Schönbrunn Palace is Vienna’s great Baroque summer residence, shaped above all by Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century. Once a centre of Habsburg court life, the 1,441-room palace and its gardens are now a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a glimpse of the dynasty’s power beyond the city’s Hofburg.
Inside, gilded state rooms and imperial apartments balance spectacle with personal history. The Hall of Mirrors is associated with a performance by the six-year-old Mozart, while Emperor Franz Joseph’s relatively restrained working quarters offer a counterpoint to the grandeur around them.
The grounds are reason enough to linger. Formal avenues lead past fountains and a Roman ruin folly to the Gloriette, a hilltop colonnade with a sweeping view over the palace and Vienna. Schönbrunn Zoo, founded in 1752 and still operating today, sits within the wider grounds.
Book a timed palace ticket online, especially in summer, and arrive early to get ahead of the busiest tour groups. Allow time for the uphill walk to the Gloriette; the main gardens are free to enter during opening hours, though attractions such as the zoo and maze require separate tickets.