Kunst museum or Belvedere palace in Vienna

They are both fantastic. But with only time for one, I would go with the Belvedere, because of the Klimts.

They are totally different.

Belvedere is a former private collection in two buildings separated by gardens. The Kunsthistoriches originated in the Hapsburg collection and is housed in a large building built for the collection (with some amazing frescoes).

Personal preference will play a large part in making the choice. I'd choose the Kunsthistoriches personally, but I visited once with someone who found it mediocre because it just wasn't to their taste. You might want to look at the floor plans and special exhibitions while you are there to help make the decision.

That’s a tough call for me. As the aforementioned they are very different but both have absolutely breathtaking art & architecture. It depends which art is important to you. I had been looking forward to Klimt and it didn’t disappoint. Our other favorite was the Albertina. So many wonderful choices! I was just looking at my photos and missing them all.
Yes- all amazing.

Have never been to Belvedere but have been to Schönbrunn that was spectacular. I have also been to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and highly recommend going.

It depends on what kind of art you like. For me, the Kunsthistorichesmuseum is unmissable. I've been 3 times.

The Kunsthistoriches Museum. As was written above, it is absolutely unmissable.

As mentioned above, it totally depends on your art preference, for me, it's the Belvedere every time I go to Vienna.

Look online at the museums to get a feel for their collections to see which you might enjoy more.

The Kunsthistoriches building's interior is, as the kids used to say, totally sick. I like the Belvedere and will visit both in a week or so, but the Kunsthistoriches as an interior space is completely off the chart. Insanely rich people spared no expense designing it to knock your socks off, put your socks back on, and then knock them off again.

Can one just poke one's head into the Kunsthistoriches for free to get a look at the interior? Can't recall. If so then worth a 5 minute gawk even if the art isn't your wheelhouse.

The Belvedere as a space is also no slouch. If you dig Secession and contiguous periods well worth it.

Gotta say it’s the Belvedere for the Klimt and Impressionist works there. The views overlooking Vienna from the palace gardens are also impressive.

The restaurant at the Kunst is gorgeous and the food is delicious! If I ever return to Vienna, I’ll definitely stay near that museum and the natural history museum across the way.

54% British has a point. We had lunch at both the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Belvedere. The "Kunst" was by far the superior experience. The service at the Belvedere's restaurant was practically nonexistent. The food was good enough. But overall, if you're picking a place based on the lunch, go with the Kunst.

We only went to Belvedere because Judith & the Head of Holofernes is one of my absolute favorite pieces of art. It's really not a very big museum so you could easily make a quick visit and wander quickly through the gardens in 2.5 hours round trip from the tram stop. The gardens are pretty awesome.

I think I'm going to have to add my vote to the Belvedere side. The range of works is pretty impressive.

If you are in Vienna before October 2nd, and if you are a Klimt aficionado, you should visit this:
https://klimt-experience.com/

No one calls the Kunsthistorisches Museum “the Kunst.” Kunst means art in German.

Just on the point of can you stick your head in . . . I doubt it. As I recall, you buy your tickets at a table or booth separated from the main part of the museum. The spectacular part is the central section, where the cafe is, which, btw, has decorations by Klimt

Until October 2nd there is a spectacular presentation of Gustav Klimt' works:
https://klimt-experience.com/?lang=en