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Best time to visit Schönbrunn Palace | Opening hours, duration, & more

Schönbrunn Palace

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Schönbrunn Palace is open daily, including public holidays, with seasonal hours ranging from 8:30am to 5pm in winter and up to 6pm in summer.

Apr 1 TO Nov 3 Timings

Days (Apr 1 TO Nov 3)

TIMINGS

Monday08:30–17:30
Tuesday08:30–17:30
Wednesday08:30–17:30
Thursday (Today)08:30–17:30
Friday08:30–17:30
Saturday08:30–17:30
Sunday08:30–17:30

Nov 4 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Nov 4 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Monday08:30–17:00
Tuesday08:30–17:00
Wednesday08:30–17:00
Thursday08:30–17:00
Friday08:30–17:00
Saturday08:30–17:00
Sunday08:30–17:00

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)

TIMINGS

Monday08:30–17:00
Tuesday08:30–17:00
Wednesday08:30–17:00
Thursday08:30–17:00
Friday08:30–17:00
Saturday08:30–17:00
Sunday08:30–17:00
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  • Last entry to all attractions is permitted up to 45 minutes before closing.
  • The Palace Park gates open at 6:30am year-round, with free entry during opening hours, which range from 5:30pm between November and February to 9pm from June to August.
  • The Children’s Museum at Schönbrunn Palace is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
  • Special attractions like the Privy Garden, the Orangery Garden, and the Maze are open from 9:30am to 5:30pm between April and June, until 6:30pm from July to August, and from 9:30am to 5:30pm between September and October.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

Aug 1 TO Sep 30 Timings

Days (Aug 1 TO Sep 30)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–20:0019:15
Tuesday06:30–20:0019:15
Wednesday06:30–20:0019:15
Thursday (Today)06:30–20:0019:15
Friday06:30–20:0019:15
Saturday06:30–20:0019:15
Sunday06:30–20:0019:15

Oct 1 TO Oct 31 Timings

Days (Oct 1 TO Oct 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–19:0018:15
Tuesday06:30–19:0018:15
Wednesday06:30–19:0018:15
Thursday06:30–19:0018:15
Friday06:30–19:0018:15
Saturday06:30–19:0018:15
Sunday06:30–19:0018:15

Nov 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Nov 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–17:3016:45
Tuesday06:30–17:3016:45
Wednesday06:30–17:3016:45
Thursday06:30–17:3016:45
Friday06:30–17:3016:45
Saturday06:30–17:3016:45
Sunday06:30–17:3016:45

Jan 1 TO Feb 28 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Feb 28)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–17:3016:45
Tuesday06:30–17:3016:45
Wednesday06:30–17:3016:45
Thursday06:30–17:3016:45
Friday06:30–17:3016:45
Saturday06:30–17:3016:45
Sunday06:30–17:3016:45

Mar 1 TO Mar 31 Timings

Days (Mar 1 TO Mar 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–19:0018:15
Tuesday06:30–19:0018:15
Wednesday06:30–19:0018:15
Thursday06:30–19:0018:15
Friday06:30–19:0018:15
Saturday06:30–19:0018:15
Sunday06:30–19:0018:15

Apr 1 TO Apr 30 Timings

Days (Apr 1 TO Apr 30)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–20:0019:15
Tuesday06:30–20:0019:15
Wednesday06:30–20:0019:15
Thursday06:30–20:0019:15
Friday06:30–20:0019:15
Saturday06:30–20:0019:15
Sunday06:30–20:0019:15

May 1 TO Jul 31 Timings

Days (May 1 TO Jul 31)

TIMINGS

Last Admission

Monday06:30–21:0020:15
Tuesday06:30–21:0020:15
Wednesday06:30–21:0020:15
Thursday06:30–21:0020:15
Friday06:30–21:0020:15
Saturday06:30–21:0020:15
Sunday06:30–21:0020:15

Best time to visit the Schönbrunn Palace

Weekday vs Weekend

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  • Weekdays: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to visit Schönbrunn Palace, as they’re typically quieter with fewer tourists and tour groups. Arrive early to explore the Palace Park and Maze, which open at 6:30am, and then head inside in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Weekdays allow for a more peaceful experience and offer plenty of time to explore at your own pace.
  • Weekends: Weekends, especially Saturdays, attract larger crowds, with longer queues and busier gardens. To avoid peak times, arrive early or later in the afternoon (after 3pm) when crowds thin. Weekends are popular for family visits and group tours, so skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended to save time.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded
Closed

Peak season vs low season

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  • Peak season (June to August): Summer brings the highest tourist numbers, with families filling the palace grounds. Expect crowded attractions and higher hotel and restaurant prices.
  • Mid-season (April, May, September, and October): Enjoy mild temperatures, perfect for exploring the palace and gardens. These months also offer beautiful spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage.
  • Low season (November to March): Visit in winter for stunning snow-covered views of the palace and the chance to experience Vienna's festive Christmas markets with fewer crowds.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season
Moderate Season
Peak Season

Detailed Schönbrunn Palace timings

Schönbrunn Palace and its many attractions have different seasonal schedules. Below you’ll find detailed opening hours for the palace, gardens, and museums.

