Belvedere Museum
Quick answer
Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria — the Belvedere is one of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe, built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM. Admission: €16.50 Upper Belvedere standard admission; combined ticket (Upper + Lower): €25; gardens are free. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Belvedere Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | €16.50 Upper Belvedere standard admission; combined ticket (Upper + Lower): €25; gardens are free |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Wednesday evenings until 9 PM at the Upper Belvedere — The Kiss room is quieter after 6 PM. |
| Getting there | Tram: D line to Schloss Belvedere — stops directly outside the Upper Belvedere entrance |
| Address | Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna, Austria |
| Official website | belvedere.at |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Belvedere Museum known for?
The Belvedere is a baroque palace complex built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century — two palaces (Upper and Lower) connected by formal gardens on a hill south of Vienna's city centre. The Upper Belvedere (1722) houses Austria's greatest art collection from the Middle Ages to the present.
Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (1907–1908) is the museum's undisputed star — a gold-leaf embrace that has become Austria's most reproduced image. The Belvedere holds the world's largest collection of Klimt paintings, including Judith I, Sonja Knips, and landscapes from his late period.
Beyond Klimt, the collection includes masterworks by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin. The Lower Belvedere hosts temporary exhibitions and the Baroque Museum, while the medieval collection occupies the Orangery.
The formal gardens between the palaces are free to enter and among the finest baroque gardens in Central Europe — cascading terraces, fountains, and views back toward the city centre. Wednesday evenings until 9 PM offer extended hours at the Upper Belvedere.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers
How long do you need at Belvedere Museum?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Belvedere Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Kiss
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's gold-leaf masterpiece — a couple embraced in a field of shimmering gold and floral motifs.
- 2
Judith I
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's sensual Judith holding the severed head of Holofernes — painted with gold leaf and Byzantine-inspired flatness.
- 3
Death and Life
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's meditation on mortality — a skeletal figure facing a sleeping group of figures entwined in colourful blankets.
- 4
The Sunflower
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 25
Schiele's portrait of a wilting sunflower — a symbol of transience painted with the artist's characteristic angular line and emotional intensity.
What are the must-see works at Belvedere Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Kiss, Judith I, Death and Life and more.
The Kiss
Gustav Klimt · 1907–1908
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's gold-leaf masterpiece — a couple embraced in a field of shimmering gold and floral motifs. The most famous painting in Austria and an icon of Art Nouveau. Always on permanent display in the dedicated Klimt room.
Judith I
Gustav Klimt · 1901
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's sensual Judith holding the severed head of Holofernes — painted with gold leaf and Byzantine-inspired flatness. A precursor to The Kiss and one of the artist's most powerful female portraits.
Death and Life
Gustav Klimt · 1910–1915
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's meditation on mortality — a skeletal figure facing a sleeping group of figures entwined in colourful blankets. The artist considered it his most important figurative work.
The Sunflower
Egon Schiele · 1914
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 25
Schiele's portrait of a wilting sunflower — a symbol of transience painted with the artist's characteristic angular line and emotional intensity. Part of the Belvedere's exceptional Schiele collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Gustav Klimt — world's largest collection including The Kiss
- • Egon Schiele — paintings and drawings
- • Austrian Baroque — Waldmüller, Amerling, and Danhauser
- • French Impressionism — Monet, Renoir, and Degas
- • Medieval art — altarpieces and panel painting
- • Baroque gardens — free formal terraces and fountains
- • Lower Belvedere — temporary exhibitions and Baroque Museum
- • Orangery — medieval collection and special exhibitions
Famous works with their own guide
Tips for visiting Belvedere Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Wednesday evenings until 9 PM at the Upper Belvedere — The Kiss room is quieter after 6 PM. Weekday mornings at 10 AM for the gardens before crowds.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
The Kiss room is always busy — expect to wait for an unobstructed view. Other Klimt rooms and Schiele galleries are less crowded. Gardens are free and peaceful on weekday mornings.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
€16.50 Upper Belvedere; €25 combined Upper + Lower. Buy online at belvedere.at. Vienna Pass accepted. Gardens free without ticket.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Belvedere café in the Upper Belvedere; restaurants on Prinz-Eugen-Strasse and near Südbahnhof (5 minutes).
- 5.
Accessibility
Upper Belvedere fully accessible with elevator. Gardens have gravel paths with some slopes. Wheelchair loan available.
How do you get to Belvedere Museum?
- tram D line to Schloss Belvedere — stops directly outside the Upper Belvedere entrance
- metro U1 to Südtiroler Platz — 10-minute walk through the gardens
- walk 20 minutes from Vienna State Opera via Argentinierstrasse — flat walk until the garden hill
Address: Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Belvedere Museum: frequently asked questions
Is The Kiss always on display?
Yes — The Kiss is a permanent highlight of the Upper Belvedere collection and is on permanent display in the Klimt room.
Can I visit the gardens for free?
Yes — the formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces are free to enter and are among the finest baroque gardens in Central Europe.
What is the difference between Upper and Lower Belvedere?
The Upper Belvedere is the main museum with the Klimt collection and 19th–20th century art. The Lower Belvedere houses the Baroque Museum, the Museum of Medieval Art, and temporary exhibitions — a combined ticket covers both.
How long should I spend at Belvedere Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Belvedere Museum. Our 4-stop route — The Kiss, Judith I, Death and Life and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Belvedere Museum best known for?
The Belvedere is one of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe, built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century. The Upper Belvedere (1722) is now the main museum, holding Austria's greatest art collection from the Middle Ages to the present. The formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces are among the most beautiful in Vienna. Key highlights include Gustav Klimt — world's largest collection including The Kiss, Egon Schiele — paintings and drawings, Austrian Baroque — Waldmüller, Amerling, and Danhauser.
How do I get tickets for Belvedere Museum?
Admission: €16.50 Upper Belvedere standard admission; combined ticket (Upper + Lower): €25; gardens are free. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.belvedere.at/en
Are the Belvedere gardens worth visiting alone?
Yes — the formal baroque gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere are free to enter and open daily. Cascading terraces, fountains, and views toward the city make them one of Vienna's finest outdoor spaces. Allow 30 minutes for the gardens alone.
Upper Belvedere or Lower Belvedere?
Upper Belvedere has the main collection — Klimt, Schiele, and Impressionism. Lower Belvedere hosts temporary exhibitions and the Baroque Museum. Most visitors need only the Upper Belvedere (2 hours). The combined ticket is worthwhile if a major temporary exhibition is on at the Lower Belvedere.
Is Belvedere Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Belvedere Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Belvedere Museum's opening hours?
Belvedere Museum is open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
