Belvedere Museum
Vienna · Austria · Founded 1903
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers
1903
Museum Opened
24
Klimt Paintings
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria — the Belvedere is one of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe, built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century. Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM. Admission: ✓ €16.50 Upper Belvedere standard admission; combined ticket (Upper + Lower): €25; gardens are free. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Belvedere Museum
The Belvedere is a baroque palace complex built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century — two palaces (Upper and Lower) connected by formal gardens on a hill south of Vienna's city centre. The Upper Belvedere (1722) houses Austria's greatest art collection from the Middle Ages to the present.
Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (1907–1908) is the museum's undisputed star — a gold-leaf embrace that has become Austria's most reproduced image. The Belvedere holds the world's largest collection of Klimt paintings, including Judith I, Sonja Knips, and landscapes from his late period.
Beyond Klimt, the collection includes masterworks by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin. The Lower Belvedere hosts temporary exhibitions and the Baroque Museum, while the medieval collection occupies the Orangery.
The formal gardens between the palaces are free to enter and among the finest baroque gardens in Central Europe — cascading terraces, fountains, and views back toward the city centre. Wednesday evenings until 9 PM offer extended hours at the Upper Belvedere.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Belvedere Museum without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 1
The Kiss
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's gold-leaf masterpiece — a couple embraced in a field of shimmering gold and floral motifs.
- 2
Judith I
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's sensual Judith holding the severed head of Holofernes — painted with gold leaf and Byzantine-inspired flatness.
- 3
Death and Life
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's meditation on mortality — a skeletal figure facing a sleeping group of figures entwined in colourful blankets.
- 4
The Sunflower
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 25
Schiele's portrait of a wilting sunflower — a symbol of transience painted with the artist's characteristic angular line and emotional intensity.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Belvedere Museum — and why they matter.
The Kiss
Gustav Klimt · 1907–1908
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's gold-leaf masterpiece — a couple embraced in a field of shimmering gold and floral motifs. The most famous painting in Austria and an icon of Art Nouveau. Always on permanent display in the dedicated Klimt room.
Judith I
Gustav Klimt · 1901
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's sensual Judith holding the severed head of Holofernes — painted with gold leaf and Byzantine-inspired flatness. A precursor to The Kiss and one of the artist's most powerful female portraits.
Death and Life
Gustav Klimt · 1910–1915
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 22
Klimt's meditation on mortality — a skeletal figure facing a sleeping group of figures entwined in colourful blankets. The artist considered it his most important figurative work.
The Sunflower
Egon Schiele · 1914
📍 Upper Belvedere, Room 25
Schiele's portrait of a wilting sunflower — a symbol of transience painted with the artist's characteristic angular line and emotional intensity. Part of the Belvedere's exceptional Schiele collection.
Collections & highlights
- • Gustav Klimt — world's largest collection including The Kiss
- • Egon Schiele — paintings and drawings
- • Austrian Baroque — Waldmüller, Amerling, and Danhauser
- • French Impressionism — Monet, Renoir, and Degas
- • Medieval art — altarpieces and panel painting
- • Baroque gardens — free formal terraces and fountains
- • Lower Belvedere — temporary exhibitions and Baroque Museum
- • Orangery — medieval collection and special exhibitions
Famous works in our collection guide
Frequently asked questions
Is The Kiss always on display?
Yes — The Kiss is a permanent highlight of the Upper Belvedere collection and is on permanent display in the Klimt room.
Can I visit the gardens for free?
Yes — the formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces are free to enter and are among the finest baroque gardens in Central Europe.
What is the difference between Upper and Lower Belvedere?
The Upper Belvedere is the main museum with the Klimt collection and 19th–20th century art. The Lower Belvedere houses the Baroque Museum, the Museum of Medieval Art, and temporary exhibitions — a combined ticket covers both.
How long should I spend at Belvedere Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Belvedere Museum best known for?
The Belvedere is one of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe, built for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 18th century. The Upper Belvedere (1722) is now the main museum, holding Austria's greatest art collection from the Middle Ages to the present. The formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces are among the most beautiful in Vienna. Key highlights include Gustav Klimt — world's largest collection including The Kiss, Egon Schiele — paintings and drawings, Austrian Baroque — Waldmüller, Amerling, and Danhauser.
How do I get tickets for Belvedere Museum?
✓ €16.50 Upper Belvedere standard admission; combined ticket (Upper + Lower): €25; gardens are free Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.belvedere.at/en
Are the Belvedere gardens worth visiting alone?
Yes — the formal baroque gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere are free to enter and open daily. Cascading terraces, fountains, and views toward the city make them one of Vienna's finest outdoor spaces. Allow 30 minutes for the gardens alone.
Upper Belvedere or Lower Belvedere?
Upper Belvedere has the main collection — Klimt, Schiele, and Impressionism. Lower Belvedere hosts temporary exhibitions and the Baroque Museum. Most visitors need only the Upper Belvedere (2 hours). The combined ticket is worthwhile if a major temporary exhibition is on at the Lower Belvedere.
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