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Belvedere Museum Tickets
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The Belvedere in Vienna is one of the most extraordinary Baroque architectural complexes in Europe and houses the world’s largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt, including the world-famous ‘The Kiss’. Located in the heart of the Austrian capital, this magnificent palace with its French-style gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Austria’s most important museums, with works ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Built between 1714 and 1723 as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a legendary military leader in the service of the Habsburgs who distinguished himself in the fight against the Turks, the complex was designed by the famous architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. The palace takes its name from its elevated position offering a ‘ beautiful view’ (bel vista) over the rooftops of Vienna and the historic city centre.
The complex consists of two main buildings: the Upper Belvedere (Oberes Belvedere) and the Lower Belvedere (Unteres Belvedere), connected by magnificent Baroque gardens that extend over three terraces. On the death of Prince Eugene in 1736, Empress Maria Theresa acquired the property, bringing this architectural jewel into the Habsburg heritage.
Today, the Belvedere is one of the most visited museums in Vienna, with its collection including not only the 24 paintings by Gustav Klimt, including ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Judith’, but also masterpieces by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and many other artists who have marked the history of European art. The permanent collection, completely reorganised in 2023, offers a fascinating journey through Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Belvedere Castle comprises two separate palaces, both designed by the famous Baroque architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt and connected by a large garden.
The first palace, known as the Lower Belvedere, was built between 1712 and 1716 and included the prince’s private rooms. A second building, known as the Upper Belvedere, was added to the Lower Belvedere between 1721 and 1723, which included the state rooms. Today, the two buildings both house a museum and can be visited separately.
The Belvedere’s most famous work of art is undoubtedly Gustav Klimt’s ‘ The Kiss’, created between 1908 and 1909 during the artist’s so-called ‘golden age’. This 180 x 180 centimetres masterpiece depicts two lovers wrapped in a passionate embrace, with the man (probably Klimt himself) tenderly kissing the cheek of his muse Emilie Flöge, immersed in a flowery meadow and wrapped in cloaks decorated with gilded geometric motifs.
The Klimt room on the second floor of the Upper Belvedere houses the world’s richest collection of the artist, with 24 paintings documenting the evolution of his style. Among the masterpieces are ‘Judith I’ (1901), a sensual and provocative portrait of the biblical figure, ‘Judith II (Salome)’ (1909) and a series of magnificent female portraits that show Klimt’s mastery in capturing the beauty and personality of his models through elaborate ornamentation and symbolism.
The Belvedere also houses a significant collection of works by Egon Schiele, Klimt’s brilliant pupil who developed a unique Expressionist style characterised by nervous lines and intense colours. Among the most impressive paintings are ‘The Embrace (Lovers)’ (1917), considered one of Schiele’s responses to Klimt’s ‘Kiss’, and a series of self-portraits and portraits that reveal the artist’s ability to explore the human psyche with raw intensity.
The Vienna Secession collection also includes important works by Oskar Kokoschka, Koloman Moser and other artists who revolutionised Viennese art in the late 19th and early 20th century. These works testify to the golden age of Viennese culture, when the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the centre of innovative artistic experimentation that would influence modern European art.
The Upper Belvedere is not limited to Austrian art but also houses a valuable collection of international works. The section devoted to French Impressionism includes paintings by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne, offering a unique opportunity to compare the different European art movements of the period.
Particularly significant are the works of Vincent van Gogh, including views and portraits that testify to the evolution of the Dutch artist’s style, and works by Max Beckmann and Edvard Munch that represent early 20th century expressionism. The presence of these international works makes it possible to contextualise Austrian art in the European panorama, showing mutual influences and artistic dialogues.
Belvedere Castle is the custodian of extraordinary artistic treasures and itself an architectural masterpiece. Impressive is the marble staircase leading to the halls of the Lower Belvedere, as well as the Marble Gallery, the Hall of the Golds and the Hall of the Grotesques, embellished with stuccoes, statues, frescoes and triumphal arches that recall the military success of the wealthy landlord.
