A gateway to Austria's rich history - the best museums in Vienna

Welcome to Vienna, Austria's cultural jewel. Here, history comes alive at every turn, inviting you to immerse yourself in an unparalleled treasure trove of art, music and architecture. This city, which has seen the birth of geniuses such as Mozart, Beethoven and Freud, awaits you and guarantees a unique and unforgettable experience. Imagine walking through the streets that resounded with the classical music of great composers. The majestic palaces and baroque buildings will envelop you in a journey through time. However, this is not all because Vienna is also a paradise for lovers of culture and knowledge. Its museums are real treasures, from the Kunsthistorisches Museum, home to masterpieces that captivate with their art, to the Natural History Museum, where science and nature intertwine in fascinating exhibits. Here, every step is a visual feast, an opportunity to explore the grandeur of art and the depth of history. For an elite cultural journey, take a closer look at the best museums in Vienna.

The most fascinating museums to visit in Vienna

Cultural trips, besides being composed of walks to observe the architecture and the atmosphere of the cities, need museums. It is in these sanctuaries full of secrets that you can really immerse yourself in the history and hidden gems of a town. That's why, in addition to having a perfect article for things to do in Vienna, we have compiled a list of museums to visit in Vienna. 

Kunsthistorisches Museum 

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the Museum of Fine Arts, is a cultural treasure that transports you to a world of artistic and architectural splendour. This magnificent museum, crowned by an octagonal dome, stands as the colossus of art in Austria and is among the most prominent in the whole world. 

It was inaugurated approximately in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary. This museum shares prominence in Vienna with the Natural History Museum, as both were masterfully designed by Gottfried Semper and Baron Karl von Hasenauer. Thus, they were built as majestic witnesses of history, intended to house, and exhibit the impressive collection of Habsburg art. 

The symmetrical neo-Renaissance facades are clad in sandstone, but its imposing 60-meter-high dome highlights the immensity of Austrian architecture. Entering its interior immerses you in a world of opulence, with marble, ornamental stucco, gold leaf, and murals that narrate an exciting story. If you are an art lover, we recommend you pay attention to the main staircase adorned with masterpieces by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Ernst Klimt, Franz Matsch, Hans Makart, and Mihály Munkácsy. Undoubtedly, it is a visual spectacle not to be missed.

As for its collection, it has masterpieces spanning centuries of art history. Among the highlights of the gallery are works such as the "Portrait of Cardinal Niccolò Albergati" by Jan van Eyck, the "Altarpiece of San Cassiano" by Antonello da Messina, and other creations of masters such as Raphael, Albrecht Dürer, Titian and Caravaggio. These masterpieces are in addition to the museum's diverse collections, which include everything from Egyptian and Greek antiquities to ancient musical instruments and an impressive collection of armour. If you like history and art, you have to visit what is considered Vienna's best museum.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in Vienna is one of the best museums in Vienna and internationally. Located in a building completed in 1889, it houses an astounding collection of approximately 30 million specimens and artifacts. Established in 1750 by Emperor Franz I Stephen of Lorraine, the collections feature unique treasures such as the 25,000-year-old "Venus of Willendorf" and the almost complete skeleton of the Steller’s Sea Cow. In addition, it houses the largest and oldest meteorite collection, including the recent acquisition of the Martian Tissint meteorite and a new permanent exhibit on human evolution. In short, if you are a nature fanatic, this is your must-see stop. 

The museum also stands out for its research work, as it has around 60 scientists in various areas of geosciences, biosciences, and human sciences. This makes it a leading centre for fundamental scientific issues and one of Austria's largest non-university research institutions. 

As for its opening hours, the museum is open from Thursday to Monday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, and on Wednesdays until 8.00 pm and is closed on Tuesdays. As a recommendation, remember that the last entrance is allowed half an hour before closing time.

Belvedere Museum

One of the museums to visit in Vienna is the Belvedere, with its majestic palaces and lush gardens. Undoubtedly, if you are enraptured by beauty, this museum emerges as a baroque treasure that captivates the senses. 

Conceived in the 18th century by the Austrian general and prince Eugene of Savoy and realized by the skilled architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, this architectural oasis is a unique jewel in the world. Following Prince Eugene's vision, Empress Maria Theresa transformed the Upper Belvedere Palace into one of the first public museums, enriching Vienna with her cultural legacy. 

In addition, the Lower Belvedere Palace has witnessed the life of Prince Eugene, hosting fascinating exhibitions. On the other hand, the Belvedere 21, which Karl Schwanzer designed, celebrates contemporary art in an innovative setting. It is an architectural narrative where history, beauty, and art converge, offering a spectacular experience in the heart of Vienna. 

