Is It Worth Visiting Inside Schönbrunn Palace In Vienna
I had visited the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace before, but on this trip I paid to explore the imperial rooms inside. The one-way route through the palace passes through state rooms, private apartments and lavishly decorated chambers used by Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is a special place to visit, with many beautiful features. The palace and its grounds have a long history as the home of the Habsburg monarchs. The current Schönbrunn Palace was built and remodelled during the 1740s and 1750s.
Inside tells the story of the Habsburgs and shows the opulent way they lived. Visiting is ticket-only, with a few options; during our visit, we opted for the Palace Ticket to see as much as possible.
When visiting, you can see grand halls and exquisite rooms, each with a story, and some very grand art. The room details really impressed me, especially the gilded Rococo accents and comfy-looking furniture.
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Entry Tickets
You have to pay to visit the palace and other attractions on the site, but you can explore the beautiful gardens for free. There are mazes, a zoo, and lots and lots of other features to keep you busy at the palace.
You can also book tickets in advance for this attraction. The State Apartments tour is included with the Vienna Pass. The palace also has its own website, where you can see the full range of tour and ticket options.
Note: you can’t buy tickets inside; online purchase is advised, or tickets are available at the ticket office outside the main gates. Entry is via a timeslot, which they are quite strict about. Just before the entrance is a bag storage where you can leave bags and other things not allowed inside.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
We booked the Palace Ticket, which included the Piano Nobile and private apartments. Our visit inside lasted just under 90 minutes and did not feel rushed. We arrived slightly early so I could leave my bag in the cloakroom before our timed entry.
Is Schönbrunn Palace Worth Visiting?
I really enjoyed visiting inside the palace, especially after enjoying the grounds on multiple occasions. The interiors were opulent, and each room’s design was fantastic. The Great Gallery and the Porcelain Room impressed me the most.
The rooms have very different decorative styles, with gilded details, painted ceilings, portraits and restored furniture. The audio guide was interesting, as was seeing the art throughout the palace.
I love taking photos, and it was great to be able to take them inside with my phone. Using camera flash, tripods, selfie sticks and similar equipment is prohibited by the palace.
Photos of the Private Apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth
Some photos of the opulent rooms and decorative features to see when visiting inside Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. We went on a self-guided tour through the rooms, which was pretty easy to follow as it’s a one-way system.
Grand Staircase
The Grand Staircase was a good start to the palace tour. I particularly liked the painted ceiling and the view looking up through the centre of the staircase.
The Imperial Couple’s Bedroom
The bedroom looked comfortable, with plenty of seating and a blue-and-dark-wood colour scheme.
Salon of Empress Elisabeth
The Salon of Empress Elisabeth was a richly decorated room with extravagant furniture, wall details, and a large mirror.
The long chair looked very comfy, and I would love one like that for chilling.
Marie Antoinette Room
During Elisabeth’s occupancy of these apartments, the Marie Antoinette Room served as the family dining room. The dining room was lavish and had some fantastic tableware. The art on the walls and chairs was special too.
Photos of the State Rooms and Maria Theresa’s Private Chambers
Partway through, there was a gate to check tickets for the State Rooms and Maria Theresa’s Private Chambers, which were included in our ticket. You can also get an audio guide to learn more about each room and its history.
Yellow Salon
The Yellow Salon was eye-catching because of the furniture colour scheme.
The Great Gallery
The Great Gallery was the biggest room on the tour and was one of the highlights for me. It was popular with visitors taking photographs for very good reasons. The ceiling paintings, chandeliers and mirrors made it one of the most impressive rooms on my visit.
Oval Chinese Cabinet
The Oval Chinese Cabinet was small but featured many decorative details. I liked the patterned walls, detailed floor and furniture.
Vieux-Lacque Room
The detailed black lacquer panels, combined with the portraits, gave this room a unique look.
Napoleon Room
The large paintings on the walls featuring Napoleon were impressive.
Porcelain Room
The Porcelain Room was one of my favourite parts of the tour. The attention to detail that went into creating this mostly blue-and-white design impressed me.
Millions Room
The Millions Room had dark wood panels, small pictures and gold details, making it one of the elaborately designed rooms we saw.
Gobelin Salon
The large painting with matching chair covers made this room unique.
Other Interior Features
Palace Chapel (Schlosskapelle)
The palace chapel was small, with quite a few details, including a painted ceiling and altar area.
A Brief History of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
Schönbrunn developed from a Habsburg hunting estate into an imperial summer residence. The palace and gardens reflect several periods of Habsburg rule, with most of the building’s present appearance dating from the reign of Maria Theresa.
The State Apartments tour of the palace is included with the Vienna Pass. A great option for exploring the city’s attractions.
- Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II purchased the site in 1569 and developed it as a hunting estate with game, exotic birds and fish ponds.
- Eleonora Gonzaga used the estate as a widow’s residence and added a palace to the existing Katterburg mansion between 1638 and 1643.
- Schönbrunn took much of its present form during the 1740s and 1750s under Empress Maria Theresa. The exterior was later redecorated in the neoclassical style seen today.
- Emperor Franz Joseph was born at Schönbrunn and spent much of his life there. He died at the palace in 1916.
- Following the end of the Habsburg monarchy in 1918, the palace became the property of the Austrian Republic. Allied forces later used the site during the occupation of Austria between 1945 and 1955.
- Schönbrunn returned to use as a museum and also hosted major events, including the 1961 meeting between US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
- UNESCO added Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens to the World Heritage List in 1996 as one of the most special palaces in Vienna.