Belvedere in Vienna: tickets with time slot and two palaces
Belvedere Castle stands on a hillside in Vienna's third district. From here you can see the city center and St. Stephen's Cathedral, and a ticket to the Upper Belvedere costs €23 (as of 09/2026, museum price list).
The complex consists of two palaces and a garden between them, and each building requires its own ticket. Without a plan you can easily get lost at the ticket offices, so below are practical details: what to see in the Upper and Lower Belvedere, how much admission costs, and how to get there from the metro.
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History of the castle
💡 In short:
- The palaces were built in 1714-1722 for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
- The Upper and Lower Belvedere are separated by a baroque garden.
- The Upper Palace houses Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss".
- Prices and opening hours were checked in 09/2026 on the museum website.
The palace complex was founded in 1714 by order of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), a military commander and art collector. It was built by architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, and both buildings are in the Baroque style. The Lower Palace was completed in 1716, the Upper in 1722 (as of 09/2026, Upper Belvedere page).
© Chris Koerner from St. Louis, USA · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris Koerner from St. Louis, USA, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsEugene of Savoy had no heirs, so after his death the estate was bought by Empress Maria Theresa. The palaces remained in Habsburg possession for a long time.
Later the Upper Palace became a place of high politics. In the Marble Hall in 1955, the State Treaty was signed, which established the independence of Austria (Marble Hall and the treaty). Today this hall is part of the tour route, and you will see it along with the permanent exhibition.
Lower Belvedere
The Lower Palace served as the prince's residence, and his bedroom was located here.
© Pymouss · CC BY-SAPhoto: Pymouss, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe interior highlight is the Marble Hall with frescoes by the Italian artist Martino Altomonte. Beyond it are the Gold Cabinet, the Grotesque Hall, and a marble gallery, and nearby stand the orangery and the former stables, where you will see even more halls.
Upper Belvedere
The Upper Palace was the prince's ceremonial residence, where formal receptions were held and important matters were decided.
The museum's main exhibit is "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. Alongside Klimt, the halls display works by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and Vincent van Gogh. The collection spans several floors of the palace, so seeing it takes a lot of time (as of 09/2026, Upper Palace collection).
Garden between the palaces
The park between the palaces was designed by the French architect Dominique Girard. He laid out lawns, cascades, hedges, and fountains in the French style.
© Falk2 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Falk2, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsLater, one of Europe's first alpine gardens was established here. Today the park holds a large collection of alpine plants, with sculptures standing among the flower beds. The garden's original appearance has not survived, but the layout is being restored (as of 09/2026, visitor information).
The best time for the garden is spring and summer, when the plants are in bloom and the lawns look especially vivid. In summer, the fountains draw crowds after midday, so come at opening time.
The palace complex today
Today the Belvedere houses Austria's national gallery, and its collection covers art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The Lower Belvedere has had a gallery since 1903, and today it hosts temporary exhibitions (as of 09/2026, schedule and admission).
In the Upper Belvedere you will walk through an enfilade of halls with paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries. The hall with "The Kiss" deserves special attention: the canvas hangs on its own, and you will always find a group of visitors around it.
From the ground floor of the Upper Belvedere you can step out into the garden and walk to the Lower Palace.
Tickets and opening hours
Admission to all three buildings is paid, and tickets are tied to a time slot. The third building, Belvedere 21, is a separate museum wing outside the palace ensemble. Prices for September 2026 are taken from the museum's official price list:
Location | Ticket |
|---|---|
Upper Belvedere | 23 € |
Lower Belvedere | 20 € |
Belvedere 21 | 12 € |
2-in-1 combo ticket (Upper and Lower) | 32 € |
3-in-1 combo ticket (all three buildings) | 34 € |
The 2-in-1 combo ticket costs 32 € instead of 43 € when bought separately, so it is 11 € cheaper (ticket rates). It is valid throughout the day, so if you are visiting both palaces, get this one.
The palace is open daily, but entry is by time slot. Check the museum website for exact hours and last admission. It is more convenient to book timed tickets in advance: see Belvedere tickets on Tiqets. An online ticket will save you from waiting in line at the ticket office.
Tours and tickets in Belvedere
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How to get to Belvedere
The entrance to Upper Belvedere is at Prinz Eugen-Straße 27 in Vienna's third district. The nearest metro station, Taubstummengasse, is on line U1 (as of 09/2026, hours and route). To reach the Lower Palace, it's more convenient to take tram 71 or D to the stop on Rennweg.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a Belvedere ticket cost?
Upper Belvedere costs 23 €, Lower Belvedere 20 €, Belvedere 21 costs 12 € (as of 09/2026, current prices). A combo ticket for two palaces costs 32 €, for all three buildings 34 €, and tickets are tied to a time slot, so buy them in advance.
Do I need to book a time slot?
Yes, entry to all three buildings is by time slot, and in high season slots for Upper Belvedere sell out in advance. An online ticket with a fixed time will save you from waiting in line at the ticket office.
Which paintings are worth seeing?
The main exhibit is Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" in Upper Belvedere. Works by other masters of the 19th and 20th centuries are also on display there (as of 09/2026, museum exhibits). The Lower Palace hosts temporary exhibitions.
How long does a visit take?
The two palaces take about half a day if you take your time, and the garden can be done faster, in half an hour. With a combo ticket you can see everything in one day and won't have to come back.
Can I enter the garden for free?
Yes, the park between the palaces is open to everyone, you only pay to enter the palaces. Check the garden's opening hours on the museum website. In summer, alpine plants bloom here, so that's the best time for a walk.
In short: what to book
Belvedere is easy to see in one day: Upper Palace, Lower Palace, and the garden are all on the same grounds, just a couple of minutes' walk apart. The prices below are current as of September 2026 (current rates).
- If you're short on time: get a ticket for Upper Belvedere only, for Klimt.
- Art lovers will appreciate the 2-in-1 combo ticket for 32 €.
- For a full day, get the 3-in-1 combo ticket for 34 €.
- With kids, start with the free garden, it's open to everyone.
For tickets with a time slot, check Tiqets.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.