About Natural History Museum, Vienna

The Museum is housed in an architecturally aesthetic palace, built to house the huge collection of the Emperor of Austria. The museum is home to the collection of artifacts including the 29,500-year-old Venus of Willendorf, The Steller’s sea cow and Enormous Dinosaur skeletons. There are 39 exhibit halls. The Museum's collections range from pre-historic fossils and artifacts to the modern digital planetarium.

A museum devoted to natural sciences? Vienna ticks all the boxes. Some of the remnants of the collection are nearly 250 years old and were opened to the general public after the death of the emperor. The museum also runs expeditions to rainforests, and you can find out more about these on site too. The museum is housed in an old palatial building which has been historically preserved. The museum was previously called the Imperial Natural History Museum, and it also has an entire collection of Dinosaur skeletons and meteorites! As is the case with any good museum, there is also a great museum shop and cafe for you to explore.

Must See

  • Venus of Willendorf which is 29500 years old.
  • Collection of beetles, Insects.
  • Meteorites(largest collection in the world), “Tissint” meteorite from  Mars.
  • Precious stones, minerals, a gemstone-and-diamond bouquet of flowers which Empress Maria Theresia presented to her Venus Cabinet, The Gold Cabinet, giant topaz crystal weighing 117 kg (258 lb).
  • The skeleton of Diplodocus, numerous stuffed endangered animal species.
  • Brazilian Museum.
  • Exhibition galleries.
  • Scientific areas.
  • Digital planetarium.
  • Prehistoric dinosaur tracks.
  • A large number of Ice Age animals.
  • Fossils of three South African quaggas and only there are 23 in the world.
  • A rich collection of millions of years old horse fossils.
  • Collection of minerals.
  • Exhibitions on local bird life.
  • Additional highlights include the world’s biggest collection of human skulls; the largest single topaz, weighing in at 110kg; the 25,000-year old Venus of Willendorf; and the oldest human sculpture, dating back to 32,000 BC.

How to reach

  • By subway: U2 “Museumsquartier” U3 “Volkstheater”. By Subway: A short walk from the Volkstheater station to the museum and a stop on both the U2 and U3 subway lines.
  • Tram: D, 1, 2
  • Bus: 2A, 57A “Burgring”, One can reach the museum by bus lines  48A, 59A, 5A  which stop at the nearby stations' Ring/Volkstheater.
  • Other options that pass near the destinations are Light Rail: 1, 71, D; Subway: U2, U3; all go to the Ring/Volkstheater stop

    Cost of a single ticket for tram, a bus is € 2.40, if one can buy in advance and also can buy it on the bus or tram, the ticket cost will be € 2.60.
    Daily tickets prices are – €8 for 24 hours;  €14.10 for 48 hours and €17.10 for 72 hours.
     

Tips

  • It takes more than 4 hours to cover the entire museum. It is better to schedule more time to see all the exhibits.
  • Don't pay extra for an audio guide as it does not give value for money.
  • Lockers are available for your bags so that you can move around freely.
  • This museum is suitable for all ages.
  • Pre-book ticket to avoid long queue.
  • A lot of halls to go through, so wear comfortable shoes.
  • Lots of shops are there to purchase a souvenir or other essential items.  
  • Do some research before you go and try less crowded days and hours.
  • Many cafes are there and open from 9:30 am to 6 pm every day.
  • Restrooms are available.
  • The museum is disability accessible.
  • There’s an information desk in the entrance atrium with folders in English.
  • The museum itself is a piece of art with wonderful temporary and permanent exhibitions.
  • The museum contains 30 million objects of the earth and life sciences.
  • The Vienna trip maker tool can arrange for your visit to the museum.

Visit Time

Sunday:         9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday:         9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday:        Closed.

Wednesday:   9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thursday:       9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Friday:            9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday:        9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

*Last entrance half an hour before closing time

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Waiting Time

No

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Children and youth under 19 : Free
Children under the age of 10 only when accompanied by an adult: Free
Adults: € 12 per person
Friends of the NHM Vienna *:  Free
Senior citizens, owners of Vienna-Card*, member of Ö1 Club: € 10
Students, apprentices, soldiers aged under 27 *: € 7
Groups (15 or more people) - per person: € 10
Annual pass: € 33
Disability discount with valid ID and registered accompanying person: € 10
Owners of a "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur" pass, visitors in wheelchairs: Free
The audio guide (Deutsch, English, español, franҫais, Italiano, ру́сский): € 5
Guided tours - exhibition galleries: € 4
Guided tours – scientific areas: € 8
Digital planetarium (plus admission charge): € 5
Digital planetarium (youth under 19) : € 3

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

3 to 4 hours

 

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Weather

Clear Sky 1.44°C

 

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