Klimt Paintings Tour (Self Guided), Vienna

The Belvedere is a striking Baroque complex in Vienna, originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. This ensemble includes the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces, an Orangery, and the Palace Stables, all set within a meticulously designed Baroque park. This park, adorned with tiered fountains, cascades, and Baroque sculptures, encapsulates the grandeur of imperial Vienna. The complex was conceived during a time of prosperity following the end of wars against the Ottoman Empire, marking a significant phase in Vienna's architectural and cultural development.

The construction of the Lower Belvedere began around 1712, with the Upper Belvedere following shortly after, in 1717, designed to host high-profile guests and diplomatic engagements. These buildings are notable for their intricate frescoes and artworks by prominent artists of the time, such as Francesco Solimena and Carlo Carlone. Following Prince Eugene’s death in 1736, the palaces had varied uses, including hosting royal refugees from the French Revolution and serving as early public museums under Maria Theresa and Emperor Joseph II.

Post-World War I, the Belvedere was nationalized and became home to the Austrian Gallery (Österreichische Galerie) and the Modern Gallery (Moderne Galerie), showcasing both classical and modern artworks. Despite significant damage during World War II, restoration efforts from 1945 to the 1990s have preserved the complex’s historical and architectural integrity. Today, the Belvedere serves as a museum, maintaining its historical significance while adapting to modern uses.

It showcases an expansive art collection from the Middle Ages to modern times, featuring domestic and international artists. Among the exhibits is the world’s largest Gustav Klimt collection, including "The Kiss" and "Judith," alongside significant French Impressionist and Viennese Biedermeier works, making it a key cultural destination.

Tip:
To wait in a shorter line, purchase your tickets online in advance.
Make sure to leave the time to stroll through the gardens on the way to or from this wonderful palace.

There was a time in the early 20th century where Vienna was the center of the world for culture – the age of Gustav Klimt and the Secessionist movement's cutting-edge art. This building represents that time, not only as a geographical location but also in its architecture and, no less notably, the "Beethoven Frieze", painted by Klimt in 1902 as a commentary on Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Artists were seceding from the conventional art world, and while the only real painting inside is the famous frieze, the building itself, designed by architect Joseph Olbrich, contains a number of features acting as a unique statement of intent – from the the turtles that support massive plant pots on either side of the entrance to the great dome made from 2,500 gilt laurel leaves and 300+ berries, that the Viennese were quick to christen "the golden cabbage" (Olbrich wanted it to be seen as a dome of laurel, a subtle classical reference meant to celebrate the triumph of art).

Inside, the museum has a minimalist approach to portraying the exhibitions, which allows visitors to really focus on the art. The atmosphere is very calming and magical, encouraging to stop and quietly immerse yourself in the surroundings. Photos are allowed.

Why You Should Visit:
Interesting especially if you're a fan of Klimt, with the Beethoven Frieze as the biggest highlight – one of those pieces you'll never forget!
The building's façade is quite stunning as well and you can see many tourists stand across the busy main road taking pictures.

Tip:
The audio guide (DE/EN/FR/IT) is very useful here; much easier to sit and listen as you look at each section than having to read explanatory notes.

The afternoon is a good time to explore at least one of the museums in the MuseumsQuartier. The light, bright Leopold Museum is a good choice as its architecture is a masterpiece unto itself, with everything from incredibly crafted Wiener Werkstatt furniture to stunning murals inside.

But you're probably interested in Vienna's "turn of the century painting" – and, indeed, here is the largest collection of Egon Schiele and Richard Gerstl paintings in the world. Of course, there are numerous Klimts and Kokoschkas as well, and it's worth coming just to sit and stare at Klimt's "Death and Life" which shows the never-ending cycle of life and death and how mankind cannot worry over the end. The Klimt section also has an authentic reproduction of his studio's antechamber and an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of his long-time companion, lover and muse, Emilie Flöge. All in all, there are more than five thousand exhibits.

