Schönbrunn Palace Imperial Tour 2026
Imperial highlights in the Habsburg palace | Reserve now & pay later
About Schönbrunn Palace Imperial Tour
Visit the impressive Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens and discover the imperial history of the Habsburg Family. The enormous Schönbrunn Estate was home to the Habsburgs and is still one of the most cohesive Baroque-style estates in the world. Join our expert guide and skip the lines on your way inside. Book your Schönbrunn Palace imperial tour ticket now and travel to the time of the Habsburgs!
Join our expert guide and visit 22 different imperial rooms in the Schönbrunn Palace. Discover Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s private chambers, the famous Hall of Ceremonies, and the Great Gallery rooms.
After viewing the lavish interior, explore the vast Baroque-style Schönbrunn Gardens. Designed to be an organic extension of the Palace interior, the Schönbrunn Gardens complete the Estate into one of the most impressive Baroque ensembles in the world.
Join our 5-star licensed tour guide and learn about the Baroque-style architecture and the rich history of the Habsburg Imperial Family. Did you know that the Schönbrunn Estate has remained mostly unchanged since 1918? This makes it a perfect time capsule for experiencing the luxury of the Habsburg Monarchy as it once was.
Start planning your trip now! Reserve your preferred time slot right away and pay later. If your plans change, you may cancel your reservation for free and receive a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
Jumpstart your Schönbrunn adventure! Skip the long lines and optimize your time spent on the Schönbrunn Estate. Due to the attraction's popularity, the Schönbrunn Estate wait times can be up to an hour.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
We’ve visited many impressive estates, but Schönbrunn Palace stands out. My wife loved the interior, and I liked the gardens and surroundings. We heard all sorts of stories from the guide. They were quite realistic and interesting, the guide did a great job of looking after us, very open and welcoming. All in all, great tour!
We finally got the chance to visit the Schönbrunn estate! We wanted a relaxed tour and as much information as possible - this imperial tour was completely worth it! Everything looks even more impressive and beautiful in person. The ceremonial hall and gardens are so beautiful. Our guide was fantastic, and he kept us captivated with the intense historical stories. It was nice to get to know the Habsburg dynasty in this way and understand the historical events that were taking place in Europe. Be sure to book if you are in Vienna or around.
DESCRIPTION
Schönbrunn Palace Imperial Tour
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Schönbrunn Palace
- Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens small-group tour
- Live guide (select tour language during your booking process)
- Entry to Schönbrunn Gardens and Courtyards
- Italian, English, French, German, Spanish
DISCOVER THE SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE'S LAVISH INTERIOR
After arriving at the meeting point, you will join your licensed tour guide before proceeding to the palace. You will immediately skip the line to enter the Schönbrunn Palace interiors. Here, you will explore 22 UNESCO World Heritage Site imperial rooms. The most famous rooms in your itinerary are the Great Gallery and the Hall of Ceremonies. The Great Gallery represents the Rococo style in its full beauty. The room is 141 feet (43 meters) by 33 feet (10 meters), making it perfect for courtly events. On its ceiling, you will find magnificent frescoes depicting Empress Maria Theresa, her armies, and a symbolic showing of Pax Austriaca. The Hall of Ceremonies, on the other hand, was a place where the monarch could receive his guests and give them an audience. The room also contains arguably the most famous portrait of Maria Theresa as the "First Lady of Europe", as well as other monumental paintings such as the marriage of the Crown Prince Joseph in 1760.
LEARN ABOUT THE IMPERIAL HISTORY
During your palace tour, you will also explore the apartments and living chambers of Empress Elisabeth and Maria Theresa. Here, you'll uncover the important historical events that took place within these walls. You will follow your guide through rooms such as the Vieux Laque Room. This innermost room of the imperial apartments was Franz I Stephan’s favorite place to retreat and spend time. Featuring exquisite black lacquer panels from China, the room was preserved by Maria Theresa as a memorial to Emperor Franz I Stephan after he died in 1765.
EXPLORE THE SCHÖNBRUNN GARDENS
After experiencing the interior of the Schönbrunn Palace, you will venture out into the Gardens and continue your grand tour. Here, you will notice how cohesive the garden's design is with the palace's interior. It will become apparent how the lavish interior design continues in the Gardens with numerous fountains, sculptures, and carefully planned pathways. Among the decorations, you will see impressive buildings in the expansive Gardens. A noteworthy example is the Gloriette, built on the crest of a hill. It has served many uses throughout the years, from a viewing platform to a dining room and even a ballroom. To round off your Imperial Tour, we recommend a relaxing ride with the Schönbrunn Panorama Train, so you can fully experience the magnificence of this royal estate.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
Interesting Facts about the Schönbrunn Palace:
- The Schönbrunn Palace was commissioned in the late 17th century, but its history dates back to the 14th century. In this period, the palace was a hunting lodge, and it bore the name Katterburg.
- Marie Antoinette spent her summers in the Schönbrunn Palace. During the French Revolution, she was beheaded by the guillotine.
- The Schönbrunn Palace contains a mind-boggling 1441 different rooms, 45 of which are explorable by the public.
If you wish to hear more interesting facts about this impressive palace, make sure to book our Schönbrunn Palace Imperial Tour!
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Please bring an ID or a passport in case you will be asked to present identification.
- This tour includes a "reserve now & pay later" option, as well as free cancellation policy, just like most of our Schönbrunn Palace Tours.
- It’s best to arrive at least 10 minutes early, as latecomers won't be able to join the group or receive a refund.
Meeting Point
Meet your guide on the left side of Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker, Kavaliertrakt 52. Head to the courtyard fountains, turn left, and wait by the pillars with the café door on your right.
FAQ - Schönbrunn Palace Imperial Tour
Are backpacks allowed during the Schönbrunn Palace Imperial tour?
Is there a dress code for this tour?
Is photography allowed when visiting the Schönbrunn Palace?
How to reach the Schönbrunn Palace via public transport?
Can I combine my Schönbrunn Palace visit with other experiences?
Don’t wait! Book now!
- Easy booking process
- Free cancellation
- Reserve now & pay later