Belvedere Museum

Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien (Vienna), Austria

Website: https://www.belvedere.at

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.

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.

• 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.