Vienna

Castle & Palace Tours

Vienna’s Spanish Riding School has been in continuous operation for more than 450 years. It continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the Haute Ecole. On an exclusive 55-minute behind-the-scenes tour, visit the Winter Riding School, a gem of Baroque architecture, the Summer Riding School which houses the world’s largest oval horse walker and the stables in the Stallburg. The Stallburg is Vienna’s most significant Renaissance building, and features an arcade courtyard and the historical stables of the Lipizzaner stallions. Learn about the history of the equestrian tradition and about the Lipizzaner stallions, who are the stars of the establishment.

After pickup from your centrally-located Vienna hotel, depart on a day trip to stunning region of Salzkammergut. Stop at Schloss Ort, a snow-white castle where countless couples dream of celebrating their weddings. Take the opportunity to snap some photos on its famous wooden bridge. Continue to the heart of the Salzkammergut region, the fabulous town of Hallstatt, set on the shores of an azure-blue lake. Ascend to the Skywalk to enjoy breathtaking views over the town, lake, and mountains. You will have some free time for lunch and to wander the narrow streets, or hire a boat to explore from the water. On the way back you to Vienna, make a stop at the charming resort town of Traunkirchen, located on the bank of the deepest lake in Austria. Admire the unforgettable natural landscape from this lovely place, before continuing to Vienna where your tour will end at the Vienna State Opera.

Enjoy priority entry access and step inside the famous the Hofburg Imperial Palace, as well as the Sisi Museum, alongside a knowledgeable guide who will lead you on a guided tour of the impressive complex.  Walk inside this magnificent castle and discover the conference room, which was used for the ministerial conferences that were chaired by the emperor.  See 24 different rooms including the private bedrooms of the imperial couple, their saloons for guests, and Elisabeth's dressing room. Admire the Silver Collection with valuable porcelain and crystal glasses, which provide insights into the court dining culture of the imperial dynasty.  Enter the Sisi Museum with over 300 personal items that belonged to Elisabeth like her dresses, parasols, gloves, and her unique beauty preparations.

Discover what was the center of the Holy Roman Empire and the residence of the Habsburgs for over 600 years at the Hofburg Imperial Palace Complex. Join a private guide to explore all 24 interior rooms, and marvel at the Silver Collection and Sisi Museum During the standard tour, step inside the Hofburg Palace Complex and visit the conference room, the private bedrooms of the imperial couple, the guest salons, and more. Get insight into the court dining culture of the imperial dynasty at the Silver Collection, and admire the valuable porcelain and crystal glasses. At the Sisi Museum, see over 300 personal items that belonged to Elizabeth von Habsburg. Find out about her cult of beauty and her obsession with being slim and athletic as you look at her dresses, parasols, gloves, and beauty preparations. Upgrade your standard tour to include private transportation to the Hofburg Palace in an air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy a hassle-free journey from your accommodation in Vienna, then get taken back to your accommodation after the tour. Opt for the extended tour to also visit the Imperial Treasury. There, explore one of the biggest collections of artifacts from the Holy Roman Empire and Austrian heritage. Inside, you will find the Imperial Crown, the famous Holy Lance, the Order of the Golden Fleece, and much more. Alternatively, choose the extended tour with an Old Town walking tour option. Learn interesting facts and legends of the city and see St. Stephan’s Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, and the Column of The Trinity. Wind your way through multiple alleys and discover different areas of the city with your local guide.

Start your trip in the idyllic scenery of the Austrian Alps. Visit the famous church of Mondsee, chosen by the director of The Sound of Music as an ideal location for Maria's wedding. On the way to Salzburg, take the chance to snap great pictures of the beautiful lakes and peaks. Enjoy the fresh air in the Hellbrunn Park, and see the famous Gazebo keeping the secret of Liesl's first kiss. See the Nonnberg nunnery, the oldest in Europe that became famous thanks to voice of Maria Kutschera, whose story served as inspiration for the Sound of Music movie. Take a stroll through the magnificent Mirabell Gardens, where Maria and the children danced around the Pegasus Fountain singing the song Do-re-mi. See the picturesque Hourse Pond shot in the film and Residence Square's famous Residence Fountain, the most famous fountain in the city, chosen for the I Have Confidence in Me song. Take pictures of the Summer Riding School where the von Trapp family took part in the world-famous Salzburg music festival, and enjoy the silence of the oldest cemetery in Austria at the Saint Peter's Monastery, where the von Trapp family found a secure hiding place before escaping to Italy.

After a drive through the beautiful scenery of Moravia, arrive in Prague, the Golden City on the banks of the Vltava and the economic and cultural centre of Bohemia, just in time for lunch! In the afternoon, visit Prague Castle and take the chance to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city from the famous Charles Bridge. See the National Theatre, the elegant residences on the banks of the Vltava, the Jewish cemetery (individual visits possible), Paris Street, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. It goes without saying that you also have enough time for shopping or exploring the old town of Prague on your own.

Start your walking tour from Albertina Square, and see highlights often missed by tourists to Vienna. Visit locations linked to famous personalities such as the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the military leader Prince Eugene of Savoy. See the impressive Baroque church at the Old University and learn about the destruction of this area during World War II. Marvel at the innovative post-war reconstruction efforts.   Your guide will share local tips about Viennese cuisine and the best restaurants to eat at, famous coffeehouses and bars to visit, and popular sausage stalls and ice cream shops. Learn the secrets of the Greek Quarter and the Viennese Bermuda Triangle. Hear the stories about Vienna, from scandals to myths and legends, as your guide paints a vivid picture of Viennese life today and in the past. Your tour will end at Schwedenplatz.

Take a walk through Austria's history and discover the life and legacy of the beloved Empress Sisi. Start your guided tour at the Tourist Information Center located in the heart of Vienna. Make your way through the cobbled streets and head towards the Imperial Palace. Explore the grounds on foot and understand Sisi's life as Empress at the court of Vienna from your expert guide. Next, step into a beautiful garden and see the magnificent statue of the seated Empress created in her memory. Then, walk in the footsteps of the imperial aristocracy as you navigate the streets they once used and make a stop at the incredible St. Stephens Cathedral. Finally, arrive at your last stop, the Capuchin Crypt. Here, feel free to ask questions as your guide explains the burial traditions of the great Habsburg dynasty.

Visit the Grand Schönbrunn Palace and gain quick access inside this Viennese gem on a private tour. Meet your guide in front of the palace and receive a quick overview of its history. Enter the palace and see the impressive entrance hall and the lavish garden from a distance. Go to the staterooms on the first floor and admire the rooms of the second last emperor Franz Josef and his wife Elisabeth (known as Sisi). Follow your guide to the staterooms where Mozart performed for the imperial family when he was six years old. Stand in the heart of the palace with the biggest hall and the grand gallery, used for balls, receptions, and as a banqueting hall. Get a peek at the former private rooms of Maria Theresia and her husband Franz Stephan before concluding the tour in the Hunting Room.

Meet your driver in front of the breathtaking Schönbrunn Palace. Enjoy a 30-minute ride by horse-drawn carriage to soak up the atmosphere of the well preserved baroque garden. See the different constructions from the Imperial period, such as the Palm house, which features plants from all around the world, the stunning Neptune and Obelisk fountains, the Orangerie and many more. During the ride your "Fiaker" (driver) will tell you about the history of Vienna. Listen to the stories he has to tell you about Schönbrunn, its inhabitants and visitors, as well as about the long tradition of horse-drawn carriages in Vienna. You will be sure not to miss anything from these extensive gardens, as you will see almost every corner from a comfortable seat on your carriage. Just lean back and admire the scenery.