibition offers a new perspective on his renowned ‘Character Heads,’ interpreting them within their historical context while also delving into the many myths that surround both the artist and his work. It runs until April 6, 2026.
Belvedere 21
This museum is located in a modern building adjacent to the palaces and displays contemporary and modern art. The museum opened in 1962 and focused on artworks in the spirit of the 20th century, hence its name, 20er Haus. The museum quickly became an important artistic center, but in 2001, the contents of the building were transferred to the MuseumsQuartier and displayed under another museum called Mumok. For about 10 years, the building stood empty, until its reopening in 2011 as the Museum of the 21st Century, or by its new name, 21er Haus. At the beginning of 2018, the museum’s name was changed to Belvedere 21, and it continues to serve as a center for the display of modern and contemporary art.
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
It is worth noting that the Belvedere Palace and its exhibitions attract many travelers, and especially during the summer season, there are long queues at the entrance. If many visitors arrive, you might wait outside until the exhibition rooms in the palace become available.
The busiest time is between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is recommended not to arrive at these times if you want to avoid unnecessary waiting.
You will now see an overview of all prices of the mentioned places:
Upper Belvedere Palace
Opening Hours:
- Every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Online Ticket Costs:
- Adult: €17.50
- Child (under 19): free
- Seniors and Students (up to 26): €14.10
- For the full price list, visit the palace website.
Click here to book entrance tickets in advance for the palace and its various exhibitions.
How to get there?
You can reach the Upper Belvedere Palace by underground, tram, or bus.
- Underground: Take the red line U1 to the Südtirolerplatz station (main train station). From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk.
- Tram: Line D to the Schloss Belvedere station.
- Bus: Line 69A to the Quartier Belvedere station.
Address: Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien
Lower Belvedere Palace, Orangery, and Palace Stables
Opening Hours:
- Every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Please note: Entrance to the stables is only possible until 12:00 PM.
Online Ticket Costs:
- Adult: €13.90
- Child (under 19): free
- Seniors and Students (up to 26): €10.90
- For the full price list, visit the palace website.
How to get there?
You can reach the Lower Belvedere Palace by tram.
- Line 71 to the Unteres Belvedere station
- Lines 2, D to the Schwarzenbergplatz station. From there, it’s a few minutes’ walk.
Address: Rennweg 6, 1030 Wien
Belvedere 21
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (on Thursdays, entry is possible until 9:00 PM).
Online Ticket Costs:
- Adult: €8.90
- Child (under 19): free
- Seniors and Students (up to 26): €6.90
- For the full price list, visit the palace website.
How to get there?
You can reach the Belvedere 21 museum by underground, tram, or bus.
-
- Underground: Take the red line U1 to the Südtirolerplatz station (main train station). From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk.
- Tram: Line D to the Quartier Belvedere station.
- Bus: Line 69A to the Quartier Belvedere station.
Address: Quartier Belvedere, Arsenalstraße 1, 1030 Wien
Combined Tickets for the Belvedere Palaces Complex
- Klimt Ticket (allows entry to the Upper and Lower Palace)
- Belvedere Ticket (allows entry to the Upper and Lower Palace and the Belvedere 21 museum)
- For the full price list, visit the palace website.
Official Website
Address: Schloss Belvedere, 1030 Wien
Map:
