The 15 Most Beautiful Palaces & Castles in Austria
Austria is full of fairytale castles, grand palaces, and beautiful gardens – and since it’s my home country, I’ve been lucky enough to visit quite a few of them over the years.
Some are medieval fortresses sitting high on cliffs, others are baroque palaces with endless gardens, and a few have turned into amazing museums or concert venues.
Each has its own story, whether tied to emperors, noble families, or simply the landscapes around them.
In this post, I’ll take you through 15 of the most beautiful castles and palaces in Austria — a mix of places I’ve visited myself (and loved) and spots that should be on your travel list.
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1. Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
💸 Entrance fees: around €25–39 depending on the tour
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
Schönbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the summer residence of the Habsburgs, it has over 1,400 rooms (though only a part is open to visitors).
The palace is surrounded by beautiful baroque gardens, the Palm House, and the Gloriette, which offers great views over Vienna. Highlights inside include the lavish Great Gallery and the rooms of Empress Maria Theresa.
Today, you can tour the opulent staterooms and apartments, visit the world’s oldest zoo, or simply stroll through the park for free.
2. Mirabell Palace (Salzburg)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
💸 Free admission
Mirabell Palace in Salzburg is a beautiful Baroque palace famous for its stunning gardens and ornate rooms.
Built in the early 17th century, it was originally a residence for Prince-Archbishops and is now a popular venue for weddings and concerts.
The Mirabell Gardens are especially famous, with geometric flowerbeds, fountains, and statues, making them perfect for a stroll or photos.
Inside, you can admire the Marble Hall, known for its elegant architecture and frequent concerts.
3. Belvedere Palace (Vienna)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: about €21 for Upper Belvedere, €18 for Lower Belvedere
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
The Belvedere Palace consists of two Baroque palaces, Upper and Lower Belvedere, connected by beautiful gardens. Built in the 18th century for Prince Eugene of Savoy, it is one of Vienna’s most elegant landmarks.
Inside the Upper Belvedere, you’ll find Austria’s most famous artwork, Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, along with masterpieces by Schiele and Monet.
The Lower Belvedere is home to temporary exhibitions, while the gardens remain free to enter and ideal for a stroll.
The Belvedere is also known for its stunning view over Vienna, which gave the palace its name (“beautiful view”).
4. Hohensalzburg Fortress (Salzburg)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (longer in summer)
💸 Entrance fees: about €11–18, including the funicular
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
Hohensalzburg Fortress towers over Salzburg and is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Built in the 11th century, it was expanded over the centuries into a mighty fortress. Its location on the Festungsberg hill makes it an unmissable part of Salzburg’s skyline.
Today, you can explore museums, medieval rooms, and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Alps. The funicular makes the ride up easy, or you can hike up the hill.
5. Hohenwerfen Castle (Salzburg)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (longer in summer)
💸 Entrance fees: about €14–21, including the funicular
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
Perched high above the Salzach Valley, Hohenwerfen Castle has guarded the region since the 11th century.
Its location, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Alps, made it an important stronghold for the Salzburg archbishops. Over the centuries, it served not only as a fortress but also as a hunting residence and even a prison.
Today, the castle attracts visitors with its medieval atmosphere and spectacular views. Inside, you can tour the museum, armory, and dungeons, while outside, the daily falconry shows bring history to life.
A funicular makes the steep climb much easier, and the mountain scenery is unforgettable.
6. Hochosterwitz Castle (Carinthia)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (longer in summer)
💸 Entrance fees: €18 for adults
Rising dramatically on a 160-meter-high limestone hill, Hochosterwitz Castle is one of Austria’s most impressive medieval fortresses.
Its origins date back to at least the 9th century, and it was expanded over the centuries into a massive defensive complex with 14 fortified gates. The castle never fell to attackers, making it a symbol of strength in Carinthia.
You can explore the richly decorated rooms, historical armory, and chapel while walking along the ramparts, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
The castle is also famous for its scenic zigzag path leading up to the main gate.
7. Kreuzenstein Castle (Lower Austria)
⏰ Opening times: April 1 – November 1, usually 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (extended hours on holidays)
💸 Entrance fees: €15 for adults
Kreuzenstein Castle is a striking medieval-style fortress near Leobendorf in Lower Austria. Although its origins date back to the 12th century, much of what you see today was rebuilt in the 19th century, giving it a fairytale-like appearance.
You can explore the castle’s towers, armory, and chapel, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site also hosts medieval events and reenactments throughout the year.
The castle’s picturesque setting and historical ambiance have made it a popular filming location.
Notably, it served as a backdrop for the 2011 film Season of the Witch starring Nicolas Cage, and was featured in the 1993 adaptation of The Three Musketeers.
8. Schallaburg Castle (Lower Austria)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (extended hours on weekends)
💸 Entrance fees: €15 for adults
Schallaburg Castle is a beautiful Renaissance-style castle near Melk in Lower Austria, famous for its ornate facade and colorful frescoes.