If you like complete cultural experiences, we recommend visiting this museum with an extensive permanent collection. It presents a fascinating journey through eight centuries of art history, from the Middle Ages to the 1970s. The exhibition is curated by Björn Blauensteiner, Verena Gamper, Sabine Grabner, Arnika Groenewald-Schmidt, Maike Hohn, Alexander Klee, Harald Krejci, Georg Lechner, Katharina Lovecky, Franz Smola and Luisa Ziaja. It moves away from a purely stylistic history to explore the complex interactions between art and society.

The focus is on how the times shape their art and how artists respond to changes and crises while at the same time being part of social developments. Through the influence of the political and social environment, migrations, international networks and economic conditions, artistic production reflects the richness and complexity of its time. 

Each section of the exhibition highlights a selection of self-portraits that act as a leitmotif, offering a unique insight into the evolution of the image and self-concept of artists over the centuries, from anonymity and dependence to autonomy. If you enjoy reflection, this exhibition is perfect for you because it provides a unique opportunity to explore the intricate relationship between art and the evolution of society throughout history. 

In terms of opening hours, the Belvedere Museum offers flexible opening hours for culture lovers. The upper palace, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Fridays, offers charm both day and night. In the case of the lower palace, the Orangery and the palace stables, they are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 9 p.m. on Fridays), allowing more time to explore these architectural gems. The Belvedere 21 museum (dedicated to contemporary art) is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. At the same time, on Wednesdays and Fridays, it is open until 9:00 pm, making it perfect for those who love evening visits.

Museumsquartier

Step into the Museumsquartier (MQ), a fascinating mosaic of history and modernity spanning 90,000 m² in the heart of Vienna's seventh district. Here, Baroque majesty meets architectural innovation by renowned designers Laurids and Manfred Ortner of Ortner & Ortner Baukunst. Imagine strolling among the former stables, which stand as silent witnesses to the transformation from 1998 to 2001, which brought the MQ to life with a dazzling display of art and culture. From the imposing Leopold Museum to the avant-garde spaces of the Kunsthalle Wien, every corner breathes creativity and expression. 

For artists, the MQ is more than a destination: it is a home. Since 2002, its residency program has welcomed more than 735 creators, providing them with a space to work and live. So, if you're fascinated by art and artists, you have to visit this museum complex to immerse yourself in Vienna's energy. It is also very close to the Museumsquartier metro station, so it is very well connected. Access is free and as for the schedules, since it is a compendium of museums, each one has its own schedule. We recommend you plan your visit in advance and check the opening hours of each museum to avoid unforeseen surprises.

Leopold Museum, one of the best museums in Vienna

As we mentioned in the previous section, the Leopold Museum is in the heart of Vienna's Museumsquartier. This cube-shaped building glows in the sunlight because it is made of white limestone. It welcomes you with its five floors of exhibitions, flooded with light to enhance the museum's unique collection. With around 6,000 works, this jewel houses one of the most outstanding collections of Austrian art, from the late 19th century to modernism, carefully assembled by the passionate couple Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold. 

Discover the fascinating exhibition "Vienna 1900: Birth of Modernism" with more than 220 works by Egon Schiele and other gems by Gustav Klimt. Also, if you are a photography lover, don't miss the unique experience of MQ Libelle. It has a rooftop terrace designed by visionary architects to offer you spectacular panoramic views of Vienna. As for opening hours, the Leopold Museum is open daily from June through August from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesdays.

Albertina Museum

The Albertina Museum is one of the must-see museums in Vienna. It displays one of the largest paintings collections on the entire planet, highlighting the famous “Hare in the Field” by Albrecht Dürer. This building was the colossal Habsburg palace.

This building was the colossal Habsburg palace, home of Marie Christine and her husband Albert of Saxony-Teschen, the founders of the art collection. The Habsburg state rooms, including the Musensaal, invite you to explore its history. 

However, where the importance really lies is in the paintings collections, from Dürer to contemporary art, with the "Batliner Collection" offering a 130-year journey from French Impressionism to the Russian avant-garde. In addition, from May 2020, this museum presents Austrian art from 1945, along with works by Arnulf Rainer, Erwin Wurm and Andy Warhol. 

We recommend you keep your camera handy because this museum was erected on ancient wall bastions, so it gives you perfect Instagram-worthy views. With daily hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays), the Albertina Museum allows you to explore its rich paintings collection. Just be sure to check the hours on holidays and special exhibits.

In conclusion, if you are looking for the best museums in Vienna you are going to have to visit each of the museums, we have proposed in the list above because they are all truly remarkable. I'm pretty sure you're going to have a hard time choosing the best one, but that makes it more fun! Remember that the Museumsquartier is a group of museums and that, for us, the highlight is the Leopold Museum, although we will always encourage you to keep discovering the rest of the museums as well.