Austria has a prolific history, beautiful buildings, and a lively cultural life which have made it a place where some of the most interesting museums in the world are located. Whether you love art, are keen on historical facts, or simply want a family day out. Austria’s museums are sure to have something of interest.
This blog post explores the best 15 museums in Austria so you can have a clear list of where you want to visit when in the country. These institutions show the artistic and historic roots of Austria, from grand art museums in Vienna to peculiar exhibitions in the small cities.
Austria, which is the home to renowned artists’ famous masterpieces in amazing environments, has some Art Museums you cannot miss. Here are some most highly rated museums Austria Vienna that are a must-see. Do you have a family trip in mind? If so, this article will provide you with a list of the Best Museums in Austria for Kids where visitors of all ages are guaranteed to have a delightful and educational experience.
If what appeals most to you is the Habsburgs’ imperial grandeur, modern-day art, or most interesting stories from Austria’s history, then our Top Museums in Austria list is all you need for directions to enriching moments that will remain unforgettable until kingdom come.
Here is the list of Top 15 Museums in Austria:
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
- Austrian Gallery Belvedere
- Leopold Museum
- Wien Museum Karlsplatz
- Albertina
- Museum of Natural History Vienna
- Sisi Museum
- Vienna Museum of Science & Technology
- Imperial Treasury Vienna
- Madame Tussauds Vienna
- Swarovski Kristallwelten
- Time Travel Vienna
- DomQuartier Salzburg
- Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna
Table of Contents
Museums in Austria
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
One of the most well-known museums in Austria is the Museum of Art History, whose actual name is the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. It is situated in Vienna and possesses a vast collection of works of art and antiques that date back hundreds of years.
Some of the best works of art by popular painters like Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bruegel are found in its collections. The museum’s own architecture, the breathtaking dome, as well as lavish interiors, tell so much about the splendor of the Habsburgs.
Austrian Gallery Belvedere
Art from Austria made in the Middle Ages up to now is in The Austrian Gallery Belvedere which is situated in the breathtaking Belvedere Palace. It holds numerous paintings by Gustav Klimt hence it is well known for this especially “The Kiss”. The gallery’s charm is further enhanced by the elegant gardens as well as the baroque architectural design of the palace which also houses works created by such names as Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka among others that you can explore there.
Leopold Museum
In the Museums Quartier in Vienna, there is the Leopold Museum which is a storehouse of modern art from Austria. This museum has a great number of Egon Schiele’s works, the largest in the world, some of them big ones involving Gustav Klimt or even Oskar Kokoschka. Within its modern design, it contrasts with neighboring historical structures. The museum offers an extensive look at Viennese modernism and the Art Nouveau movement. This produces a unique environment for art enthusiasts.
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Wien Museum Karlsplatz
Museum located in Vienna’s Karlsplatz, the Wien Museum takes visitors on an interesting tour that goes back into the town’s past up to now. They are exhibits ranging from art to historical records that capture significant moments in time within cities while revealing what people have been doing all along.
The museum houses different exhibits from mediaeval times, the Baroque era up to the 19th century, and modern Vienna. There are plans to re-open after renovations with a brand new contemporary look coming up.
Albertina
Albertina is one of the major art museums in Vienna known for its vast collection of graphic art which has more than one million prints as well as over sixty thousand drawings with works of art such as Michelangelo’s, Raphael’s, and Leonardo da Vinci’s being housed at it.
The museum has modern graphic works and significant collections of photographs. Albertina, besides having permanent collections, hosts temporary exhibitions displaying different art forms and styles.
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Museum of Natural History Vienna
The Museum of Natural History Vienna, or Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, is one of the largest and most impressive natural history museums in the world. Located on the Ringstraße, it boasts an extensive collection of over 30 million objects. The museum has a lot of highlights like, The Venus of Willendorf-which is a 29,500-year-old limestone figurine, and a dinosaur hall that contains life-sized models.
