Hofburg Palace vs. Schönbrunn Palace: Which Site is Best to Visit in Vienna?
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Planning a trip to Vienna and torn between visiting Hofburg Palace or Schönbrunn Palace?
As someone who has explored both of these incredible Austrian attractions, I’m here to help you make the best choice for your travel style and budget.
Vienna is absolutely dripping with imperial history, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to soak up every bit of Habsburg grandeur you can get.
But here’s the thing, with limited time and budget (because let’s be real, Vienna isn’t cheap), you might find yourself asking: What’s the difference between Hofburg Palace vs Schönbrunn Palace?
I’ve been to both palaces during my trip to Austria, and I’m going to break down everything you need to know to make the perfect choice for your Vienna itinerary.
Quick Answer: Which Palace Should You Visit?
Choose Hofburg Palace if you:
- Love museums and diverse collections of artifacts
- Want to stay in Vienna’s city center
- Have limited time (can be done in a half-day visit)
- Prefer indoor activities or the weather is bad as everything to see is indoors
- Want to combine with other city center attractions, such as the Austrian National Library, the Imperial Carriage Museum, or the Imperial Treasury
Choose Schönbrunn Palace if you:
- Want the full imperial palace experience as there is more to do and see here
- Love beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces
- Have a full day to spend
- Don’t mind traveling a bit outside the city center
Hofburg Palace: Vienna’s Imperial Power Center
What is the Hofburg Palace?
It’s a common misconception that the Hofburg Palace is just one building.
Instead, it’s a massive palace complex that served as the main imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty for over 600 years.
Located right in Vienna’s historic city center, this sprawling complex houses multiple museums, the Spanish Riding School, and even the Austrian President’s offices today.
What You’ll See at Hofburg Palace
Imperial Apartments: Walk through the private rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) actually lived. The apartments are beautifully preserved and offer a glimpse into the daily life of royalty.
Sisi Museum: Dedicated to the enigmatic Empress Elisabeth, this museum showcases her personal belongings, including her famous exercise equipment, and explores how she learned multiple languages while getting her hair done. It also delves into her depression later in life and ultimately her sad final moments.
Imperial Silver Collection: If you love seeing royal dining wear, you’ll be amazed by the massive silver and porcelain collections used for state dinners. It’s just room after room of table settings fit for the entire court.
Hofburg Palace Practical Info
- Location: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna (city center)
- Nearby: The Austrian National Library, the Imperial Carriage Museum, the Spanish Riding School, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, the Vienna State Opera, and the Imperial Treasury
- Best ticket: Imperial Tour (Imperial Apartments + Sisi Museum + Silver Collection)
- Save money: Get the Vienna Pass which covers the Hofburg, but also 90 other attractions
- Price: Around €20 for adults
- Time needed: 3 hours
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
⚠️ Ensure the time slot you want by purchasing a ticket online in advance. Admission can only be guaranteed with a purchased online ticket for a designated time slot.
Schönbrunn Palace: The Austrian Versailles
What is Schönbrunn Palace?
Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna’s crown jewel, a stunning Baroque palace that served as the imperial summer residence.
With 1,441 rooms (though only 40 are open to the public), it’s Austria’s most visited cultural monument and honestly, one of the most expansive palaces I’ve ever been to in Europe.
Note that you cannot take photos inside the palace, which is why I have none shown here.
What You’ll See at Schönbrunn Palace
Palace Rooms: I took the State Apartments Tour, as it is included with the Vienna Pass. On this tour, you visit the Great and Small Galleries, which, from Maria Theresa’s era until the 20th century, were used for ceremonies, balls, and private family celebrations.
The most comprehensive is the Palace ticket, which takes you through not only the State Apartments, but the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, the south-facing reception rooms, and the rooms occupied by Maria Theresa.
If you’re interested in exploring the outside attractions, such as the Privy Garden, Orangery Garden, Maze, and Gloriette, get the Classic Pass.
Alternatively, you can also do the Maria Theresa Guided Tour.
Fountains: There’s the Neptune Fountain, the Parade Court Fountains, and the Obelisk, which are lovely to stroll by.
Palace Park: Wander through manicured lawns, hedge mazes, the Roman Ruin, Privy Garden, Desert House, and the Orangery.
Children’s Museum: Provides insight into the everyday life of the emperor’s children and invites young visitors on a journey back to the time of Maria Theresa. Take an active part in imperial life and create magnificent hairstyles or set a festive table, then dress up for a fun souvenir photo in imperial garb.
The Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Show: A culinary journey through time into the traditional world of Viennese pastries, introducing visitors to the secrets of making Viennese apple strudel.
Schönbrunn Gardens: The baroque gardens are absolutely FREE to explore and are stunning in any season. Don’t miss the Gloriette monument, we didn’t get all the way up there cause my mom’s legs were bothering her, but the panoramic Vienna views look awesome!
