The Hofburg is a complex of palaces in the centre of Vienna comprising 16 wings and 17 courtyards, which has served as the seat of Austrian monarchs since the 13th century until today, as well as several museums, the National Library and the Imperial Treasury.

The Hofburg complex is one of the most visited places in Vienna and an ideal starting point for tourists.

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The Hofburg also includes the famous Sisi Museum.

History and purpose

The first buildings of the Hofburg were built after 1275 as a small Gothic fortress founded by Premysl Otakar II, not long after which it became the seat of the Habsburgs. In the 16th century, the Gothic fortress began to be rebuilt in the Renaissance style at the instigation of Ferdinand I, and other parts of the Alte Burg and Stallburg, later still the Amalienburg, were created.

Further grandiose reconstructions and additions continued until the 20th century, which is why the entire Hofburg complex is a bit of a mishmash of different architectural styles from Gothic to Renaissance, Rococo, Baroque, Classicism and Art Nouveau.

Until 1918, the Hofburg served continuously as the winter residence of the Habsburgs (the summer residence was Schönbrunn Palace), and from 1945 until today it has been the residence of the Austrian President.

Hofburg buildings

The Hofburg is a huge complex that houses many symbols of the whole of Vienna. The Imperial Residence proper, where you can also visit the Imperial Silver Exhibition, the Imperial Chambers and the Empress Sisi Museum, is located in the New Castle, Swiss Tract, Leopoldin and Winter Riding Hall sections. This is the main part of the palace complex, which most visitors will think of as the "Hofburg".

In addition, you can visit the following important buildings:

Admission and opening hours

This section covers visits to the Imperial Residence itself, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Exhibition, all of which are part of the main Hofburg complex. The other parts require separate tickets or are accessible free of charge, see links above.

It is open every day, but opening hours vary according to the season, see detailed information: sisimuseum-hofburg.at/opening-hours.

Admission is divided into two different tickets.

The first is basic admission to the imperial residences, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Exhibition. This ticket is valid for 1 calendar day for unlimited admission to each of the 3 attractions:

19,50 eur - Adults
18 eur - students (19-25 years old) and Vienna City Card holders
12 eur - children aged 6 to 18

The second ticket is extended to include a visit to Schönbrunn, the Furniture Museum and Hof Castle in Lower Austria near the Slovak border:

49 eur - Adults
45 eur - students (19-25 years old) and Vienna City Card holders
33 eur - children from 6 to 18 years of age

See the latest information on the official website sisimuseum-hofburg.at.

Location and transport

The Hofburg is located in the very centre of Vienna and is within a 20-minute walk of most major sights. It is also very accessible by public transport:

Metro - Herrengasse station approx. 150 metres (line U3), Stephansplatz approx. 250 metres (lines U1 and U3) or Museumsquartier approx. 250 metres (line U2)
Tram - Burgring stop approx. 150 metres (lines D, 1, 2, 71)
Bus - Michaelerplatz stop approx. 20 metres (lines 1A, 2A) or Burgring approx. 150 metres (line 57A)