Belvedere Palace Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Belvedere is a Baroque palace complex built in the early 18th century for Prince Eugene of Savoy. It consists of two palaces -- the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere -- connected by a tiered garden with fountains and sculptures. The Upper Belvedere houses the museum's most famous work: Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" (1907-1908), along with a major collection of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present.

Both the Upper and Lower Belvedere have been made accessible for wheelchair users. Elevators reach all floors in both buildings. Wheelchairs are available for loan at cloakrooms. The main limitation is that the sloped garden path connecting the two palaces is not barrier-free, so wheelchair users need to travel between them via the street.

Getting There

• U-Bahn: Taubstummengasse (U1) is a 10-minute roll to the Upper Belvedere entrance. Hauptbahnhof (U1) is a 10-minute roll to the Lower Belvedere. Both stations have elevators.
• Tram: Tram D to Schloss Belvedere stop, which is directly outside the Upper Belvedere entrance gate.
• Upper Belvedere entrance: The main entrance at Prinz Eugen-Strasse 27 has two single-leaf doors (passage width 102 cm) with ground-level access. Disabled parking is available nearby.
• Lower Belvedere entrance: A ramp next to the main entrance in the courtyard at Rennweg 6 provides barrier-free access. Ring for staff assistance if needed.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• Upper Belvedere: Ground-level entry through the main doors. All exhibition floors are accessible by elevator. The shop and cafe are on the ground floor with step-free access.
• Lower Belvedere: Barrier-free access via a ramp beside the main entrance. All areas are accessible by elevator.
• Belvedere 21: Ground-level entrance through automatic double swing doors. The sculpture garden also has barrier-free access. One disabled parking space is available via Arsenalstrasse 1.
• Wheelchairs are available free of charge at cloakrooms in both palaces and at the Belvedere 21 ticket office.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets for wheelchair users are available in both the Upper and Lower Belvedere. Seating is also provided in exhibition galleries for visitors who need to rest.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• The museum offers tactile orientation aids, Braille materials, and plain language guides.
• Sign language translations are available for some programs.
• Staff at both entrances can provide assistance. At the Lower Belvedere, ring the bell at the ramp entrance and staff will come to help.
• Klimt's "The Kiss" is on the second floor of the Upper Belvedere, accessible by elevator. It is the single most popular work, so expect crowds around it. Visit early in the morning for the best experience.
• If you only have time for one palace, the Upper Belvedere has the strongest collection, including Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka.
• The Upper Belvedere cafe offers a pleasant rest stop with views of the garden and the city skyline.
• Book tickets online to save a few euros compared to onsite prices. Under 19 enters free.
• The Belvedere garden between the two palaces is a formal Baroque garden with fountains, sculptures, and tiered terraces. While the garden path is not wheelchair accessible, you can view portions of the garden from the terrace of the Upper Belvedere.
• The Lower Belvedere holds temporary exhibitions in the Orangery and former stables. Check the website for current shows.
• Photography is allowed in permanent exhibitions but may be restricted in temporary shows.
• The Belvedere is about 2.5 km from the city center (Stephansplatz). Tram D runs directly between the two areas and has low-floor accessible trams.
• For accessibility questions, contact the Belvedere at [email protected] or call +43 1 795 57-0.
• Photography without flash is allowed in the permanent collection. Restrictions may apply in temporary exhibitions.
• The Upper Belvedere is one of Vienna's most popular attractions. Weekday mornings have the shortest queues.
• An audio guide is available for the Upper Belvedere permanent collection. It works from a seated position.
• The Belvedere complex also includes Belvedere 21, a contemporary art space at Arsenalstrasse 1. It is fully barrier-free with automatic doors and a platform elevator.
• The Upper Belvedere entrance hall has a gift shop that is step-free with wide aisles.
• Service dogs are permitted in all Belvedere venues.