Schönbrunn Palace Park

  • January to February: 6:30am to 5:30pm
  • March: 6:30am to 7pm
  • April: 6:30am to 8pm
  • May to July: 6:30am to 9pm
  • August to September: 6:30am to 8pm
  • October: 6:30am to 7pm
  • November to December: 6:30am to 5:30pm

Note:

  • The palace park opens daily at 6:30am and is free to enter during opening hours.
  • Some attractions within the palace park, such as the Privy Garden, Orangery Garden, and Maze, require a separate admission ticket.

Privy Garden, Orangery, Maze, Labyrinth, and Gloriette

  • April 1 to June 30, 2025: 9:30am to 5:30pm
  • July 1 to August 31, 2025: 9:30am to 6:30pm
  • September 1 to October 25, 2025: 9:30am to 5:30pm
  • October 26 to November 2, 2025: 9:30am to 4pm

Note:

  • Children 14 and under can only enter the Maze & Labyrinth when accompanied by an adult.
  • Last entry is allowed 30 to 45 minutes before closing time.

Schönbrunn Palace fountains

  • Neptune Fountain, Roman Ruin, and Obelisk Fountain: 10am to 4pm
  • Park fountains, Orangery Garden, and Parade Court: 8:30am to 5pm

Note:

  • The fountains only run in the warmer months and are closed from mid-October until mid-April.

​Schönbrunn Palace Gardens >

How long should I spend at the Schönbrunn Palace?

Plan to spend at least half a day (4 to 5 hours) at Schönbrunn if you want to explore both the palace interiors and the vast gardens. The estate is enormous, with more than 1,400 rooms in the palace (around 40 of which are open to the public) and 430 acres of landscaped gardens, so a quick visit often feels rushed. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

  • Palace tour (1 to 1.5 hours): Walk through the State Rooms and private apartments once home to Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). Inside, you’ll find grand ballrooms, audience chambers, and richly decorated salons that hosted royal receptions and even Mozart’s famous childhood performance.
  • Gardens and park (1.5 to 2 hours): Stroll through the Baroque palace gardens, admire the Neptune Fountain, and make your way up to the Gloriette for panoramic views of Vienna. If time allows, wander into the beautifully designed Privy Garden or Orangery Garden (separate ticketed areas).
  • Special attractions (1 to 1.5 hours): Depending on your interests, you can visit the Maze and Labyrinth (great for families), the Palm House (a historic greenhouse with exotic plants), or the Desert House. The Imperial Carriage Museum and Children’s Museum also offer fascinating insights into imperial life.
  • Breaks, photos, and extras (30 to 45 minutes): The grounds are filled with photo opportunities, from flower-lined avenues to the Gloriette hilltop. Stop for a snack at one of the cafés in the gardens or browse the palace gift shop for imperial-themed souvenirs.

Quick tip for visitors: If you only have 2–3 hours, focus on the palace interiors and a quick walk in the gardens. But to truly appreciate Schönbrunn’s scale and history, allow for a half-day visit.

​Inside Schönbrunn Palace >

Visitor tips

Schönbrunn Palace facade with vibrant gardens, Vienna.
  • Arrive at the Hietzinger Gate instead of the crowded main entrance (Haupttor) if you want a quieter start and easier access to the gardens.
  • On hot days, the shaded avenues near the zoo and Palm House are cooler walking routes compared to the wide, open central axis.
  • Bring a coin or small change if you’d like to use the public toilets around the park, as most require a small fee.
  • If you want to see the Neptune Fountain without crowds, approach it from the side garden paths instead of the central avenue.
  • Take the Schönbrunn Palace train for part of the loop late in the day — it’s less busy, and you’ll cover more ground when you’re tired from walking.
  • The Orangery Garden often hosts seasonal flower displays; ask at the ticket counter, as it’s rarely advertised online.
  • If you plan to climb up to the Gloriette for views, go in the morning when the sun is behind you — photos of the palace and gardens turn out much better.
Plan your visit to Schönbrunn Palace

Frequently asked questions about Schönbrunn Palace's opening hours

Yes, the palace and park remain open every day of the year, including public holidays, though ticketed attractions may adjust their last entry times.