The 6 most beautiful museums in Vienna
Author: 1000things
Vienna is a real jack-of-all-trades when it comes to art and culture. So that you don't lose track of the huge selection, we show you here which museums in Vienna you shouldn't miss on your city trip.

Would you like to learn as much as possible about Vienna on your city break? Or would you prefer to get to the bottom of the true story behind the myth of Empress Sisi? Whether you are an absolute art fan and are enchanted by the paintings of the Old Masters or are more drawn to the largest meteorite collection in the world: Vienna is guaranteed to have the right exhibition for you. Here we reveal our favourite museums in Vienna for every taste.



Albertina & Albertina Modern
As a former Habsburg palace from the 18th century, the Albertina is a real eye-catcher from the outside and should not be missed on any trip to Vienna for this reason alone. But the interior is also impressive: In the impressive state rooms, you can get to the bottom of the princely style of living and the glamour of the imperial era, while the exhibitions cover half a millennium of art history. Don't miss the permanent exhibition ‘Monet to Picasso - The Batliner Collection’ with masterpieces of classical modernism. On top of this, there are around 20 changing special exhibitions every year, ranging from paintings and sculptures to photography. Are you more in the mood for contemporary art? Then we recommend the Albertina MODERN. Here, Austrian art from the last 80 years meets international masterpieces.
Tip: show your Vienna Welcome Card and save 10% on the ticket price.
Museum of Art History & Natural History
Two highlights await you at Maria-Theresien-Platz: the Museum of Art History and the museum of natural history. And although the magnificent buildings look almost identical from the outside, they take you into two completely different worlds on the inside. While you marvel at paintings by Old Masters such as Bruegel and Vermeer and discover all kinds of Egyptian and antique treasures in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Naturhistorisches Museum takes you on a journey through the wonders of nature. The exhibits range from dinosaur skeletons and the famous Venus of Willendorf to the world's largest and oldest collection of meteorites.
Tip: If the weather is fine, you can find a sunny spot in the park between the museums - affectionately called ‘Zwidemu’ by locals - and admire the beautiful architecture.
Vienna Museum of Technology
Fancy some real aha moments? There are plenty of them at the Vienna Museum of Technology. Historical objects are combined with the latest technologies in an exciting way - including hands-on stations and puzzle rallies. Have you always wanted to programme a computer game, try out a 3D printer or measure your speed on a slide? Or are you more interested in the emergence of the media world, the manufacture of instruments and the little things that seem to be taken for granted in everyday life? No matter where your interests lie: the Technical Museum has it all. You can even get to the bottom of electronic music from Austria here or let off steam with your little ones in the adventure area for children.
And best of all: with the Vienna Welcome Card, you can also save 10% on your visit. We love it.
mumok
Located in the centre of the MuseumsQuartier, the mumok is also an absolute highlight. Fans of contemporary art in particular are in good hands here. The collection and special exhibitions not only present greats such as Andy Warhol and Maria Lassnig, but also showcase newcomers to the art scene. The themes range from Pop Art and Viennese Actionism to contemporary art and thus always provide new perspectives on our society.
Tip: The MuseumsQuartier is also a real hotspot for locals, especially in summer. In addition to other cultural must-sees such as the Leopold Museum and cool pubs, the Enzis are also located here. The free-standing seating options are perfect for soaking up the sun and watching the colourful hustle and bustle.
Sisi Museum
Do you love the iconic Sissi films by Ernst Marischka and would now like to know how things actually happened in imperial times? The Sisi Museum in the Hofburg dispels all the clichés surrounding Empress Elisabeth and reveals the true personality behind the cult figure. Starting with her death, the museum tells room by room how the myth surrounding Sisi came about and provides insights into her childhood, life at the Viennese court and her legendary beauty rituals. With over 300 objects ranging from items of clothing and her travelling pharmacy to the original death certificate, you can get closer to the empress here than anywhere else.
Tip for even more Sisi information: The Imperial Apartments are also located in the Hofburg and give you unique access to the private rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Sisi. Don't forget to take your Vienna Welcome Card with you, as you can use it to secure great discounts. Still undecided? Here we tell you whether the Sisi Museum is really worth a visit.
Vienna Museum
Want to learn all about Vienna? Then head to Karlsplatz, because this is where you'll find the Wien Museum, which is completely free to enter and has all kinds of history and cool fun facts about our beautiful city. Spread over three floors, the permanent exhibition takes you on a journey through several centuries of Viennese city history - from politics and religion to work, housing and environmental topics. Highlight of the tour: the large hall with iconic exhibits such as the original figures of the Donnerbrunnen, a five-and-a-half metre high model of St. Stephen's Cathedral and the 1.7 tonne Prater whale Poldi. Really cool: The Wien Museum also invites you to get active and express your opinion at the hands-on stations.
Fancy a little more culture? Here we reveal the best locations for music in Vienna. And if you want to save a little money, you can find cool free museums in Vienna in this article.