Two baroque palaces facing each other across a formal garden — the garden free, the palaces ticketed, and one painting doing most of the work.
What it costs
The garden between the two palaces is free, and the walk down from the Upper to the Lower Belvedere is one of the best free things in Vienna.
The Upper Belvedere holds the permanent collection and is where Klimt’s The Kiss hangs. The Lower Belvedere shows temporary exhibitions. They are ticketed separately, with a combined ticket available — and if you are coming for the Klimt, it is the Upper you want.
When to go
The Klimt room is busy from mid-morning; early is markedly better. The garden is open long hours and is at its best in the evening light, looking back up at the palace with the city behind you.
Getting there
Tram D to Schloss Belvedere for the upper palace, or metro U1 to Südtiroler Platz and walk. Enter at the top and walk down — the view is that way round.
If you only have an hour
Buy the Upper Belvedere ticket, go straight to the Klimt room, then walk down through the garden to the Lower Belvedere and out. The garden walk is free and the view back up is the one worth having.
What people get wrong
Many visitors arrive expecting a palace tour and find an art museum in a palace. The state rooms are largely gone; what you are paying for is the collection, and it is a very good one.
Nearby
Ticketing arrangements and opening patterns as published for 2026 and checked on 4 September 2026. These change without much warning — confirm with the site itself before you travel. More sights, and how they fit together, in Landmarks & Sights.