{"id":2708,"date":"2016-03-08T10:57:12","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T09:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?page_id=2708"},"modified":"2026-03-09T11:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T10:05:09","slug":"hofburg","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hofburg"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/hofburgoverview.jpg\" alt=\"Hofburg dome\" class=\"wp-image-16455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/hofburgoverview.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/hofburgoverview-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Hofburg formed the original centre of the Habsburg court, where the imperial family lived, worked and ruled (and ate 13-course dinners).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Historical buildings, squares, parks &amp; courtyards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walk around most of the outdoor area freely<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Houses some top Vienna experiences, like:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sisi Museum &amp; Imperial Apartments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spanish Riding School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Imperial Treasury &amp; crown jewels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/hofburg-palace-tickets-l124617\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_HofburgVenue\" rel=\"sponsored\">guided tour<\/a>* of the Hofburg area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/\">Sightseeing in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/empress-elisabeth\/\">Empress Elisabeth locations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#so-what-s-at-the-hofburg\">Intro<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-hofburg-palace\">Sisi Museum &amp; Imperial Apartments<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-spanish-riding-school\">Spanish Riding School<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-imperial-treasury\">Treasury &amp; crown jewels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#chapel\">Hofburgkapelle chapel<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#franz\">Monument to Emperor Franz<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-neue-burg\">Neue Burg wing<\/a> (and museums)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#heldenplatz\">Heldenplatz square<\/a> (and attractions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-burggarten\">Burggarten park<\/a> (and attractions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the-volksgarten\">Volksgarten park<\/a> (and attractions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#mich\">Michaelerplatz square<\/a> (and attractions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-get-to-the-hofburg\">How to get there<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"so-what-s-at-the-hofburg\">What&#8217;s at the Hofburg?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/hofburgdome.jpg\" alt=\"Dome at the Hofburg\" class=\"wp-image-62220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/hofburgdome.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/hofburgdome-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Not the only place you&#8217;ll find gold and statuary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the old town at the centre of Vienna, the Hofburg area covers a collection of former imperial and court buildings occupied by the ruling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburgs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12848\">Habsburg dynasty<\/a> between the 13th and early 20th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complex is not a standalone palace in the sense of a Versailles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, you get a series of opulent, interconnected buildings that grew from early life as the seat of the Duke of Austria in the 12th century to become the home and court of emperors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some parts now house visitor attractions, but others have administrative roles or serve as venues for conferences, trade fairs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-attractions-c60335\/tickets-for-strauss-mozart-concert-in-the-hofburg-vienna-and-the-konzerthaus-p1066170\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_HofConc\" rel=\"sponsored\">even concerts<\/a>*.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The offices of the Austrian president, for example, fill part of the Hofburg&#8217;s Leopoldine Wing. That tract dates back to the late 1600s (they&#8217;ve since upgraded the Wi-Fi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can wander around courtyards, parks and squares for free, but almost all the public attractions inside buildings need their own entrance ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So just what are the attractions inside the Hofburg? We shall begin with&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-hofburg-palace\">Sisi Museum &amp; apartments<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hofburgtour.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to the Hofburg tour location\" class=\"wp-image-46737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hofburgtour.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hofburgtour-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Where empresses and emperors once lived)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/sisi-museum\/\">Sisi Museum<\/a> examines the life and character of the iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/sisi\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34621\">Empress Elisabeth<\/a> (1837-1898). Its ticketed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/hofburg-visitor-information\/\">self-guided tour<\/a> also includes access to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/kaiserappartements\/\">Imperial Apartments<\/a> (Kaiserappartements), which take you through the rooms where Elisabeth and her husband <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/franz-joseph\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26307\">Emperor Franz Joseph<\/a> (1830-1916) lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In normal circumstances, the Sisi Museum tour would also include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/silberkammer\/\">Silver Collection<\/a> (Silberkammer), which presents Imperial porcelain, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, and table d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Silberkammer is closed for the foreseeable future for renovation work; check locally for reopening dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/hofburg-palace-tickets-l124617\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_HofburgVenue\" rel=\"sponsored\">guided tours<\/a>* of the Hofburg area focus on the Sisi Museum part, since this gives you behind-the-scenes insights into Imperial life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-spanish-riding-school\">Spanish Riding School<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/srsentrance.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to the Spanish Riding School\" class=\"wp-image-48355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/srsentrance.