If you’re looking to explore art, history, collections of artifacts from all over the world, Vienna is a great place to wander and get lost in the world of history. Vienna has over 100 museums located throughout the city. MuseumsQuartier in Vienna is the largest district for cultural and contemporary art. The area is home to 60 baroque-style buildings. Some of the top-rated museum destinations are Leopold Museum and MUMOK, the art and modern art collections, to Kunsthalle Wien for exhibiting contemporary arts. Spending at least two days is ideal when visiting these museums to really take time to see everything.
Depending on what you want to see when visiting Vienna, you can opt by buying a Vienna Pass that will allow you free access and fast track entry to the 70 most popular attractions in and around the city. It will also allow you unlimited use of the Hop on and Hop off buses; however, currently, these are not operational due to the ongoing pandemic. The Vienna Pass is valid for 12 months, significant savings if you plan to venture back throughout the year.
Please note to gain access to these attractions, you’re required to wear a face mask at all times and show proof of full Covid vaccination or evidence of Covid infection within the last six months upon entry.
Suppose you’re only visiting Vienna for a quick stay. In that case, another option of seeing multiple museums is purchasing the weekly pass to all the museums located in the Austrian National Library, including the State Hall and the House of Austrian History. Perhaps you only want to visit select ones throughout the Austrian National Library. You can opt to pay for individual entrance fees or a combination of two by purchasing tickets here.
Vienna has an abundance of Museums but unless you’re staying for a longer duration you will only be able to manage visiting a few of them. Below is a list of some of the top museum destinations while visiting the artistic and beautiful Vienna. If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Vienna, visit my 3-day Trip in Vienna blog to learn more about what this city offers.
Belvedere
A palace that has been architected to the Baroque period. Belvedere is home to 420 pieces of art that are spread out through several rooms. The most famous work is “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt. The portrait displays Klimt and his friend Emilie Flöge in love. Other pieces of art range from the Middle Ages, Baroque, Classicism, and the Inter and Post wars. To further explore Belvedere, take your tour of the outside gardens, landscapes, and fountains. You can also visit the outside grounds only without paying a fee. However, currently, the outside is closed to ongoing construction.
Albertina
The Albertina is located in the heart of the city center on the southern tip of the imperial palace and is home to famous art collections in the world. Albertina has currently exhibited the modern works of Monet to Picasso’s art pieces. Viewing the permanent exhibitions will allow you to see the French and German works of impression and expression, along with Russian Avant-Garde.
MUMOK
Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien also known as MUMOK is a museum located in the Museumquartier in Vienna. It’s known to be the largest museum for art in Central Europe since Modernism. This modern and contemporary art museum is home to 10,000 pieces, including pieces ranging from Andy Warhol, Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein. The unusual look of the building architect is another reason to see what this museum is all about.
Leopold Museum
The Leopold Museum is situated in the Museumquartier in Vienna and houses one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art. The museum holds around 6,000 pieces of art. The collection from Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold was created and collected over five decades but managed to get the art pieces from Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Richard Gerstl, and Oskar Kokoschka, to name a few. Rudolf also collected furniture, objects, and decorative art samples from various people and places worldwide, including Africa, Oceania, and East Asia.
State Hall of the Austrian National Library
Inside the heart of the Austrian National Library is the State Hall. What draws people to this beautiful library is the grand baroque-style library halls. This library is considered one of the most beautiful library halls globally. The library is every bookworm’s daydream and makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an enchanting world. Although people venture to take in a visual aspect in the structure, it goes without saying that this library is significant in this world. At least 200,000 books originate from 1501-1850 with various volumes, four ornate globes, a grandeur painting on the ceiling, and many statues throughout the library hall.
Literature Museum of the Austrian National Library
Explore the world through words dating back to the 18th century to the present day at Vienna’s Literature Museum. Discover the two stories of permanent Austrian Literature collections that traces back to their enlightenment roots and takes you on a journey through the European culture. You will be able to read and listen with an audio guide given to you upon entry and will show English translation on screens in the permanent collections. However, most text and artifact descriptions will be in German. The museum does offer a rotating exhibit to explore during your visit.
House of Austrian History
The House of Austrian History, located in the Neue Burg on Heldenplatz, depicts how democracy changed over the years and a chapter of the darkest in world history. The main exhibit that’s a permanent fixture explores the post World War II developments through the Austrian culture. The detailed displays and multimedia offer a visual insight into Austrian history that allows museum-goers to understand and learn what it means to be Austrian.
Kunst Haus Wien
Step foot into a museum-like no other. The Kunst Haus Wien brings art to life through architectural designs, tapestries, paintings, and photography. Immerse yourself into the arts inside and outside. Stroll through the courtyard and take in the plants, flowers, and trees growing throughout the building and windows. Kunst Haus Wien is Vienna’s first “Green Museum” based on the vision set forth for the museum and design.
Vienna’s Natural History Museum
Visit the Natural History Museum in Vienna and transcend back to periods in history. While walking through the museum, you will see depictions of oil paints, illustrations, objects displayed on the main floor that has been brought back by many scientist and researchers throughout the years. If you’re into the prehistoric era and natural science, this museum is definitely worth visiting. See how the world has evolved and get lost in the exploration
Globe Museum of the Austrian National Library
The only public museum in the world devoted to the spherical globes we have come to love as travelers. The Globe Museum acquired the collection of orbs as various purchases or gifts acquired for the Emperors. The collection ranges from terrestrial to celestial globes and armillary spheres. Over the years, the collection has grown to around 600 globes, but only about 200 are on display for public viewing, most dating back to 1850. This museum is magical with how the globes are displayed and the additional objects used as astronomical instruments.
Papyrus Museum of the Austrian National Library
Discover Egyptian culture’s ancient and medieval world documented in papyrus. The Papyrus Museum in Vienna has the most extensive collection in the world. Over two hundred exhibits are on public display dealing with the Egyptians way of life, eating habits, medicine, magic, music, religion, and literature. The museum also has a few mummy masks for the public to view. Enjoy a day in this ancient culture.
The Hofburg
Spend a day touring the Hofburg Palace. The palace offers three museums that give insight into the Imperial Court’s daily life and traditions. The public can start by viewing furnishing and decor in the Imperial Apartments section. The Sisi Museum section houses Empress Elisabeth’s everyday life and allows the public to see the beauty in her gowns. The Imperial Silver Collection displays the tableware and utensils used during the Imperial Court’s dining experience. Venture and see the marbling sculptures of the velvet interior. One can spend hours getting lost, marveling at the beauty surrounding the palace walls.
Haus Der Musik
Opening the Haus Der Musik (House of Music) in 2000 marked the first museum that brought sound and music to Austria. Introducing the world to sounds from the earliest instruments to the present day through multimedia presentations and interactive displays has become one of Vienna’s popular destinations. The House of music holds guided tours and music education for nearby schools and hosts children’s concerts, events, and projects. Discover the Stairplay at the museum, where one learns in a simple way to understand and experience listening and playing the notes while ascending the staircase.
Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien
Located in Hofburg Palace, you will find the Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien. In this museum, you will find the Imperial Crown, Crown jewels of Austria, collections of treasures throughout European history, along with the emblem of the Roman Empire. If you ever wanted to see yourself gazing upon historical royalty and treasures, this is a museum to visit.
