Laxenburg: Palace Park and Franzensburg Castle
An imperial summer retreat with a romantic knight's castle
- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private tour of Laxenburg Palace Park leads through one of Austria's most beautiful landscape gardens. The highlight is the Franzensburg, a romantic knight's castle on an island in the palace lake.
Laxenburg, south of Vienna, was a spring and summer residence of the Habsburgs for centuries. Maria Theresa liked to hold court here, and in 1854 Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth spent part of their honeymoon in Laxenburg. Their son, Crown Prince Rudolf, was born here in 1858.
Around 1800 the huge park was redesigned in the English style, with ponds, bridges, temples and grottoes. Emperor Francis II built the Franzensburg on an island, a castle in medieval style that incorporated real historic parts from monasteries and castles.
Your guide tells of court hunts, the imperial wedding and garden design and takes you to the park's best views. A ferry ride to the castle is part of the experience.
Highlights
- The romantic Franzensburg on its island
- An English landscape garden with lakes
- Franz Joseph and Sisi's honeymoon
- Birthplace of Crown Prince Rudolf
- A ferry ride to the castle
The route
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1Blauer Hof
Start at the old Habsburg palace.
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2Palace park
Avenues, meadows and garden design.
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3Palace lake
Bridges, temples and grottoes by the water.
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4Franzensburg
Knight's castle and historic interiors.
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5Concordia Temple
Finish with views across the park.
Who this tour is for
For families, garden lovers and Habsburg fans looking for a green trip from Vienna.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
What is the best time to visit Laxenburg?
From spring to autumn the park is at its best and the ferry to the Franzensburg runs. In autumn the old trees turn spectacular colors.
