Belvedere Palace, Vienna (must see)

The Belvedere palaces were the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736). The ensemble was built in the early 18th century by the famous Baroque architect, Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, and comprises the Upper and Lower Belvedere, with the Orangery and Palace Stables, as well as extensive gardens. As one of Europe's most stunning Baroque landmarks, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, the Belvedere houses the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the works of international artists. At the Upper Belvedere, visitors can not only encounter artworks drawn from over 500 years of art history but also explore the magnificent staterooms.

The Belvedere's art collection presents an almost complete overview of the development of art in Austria and, thus, offers insight into the country's history. The world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt's paintings lies at the heart of the presentation of art around 1900 on show at the Upper Belvedere. Among the highlights are Klimt's “The Kiss” (1908/09) and “Judith” (1901), as well as works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Key pieces of French Impressionism and the greatest collection of Viennese Biedermeier art are also among the main attractions of this museum.

Why You Should Visit:
As well as being home to some of Klimt's most famous creations, the collection, in general, is vast and the building itself is remarkable.
Not only is the building a sight to behold but the grounds are magnificently maintained too, just as you would expect them to be.

Tip:
To wait in a shorter line, purchase your tickets online in advance.
Make sure to leave the time to stroll through the gardens either on the way to or from this wonderful palace.

Opening Hours:
Sat-Thu: 9am-6pm; Fri: 9am-9pm