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/srsentrance-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Entrance to the Spanische Reitschule)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hofburg also hosts the baroque arena of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/spanishridingschool\/\">Spanish Riding School<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stallburg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"30886\">stables<\/a> just over the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The school is home to the famous Lipizzaner stallions and possesses a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. The entrance to the visitor centre and 18th-century arena sits opposite the Sisi Museum entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish to see the horses showcase their dressage skills, you have various options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s relatively simple to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/spanishridingschool\/\">find tickets<\/a> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/morgenarbeit-morning-training\/\">public training sessions<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/spanish-riding-school-performances\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"89085\">formal performances<\/a>, though you may want to book ahead to avoid disappointment. The school also does regular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/tour-spanish-riding-school\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"41340\">guided tours<\/a> of the arena and stables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"pro1068009,pro1007575\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_Hofburg\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-imperial-treasury\">Treasury &amp; crown jewels<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schatzkammerentrance.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to the Schatzkammer\" class=\"wp-image-43198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schatzkammerentrance.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schatzkammerentrance-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Schweizerhof courtyard and entrance to the treasury)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Schatzkammer or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/schatzkammer\/\">Imperial Treasury<\/a> forms a standalone part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/kunsthistorischesmuseum\/\">Kunsthistorisches Museum group<\/a> of state institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exhibits inside include various crown jewels, religious relics, and similar items collected by the Habsburgs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The galleries house such baubles as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/austrian-crown\/\">Habsburg imperial crown<\/a>, the coronation robes and crown of the Holy Roman Emperor, a rosebush made entirely of gold, the 15th-century ceremonial sword of Emperor Maximilian I, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Vienna was a treasure map, the Schatzkammer would have a great big X painted on its front door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chapel\">Hofburgkapelle<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1.jpg\" alt=\"Steps leading up to the Burgkapelle\" class=\"wp-image-57092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Steps lead you up into the chapel from the Schweizerhof)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Schatzkammer shares a courtyard with the 16th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/schweizertor\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58537\">Schweizertor gateway<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/hofburgkapelle\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57099\">Hofburgkapelle<\/a>. The latter served as the imperial court chapel for centuries, as you can tell from the gothic style. The interior still includes original elements from over 600 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The chapel has public Holy Mass services most of the year on Sunday mornings, with the prestigious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/wiener-hofmusikkapelle\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57096\">Wiener Hofmusikkapelle<\/a> providing the liturgical musical accompaniment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This choral and orchestral ensemble draws its members from the likes of the Vienna Boys&#8217; Choir and the Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"franz\">Monument to Emperor Franz<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument2.jpg\" alt=\"Statue of Emperor Franz II\/I\" class=\"wp-image-52376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Franz the double emperor)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main courtyard within the complex itself has the huge 1846 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/emperor-franz-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"52378\">monument to Emperor Franz II\/I<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Franz&#8217;s double numerals come from holding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austrian-empire\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12856\">two different Emperor titles<\/a>: head of the Holy Roman Empire and head of the Austrian Empire. You&#8217;d think one emperor title would be enough, but some people are hard to satisfy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-neue-burg\">The Neue Burg<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourneueburg.jpg\" alt=\"The Neue Burg\" class=\"wp-image-50414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourneueburg.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/walkingtourneueburg-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(View of the Neue Burg across Heldenplatz square)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/neue-burg\/\">Neue Burg<\/a> is a large wing that extends out from one side of the Hofburg and provides a home for numerous visitor attractions, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Library, though its astonishing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/prunksaal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2750\">state hall<\/a> (genuinely mind-blowing) adjoins the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/augustinerkirche\/\">Augustinerkirche<\/a> church over on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/josefsplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"30648\">Josefsplatz square<\/a> side of the Hofburg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/ephesos-museum\/\">Ephesos Museum<\/a>, a collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/weltmuseum\/\">Weltmuseum<\/a>, which takes you on a journey through the history and art of numerous cultures from around the world<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/austrian-history\/\">House of Austrian History<\/a>, a new addition to the museum landscape which covers events in the country post-WWI. This institution will move to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/mq\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4030\">MuseumsQuartier<\/a> in the coming years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/imperial-armoury\/\">Arms &amp; Armour<\/a> collection, which features row after row of tournament gear, medieval weaponry and prestigious armour designed to make it very clear that the wearer is more important than his opponent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/historical-instruments\/\">Historical Musical Instruments<\/a> collection, where you can see, for example, the very instruments used by the likes of Schubert, Liszt, Mahler, and other famous composers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"heldenplatz\">Heldenplatz square<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/burgtor2024.jpg\" alt=\"The