The building is used for prestigious temporary exhibitions presenting Austrian art in a broader international context, such as retrospectives of the most important Austrian artists and thematic exhibitions exploring key movements and periods in Austrian art history.
The Lower Belvedere Stables, where Prince Eugene’s horses once rested, have housed a permanent collection of medieval art that has been open to the public since 2007.
No less interesting than the magnificent palaces and works of art preserved within them are the Belvedere Gardens, which together represent one of the finest examples of Baroque landscape architecture.
The main garden, which connects the Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere, is in turn divided into three large terraces decorated with the typical elements of a Baroque-style park such as fountains and statues and characterised by the symmetry of elements such as flowers, stairs and water basins. Of great visual impact is the pond in front of the steps of the Upper Belvedere, on whose waters the splendid palace is reflected.
Used for strolling and conversation, the garden was designed as a further element of ostentation of Prince Eugene’s wealth, refinement and power.
More intimate and cosy is the Kammergarten, the prince’s private garden to the west of the Lower Belvedere; something unique is the Alpine garden, the oldest of its kind in Europe, which houses a historical collection of Alpine plants.
Tickets for the Belvedere are structured in different options depending on the areas you wish to visit.
The ticket for the Upper Belvedere can be purchased online at this link and includes the permanent collection with Klimt’s works and is the most popular with visitors who want to admire “The Kiss” and the Viennese Modernist collection. Reduced rates are available for students and the over 60s, while young people up to 19 years of age get in free at all Belvedere venues.
The ticket for the Lower Belvedere includes access to the magnificent Baroque rooms and the scheduled temporary exhibitions. For those wishing to visit both venues, the combined 2in1 ticket offers a 10% saving compared to buying separately and is valid for 30 days, allowing you to return several times and organise your visit more flexibly.
The Vienna City Card offers discounts on admission to both the Upper Belvedere and the combination ticket, while the Vienna Pass includes free admission to both venues. Reservation of a time slot for the Upper Belvedere is compulsory. It can be purchased online on the official website or directly on site at the ticket office to manage the flow of visitors and avoid long queues during peak season.
The Upper Belvedere is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. during the month of August to accommodate the many summer visitors. The Lower Belvedere observes the same hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week, including weekends and holidays.
Belvedere 21 (Museum of Contemporary Art) is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closing on Mondays. On Thursdays the opening hours are extended until 21:00, offering the opportunity to visit the museum in the evening hours with a quieter atmosphere. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time at all venues.
The Belvedere Gardens are accessible to the public free of charge during daylight hours and are an attraction in themselves with their Baroque geometries, fountains and sculptures. During the peak tourist season (March-May and September-October), we recommend booking tickets at least 24-48 hours in advance and planning your visit for 10:00 a.m. or early afternoon to avoid the busiest hours.
A complete visit of the Upper Belvedere with a focus on the main works is recommended for 1.5-2 hours, while a complete visit of both venues and the gardens may take 3-4 hours. Art enthusiasts could easily spend a whole day exploring the different collections.
The Belvedere is located in the south-east of Vienna and is easily accessible by public transport. For the Upper Belvedere, the most convenient stop is Schloss Belvedere on tram line D, which connects Vienna’s historic centre with the palace in about 15 minutes from the Ringstraße.
For the Lower Belvedere, you can use the Unteres Belvedere stop on tram line 71 or Rennweg on tram line O. The Südtiroler Platz underground station on the U1 and U6 lines is about a 15-minute walk from the Upper Belvedere via the Schweizergarten public gardens.
From Schönbrunn Palace you can take the U4 line to Karlsplatz, then change to tram D towards Hauptbahnhof. From Hofburg Palace the D tram leaves from Ringstraße and goes directly to the Belvedere in 10 minutes. Those who prefer to walk can reach the Belvedere from the centre in about 25-30 minutes via a pleasant walk.
The Upper Belvedere is located at Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, while the Lower Belvedere has an entrance from Rennweg 6 in Vienna's 3rd district.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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