The cult of Empress Elisabeth of Austria – better known as Sisi – has been going strong for almost 200 years, ranging from a dedicated museum at the Hofburg Palace to numerous screen adaptations and the wonderful marzipan chocolates shared with her compatriot Mozart. A stay in the Austrian capital will have you spotting her snow-white complexion and diamond-strewn tresses on just about every surface, but the Empress isn’t the sole property of the Viennese. In fact, she was a notorious escapist (a bit like us), and was something of a globetrotter in her day.
Want to follow in her footsteps? Read on to find out about her favourite spots in Austria and beyond, and perhaps book a stay at one of our hand-picked hotels for a getaway worthy of Sisi herself.
Vienna, Austria
Synonymous with Habsburg splendour, Vienna is one of Europe’s most elegant cities, and no visit would be complete without a stop at the Hofburg – the Imperial Family’s winter residence where you can tour Sisi’s private rooms and admire her clothing, personal possessions and impressive exercise equipment. After that, head to the Hietzing district to see the lavish Baroque rooms and manicured gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the court’s summer haunt. The palace was used as a filming location for the landmark 1950s film trilogy starring the young Romy Schneider, as well as several more recent screen adaptations. Much like a Hollywood celebrity, Sisi was constantly fleeing the public eye, and you can follow in her footsteps with a scenic day-trip outside of Vienna – perhaps to the glittering Hermesvilla or the fairytale Laxenburg Castle, whose gardens and grottoes were the setting for the Empress’ turbulent honeymoon.
Largely considered the most beautiful woman of her time, Sisi made few exceptions to her rigorous health regime, but was known to have a sweet spot for the famous chocolate Sachertorte and Demel’s violet ice cream – you’ll find both confectioners right in the city centre, plus plenty of historic cafés serving mouthwatering Austrian treats.
Where to stay: It doesn’t get more iconic than Vienna’s Hotel Sacher, the home of the Sachertorte whose café was visited by Sisi herself. Alternatively, switch up old-world splendour with contemporary luxury at Palais Hansen Kempinski, or opt for Art Deco designs and boutique vibes at the quirky Hotel Josefine.
Salzburg, Austria
Besides being the epicentre of all things music and Mozart, the enchanting city of Salzburg has played its part in Austria’s Imperial history. Just an hour outside the city lies Bad Ischl, where the young Emperor Franz Joseph fell head-over-heels for his future bride. Built as a wedding present for the young couple, the secluded Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl became one of the Empress’ beloved summer retreats, and still houses the couple’s descendants. Another must-see is the lavish Leopoldskron Palace near Salzburg’s Old Town, the site of the couple’s engagement party and the home of Sisi’s cousin and lifelong friend, King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Where to stay: Soak up Salzburg’s magical atmosphere at Hotel Sacher Salzburg, a gorgeous five-star pad at the heart of the Old Town. For a swoon-worthy rural retreat, escape to the shores of Lake Fuschl just outside the city at the elegant Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee.
Munich, Germany
Before she was Empress of Austria, Sisi was born into the German House of Wittelsbach, and spent her childhood between Munich and Possenhofen Castle, her family’s charming summer home. You can still pass by the Empress’ birthplace at the former Herzog-Max-Palais in central Munich, before touring the breathtaking chambers of the Munich Residenz, the centuries-old seat of the Bavarian royal house. For a change of scenery, take a short drive to Lake Starnberg for a picturesque day out on the water, and stop by pretty Possenhofen to admire Sisi’s childhood home and learn more about her at the nearby Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum.
Where to stay: For a glamorous stay at the heart of Munich, look no further than the sleek Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, or opt for Classik Hotel Martinshof to cosy up in a traditional country house just outside the city.
Budapest, Hungary
Often compared to Princess Diana, Sisi was a rebel at court who was beloved by her people. This was especially true of her Hungarian subjects, to whom she was particularly devoted. The Royal Palace of Gödöllő was bestowed on the Imperial couple after they were crowned King and Queen of Hungary, and remained one of Sisi’s favourite boltholes throughout her life. As a prolific poet and one of the finest horsewomen of her day, Sisi spent long hours writing and riding here, and you can still visit the palace’s rooms, stables and park today. Its idyllic location 30 minutes from Budapest makes it a great day-trip, while the city itself offers plenty of historical gems: check out the vast Buda Castle District dating back to the 13th century, and stroll down the UNESCO-listed Andrássy Avenue, named after the country’s former Prime Minister to whom Sisi was very close – the road, in fact, leads to ‘Elisabeth Square.’
Where to stay: You’ll be walking-distance from Elisabeth Square at the swanky Prestige Hotel Budapest, while Hotel Nemzeti Budapest offers a palatial stay on the city’s Grand Boulevard. And for a five-star pad as artistic as Sisi herself, check out the elegant Mystery Hotel Budapest.
Madeira, Portugal
When 23-year-old Sisi sailed to Madeira after a bout of poor health, no one imagined that it would spark a lifelong love-affair with far-flung travel. Unsurprisingly, the balmy climate of the ‘Garden Isle’ perfectly suited the escapist Empress, who enjoyed a quiet existence by the sea. A memorial statue dedicated to her still stands in Funchal today, and the Empress herself is believed to have stayed close to the city centre. Follow in her footsteps with a stroll through Funchal’s idyllic Old Town, and drift between the city’s many botanical gardens to soak up the lush nature the Empress loved so much.
Where to stay: Get an authentic taste of Madeira living at Quintinha São João Hotel & Spa, a five-star boutique hotel moments from Funchal’s Old Town. Elsewhere, you can holiday like the Empress at Quinta da Bela Vista, set in a 19th-century hilltop mansion with magical panoramic views.
Corfu, Greece
An avid student of Greek language and mythology, it’s no surprise that Sisi’s travels soon took her to Corfu, which soon became her sanctuary far from courtly strictures and public scrutiny. Following the tragic death of her son Crown Prince Rudolf, a royal advisor suggested building a new summer palace to raise Sisi’s spirits. Fleeing to the small village of Gastouri, she took an active role in designing the opulent Achilleion Palace, named after her favourite mythological character and styled like an ancient Greek temple. Today, the palace houses one of the island’s landmark museums, and is a fixture on many a Corfu bucket-list. The rest of the island is just as dreamy, and you’ll find everything from fortresses and Byzantine monasteries to beautiful beaches and relics of its past as a British, French and Venetian colony.
Where to stay: If Sisi had lived in the 1960s, her preferred haunt would almost certainly have been Domes Miramare Corfu, where she’d have brushed shoulders with the likes of Maria Callas, Jackie O and many European royals. She’d have felt equally at home at the stunning Grecotel Eva Palace, a dazzling villa-style abode oozing classical elegance with a side of spellbinding sea views.
Cruise the Mediterranean
From Queen Victoria’s private yacht to multiple sailing trips across the Med, the flighty and unhappy Sisi loved few things better than being out at sea. So if you’re also looking to take to the open waters, why not embark on an ultra-luxurious cruise through some of Europe’s most glamorous coastal destinations? This Athens stay and Mediterranean cruise will see you tick off several iconic spots in five-star style, complete with a fabulous Grecian pad overlooking the Acropolis and stints in Montenegro, Corfu, southern Italy and Barcelona.