Tour or skip Schonbrunn Palace?

As much as I loved the gardens, if you have just one day I would say stay in the city center; there is so much to see and experience there. You can tour the Hapsburg Palace in the center and experience the feel of a palace without taking the time to go to Schoenbrunn. You can tour it on your next visit!

I agree...just stick to the city center especially if you've visited other palaces in Europe. Although they do all have things that make them unique, Schonbrunn isn't much different than lots of other palaces in Europe. Vienna, on the other hand, is very unique with many hidden corners and things of beauty!

What time of year will you visit? Do you have one full day, or just an afternoon? If you are in Vienna for one day I think it is possible to spend a few hours at Schonbrunn and walk around the center.

We will be there mid April for a full day/ evening. Our cruise has a guided walking tour in the morning and then the palace in the early afternoon....

I tend to favor the judgment of your professional tour, which you seem to have arranged already. With a full day, you could visit the Ringstrasse to see the Vienna State Opera, City Hall and Hofburg Palace, former winter home of the Hapsburgs. You could visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, which was the Hapsburgs’ summer residence. if two palaces are not too much, or you could select one of the palaces.

Hi,

With only one day you could take the early morning tour in the city center and then be at Schönbrunn Palace for the tour in the afternoon. Time-wise both can be done. When you see Schloß Schönbrunn as part of the tour, you can imagine how powerful the Habsburgs were in modern European history.

Your guided walking tour in the morning surely includes the city center? In April the gardens at Schonbrunn are particularly lovely - the wisteria arbor is a true highlight. I would spend the afternoon at Schonbrunn on your own and come back into town for dinner and an evening stroll in the center (or around the Ring from Votivkirche to Stadtpark). Visiting Schonbrunn is very easy as the subway stops right at the palace. It is about a 12 minute subway ride from the city center.

Ok, you all have convinced me! We will do both and go back to the city center late afternoon/evening if we desire to do so.

Thank you particularly for the info about the gardens. I wasn't sure if there would be anything blooming in April but I LOVE gardens!

Thanks again!