The Belvedere in Vienna in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the Upper Belvedere's essentials: the Klimt room with The Kiss, Judith and the society portraits, works by Schiele and Kokoschka, David's Napoleon Crossing the Alps and the garden views. Start at 9am with Klimt and finish on the terrace.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at Belvedere Vienna
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The route: 8 stops in 2 hours
Rooms may be rearranged for temporary exhibitions or loans; the floor plan at the entrance shows where each work is. Timings are approximate and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Upper Belvedere · Klimt rooms
The Kiss (Gustav Klimt, 1907–08)
Go straight to Vienna's most famous work before the groups arrive. Notice the gold leaf, the contrast between the man's geometric patterns and the woman's floral ones, and the flower-edged cliff.
- 2
0:15 · Upper Belvedere · Klimt rooms
Judith (Klimt, 1901)
A sensual, defiant Judith with her neck covered by a gold choker. One of his works from the golden period.
- 3
0:30 · Upper Belvedere · Klimt rooms
Society portraits: Fritza Riedler and Sonja Knips
They show Viennese high-society portraiture around 1900, with decorative backgrounds that foreshadow Klimt's golden style.
- 4
0:45 · Upper Belvedere
Klimt's Sunflower and landscapes
A contrast: the landscape Klimt, with small brushstrokes and vibrant colours, far from the gold of The Kiss.
- 5
1:00 · Upper Belvedere · Schiele and Kokoschka
Egon Schiele: Death and the Maiden
An embracing couple in an angular, dramatic pose. Schiele inherits Klimt's taste for line but makes it rawer and more Expressionist.
- 6
1:20 · Upper Belvedere · 19th century
Napoleon Crossing the Alps (Jacques-Louis David, 1801)
The heroic portrait of Napoleon on horseback at the Great St Bernard Pass. David painted several versions; this is one of them.
- 7
1:35 · Upper Belvedere · Impressionists
Monet, Van Gogh and the Impressionists
The collection includes some works by Monet and Van Gogh. A pause from the Austrian route.
- 8
1:50 · Gardens and terrace
The Baroque gardens and the view of Vienna
Step out onto the Upper Belvedere terrace: from there you see the garden and the Vienna skyline, one of the best walks in the city.
Tips to make the most of it
- Enter at 9am: the Klimt rooms fill up quickly with groups.
- If you only have 1 hour, go to Klimt and spend the rest on Schiele.
- Flash photography is not allowed; respect the signs in the rooms.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any painting not on this list to hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Belvedere in 2 hours?
Yes. This route covers Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka and David in the Upper Belvedere.
What about 1 hour?
Go straight to Klimt's The Kiss and Judith, and Schiele's Death and the Maiden. That is about 60 minutes.
Is the Lower Belvedere worth it?
If you like Baroque architecture and temporary exhibitions, yes. For Klimt, the Upper is enough.
Can you photograph The Kiss?
Check the photography policy in the rooms; flash-free personal photos are usually permitted.