The Gloriette is an imposing, neoclassical structure that towers over everything else in Schonbrunn Park and is arguably the highlight of the palace gardens. From the Gloriette’s rooftop terrace, you can get a stunning panoramic view of Schonbrunn Palace, its gardens and Vienna beyond. Anyone doing a tour at Schönbrunn Palace should consider visiting the Gloriette.
How to Get to the Gloriette
Tourists can visit the Gloriette without buying a palace tour ticket. Walk through the Schönbrunn Palace lobby to get to the gardens in the back. Once outside, you will see the fountain on the opposite end. There is a winding, slightly uphill path behind the fountain to get to the Gloriette. As you approach the crest of the hill, the Gloriette’s shining eagle topper will come into view.
Admission Price & Opening Hours of the Gloriette
The Gloriette ticket price is €5.50 for adults and children. You can buy passes online or at the palace ticket desk. The Schönbrunn Palace Classic Pass also includes admission to the Gloriette.
The Gloriette opens at 9:30 am and closes at 5:30 pm during most of the visiting season from April to the end of October. During the high season (July and August), the closing time is 6:30 pm. In the week leading up to the end of the season, the closing time is as early as 4 pm. The last admission is always 30 minutes before closing time. The Gloriette viewing terrace closes in the winter, usually from November to the end of March, but tourists can still view the exterior year-round.
What to See at the Gloriette
The Gloriette at Schönbrunn Palace is approximately 22 meters (72 feet) tall. However, its location on top of a small hill gives it an extra bump in elevation, making it an ideal vantage point to admire the palace architecture with the city of Vienna as a backdrop.
After climbing the staircase up to the roof (I don’t believe there’s an elevator), you’ll wind up on the lower platform of the Gloriette. White, Roman-style urns decorate the protective stone barrier. There is one more short set of stairs to get up to the central deck and the highest point of the Gloriette.
The only thing blocking the way on the central deck is the statue of the imperial eagle with its hoard. It looked so pretty from ground level, but the backside of it is ugly, with steel support beams branching from it. The south side of the terrace is unobstructed. While we could see the city and distant hills, the view is nothing compared to the other side. We didn’t even bother to get any pictures – that’s how unspectacular it was.
Looking north from the Gloriette, there is a magnificent panoramic view of Schonbrunn Park. From up here, we could see the crisp symmetry of the manicured grounds and paths with the sprawling landscape of Vienna beyond. There is perfect alignment between the lake directly ahead, the gardens, and Schonbrunn Palace at the end.
There is a more modern glass and steel barrier surrounding the middle platform. It comes up to about a metre, which is not the best for portrait pictures. There were many benches up on the upper deck, but none are in the best viewing spots on either side of the eagle statue. I didn’t see any staff up on the Gloriette when we went, so visitors can stay as long as they like during opening hours.
Restaurants at the Gloriette
The Gloriette’s central section houses the Cafe Gloriette. There were lots of seats underneath the high-ceilinged interior where a violinist played live music. The Sisi Breakfast Buffet seemed to be a big draw during our visit. The indoor dining room was completely full – only the tables on the back outdoor patio were available, and there was still a queue. The prices were expensive, and almost everyone in the cafe was older, distinguished and looked like they had money. Even if you don’t intend to eat here, it’s worth a peek inside to marvel at the architecture.
Facilities
The only toilets are inside the Gloriette Cafe. They are supposed to be for cafe guests, and there is a basket where non-patrons are expected to throw in a Euro. Fuck that bullshit and just walk in with confidence. If there’s any staff monitoring the toilets, how do they know you’re not a guest in the huge cafe? Presumably, you’ve bought a ticket for the Gloriette, so it’s not like you’re a total freeloader, either. If your conscience is too much, you can use the toilets at the Schonbrunn Palace lobby.
Saturday Worthy?
Out of the four garden attractions, the Gloriette is the standout. If it’s a clear day, the view of the palace and Vienna skyline will be worth it. Try to be the first one on the terrace when it opens at 9:30 am for the best experience. If there are not too many people, there’s enough room where everyone can get a pocket of space in the prime viewing spots. It was so much better to take portrait photos without a random tourist in the way. If you only have time for one of the outdoor attractions, you should pick the Gloriette if you’re also a fan of rooftop views instead of gardens.