The Museum of Applied Arts, commonly known as MAK (Museum für Angewandte Kunst), is a must-see place for design and applied arts lovers. It houses a wide range of furniture, textiles, glass, and ceramics in its premises within the heart of Vienna’s first district.
The MAK is known for blending old collections with new displays. One of the things that stand out here is the Vienna 1900 exhibit displaying works from the Vienna Secession movement; another one is the MAK Design Lab whose focus is on exploring how design, art, and everyday life intersect.
Sisi Museum
Located in the Hofburg Palace, the Sisi Museum provides an intimate perspective into the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as Sisi. It is here that you will find her personal belongings such as dresses and parasols as well as a replica of her opulent imperial apartments.
Visitors might be intrigued to find out what kind of person Sisi was in real life because they will be impressed by the way she took care of herself, but at the same time, they will understand how hard all these tragedies were. The private world of one of the most significant characters in the history of Austria is descended at The Sisi Museum, which is not only worth visiting but also intended for people’s eyes only.
Vienna Museum of Science & Technology
Science and technology fans should not miss The Vienna Museum of Science & Technology, which is known as Technisches Museum Wien. The museum is located within the Penzing district and has exhibitions that are interactive as well as practical experiments for different disciplines in science like physics-chemistry, and transport-communications among others.
This museum hosts various exhibitions, but the most memorable ones are the old steam locomotives, a replica of the coal shaft mine, as well as the High Voltage Show which is sure to captivate your attention. The museum tries to trigger interest and originality hence it creates a good atmosphere for children and adults alike.
Imperial Treasury Vienna
The next museum to be at when in Austria is Imperial Treasury Vienna. The Treasury of the Habsburgs, also known as the Imperial Treasury in Vienna or the Schatzkammer Wien, is found at the Hofburg Palace and is among the world’s most significant treasuries. It displays some very rich possessions of the Habsburg dynasty like these; Bass, the Austrian Crown, The Burgundian Treasure, and Holy Lance. This is one of the best places to visit in Museums.
The museum contains a thousand years of European history, illustrating the grandeur and might of the Habsburg Monarchy. The historical importance and intricate workmanship of its exhibits render this a place worth visiting for anyone interested in history and art.
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Madame Tussauds Vienna
Madame Tussauds is a truly popular name among the lovers of amazing museums worldwide. If you love to find of the most important and historically preserved displays then here is the best places to be at. Madame Tussauds Vienna is situated at the Prater amusement park in the city centre. It is a place where entertainment meets history. This famous wax museum showcases realistic wax figures depicting internationally and locally known personalities, important historical figures and cultural legends.
Albert Einstein, Empress Sisi, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wax figures are suitable for taking selfies. This makes it a fun and educational experience for everyone because there are interactive displays and immersion points to ensure that every moment spent here enlightens even the youngest minds. If you are planning to be here then you should not think twice.
Swarovski Kristallwelten
This country is truly a masterpiece. You are gonna find some of the best places to visit over there. You will find culturally and naturally rich and important places over here and if you are a lover of some of the most intact and untouched places on the planet. Swarovski Kristallwelten is always listed in the list of top museums to be at when in Austria.
There is a great museum in Wattens Tyrol called Swarovski Crystal World or Swarovski Kristallwelten, as it was named by the Swarovski company’s founders, which combines art, design, and innovation.
The museum features rooms where nature’s beauty, exemplified by the crystal’s brilliance melts. Twisted sculptures and the sky made of sparkling parts are situated in the garden around the museum. This is a place for those who are enthralled by art and skill. There are a number of displays that you can gaze at when over here. You and your family or friends are gonna have some of the best moments of your life over here.
Time Travel Vienna
Time travel is always loved by most of the tourists and if you are heading towards Austria then this experience is a must. Time Travel Vienna is a superb place to visit in Austria presenting some of the best views to capture. Are you going there with your family ? Please do it because it has a lot to be explored and stored in your memory. You will be having some of the best moments of your life at this powerful destination.