In addition to being able to visit this grand exhibit of 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art, you may also want to stop by and visit the gift shop, where you can purchase replications of some of the great pieces exhibited. The building is also home to the fin-de-siècle-style Café Leopold, which is a well known night spot for people to come, have some coffee (or traditional Austrian food), and discuss history, art, and politics.

Tip:
One point of humour – look out for the diagram of Schiele's final studio, complete with on-site skittle alley.

Fuel up with a cup of coffee or tea and head to one of the world-class museums along the Ring. The Kunsthistorisches Museum's galleries house vast collections of fine art and antiquities, based largely on those accumulated over the centuries by generations of Habsburg monarchs. Lavishly decorated interiors, ornate cupolas and sweeping Neo-Classical stairways create a fitting setting for the treasures housed here, with many of the works on display – particularly the Old Masters (Bruegel, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Titian, etc.) – being considered among the most spectacular in the world. Not only that, but the museum is among the most visitor-friendly you're likely to visit, with comfortable sofas available in most exhibition rooms and long closing hours on Thursdays.

The galleries occupy the top three floors (although the uppermost is not nearly as extensive), with an entrance hall, shop and cloakroom below. The ground floor contains ancient objects on one side – starting with the age of the Pharaohs in Egypt, then proceeding through ancient Greece and Rome while touching on other cultures along the way – which are joined by rare Renaissance and Baroque treasures collected by and/or made for the Hapsburg monarchs on the other side. The quality and quantity of the material presented is simply astounding, but items are generally labeled simply in German, so you'll want to spring for the audio guide (available in English) to get a more detailed commentary on highlighted objects. The second gallery floor (or "1" level) houses the Picture Gallery, which is again a huge collection of just plain amazing works by every famous artist from the 17th through the 19th centuries. The top floor (or "2" level) only houses a coin and medal gallery along with what are listed as the "Vermeyen Cartoons" – a series of impressive life-sized tapestries that portray Charles V's Tunis campaign of 1535.

The museum's grand central staircase is adorned with murals by the Klimt brothers and others, which depict the history of art from ancient Egypt to Florence. Gustav Klimt's especially ornate gilded frescoes are probably his best works, although they are illustrative, which in the critical art world loses you points (indeed, they were criticized for being "too erotic"). Diagrams point out which mural was painted by which artist, and sometimes a viewing scope is provided for visitors to see them up close.

Tip:
An adult ticket entitles you to a one-time pass to the museum, as well as, the Neue Burg located at Heldenplatz, which has amazing collections of imperial armoury, historic musical instruments, etc. – well worth a visit.

What better place to visit as an art lover while in Vienna? Located in the largest of the Habsburg dynasty's residential palaces, the Albertina is home to the largest and most valuable graphical collection in the world. You can look forward to priceless prints, over 65,000 water-colors and drawings, some 70,000 photographs, and pieces from all-over-the-world recognized artists, including the Old Masters: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, and others.

There are many expositions to go through, but highlights include the Batliner Collection – an extraordinary display of modernist art, where you can admire Impressionist pieces from Monet, Degas, Cézanne or Picasso, and go through other artistic movements such as Fauvism, Brücke, Cubism or Surrealism – a very good counterpoint to the Italian/Flemish masterpieces of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Besides, if you are a big fan of Klimt and Schiele, then this is the perfect gallery for you.

Renovation has restored a number of features of the Albertina to their former glory, including the façades and the wide open central courtyard. The excellent DO & CO restaurant serves coffee, desserts and light meals while offering splendid vistas of the historical center, and the Burggarten is the perfect place to take a break. On your way to the exit, there is also a good-sized gift shop with books relevant to the artwork and artists on display, as well as souvenirs relevant to Vienna and Austria.

Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful building with a fantastic selection of artworks and art styles. Easy to get in with an online ticket (no waiting time).
The open balcony area on the top floor is an excellent place for picture taking, as it faces many of the city's historical buildings.

Tip:
Make sure you have at least 2.5 hours on your hands to check everything.
The audio guide is for all the exhibitions, so it is worth spending some extra for it.