Hofburg Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum

The Hofburg was the Habsburgs' main residence in Vienna for more than six centuries, and it is still the seat of the Austrian president. It is less a single palace than a small town of wings and courtyards built up over time, now home to the Austrian National Library, the Spanish Riding School, the Imperial Treasury and several museums. For most visitors the starting point is the combined visit to the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection, entered under the great dome on Michaelerplatz.

The Silver Collection comes first and is more interesting than it sounds. Display cases hold thousands of pieces of the court's porcelain, silver, gilded centrepieces and table linen, along with explanations of how state banquets were laid out and served. It gives a real sense of the scale of court life. The Sisi Museum then tells the story of Empress Elisabeth, the wife of Franz Joseph, separating the woman from the legend that grew after her assassination in 1898. Her obsession with fitness and beauty, her travels and her unhappiness at court are all covered. The museum was being redesigned in autumn 2026, so check the official website for the current layout and opening hours before you go.

The final part is a run of state rooms used by Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, including audience rooms, the emperor's study, Elisabeth's dressing and exercise room and the dining room laid as if for a family dinner. The furnishings are mostly 19th century and the tone is formal rather than lavish. A combined Sisi Pass also covers Schönbrunn Palace and the Imperial Furniture Collection, which is good value if you plan to see all three.

This visit suits anyone curious about the Habsburgs and especially fans of the Sisi story. Allow around 90 minutes. Tickets are sold for fixed entry times, and the operator recommends buying them only through its own website. The route involves a lot of standing and some stairs, so check the barrier-free access information if you have limited mobility.

The Michaelerkuppel entrance is a few minutes' walk from St. Stephen's Cathedral along the Kohlmarkt. The nearest underground station is Herrengasse on the U3, and several bus and tram routes run nearby along the Ring. Combine the visit with the State Hall of the National Library, the Spanish Riding School or a stroll through the Burggarten and Volksgarten, which sit on either side of the palace.