Are you looking for a cultural and artistic activity in Vienna? Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This magnificent museum delights all tourists. Find out what you need to know before your visit.
Kunsthistorisches Museum: Austria’s best museum awaits you!
If you’re a fan of art, history or simply have a thirst for learning, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is a must-see stop on your Vienna itinerary.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the Vienna Museum of Art History, is a magnificent architectural gem that has stood proudly in the city since its inauguration in 1891.
It was specially designed to house the vast art collections of the Habsburgs, a family that has largely shaped the course of Austrian and European history.
The art collection ranges from the Middle Ages to modern times. This museum is sure to capture your interest and nurture your inquisitive explorer’s soul.
Highlights of a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
- The diversity of the works of art: paintings, sculptures, antiquities from ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece and Rome.
- The painting gallery features works by masters such as Titian, Rubens, Vermeer and Bruegel.
- The building’s architecture: a true 19th-century gem.
- The Armory Collection: one of the largest and most important collections of arms and armor in the world.
- Free admission up to age 19!
Disadvantages at the Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Some rooms, such as the painting room, need renovation.
What can you see at the Kunsthistorisches Museum?
As you enter the Kunsthistorisches Museum, you are greeted by a wide variety of works of art collected by the Habsburgs over the centuries.
The Galerie des Peintures is awe-inspiring. It contains paintings by masters such as Raphael, Vermeer, Velasquez, Rubens, and Titian’s famous “Madonna in the Meadow.” If you’re a lover of Italian Renaissance art, this is paradise.
The Egyptian and Near Eastern Antiquities Collection is also fascinating, with objects dating back thousands of years.
The rooms of the Greek and Roman Antiquities Collection are overflowing with sculptures, vases, and artifacts from these ancient civilizations.
Finally, don’t forget to look at the impressive Armory Collection, which displays a variety of arms and armor from the late Middle Ages to the Baroque period.
How much does admission to the Kunsthistorisches Museum cost?
Admission to the Kunsthistorisches Museum is:
- 21€ for adults
- Free for people under 19.
Check out the current price on GetyourGuide.
How long does a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum last?
A complete visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum can easily take around 3 hours.
Where is the Kunsthistorisches Museum located?
The exact address of the Kunsthistorisches Museum is Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien.
How to get to the Kunsthistorisches Museum?
If you’re traveling by car, it’s easy to reach the museum via Ringstrasse, the circular boulevard that surrounds Vienna’s historic center. There are several pay parking lots nearby.
For public transport users, the museum is within easy reach. You can take the U2 or U3 subway to the “Volkstheater” station, or the 1, 2, D or J streetcar to the “Burgring/Kunsthistorisches Museum” stop.
What are the opening hours of the Kunsthistorisches Museum?
The museum is open every day except Monday, from 10a.m. to 6p.m. On Thursdays, it closes later: 9:00 p.m.
My opinion of the Kunsthistorisches Museum: is it a good visit?
The Kunsthistorisches Museum’s greatest strength is its diversity.
Indeed, if I take my example, we’ve visited many art museums without being enthusiasts. So we look at some of the works and leave with the impression that we didn’t get the most out of the visit. Not so at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
We took a quick tour of the paintings, stopping only at the most famous or the ones that caught our eye, before loving the rest of the visit. Given the sheer number of works, our quick tour lasted well over an hour.
As a history buff, I particularly enjoyed the section devoted to Ancient Egypt. Although not dense, it presents enough ancient objects to merit a visit on its own. The room is richly decorated. From floor to ceiling, you’re surrounded by Egyptian relics. But it doesn’t stop there!
The Greco-Roman antiquities are equally fascinating. As for the armory, it didn’t impress me, as I’ve already seen plenty of armor and weapons in other museums. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting visit.
On a personal note, we can compare the Kunsthistorisches Museum with the Louvre in France. It’s one of the best museums in Europe, and the good thing is that there’s less of a wait than at the Louvre…
What else can you do near the Kunsthistorisches Museum?
As well as visiting the museum, there are many other things to do in the surrounding area of Vienna:
- Burggarten Park, right next to the museum.
- Naturhistorisches Museum, on the other side of Maria-Theresien-Platz.
- The Vienna State Opera, one of the world’s most famous opera houses.
- Ringstrasse with its magnificent historic buildings.
- The Naschmarkt market for a taste of local cuisine.
So, are you ready to discover the Kunsthistorisches Museum? An artistic and historical adventure awaits you in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Don’t miss this opportunity on your next trip to Austria!
As a professional blogger, I take advantage of my flexible schedule to travel a lot. I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list!