Travel Vienna provides guests with an exciting tour of Vienna’s history. It’s next to St. Stephen’s Cathedral and presents an interactive museum with video and audio installations that move through time covering from ancient Rome up to now. Austria was always one of the best nations to visit in the European continent and some of the best reasons to be there are the superb and nostalgic museums which it holds on display.
The attraction includes 5D cinema, animatronics, and virtual reality to depict the city’s history. It is an interactive method to educate oneself about Vienna’s vast background, both musically and culture wise, and in terms of key historical episodes.
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DomQuartier Salzburg
The 14th amazing museum to visit in Austria is Domquartier Salzburg. This museum is always listed among the best museums to visit in Austria. This museum is visited by a number of tourists all over the world. This place is listed among the most important historical places located in Austria. The historic DomQuartier in Salzburg is more about the 18th-century ornate baroque face and it serves as a reminder of the way the city looked in those days.
This museum covers a number of linked structures namely, the Residenz, the Cathedral, and the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter. You can explore the beautiful staterooms and religious and artistic relics that visitors can see when they visit the DomQuartier. At the same time, you get a spectacular view of the old part of Salzburg and learn a few things about this region’s religious and political past. The sights which this place offers is just beyond words.
You must not miss this place from your itinerary and if you are visiting Austria as along with your family then this place becomes a must visit landmark. After all we don’t get such opportunities more often so you should gaze at the wonders of this place to the fullest.
Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna
This is among the best museums to visit in Austria. If you are planning to be here then you are gonna be at some of the most important museums in the world. The Imperial Carriage Museum is among some of the greatest places to be in Austria. Located at Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial Carriage Museum is where one can view luxurious carriages and other vehicles that belonged to the Habsburgs, known to be one of Europe’s mightiest dynasties.
The collection contains many beautifully decorated imperial carriages, sleds, and coaches that were used for different parades, weddings, or other major events of the kind. Studying this museum will teach you about the elegance and wealth of these modes of transport, as well as some history related to monarchy in Europe.
This place is truly important from a historical point of view. If you love to know more about history then this is one of the most significant places to be at. Aren’t you gonna be over here ? I am damn sure this country is gonna amaze you to the best.
Conclusion
You must visit these Vienna best museums in Austria. They will take you through the artistic and cultural inheritance of the state. The experience will vary beginning with the most famous art collections found in some of the most renowned museums in Vienna, then through interactive exhibitions which are friendly to children and so forth. Austria indeed has many museums that would meet everyone’s interest.
If you’re fond of art history or travelling with children then make a point of visiting these Austrian museums because they’re among the best among Must-See Museums in Austria. Whether you’re an art connoisseur, a history lover, travelling with family, or even all of the above. You can’t afford to miss these Must-Visit Art Museums in Austria for an in-depth understanding of its hued-bygone time and inventiveness now.
One doesn’t only learn while visiting Austria’s best museums but also gets thrilled. They bring out divergent emotions which are amazing. These Famous museums in Austria serve as windows to varied cultures within the nation’s borders starting from the grand chambers of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches museum down to the latest displays of Linz’s ars electronica centre.
The Zoom Children’s Museum is where families can find interesting and interactive experiences that ensure learning is pleasurable for their children. When you go there ask for the Albertina Museum which keeps a wide range of graphic works or take a taxi to Belvedere Palace where one of Gustav Klimt’s most famous paintings, “The Kiss”, is displayed.
Not only should one regard these popular museums in Austria as places where one goes to see various paintings but they are also where various historical items, creativity and modernity are combined into fascinating tales to be told. Whether you plan on touring several museums or want to add some thrill to your Austrian escapade, make sure you go to each of these standout art museums in Austria so that their memories can hardly leave your mind once you leave.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest museum in Austria?
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna is the largest museum in Austria.
Are museums free in Austria?
Most of the museums in Austria offer free entry.
What is the art capital of Austria?
Vienna is the art capital of Austria.
Are things in Austria expensive?
No, the things in Austria are not that expensive.
What are the Upper Austrian state museums?
The Upper Austrian Provincial Museums are a cultural institution in the province of Upper Austria.