Tour Schonbrunn Palace Vienna in 2023 (with video)
Welcome to my 360 VR video tour of Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens which I shot on my tour to Vienna.. I’ll take you around the sights and give a written guide here as you watch my 360 video below.
Along the article, I’ll highlight some of the best tours I’ve found, in case you’re inspired to visit Schonbrunn Palace after watching the guide and 360 video.
My 360 VR travel Video
If on mobile, best to experience by opening in Youtube app.
Vienna is a city full of majestic sights, but none more spectacular than Schonbrunn Palace, otherwise known as Schloss Schönbrunn.
This World Heritage Site was once the home of the imperial couple Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth “Sisi”, and Empress Maria Theresa, and today it is open to tourists who can explore its grandeur with guided tours or on their own.
With its imperial furniture collection, classic pass plus options, carriage museum and much more, there’s something for everyone at this remarkable palace. So, if you’re planning a trip to Vienna, make sure you don’t miss out on experiencing all that Schonbrunn has to offer!
Here is the best way to experience a lot quickly at a good price with a group guided walking tour which includes skip the line tickets to the palace and tour of gardens.
Flyover Schonbrunn Palace
Here is a quick flyover of Schonbrunn Palace map to get your bearings.
Schönbrunn Palace tour
Schönbrunn Palace is a must-see for history buffs and visitors to Vienna alike. Emperor Franz Joseph was born in the palace in 1830 and spent the last years of his life here. The palace has a total of 1,441 rooms, of which 45 can be visited by the public.
The inside of the estate flaunts a Rococo aesthetic, and it’s home to several historically significant features.
In 1814/15, the Grand Gallery in Schönbrunn Palace hosted the Congress of Vienna – a series of diplomatic meetings which redrew the political landscape of Europe.
Mozart composed masterpieces in the mirrored hall at just six years old.
Emperor Napoleon hosted high-stakes conferences in the Vieux Lacque Room.
Emperor Charles I’s act of abdication was finalized in the ornately decorated Blue Chinese Salon – symbolically ending centuries of monarchy.
So, you can see the outside of the palace and one inside room in my video above as I walked around and in the palace.
Unfortunately, I was not allowed to film on the inside on the palace tour itself and was only allowed outside one room as exiting, but I found one video below that shows many of the beautiful rooms you would see on the tour.
There is a deluxe Schonbrunn palace tour with a historian guide which is 5 ⭐and gets 67 reviews.
Please note it does not include ticket price but is the price of the historian guide in a small group tour limited to 6 people and to explore 40 rooms. They do a short tour of the Garden as well, and entire tour is 3 hours and meet at the Palace.
Book Small-Group Schönbrunn Palace Half-Day Tour with Historian Guide
Schönbrunn palace Gardens tour
Schönbrunn palace Gardens is one of the most beautiful and meticulously maintained gardens in all of Europe. From the majestic grounds with their intricate mosaic patterns to its numerous fountains and sculptures, Schönbrunn provides a stunningly serene experience for visitors.
The second part of my video is as I walked around to the back part of the palace to the gardens and you can see the Neptune fountain and Schönbrunn Gloriette.
Labyrinth
The Labyrinth in Schönbrunn Park is a captivating maze that was originally built in 1720 and is a great challenge for visitors of all ages. It is made up of tall narrow hedges and navigating it requires sharp observation and skill. The main attraction here lies in its design and beauty, so take your time to stroll through the maze and enjoy the sights as you make your way around. There is a viewing platform in the center.
Neptune Fountain
Another highlight is the Neptune Fountain with sculptures atop depicting ancient Greek gods and goddesses. This serves as an ideal backdrop for taking photos or simply admiring this stunning work of art.
Schönbrunn Gloriette
Schönbrunn Gloriette is a military-themed set of columns and arches that was built in 1775 to improve the view from the palace. Now, the Gloriette has a café inside and is part of the free-to-see Schönbrunn park. A ticket is needed to go up to the rooftop viewing platform. From up there, you can see incredible views of the palace and Vienna!
Palm House
The Palm House at Schönbrunn is a spectacular sight dating back to 1882 and was built during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph. It is the largest of its kind in Europe, with a grand glass area of 4,900 square meters encompassing a tropical section filled with various fruit trees.
Schönbrunn Zoo
Schönbrunn Zoo is a must-see for animal lovers of all ages! With over 700 species of animals, including some that are endangered, the zoo is a great way to learn about the natural world. Take a ride on the zoo train for a tour of the grounds.
Highlights include pandas and ORANG.erie for Vienna’s orangutangs.
Schönbrunn Zoo has been named “Best Zoo in Europe” six times in a row and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site!
If you dont have much time in Vienna and want a quick bus tour that drives around the city but also has a skip the line ticket to the palace, then take a look at this tour. Takes about 3.5 hours.
Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace Guided Tour and Vienna Historical City Tour
If you want to see and hear more of Vienna then here is my blog and 360 video of Hofburg Palace.
Also if you enjoy 360 VR travel videos then here is my Youtube channel with a link to my videos in Vienna.
Here is my highlight video of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna
Tour Vienna in 360 VR
Here is a 360 video and guide of must do’s when visiting Vienna
When watching in 360 VR always remember to put resolution to maximum in Youtube settings.
Quick general list of things to do at Schonbrunn.
1. Visit the Imperial Apartments – tour the grand halls where Empress Sisi once lived.
2. Tour the beautiful gardens – marvel at the intricate baroque architecture and landscaping.
3. Visit the Gloriette – one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks, this is a great place to get a photograph of the entire palace complex.
4. Take a guided tour – learn more about the history of Schonbrunn Palace, from its construction to its use today as a museum and historical landmark.
5. Participate in an audio or video tour – explore Schonbrunn Palace with interactive guides that give interesting information about each room and space inside the palace.
6. Attend concerts or opera performances – held in various locations throughout Schonbrunn Palace, these events are sure to be an unforgettable experience!
7. Check out Imperial Carriage Museum – view carriages from centuries past used by members of royalty from all over Europe!
8. Explore Roman ruins onsite – visit remains of ancient aqueducts that fed water into what would eventually become Schonbrunn Palace grounds during Roman times!
9. Spend some time in front of Neptune Fountain – constructed between 1701–1704, it is one of Schonbrunn’s best known features!
10. See various species at Botanical Gardens – take a stroll through 16 hectares of greenhouses and outdoor gardens full of exotic plants!
11. Feed animals at Tiergarten Schonbrunn Zoo – one of the oldest zoos in Europe, it houses numerous animals ranging from zebras to giraffes!
12. Have some fun with Maze & Labyrinth Park – get lost in two giant hedge mazes (Labyrinth Park) located on palace grounds where you can also find children’s playgrounds and activities for young visitors!
13. Take photos at Privy Garden – snap pictures beneath statues and sculptures created by renowned sculptors such as Franz Xaver Messerschmidt or Hubert Leurssen from Baroque period!
14. See Orangery Zoo Theater – this open-air theater is set against backdrop 16th century Baroque palace grounds and offers performances ranging from operas to ballets!
15 Experience unique evening walks – wander around magnificently illuminated nighttime garden pathways as Viennese music plays softly in background!
And if you want to head downtown, go to this written article on Vienna Old Town, with pictures and a 360 VR video as well.