Posted by The Spanish Riding School Vienna – Morning Exercise offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the daily training of the famous Lipizzaner horses.
Unlike the formal gala performances, the morning exercise focuses on practice,
training routines, and the development of horse and rider.
For many visitors, this is the most authentic way to experience the Spanish Riding School.
What Is the Morning Exercise?
The morning exercise is a public training session held in the
historic Winter Riding School.
It shows how the Lipizzaner horses are trained,
from young horses learning basic movements
to advanced stallions practicing high-level dressage.
The atmosphere is informal and educational,
with explanations provided during the session.
How It Differs from a Performance
Unlike the gala performances, the morning exercise is not a choreographed show.
Instead, it focuses on:
- Daily training routines
- Gymnastic exercises for horses
- Progressive training of young and experienced horses
- Instruction and commentary
This makes it especially interesting for visitors who want
to understand classical dressage rather than just watch a spectacle.
The Lipizzaner Horses
The Lipizzaners are one of the oldest horse breeds in Europe.
They are known for their strength, elegance,
and ability to perform complex movements.
Training a Lipizzaner for the Spanish Riding School
takes many years, which is why the morning exercise
often shows different training stages.
Lipizzaner horses are almost always white, at least from a certain age.
How Much Time Should You Plan?
The morning exercise usually lasts about
1 hour.
Including arrival and seating,
plan around 1.5 hours.
Because it takes place in the morning,
it fits well at the start of a sightseeing day.
Location and How to Get There
The Spanish Riding School is located within the Hofburg complex
in Vienna’s historic city center.
Most visitors reach it on foot or by public transport.
For route planning, see the
Vienna local transport guide.
Best Time to Visit
Morning exercises are held on selected days,
usually in the morning hours.
Availability varies by season,
so booking in advance is recommended.
Seats are often unassigned,
and views depend on availability,
so arriving early can be helpful.
Spanish Riding School & Vienna Experiences
Tickets for the morning exercise
and related cultural experiences
are available online.
Who Is the Morning Exercise Best For?
- Visitors interested in horses and dressage
- Travelers who prefer authentic experiences
- Repeat visitors to Vienna
- Visitors with limited time for a full performance
Combine with Other Attractions
Because of its central location,
the morning exercise can easily be combined with:
Vienna Travel Guides – Useful Before Your Visit
Hotels Near the Hofburg or City Center
Staying in the historic center
allows easy access to the Spanish Riding School
and many major sights.
Conclusion
The Spanish Riding School Vienna – Morning Exercise
is an authentic and informative experience.
It offers insight into the daily work behind
one of Vienna’s most famous traditions
and is an excellent alternative to the formal performances,
especially for visitors interested in classical horsemanship.
Admission Spanish Riding School (morning work) 2026
The morning exercise takes place on weekdays and starts daily at 10:00 a.m. As a result, most visitors arrive around this time, which often leads to larger crowds during the morning hours.
Admission costs 17 euros for adults. Children aged 6 and over pay 10 euros, while children between 3 and 6 years of age can attend the morning exercise free of charge. Please note that, according to current information, children under the age of 3 are not permitted to attend the morning exercise at the Spanish Riding School.
(Prices as of early 2026)
Buying tickets on the Internet is especially useful for attractions with large crowds (long queues, waiting times, the attraction can be sold out). >>> more information and booking
Free with the Vienna Pass: Holders of the Vienna Pass do not have to pay any admission fee for the morning work in the world’s most famous riding school. >>> More information and booking of the Vienna Pass on this link
On a Tuesday in February, which is absolute low season, we still had to wait around 20 minutes at the ticket counter. Getting a seat with a good view required a bit of luck. However, there are also many standing places that offer fairly good visibility.
Tip: From the first floor, you generally see and hear more than from the second floor, which makes the experience noticeably better.
Link tip: More information Spanish Riding School Vienna and booking of tickets