Burgtheater

The Burgtheater started out in a banqueting hall of Hofburg palace, but moved to its current location just opposite the grand City Hall in 1888, becoming one of the final monumental buildings to adorn Vienna’s Ringstrasse. Join a Ringstrasse tour by hop-on-hop-off bus, Ring Tram, or on foot to visit the Burgtheater and other highlights set along the monumental boulevard, including the Rathaus and Kaiserforum.

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes if visiting the sights along the Ringstrasse on foot or by bike.
• The outside of the Burgtheater is accessible to wheelchair users, and there is reserved seating for wheelchairs during performances. Confirm in advance.
• Theater fans won’t want to miss visiting the inside of this historic venue, one of the most important in the German-speaking world with a roster of almost 800 performances a year.
• Booking tickets to performances at the Burgtheater in advance is recommended, though there are sometimes last-minute tickets available at a discount.

The Burgtheater is located along the Ringstrasse, and can be reached via the Rathaus or Schottentoron metro stops on the U2 line or the Herrengasse metro stop on the U3 line. Otherwise, join a hop-on-hop-off bus or tram tour of the Ringstrasse.

You can admire the outside of the theater any time of day, but visits inside are only offered with a guide in the afternoon. Performances are normally held in the evenings or weekend afternoons.

Designed by German architect Gottfried Semper, the theater’s ornamental façade is done in an Italian high-Renaissance style, flanked by Corinthian pillars and adorned with sculptures and elaborate friezes. The opulent interiors, the handiwork of local architect Karl von Hasenauer, are similarly ornate, with highlights including the immense Worshippers of Bacchus relief by Rudolf Wyer and the dazzling foyer, featuring hand-painted staircases and ceiling frescoes by Ernst and Gustav Klimt.