Schönbrunn Palace Practical Info
- Location: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna (20 minutes from city center)
- Nearby: Vienna Museum of Science & Technology and the Klimt-Villa
- Best ticket: The Palace ticket for the full experience, State Apartments for a shorter visit or if you’re using the Vienna Pass
- Price: €40 for adults (Classic Pass), €34 for adults (Palace Ticket), €25 (State Apartments)
- Time needed: Half-day to full day with gardens + other attractions
- Best time to visit: Early morning (opens at 8:30 AM) to beat the tour groups
⚠️ Admission to the palace is done by time slots. To avoid long waiting times, book your time slot in advance by purchasing a ticket online.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Hofburg Palace vs Schönbrunn Palace
Budget Breakdown
Hofburg Palace:
- Imperial Tour: €20
- Audio guide: Included
- Transportation: FREE (walkable from city center)
- Total estimated cost: €20
Schönbrunn Palace:
- Varies Based on Pass Selected: €24-40
- Audio guide: Included
- Transportation: €4.80 (public transport round trip)
- Total estimated cost: €28.80-44.80
Winner for budget travelers: The Hofburg Palace is cheaper no matter which way you slice it
Time Investment
Hofburg Palace:
- Minimum visit: 2 hours
- Comfortable visit: 3 hours
- Can easily combine with other city center attractions
Schönbrunn Palace:
- Minimum visit: 1 hour (palace only)
- Comfortable visit: 4-5 hours (including gardens and other attractions)
- At least a half-day experience is recommended
Winner for time-pressed travelers: Schönbrunn Palace, but you’ll only see the tip of the iceberg by solely doing the palace
Hofburg Palace vs Schönbrunn Palace: Which Did I Prefer?
If I had to choose just one, I’d pick Hofburg Palace.
Here’s why:
I’m a HUGE history fan, especially of women in history, so getting to see a museum solely dedicated to Empress Elisabeth was incredible to me.
I learned so much about this woman just by exploring the museum, that I felt like I knew her by the end of the visit.
While I didn’t love the Imperial Silver Collection, the Imperial Apartments were also worth the visit.
As the Hofburg is centrally located, you can also easily get to the National Library, which I adored.
Unfortunately, when I was there, the Treasury wasn’t open, but that’s a spectacular nearby attraction as well.
So if you’re short on time, you’ll be able to see a lot more in the Hofburg area.
It’s also more affordable than Schönbrunn if you’re on a tight budget.
If you’re more of an outdoorsy fan who likes exploring gardens, the Schönbrunn may be a better fit for you.
I did not spend hours wandering through them, as that’s just not me, but the views from the Gloriette at sunset look absolutely magical.
The one thing that did really stick with me from Schönbrunn, however, was the Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Show, which was called the Strudelshow when I visited.
However, that’s likely because this was an ancestry trip, as my mother and I were tracking down our relatives, and she has a fond memory of her grandmother making strudel, so it felt like a full-circle special moment for us.
But, honestly, you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Both palaces offer incredible glimpses into Austria’s imperial past, and both are worthy of spots on any Vienna itinerary.
🇦🇹 Click here for tips on deciding how much time to spend in Vienna.
Pro Tips for Visiting Either Palace
Money-Saving Hacks
- Book online in advance: Both palaces are popular attractions so booking in advance is the only way to ensure entry
- Visit the gardens for free: Schönbrunn’s gardens are completely free and stunning
- Combination tickets: If you plan on visiting both, there is the Sisi Pass, however, if you plan on visiting several Vienna attractions, the Vienna Pass is your best bet
- Student discounts: Bring your student ID for reduced prices
Solo Female Traveler Tips
- Both palaces are completely safe for solo female travelers
- Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be doing lots of walking
- Bring a portable charger for all those photos!
Can You Visit Both Palaces?
Absolutely!
If you have at least 2 days in Vienna and want the complete imperial experience, visiting both is definitely doable.
I’d recommend:
Day 1: Hofburg Palace + Vienna city center exploration
Day 2: Half-day at Schönbrunn Palace (palace + gardens), then a trip over to Belvedere Palace
This way, you get the best of both worlds without feeling rushed.
How to Get There
My mother and I used the hop-on hop-off bus included with the Vienna Pass to get around, but if you don’t have access to that, the best way to get to these palaces on public transport is listed below.
Getting to Hofburg Palace
- By foot: Walkable from anywhere in Vienna’s city center
- By Metro: U3 Herrengasse or U1/U3 Stephansplatz
- By tram: Lines 1, 2, D, or J to Burgring
Getting to Schönbrunn Palace
- By Metro: U4 Schönbrunn (most convenient)
- By tram: Line 60 to Schönbrunn
- By bus: Line 10A to Schönbrunn
Related Vienna Travel Guides
- Guide to the Hofburg Palace and Sisi Museum in Vienna
- Austrian National Library: Live a Bookworm’s Dream in Vienna
- How Many Days in Vienna? A Simple Guide for First-timers
- How to Spend 2 Days in Vienna: Budget Itinerary + Map
- Is Vienna Worth Visiting? 13 Things to Consider Before Traveling
- Helpful Guide to “Is the Vienna Pass Worth It?”
- Hofburg Palace vs Schonbrunn Palace: Which Imperial Experience is Better?
- 37 Things to Do in Vienna: Exploring Austria’s Capital Affordably
- Where to Stay in Vienna: My Favorite Areas + Best Budget Hotels
- How to Spend 3 Days in Vienna: My Budget-Savvy Itinerary
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