Built in the 12th century and renovated in the 16th century, it now hosts spectacular seasonal exhibitions, ranging from historical displays to art and cultural events.
The castle is surrounded by lovely gardens, including a rose garden and a water garden, which are perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Schallaburg is also popular for family-friendly activities and workshops during the summer.
9. Riegersburg Castle (Styria)
⏰ Opening times: April – October, usually 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €8.50–35 depending on the ticket
Riegersburg Castle towers above the Styrian countryside on a volcanic rock and is one of Austria’s most impressive fortresses.
Built in the 11th century and expanded over the centuries, it was never conquered, making it historically significant.
Today, you can explore its historic rooms, museum exhibits about medieval life, and displays on witches and local legends.
Surrounding the fortress, beautiful gardens and scenic walking paths add to the experience, and the views from the ramparts over the rolling hills of Styria are stunning.
10. Esterházy Palace (Burgenland)
⏰ Opening times: daily, usually 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €19 for adults
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt is the former seat of the powerful Esterházy family, one of Austria’s most influential noble houses.
Built in the 17th century and expanded in Baroque style, it’s famous for its lavish rooms, beautiful gardens, and rich musical history, including connections to composer Joseph Haydn.
You can explore the opulent state rooms, the Haydnsaal concert hall, and the palace gardens, which are perfect for a leisurely walk.
The palace also hosts concerts, exhibitions, and special events throughout the year, offering a glimpse into Austria’s aristocratic past.
11. Grafenegg Castle (Lower Austria)
⏰ Opening times: June – September, Saturday and Sunday, usually 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €7 without tour, €10 with tour
Grafenegg Castle is a stunning neo-Gothic castle near Krems, set in a large park. Built in the 19th century, it combines historical architecture with modern cultural events.
The castle hosts concerts, exhibitions, and the famous Grafenegg Festival during the summer, attracting music lovers from all over.
Inside, you can explore the grand halls, elegant rooms, and art collections, while the surrounding park is perfect for a relaxing walk.
12. Eggenberg Palace (Styria)
⏰ Opening times: May – October, Tuesday – Sunday, usually 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €15 palace, €2 only gardens
Eggenberg Palace in Graz is the largest and most important Baroque palace in Styria.
Built in the 17th century for the Eggenberg family, it was designed with symbolic references to the universe, featuring 365 windows, 24 state rooms, and lavish interiors.
Today, the palace is part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum and houses collections of art and archaeology.
The stunning Planetary Room with its ceiling paintings is a highlight. The palace is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and a park where peacocks roam freely.
13. Tratzberg Castle (Tyrol)
⏰ Opening times: April – October, Tuesday – Sunday, usually 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €18 for adults
Tratzberg Castle is a Renaissance jewel in Tyrol, located between Jenbach and Schwaz with beautiful views of the Inn Valley.
Originally built in the 13th century, it was later expanded in the 16th century into the impressive residence you can see today.
Inside, the castle is known for its richly decorated rooms, wood-paneled halls, and impressive frescoes that bring the history of the Habsburgs and Tyrolean nobility to life.
Guided tours (also available as an audio experience) make the visit especially engaging, and there are even virtual reality options.
You can also hop on the small castle train that runs from the parking area up to the entrance.
14. Ambras Castle (Tyrol)
⏰ Opening times: daily (closed in November), usually 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €16 for adults online, €18 for adults on site
🎟️ Buy your ticket here
Ambras Castle sits on a hill above Innsbruck and is one of the region’s most picturesque Renaissance castles.
Built in the 16th century for Archduke Ferdinand II, it’s famous for its impressive collections of armor, portraits, and art, including the Chamber of Art and Wonders.
The beautifully maintained gardens and terraces offer great views over the surrounding mountains and Innsbruck itself.
You can explore the castle’s historic rooms, admire the art collections, and stroll through the gardens.
15. Liechtenstein Castle (Lower Austria)
⏰ Opening times: daily (except Wednesday), usually 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; in winter only Friday–Sunday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
💸 Entrance fees: €18 for adults
Liechtenstein Castle is a picturesque medieval fortress perched on a cliff near Maria Enzersdorf in Lower Austria.
Built in the 12th century and restored in the 19th, it offers a glimpse into medieval life with its towers, halls, and courtyards.
The castle also provides stunning views of the surrounding forests and valleys, making it a popular spot for photography and day trips.
You can explore the castle’s interior on guided tours or enjoy a walk along the scenic paths nearby.
Check out:
16 Best & Most Famous Landmarks in Austria
14 Most Stunning Lakes in Austria You Have to See
The 16 Coolest Day Trips From Vienna, Austria
15 Awesome Day Trips From Salzburg (Insider Guide)
A Perfect Day Trip to Hallstatt & Gmunden
50 Interesting Facts About Austria You Didn’t Know
12 Most Beautiful Towns & Villages in Austria (by a Local)
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
