Spanish Riding School

Founded more than 400 years ago, the Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule), part of the Hofburg complex, is housed in a Baroque hall where riders perform under glittering chandeliers. The performances, during which the white Lipizzan stallions move through a variety of formations, culminates in a quadrille, which requires eight stallions to move in perfect unison to classical music. Historically, the Spanish Riding School has been male dominated (there are no women riders), but in 2007 the venerable institution finally made a step into the 21st century by naming Elisabeth Gürtler, the owner of the Sacher hotel, as its director.

Tickets for performances have to be ordered in advance (there are several price categories, and you can request to be seated in the original Royal Box). However, you can also attend one of the training sessions, which are also performed with music, without a reservation; these tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center (Michaelerplatz 1) or the Josefsplatz (Gate 2) on the training days. Contact our Bookings Team for tours or help with tickets.