The Hofburg Palace in Vienna is huge. It is not simply a palace, but an asymmetrical complex covering 240,000 m2 and a place where up to 2000 people worked and lived in Vienna. Beautiful!
This incredible place, the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, was the center of Austrian monarchy, from the beginning of the reign of the Habsburgs, in the thirteenth century, until the end of the monarchy in 1918. In those 600 years, it was the political and historical European center. Discover here the best attractions of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: RESERVE ONE FULL DAY FOR THE VISIT! IT IS MAGNIFICENT!
I’ve been to the Hofburg Palace in Vienna twice. The first was with my mother and my daughter Luiza. The last was with my husband.
Everyone loved everything and believe me: you can not visit all the attractions in a single day. For example, in the first time we did the riding school tour and went on the Schatzkammer.
On the other hand, I only visited the fabulous library and the little church where the children of Vienna sing, in the second visit. We didn’t have time to do the Riding School and the Schatzkammer.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: THE IMPERIAL APARTMENTS, THE SISSI MUSEUM, THE SILVERWARE COLLECTION AND THE LIBRARY ARE REALLY A MUST, DON’T MISS THEM!
IMPERIAL APARTMENTS, SISSI MUSEUM AND THE SILVERWARE COLLECTION – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
Start your visit with the best attractions of the Hofburg palace. These are only a fraction of what you can see in this amazing place. To visit these attractions that you cannot miss, buy the combined ticket and save some money and time.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: BUY THE COMBINED TICKET FOR THE 3 MAJOR AND MOST FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS!
TIMETABLE 2017:
Daily, including holidays:
-From September to June: From 9:00 h to 17:30 h;
-In July and August: From 09:00 h to 18:00 h.
PRICES 2017/2018/2019:
Valid for the period of march 15th, 2017 through march 14th, 2019:
-Ticket with audio guide or description in 13 languages: adults ($13.90 euros), children from 06 to 18 years old ($8.20 euros);
-Entrance with guided tour: adults ($16.90 euros), children from 06 to 18 years old ($9.70, euros);
-Sisi Ticket – Includes the visit to the 40 rooms in Schönbrunn and the Collection of Furniture: adults ($29.90 euros), children from 06 to 18 years old ($18.00 euros).
Is the guided tour worth? Well, in my first visit I did not do it, but in the second yes. The tour takes about 55 min and includes the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. The Silverware collection is not part of it. Actually, I found it too fast. There was not much time to enjoy the places. However, the guide tells you curiosities that you would otherwise never know. I preferred the audio guide visit.
Oficial website: https://www.hofburg-wien.at/en/
1)THE SILVERWARE COLLECTION – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
It is unimaginable, but the Silverware Collection of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna has wonderful dining services, table centers such as Milan, which measures 30 meters in length and cutlery that gives you an idea of the exuberance and refinement of the imperial banquets. Lots of gold, silver and porcelain.
The Grand Vermeil service, for 140 people, has 4,500 pieces and weighs over a ton!
Do not think it’s a silly or boring attraction. Until you know it, it is impossible to imagine all the kitchen appliances and services they used. On top of everything, the pieces are spectacular.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA CURIOSITY: As Empress Sissi did not want to get fat, the servants used a press to squeeze raw meat, so that she would take only the broth. It is on display.
2)SISSI MUSEUM – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
The Sisi Museum was opened in 2004 at the Hofburg Palace and holds objects of personal use, dresses, hair props and everything that gives a fascinating insight into the personality, life and also the murder of the Empress Elizabeth.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO PHOTOGRAPH INSIDE THE SISI MUSEUM!
Initially a shy girl, of natural attitudes, the Empress Sisi happened to be a frustrated woman. Uncomfortable in her role as empress, although she initially tried to follow the court’s protocol, she became increasingly reclusive and obsessed with her beauty, weight, poetry and endless travels.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA CURIOSITY: Sissi did not allow more photographs of herself after turning 30, because she wanted to be eternally remembered for her beauty and youth. The last time the Empress of Austria posed for a painted portrait was when she was 42 years old.
3)IMPERIAL APARTMENTS – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
It comprises 19 rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elizabeth lived, worked and received their guests, showing the daily routine of their lives at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. They are less luxurious than those at Schönbrunn.
Elizabeth was one of the most beautiful women of her days and she struggled to keep herself this way. One can visit his exercise and dressing room, where his hair was brushed for 2 hours daily, while studying languages. She had installed for its exclusive use, the first bathroom of the royal family, in 1876.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHIES, IN THE IMPERIAL APARTMENTS .
The guided tour is interesting, because several curiosities are told. Would you like an example?Dinners, even with only family members present, followed a strict protocol, with sequences of 9 to 12 dishes. When the Emperor finished and rested his cutlery, all dishes were removed, so he used to wait for everyone to finish. At that time, they could only talk during the meals, with the table neighbor besides each other. Talking across the table was not considered polite…
4)AUSTRIAN NATIONAL LIBRARY – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
The Old Court Library, or Court Library, in the Hofburg Palace is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The Ceremonial Hall covers two floors. It is 80m long and 20m high. Beautiful frescoes are painted on its dome. You will also be delighted by sculptures, bookcases and book covers, perfectly coordinated in this beautiful space.
