Belvedere
Museum Historic palace complex housing major Austrian art collections
The Belvedere in Vienna comprises two Baroque palaces and landscaped gardens, noted for Austrian art collections - most famously Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ in the Upper Belvedere - plus period architecture and exhibitions.
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The Belvedere is an early-18th-century Baroque palace complex in Vienna, built as a country residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy and now housing a national art collection and exhibition spaces.
The ensemble comprises the Upper Belvedere, which presents the principal collection of Austrian art including Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, the Lower Belvedere with rotating exhibitions and period rooms, and the formal terraced gardens that connect the two palaces.
Constructed in the early 1700s as a pair of palaces with an axial garden layout, the Belvedere retains its Baroque plan and has been adapted to museum use, with conservation and exhibition facilities on site.
Located on Rennweg in Vienna’s 3rd district, the complex sits a short distance southeast of the historic city center.
- Signature artwork: The Upper Belvedere holds major works of Austrian art, most notably Gustav Klimt's painting known as The Kiss, which is part of the permanent collection.
What to See #
- Upper Belvedere: The Upper Belvedere palace building that houses the core national collection of Austrian art, including works by Gustav Klimt.
- Lower Belvedere: The Lower Belvedere, historically the residential wing, now used for temporary exhibitions and presentation of period interiors and collections.
- Belvedere Gardens: The formal Baroque gardens that connect the two palaces and provide axial views and sculptural ensembles integral to the complex's design.
How to Get to Belvedere #
The Belvedere palaces are southeast of Vienna’s central district. A convenient option is the U‑Bahn: take U1 to Südtiroler Platz/Hauptbahnhof and walk about 10-15 minutes to the Upper or Lower Belvedere, or use local trams that stop near the palace grounds. From Stephansplatz it’s a 15-20 minute walk across the Ringstraße area.
Driving from central Vienna is a short trip (a few kilometres) but on‑site parking is limited; public transit is generally easier.
Tips for Visiting Belvedere #
- Start at the Lower Belvedere and walk the formal gardens up to the Upper Belvedere so the tour builds to the Klimt highlights-the Upper Belvedere houses Gustav Klimt's The Kiss and is busiest midday.
- Arrive early on weekdays to avoid guided‑tour groups and to enjoy the garden paths and Orangerie with fewer people; tickets for the permanent collection can be bought in advance to skip the ticket queue.
- If you want quieter viewing of the galleries, leave the major rooms for mid-visit and spend the first half-hour on decorative arts and temporary exhibits, which are often less crowded but excellent complements to the main collection.
Best Time to Visit Belvedere #
Visit Belvedere in spring or autumn on a weekday for the best combination of manageable crowds and pleasant garden views.
Weather & Climate near Belvedere #
Belvedere's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (591 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 72 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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