Palaces in Vienna: Famous Palaces and Smaller Palace Buildings
Vienna is a city with many palaces to see when sightseeing. Some of the best palaces in Vienna are stunning buildings and well worth visiting for their exteriors or interiors. The three most famous are the Hofburg, the Belvedere and the Schönbrunn Palace.
In addition to the three most popular, there are many other palaces to see in Vienna, and each is special. Many of which you can see from the outside for free or explore their gardens.
Famous Palaces in Vienna, Austria
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The most popular palaces in Vienna are top attractions that many visitors include on their first trip. I visited all of these from the outside and have mentioned which parts I saw inside.
Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
The Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most popular sights in the city because it’s gorgeous. It used to be the principal summer residence of the leaders of the Habsburg Empire. Now it’s a fantastic attraction. The building and its beautiful gardens have over 300 years of history, so it’s a fascinating place to explore and see the parts that pique your interest.
You can explore the beautiful grounds for free, which is a great way to spend a day. You can also take a picnic and enjoy it on one of the many benches in the park. We found some shade and didn’t see a soul, even though the main areas were busy. Visiting inside was also fantastic; we opted for the full tour, including the pretty state rooms. There are many options for visiting inside; you can find them on the Viator website. MAP…
Hofburg Palace in the City Centre
The Hofburg is a stunning complex of buildings and grounds in the centre of Vienna. Hofburg was the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg rulers. Nowadays, it is the official residence and workplace of the president of Austria.
It was constructed in the 13th century and was expanded several times over the years. Under Habsburg rule, it served as the imperial winter residence. The other major palace in the city, the Schönbrunn, was the summer residence.
This is a fantastic place to have a wander around, taking in the architecture and features of the buildings. This includes admiring the many statues in Heroes Square and the inner courtyard. The St Michael’s Wing is stunning, with three green domes on top and intricate architecture.
Things to see in the palatial complex include Josefsplatz, an interesting courtyard at the Hofburg Palace near the Sisi Museum. It is home to the Kaiser Joseph II statue, which is very impressive. While in the area, you can see traditional horses and carts ferrying people around on tours of the city.
Towards the rear of the building, near the ring road, is Heldenplatz, which is great to visit with a dog and a good spot for seeing the other wings and the outer gates.
It is open for tours daily, with options including an audio tour or a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. You can find various tour options for the Hofburg Palace on the GetYourGuide website. We really enjoyed seeing inside when we visited the Sisi Museum here. This is one of my favourite places to spend time in the city, and I highly recommend visiting. MAP…
The Upper Belvedere & Lower Belvedere Palaces
Belvedere Palace is home to two palace buildings, Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere, with gardens between them. The baroque gardens contain fountains, plants and some interesting statues. You can also admire both buildings from various points in the grounds, which is a photographer’s heaven.
The Upper Belvedere is a Baroque palace with an interior gallery that spans 800 years of art history. Its collection has famous artworks by Klimt, Schiele, Funke, Messerschmidt and van Gogh. The palace was built between 1717 and 1723, and was used for state functions and formal receptions.
The Lower Belvedere is not as grand and also contains an art exhibition. It was built in 1716, and it is also pretty special to see. Overall, the site is great to visit, especially if you enjoy art, gardens or architecture. MAP…
Lesser-Known Palaces in Vienna
Some of the less-mentioned palaces in Vienna that you can either see from the outside or visit inside.
Palais Daun-Kinsky
Another interesting palace to see while exploring Vienna is Palais Daun-Kinsky. Palais Daun-Kinsky is a beautiful building to see from the outside. You can also enter its courtyard as you pass and see some wonderful statues and artworks.
Palais Daun-Kinsky is a baroque building in the centre of the city, a short walk from Schottentor underground station. The area nearby has quite a few other places of interest. As a bonus, the Zattl Wirtshaus & Biergarten, a beer garden, is nearby too. Count Wirich Philipp von Daun commissioned the palace, and construction began in 1713. In 1784, it was sold to the noble Kinsky family, hence the name.
One of the striking features of the building is its yellow-and-white façade. Palais Daun-Kinsky also has an extravagantly decorated staircase with frescoed ceilings, mirrors and statues. This is one of many fabulous buildings to see while wandering the streets of Vienna. MAP…
Palais Trautson
Palais Trautson is a very nice-looking building that is used by the Austrian Ministry of Justice. Architecturally, it is a baroque palace that was built in 1712 for the first prince of Trautson. The building has lots of ornate detail on its facade, which is gold and white.
There is a park at the front of this building, thus a great place to sit and admire the palace. It is certainly worth swinging by when sightseeing near the museum quarter of Vienna. MAP…
Palais Mollard-Clary
Another lesser-known palace is Palais Mollard-Clary. Palais Mollard-Clary is a Baroque building in Vienna’s first district. Its address is Herrengasse 9, where the Globe Museum of the Austrian National Library is also located.