We know that the Augustine Reading Room also has a unique beautiful ceiling. When we visited, tourists were not allowed in. The total of the collection reaches 8 million objects!
TIMETABLE 2017:
Daily:
– From June to September: Thursdays from 10:00 h to 21:00 h; Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 h to 18:00 h.
ADDRESS:
Josefsplatz – Main entrance in the 1st floor and access to the Main Hall in the 2nd floor.
PRICES 2017:
– Adults: $7,00 euros;
– Eldelry: $5,50 euros;
– Below 19 years old : free;
– 2 adults + 1 child: $12,50 euros.
Oficial website: https://www.onb.ac.at/en/
5)IMPERIAL TREASURY COLLECTION – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
Located in the oldest part of Hofburg (13th century), the Schatzkammer is home to incredible pieces such as the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, dating from about 962 aC and the Austrian Emperor’s Crown of 1602.
TICKETS 2017:
– Normal: $12,00 euros;
– Using the Vienna Card: $11,00 euros;
– Reduced: $9,00 euros;
– Below 19 years old: free
There are audio guides available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Japanese: For one person $ 4.00 euros, for 02 people $ 7.00 euros and for families $ 8.00 euros.
ADDRESS: Hofburg, Schweizerhof, 1010 Wien, Áustria
6)SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
Inside the Hofburg Palace in Vienna is located the famous Spanish Riding School. For those who do not know it, they have performances with the magnificent Lipizzaner horses. If you like animals, consider this, one of the best attractions of Hofburg Palace in Vienna!
The Vienna Riding School, founded in 1522, is the oldest in the world. It kept the old traditions of classical dressage in its purest form. The name of the institute indicates that the horses are the Lipizzaner, from Spain. Initially, the Imperial Court Stable was close to Lipizza. He was later transferred to Piber in Styria.
PERFORMANCES:
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 h, with about 70 min duration.
TRAINING AND GUIDED VISIT:
You can watch the morning training with music and later attend the guided tour, depending on your schedule. The exercises usually take place from Tuesdays to Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the guided tour, at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. You choose.
The incredible arena where the Lipizzaner horses perform was built between 1729 and 1735. Empress Sisi used to participate in sled racing in winter in this great place.
Now, pay attention: I had never thought about it, but these magnificent horses are very demanding and so, they take vacations during the summer. Yes! It’s not just you who takes a vacation! In July, they stay in the Stable of the Court in Piber and can enjoy hours loose in the fields. Well deserved!
Yeah. The first time we went to Vienna, we really wanted to see them in the Hofburg Palace, but since it was summer, this was not possible. To compensate tourists frustration, a guided tour of the stables (where only two of the Lipizzaner horses were), to the cellar, to the harness room and to the concert arena was offered. It was very cool .
Currently they offer Piber meets Vienna, where 06 females come with their puppies, showing another side of this beautiful breed, the oldest of the European classic horses.
BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA TIP: KIDS BELOW 3 YEARS OLD ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE SHOWS!
PRICES 2017:
- – Performance: $25,00 euros (standing), and $217,00 euros (gala);
- – Morning Exercises and tour: $31,00 euros.
- – Piber Meets Vienna: From $12,00 to $45,00 euros.
Oficial website: http://www.srs.at/en_US/start-en/
7)THE SWISS GATE – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
Designed by Pietro Feraboso in 1551, the Swiss Gate (Schweizertor) is one of the most important Renaissance monuments in Vienna. The balls of the drawbridge chains over the moat from the old medieval fortress are still there and well preserved.
8)THE HOFBURG CHAPEL – HOFBURGKAPELLE – BEST ATTRACTIONS OF HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA
Unless you have time to spare, it’s not worth visiting. There is nothing special and its interior is very simple.
The interesting thing is that on Sundays, the famous Vienna Boys Singers perform. We did not see the show. They say it’s magic, because they’re on a mezzanine and no one can see them, just listen to them. It is necessary to buy tickets well in advance to see the mass in which they sing.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO HOFBURG PALACE IN VIENNA:
- Underground: U3 (orange) Herrengasse station – 03 min;
- Trams: 1,2,D e J station Burgring;
- Bus : 2A e 3A station Hofburg.
OTHER DESTINATIONS FOR YOU IN AUSTRIA:
Visiting Austria, you should read THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKES OF SALZKAMMERGUT- SIGHTSEEING TIPS, about the beautiful Austrian lakes region.This post will show you the most beautiful lakes and the ones not so worth it.
HALLSTATT is a charming village where you can: rent an electric boat, visit the Five Fingers, the Skywalk and the Ice cave. Just to name a few of the attractions.
And if you like cooking, you can try THE AUTHENTIC AUSTRIAN WIENER SCHNITZEL RECIPE – DELICIOUS!
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