Vienna highlights: a fall visit to Schonbrunn
Vienna highlights: a fall visit to Schonbrunn palace
I’m walking a path between symmetrical lines of maple trees blanketing the graveled pathways brimming with fall colors: orches, yellow, burnt orange and deep crimson.
But it’s mostly filled with the huge piles of yellows from those topiaried lines of maple trees all leading to the grand entryway – or actually the carriage entry to Schonbrun.
Carriage entryway to Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna
Carriage entry to Schonbrunn Palace
I see some wonderful horse-drawn carriages touring the grounds and fantasize about what an invitation to this stunning palace would have been like in the days of the Hapsburg rulers – quite grand and on par with the other magnificent European palaces in Paris, Bavaria and St. Petersburg. The entry courtyard is huge and can accommodate a large influx of carriages, only now it’s mostly people who are allowed to enter through the ornate entrance and directly into the palace reception areas.
Front entry of Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna
Facade window detail
Front entry detail at Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna
Even though Vienna palaces do not allow any photos taken of the interiors, the exterior facades, auxiliary buildings and the gardens are quite magnificent to photograph. I sign up for one of the tours with too many rooms to count and they all seem to flow from one right into another. They are all exquisite and filled with luxurious tapestries, paintings, chandeliers and period crafted furniture from the many Hapsburg generations. It’s an almost endless array of glitz, gold, silver, crystal and all the luxurious materials made for royal lifestyle and needs.
Carriage rides at Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna
The park grounds and gardens are expansive at Schonbrunn. Try to make it to the top at the Gloriette monument for a fantastic view of the grounds and the main palace. Below is a photo of a panoramic landscape of the area around the Schonbrunn palace. The Gloriette now houses a nice cafe offering a variety of beverages, light meals and desserts, worth doing with such a panoramic view of Vienna, even if you want to enjoy a light snack or dessert.
Panoramic view of Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna
Lunch is a wonderful experience at the Gloriette
The Gloriette was the monument at the crest of a hill overlooking Schonbrunn
So I don’t bore you with too many details, I’ll save a tour of the Schonbrunn gardens for my next post. You definitely need to see these fall gardens, they are quite spectacular in their colorful landscape and views from the expansive park around the palace.
If you enjoyed reading this visit to Schonbrunn, check out my post to another palace in Vienna
A visit to Belvedere Palace in Vienna
 The Schonbrunn gardens in fall time
 If you plan on visiting Schonbrunn:
Schönbrunn Palace | Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse 47 | 1130 Vienna | Austria
Hours are from 8:30 to 5:30pm
Park grounds are open at 6:30am
Ticket prices varies with the tour you take, check here for the list of prices and tours.
There are a variety of restaurants and cafes in and around the palace, check here for locations
Did you know you can stay at the Schonbrunn, check here for more details
For more information and details about visiting Schonbrunn, visit their website here.
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Love this post Noel – your photos are romantic yet crisp and clear.
I visited Vienna in the dead of winter, and though Schonbrunn was still beautiful, there is something magical about fall colors. Great pictures!
Wow, I can’t wait to see the gardens – I am not bored at all. What a beautiful place. I was there so long ago (1980s), I didn’t remember much. That last photo is my favorite, what an interesting memorial.
The golden color of the palace is stunning in your photos.
Wonderful pictures as always Noel and you’ve really caught the beauty of the exterior.
I’ve only been to Vienna once and my memories are filled with these grand buildings around the city centre. However Schonbrunn offers something special with all the gardens. It sounds like you hit this place just in time for the change of the seasons.
Great photos 🙂
Interesting how fond they are of yellow brick in Vienna. Great pictures. They should have used some of that brick for a road so tourists could … (fill in the blank) 🙂
I loved it when I visited. The history permeates the palace….
We visited Vienna a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately on 2 of the 3 days it poured with rain all day long which somewhat restricted what we could see. Unfortunately it was raining on the day we visited the Schonbrunn Palace so it was impossible to visit the gardens. However, we did the Grand Tour of the Palace and it was wonderful. It’s a shame you can’t take photos – you are supposed to buy the book – but I guess it would take too long for people to move through the rooms.
I love the city and have been there a couple of times. Your photographs brought back so many memories.
I have the weirdest question, but it’s been bugging me for a while. Why are the green shutters of Schönbrunn always closed?
I’m sure they are used primarily for decoration and also protecting the light from degrading the furniture and wall coverings along with other light sensitive valuables – at least that is my thought on the shutters.