Burgtor at sunset\" class=\"wp-image-72798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/burgtor2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/burgtor2024-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The gates leading into Heldenplatz)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The huge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/heldenplatz\/\">Heldenplatz<\/a> square in front of the Neue Burg has the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/burgtor\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"47310\">Burgtor entrance gates<\/a>, but is better known for its statues and installations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A large equestrian monument to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/prince-eugene-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"41885\">Prinz Eugen von Savoyen<\/a>, military leader and builder of the Belvedere palaces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An equally large equestrian monument to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/archduke-karl-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"40941\">Archduke Karl<\/a>, whose claim to fame is being the first person to hand Napoleon a significant military defeat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Memorial to Victims of Nazi Military Justice, one of several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/wwii-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"69411\">WWII memorials and monuments<\/a> in Vienna<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The open space also hosts events like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/festival-of-joy\/\">Festival of Joy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"exp205287,exp205280\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_CityWalk\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-burggarten\">The Burggarten<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/burggarten1.jpg\" alt=\"The Burggarten from the Hofburg\" class=\"wp-image-45688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/burggarten1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/burggarten1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(We can thank Napoleon &#8211; indirectly &#8211; for this little green idyll)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/burggarten\/\">Burggarten park<\/a> offers a little bit of green respite from the bustle of modern tourism. One end is the rear of the Neue Burg with its newly-renovated terrace. Other highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/mozart-monument-burggarten\/\">Mozart monument<\/a> and its sheet music themed flower bed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/butterfly-house\/\">Imperial butterfly house<\/a>, which occupies part of the Jugendstil greenhouses at the top of the Burggarten<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-volksgarten\">The Volksgarten<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/volksgartenburgtheater.jpg\" alt=\"Volksgarten - view across to the Burgtheater.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-43737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/volksgartenburgtheater.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/volksgartenburgtheater-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The rose garden with the Burgtheater behind)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the counterpart to the Burggarten on the other side Heldenplatz is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/volksgarten\/\">Volksgarten<\/a> park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This park has, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The best roses in Vienna (probably) in their own stretch of garden<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/theseus-temple\/\">Greek-style temple<\/a> that doubles as a contemporary art gallery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An almost-hidden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/elisabeth-memorial\/\">memorial to Empress Elisabeth<\/a> that even the Viennese tend to miss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8230;and a monument to the famous Austrian writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/grillparzer-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34852\">Franz Grillparzer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mich\">Michaelerplatz square<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/michaelerplatz2025night.jpg\" alt=\"Nighttime view of Michaelerplatz square\" class=\"wp-image-83977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/michaelerplatz2025night.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/michaelerplatz2025night-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(This one looks notably good at night)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/michaelerplatz-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27254\">Michaelerplatz square<\/a> hosts the rather spectacular domed main entrance to the Hofburg area on the city centre side. Apart from the impressive fa\u00e7ade, the square itself also features, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/loos-house\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3114\">The Loos House<\/a>: a milestone in the development of modern architecture, which likely sent the architect to the bottom of Emperor Franz Joseph&#8217;s Christmas card list<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/michaelerkirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27662\">Michaelerkirche<\/a>: a church dating back to the 1200s which also has tours of its suitably macabre crypts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-to-the-hofburg\">How to get to the Hofburg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me put it like this&#8230;if you&#8217;re in Vienna, wandering around the compact centre, you&#8217;ll probably end up in the Hofburg by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complex is huge and impossible to miss, as the map below demonstrates. It has various entrances but the main ones are, as mentioned earlier, on Heldenplatz and Michaelerplatz squares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For specific public transport advice for individual locations, visit the links above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, let me leave you with a bonus tip. Consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-hofburg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50396\">this walking tour route<\/a> when looking around the Hofburg&#8217;s main highlights. It&#8217;s actually Part 2 of my suggested <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50322\">self-guided walking route<\/a> for Vienna&#8217;s centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1asmHlbVpicbQLt1557vf6l4l0zQ\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Hofburg formed the original centre of the Habsburg court, where the imperial family lived, worked and ruled (and ate 13-course dinners). Jump to: What&#8217;s at the Hofburg? (Not the only place you&#8217;ll find gold and statuary) Located in the old town at the centre of Vienna, the Hofburg area covers a collection of former [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16455,"parent":1632,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-2708","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2708"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89143,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2708\/revisions\/89143"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1632"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}