Rising gracefully above Vienna’s cityscape, the Belvedere Palace is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. Built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, it now stands as a masterpiece of art, design, and history and a must-see for anyone exploring Vienna’s royal heritage.
A Masterpiece of Baroque Architecture
Designed by the renowned Baroque architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, the Belvedere Palace complex consists of two magnificent buildings, the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere, connected by expansive, formally landscaped gardens. The palaces’ elegant façades, grand staircases, frescoed ceilings, and richly decorated halls embody the height of Austrian Baroque grandeur and the refined tastes of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The palace gardens follow a symmetrical Baroque layout inspired by the French formal style, reminiscent of Versailles. Featuring terraces, fountains, sculptures, and precisely aligned pathways, the design leads the eye gracefully across the grounds toward Vienna’s skyline. Although some original flowerbed patterns have changed over time, the overall structure and visual harmony of the Baroque garden remain impressively intact.
Home to Austria’s Greatest Art Collections
Beyond its architectural beauty, Belvedere Palace is a treasure trove of art. The Upper Belvedere houses the world’s largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt, including his famous painting The Kiss. It also showcases masterpieces by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and other icons of Austrian modernism.
Meanwhile, the Lower Belvedere hosts rotating exhibitions that highlight Austria’s cultural evolution from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
The Belvedere Gardens
Stretching between the two palace buildings, the gardens offer a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking both beauty and symmetry. Designed across three Baroque terraces, they feature cascading fountains, mythological statues, and meticulously trimmed hedges, reflecting the ideals of harmony, order, and power celebrated in Baroque landscape design.
In spring and summer, the gardens burst into color and become one of the most photographed spots in Vienna. Early mornings or golden-hour evenings indeed provide the most enchanting light for photography.
Visiting Belvedere Palace
You can purchase tickets for both Upper and Lower Belvedere directly through our Belvedere Palace ticket page. Booking online ensures you skip the lines and enjoy priority entry at your chosen time.
Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours exploring the exhibitions, gardens, and panoramic viewpoints over Vienna. Don’t miss the view from the Upper Belvedere terrace, it’s among the city’s most stunning vistas.
Whether you come for Klimt’s art, the architecture, or the tranquil gardens, Belvedere Palace embodies the grace and power of Vienna’s Baroque era, a true jewel of Austria’s imperial past.