Hofburg Palace Tickets
Step into Vienna’s imperial history by booking your tickets online to the Hofburg Palace.
Support when you need it
Customer service to help you with all your needs from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fast and online booking
Choose the best option for your needs and preferences and avoid the lines.
Top attraction in Vienna
Experience the grandeur of Austria’s imperial history in the heart of the city — a must-see for every visitor.
Tickets to Hofburg Palace in Vienna
Several ticket options are available depending on your interests and how deeply you want to explore the site. You can choose between a standard entry ticket, a guided experience, or the Sisi Pass, which combines access to multiple royal attractions in Vienna.
Sisi Museum Ticket
This ticket gives you access to the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum, where you’ll see the empress’s personal belongings and learn about her fascinating story.
What’s included:
🏰 Admission to the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments
🎧 Audio guide with detailed commentary in multiple languages
Flexible visit at your own pace
Exhibition of more than 300 personal items belonging to Empress Elisabeth
Sisi Museum Guided Tour
Upgrade your visit with a guided tour of the Hofburg Palace and Sisi Museum. Accompanied by a knowledgeable expert, you’ll hear captivating stories about Empress Elisabeth, Emperor Franz Joseph, and court life in 19th-century Vienna.
What’s included:
🏰 Admission to the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum
🗣️ Guided visit in English, German, or Italian
Exhibition of more than 300 personal items belonging to Empress Elisabeth
Flexible visit at your own pace
🎧 Audioguide in multiple languages
Sisi Pass
The Sisi Pass is the ultimate ticket for those who want to explore all of Vienna’s imperial heritage. It grants access to three major attractions: the Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Vienna Furniture Museum.
What’s included:
👑 Admission to Hofburg Palace (Sisi Museum + Imperial Apartments)
🏰 Entrance to Schönbrunn Palace
🪑 Access to the Vienna Furniture Museum
🎧 Audio guide included in all three museums
🕰️ Valid for one year from the date of issue
Plan your visit to Hofburg Palace
Before exploring the Imperial Hofburg Palace, it’s worth preparing your itinerary in advance. This will help you make the most of your time, especially if you want to combine your visit with other nearby attractions such as the Spanish Riding School, the Albertina Museum, or St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Below, you’ll find all the essential details to plan your visit smoothly.
Opening hours
The Hofburg Palace is open daily, including public holidays.
- September to June: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- July to August: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Note: Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. Hours may vary during public events or maintenance.
Best time to visit the Hofburg Palace
The best time to visit the Imperial Palace Vienna is from April to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.
Weekdays, especially Tuesday to Thursday, are ideal for a calmer experience.
If visiting in December, don’t miss the magical Vienna Christmas Markets set up just outside the palace grounds.
Location
📍 Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The Hofburg Palace is located in Vienna’s historic city center.
- 🚇 By metro: U3 (Herrengasse), U1/U3 (Stephansplatz)
- 🚋 By tram: Lines 1, 2, D, 71
- 🚌 By bus: Lines 2A, 3A
You can also easily reach it on foot from Kärntner Straße or the MuseumsQuartier area.
History
The Hofburg Palace has been a symbol of Austrian power for over seven centuries. It started as a medieval fortress in the 13th century and evolved into the grand Baroque and Neoclassical masterpiece we see today.
It was home to the Habsburg emperors until 1918 and now houses several of Vienna’s major attractions: the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Spanish Riding School, and the Imperial Chapel. Each part of the complex tells a story of opulence, discipline, and centuries of European influence.
About the Imperial Hofburg Palace
Inside the Imperial Apartments, you’ll find lavishly decorated rooms where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth once lived.Admire the grandeur of royal life through meticulously preserved furniture, artworks, and fabrics that reflect the spirit of 19th-century Vienna.
- Top highlights include:
- The Audience Chamber and Emperor’s Study
- The Salon and Dressing Room of Empress Elisabeth
- The Imperial Dining Room
- The Sisi Museum and its personal collections
Each room transports you back to the golden era of the Austrian Empire.
Sisi Museum
If you are planning a trip to Vienna, you might be a bit confused about the difference between the Sisi Museum and the Hofburg Palace. The truth is that the museum is actually just one part of the massive imperial complex, so you cannot visit one without entering the other.
Once you are inside, forget about seeing just another room filled with dusty antiques. This experience offers a surprisingly intimate look at Empress Elisabeth’s life, moving past the romantic fairy tales to reveal the complex woman behind the crown.
What makes this place a must-see is the chance to understand Sisi as perhaps the first modern celebrity.
Imperial Apartments
The Imperial Apartments (or Kaiserappartements) offer a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of one of history’s most famous couples.
On one side, you have the Emperor’s quarters, which tell the story of a man married to his job. Franz Joseph ruled for 68 years and was known for starting his day at 5:00 a.m., a discipline reflected in his surprisingly modest bedroom and office.
Then you step into Sisi’s world, and the vibe changes completely. It is a powerful mix of luxury and melancholy that helps you understand why she spent so much time traveling to escape the “golden cage” of Vienna.
FAQs about Hofburg Palace
You don’t technically need tickets in advance, but getting them beforehand makes your visit much smoother. Here’s the thing: the Hofburg Palace is one of Vienna’s most visited attractions, and during high season or weekends, tickets at the door can sell out or mean facing long queues.
Yes, you can purchase skip-the-line tickets for the Hofburg Palace, and honestly, it’s one of the smartest moves you can make. The palace attracts thousands of visitors daily, especially during peak season, so the regular ticket lines can stretch for quite a while.
With skip-the-line access, you’ll head straight to a dedicated entrance and save yourself anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of waiting time.
A full visit to the Imperial Palace Vienna usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on which ticket you choose. If you select the Sisi Pass, plan for at least half a day to explore the other attractions included in your pass.
For a more relaxed experience, allow some extra time to stroll around Heldenplatz and the Burggarten, both located next to the palace complex.
Yes, the Vienna Pass includes free entry to the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum, as well as other attractions like Schönbrunn Palace and the Spanish Riding School. It’s an excellent value option if you’re visiting several imperial sites.
Definitely. The Imperial Hofburg Palace offers a fascinating look into royal life and Austrian history. The exhibitions are immersive and detailed — a must-see for anyone interested in Europe’s cultural heritage.
Not exactly, but they’re closely connected. The Sisi Museum is located inside the Hofburg Palace, so when you visit the palace, you’re actually getting access to multiple attractions under one roof.
Think of the Hofburg as a massive imperial complex that houses several museums and historical spaces. The Sisi Museum is one of them, dedicated entirely to the life and legacy of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). It sits alongside the Imperial Apartments, where the Habsburg emperors lived and worked, and the Imperial Silver Collection.
You can access the outer courtyards, Burggarten, and Heldenplatz for free. However, access to the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments, or any indoor exhibition requires a valid Hofburg Palace ticket.
Other things to do in Vienna
