Accommodation, food, public transport, admission: anyone who travels a lot knows that the original budget often comes to an end sooner than planned. In this case, there are several opportunities in Vienna that allow you to enjoy museums and exhibitions without having to dig too deep into your pockets. And another money-saving tip: with the Vienna Welcome Card, you can get discounts at some attractions as well as on public transport. This makes your trip to Vienna much more affordable - but if your wallet is still on a diet, we'll show you where you can get free entry to museums. 

Wien Museum: Vienna's history on three floors

Are you visiting Vienna for the first time and have no idea about the city's history? No problem, because the Wien Museum on Karlsplatz offers you a chronological tour through Vienna's past. After extensive renovations, the museum reopened in 2023 and has been a highlight for many ever since, especially because admission is completely free. With the help of attractions such as the five-metre-high model of St. Stephen's Cathedral or the museum mascot Poldi, the museum playfully tells Vienna's history from the first settlement to the present day. 

An insider tip is the freely accessible terrace, which can be reached through the restaurant on the upper floor and offers a wonderful view over the city. 

Theater an der Wien: a look behind the scenes

After two and a half years of construction, the Theater an der Wien reopens its doors to visitors in October following a general refurbishment. To celebrate this occasion, the theater invites you to an open day after the grand opening, where you can admire the newly designed rooms. It is also particularly exciting for anyone who wants to take a look at the hidden rooms behind, next to and under the stage. Admission to the Experience Day is free, making it ideal for anyone for whom a theater ticket is otherwise a little too expensive. The theater venue is transformed into a free museum in Vienna for a weekend.

Long Night of Museums: all Viennese museums for one price

Vienna offers a unique opportunity, especially in the fall: the Long Night of Museums gives you the chance to visit almost all of Vienna's museums for one evening with just one ticket. In addition to the large, renowned cultural institutions, there are also small and quirky museums waiting to be discovered. For many culture lovers, this is the event of the year, as it allows them to explore all the exhibitions that would otherwise remain hidden behind expensive ticket prices. If you visit more than one museum, you get free entry to most of them. And if that's not enough, you can also save a lot with the Vienna Welcome Card. 

Edelstoff design market: the modern alternative

A museum doesn't always have to be a museum. If the normal exhibitions on old art and history are too boring for you, there is still plenty to see in Vienna. The Edelstoff design market offers young creatives and designers the opportunity to present and sell their products. We love browsing through the hip pieces of furniture, clothing, accessories and art. Here you can find really high-quality and unique items. But beware: entry to the market is not completely free, but it is very low at 5 euros. In addition to the market, there is also a lavish street food area offering local delicacies.    

Hermesvilla: museum visit in the green idyll

Haven't found anything for you in these tips and still looking for THE free museum in Vienna for you? Hold your to-do list! A visit to the Hermesvilla in the Lainzer Tiergarten is an easy way to combine a long walk in the sun with a visit to the museum. The romantic building, which Emperor Franz Joseph had built as a gift for his wife Sisi, not only impresses with its idyllic location, but also with the unique insight that the villa offers into the private life of the empress. Access to the villa is free on the first Sunday of every month, making it perfect for a dreamy Sunday stroll. Incidentally, the same applies to most of the other exhibitions at the Wien Museum locations, including the Hermes Villa. 

Kunsthalle Wien: art at the pulse of time

The Kunsthalle Wien offers its guests exhibitions of contemporary art as well as its social and political environment. So it's just the thing if you're looking for art that deals with current issues. At its two locations on Karlsplatz and in the Museumsquartier, the exhibitions change regularly, which means that a brand new program can always be delivered. Although only the Karlsplatz location is always free to visit, the hall in the Museumsquartier also offers a “free Thursday night” every Thursday, when you can wander through the museums for free from 5 to 9 pm. We particularly like to relax before or after on the Enzis, the colorful seating area at the MQ - just like many students who make themselves comfortable here with music and cold drinks. 

We wish you an exciting visit to the free museums in Vienna. You can also get off to a particularly good start wit the Vienna Welcome Card which gives you many discounts on numerous Viennese evergreens and means of transportation. Don't know where and what to have breakfast these days? Here are our favorite breakfast spots. And if you're looking for the top sights in Vienna, you'll find what you're looking for in this article.