The palace was built between 1686 and 1689 for Imperial Count Franz Maximilian von Mollard. Count Franz Wenzel von Clary und Aldringen purchased the palace in 1760. Notably, Emperor Joseph II held his famous “round tables” in the palace. It’s a pleasant building to see from the outside, or you could pop into the museum for a mooch inside. MAP…
Palais Schönborn-Batthyány
Another lesser-known palace in Vienna is Palais Schönborn-Batthyány. This is a baroque building in the city centre. The building was built between 1699 and 1706 for Count Adam Batthyány.
His widow later sold it to the noble Schönborn family, who upped the ante by redecorating and, in 1801, bringing art and furniture from the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. To see inside Palais Schönborn-Batthyány, the Wiener Barockorchester hosts events here; you can find out when on their website. MAP…
Palais Pallavicini
Palais Pallavicini is near the Hofburg Palace in Josefsplatz. It was built in 1784 in the Neoclassical style. What caught my attention on the outside were the statues by the door and the decor on the roof.
The interior is elaborately decorated and richly gilded; it has crystal chandeliers and more. It is one of the city’s most historic event locations. If you are not up for hosting or attending an in-person event to see it, you can take a virtual tour on their website. MAP…
Gartenpalais Liechtenstein – Liechtenstein Garden Palace
The Liechtenstein Garden Palace is one of two palaces in Liechtensteinpark, a relaxing place to sit. It was really quiet during my visit to the Liechtenstein Park. The Liechtenstein Garden Palace is grand and has some lovely features to see as you walk around the building. There are benches for viewing the palace, colourful formal gardens, and a cafe to the side.
The Liechtenstein Garden Palace is a baroque building that dates from the 16th century. It used to be a museum; however, it is now a private events venue. You can join a tour of the palace, which has a splendid art collection and interior decor. MAP…
Alserbachpalais in Liechtensteinpark
There are two palaces you can see in Liechtenstein Park, including Alserbachpalais. Alserbachpalais is a white building visible from the park. It seems to be private, so you cannot visit it except to see it from the park.
Originally, there was a garden belvedere on the north side of this park, which was replaced from 1873 to 1875 by a garden palace, Alserbachpalais. MAP…
Justizpalast
Another beautiful palace near the Ringstraße boulevard is the Justizpalast. Justizpalast is the home of the Supreme Court of Austria. The building was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style between 1875 and 1881.
It’s a fascinating building to walk around the outside of or view from the park opposite the entrance. Visitors can pop inside and see the arcade court, and there is also a rooftop cafe open to the public. Overall, the Justizpalast is well worth a swing by while seeing the other sights along Ringstraße Boulevard. MAP…
Stadtpalais Liechtenstein
You can find the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein in Vienna’s first district, near the Burgtheater. The site is a residential building, so you can’t really visit unless you know the residents.
The palace was built between 1692 and 1705, and it is one of two palaces in Vienna belonging to the princely family of Liechtenstein, hence the name. You can see the building from the street, and what caught my attention was the ornate entrance and decor on the doors. MAP…
Palais Ferstel Home of Ferstel Passage
Palais Ferstel is a building on Herrengasse Street near Palais Daun-Kinsky and Palais Schönborn. The building’s original purpose was to house the Austrian National Bank and the stock exchange in 1860. From 1878, the building was the head office of the Austro-Hungarian Bank.
Baron Heinrich von Ferstel, the building’s namesake, constructed it. The building’s design seems inspired by early Florentine Renaissance architecture. The building was completely renovated in the 1980s.
Palais Ferstel is home to Ferstel Passage, aka Freyung Passage, and the famous Café Central. The passage has vaulted ceilings and some high-end shops to see.
A cool thing to see inside is the Danube Mermaid Fountain, set in a courtyard beneath a hexagonal glass dome. Overall, this is well worth seeking out to see the inside and maybe stop for a coffee at the iconic cafe. MAP…
Palais Larisch-Mönnich
Another Viennese palace I stumbled upon while pounding the streets of Vienna is Palais Larisch-Mönnich. Palais Larisch-Mönnich is next to Stadtpark and looks good. The doorway was what caught my eye as I passed by.
The building was completed in 1868; it is now the Iraqi Embassy. Apparently, the Iraqi spy headquarters for spying on the whole of Europe was based in this palace. Overall, a nice building to see from the outside on the way to or from the park. MAP…
Palais Niederösterreich
Another grand palace to see is Palais Niederösterreich. Palais Niederösterreich is in the 1st district, thus easy to find from central areas. ‘Palais Niederösterreich’ translates to ‘Lower Austria Palace’. It has been home to the Lower Austria state parliament in the past.
Palais Niederösterreich has a history dating back to 1513, when the estates of the Archduchy of Austria acquired it. Apparently, no nobles have lived here for 500 years. These days, the palace hosts events, including classical music concerts. MAP…
Palais Epstein on Ringstraße
Another palace on the famous Ringstraße is Palais Epstein. Palais Epstein differs from many of the traditional Baroque palaces in Vienna. It was built in the 19th century in the neo-Renaissance style. The building was designed by Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, who also designed the nearby Austrian Parliament Building.
Palais Epstein was well worth seeing while walking along the Ringstraße. The building and its features are lovely to see from the outside. The statues by the main entrance were pretty eye-catching, too. However, if you wish to visit the inside, there is an exhibition in the basement and guided tours of the restored first floor. MAP…