Museum of Art History Vienna (Kunsthistorische Museum) – Masterpieces & Visitor Guide

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is one of the world’s most important fine art museums.
Located on Vienna’s Ringstraße, opposite the Natural History Museum,
it houses the former imperial collections of the Habsburgs.
The museum is especially famous for its Old Masters, including works by Bruegel, Raphael, Titian, and Vermeer.

>>>  Online Tickets Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

What Is the Kunsthistorisches Museum?

Opened in 1891, the Kunsthistorisches Museum was built to house the vast art collections
of the Habsburg emperors.
The building itself is a masterpiece of historicist architecture,
with richly decorated halls, marble columns, and a monumental dome.

The museum’s focus is on European art from antiquity to the 18th century,
with an emphasis on painting, sculpture, and decorative arts.

Paintings Gallery – Main Highlights

The Picture Gallery is the heart of the museum and one of the finest collections
of Old Master paintings anywhere in the world.

• Pieter Bruegel the Elder – the world’s largest Bruegel collection
• Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese
• Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck
• Works by Rembrandt and Vermeer

If you are particularly interested in Bruegel,
this museum alone is reason enough to visit Vienna.

Tickets and admission prices 2026 Museum of Art History Vienna

It’s better to buy tickets online beforehand. This great website has tickets for the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Children and teenagers can visit the art museum in Vienna for free. The general admission price for adults is 22 euros in 2026 We don’t think it’s exactly a bargain, but appropriate for such an important museum.

Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection

Beyond paintings, the museum also features an extensive collection
of Egyptian and Near Eastern artifacts.
Mummies, reliefs, and everyday objects provide insight into ancient civilizations.
This section is often quieter than the main galleries.

Classical Antiquities

The Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities includes sculptures, vases,
and architectural fragments from ancient Greece and Rome.
It offers a good overview of classical art and complements the painting collections well.

How Much Time Should You Plan?

Plan at least 2.5 to 3 hours for a focused visit.
Art lovers can easily spend half a day here.
Because of the size of the museum, it is often best to concentrate
on one or two sections rather than trying to see everything.

Location and How to Get There

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is located on Maria-Theresien-Platz,
between the Ringstraße and MuseumsQuartier.

• Metro: U2 (MuseumsQuartier) or U3 (Volkstheater)
• Tram: Lines along the Ringstraße
• On foot: Easy walk from Hofburg Vienna

Directly opposite is the
Natural History Museum Vienna,
making it easy to combine both.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings are usually the quietest.
Weekends and rainy days are busier, but the large galleries rarely feel overcrowded.
Because most of the visit is indoors, the museum is ideal in bad weather.

Practical Tips

• Pick highlights in advance to avoid museum fatigue
• Use the benches in the galleries for short breaks
• Photography rules vary by section
• Check temporary exhibitions before visiting

Combine with Other Vienna Sights

Thanks to its central location, the museum fits perfectly into a classic Vienna itinerary:

• Natural History Museum Vienna
• Hofburg Vienna
• Weltmuseum Wien
• Vienna City Walk

Conclusion

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is a must-see for art lovers.
With its outstanding Old Master paintings, imperial collections,
and impressive architecture, it represents the cultural heart of Vienna.
Even visitors with limited time will find highlights that make the visit worthwhile.

 Opening hours Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

The exhibition is open every day of the year from 10 am to 6 pm. On Thursday there is the extended museum evening until 9 pm. On a few holidays, such as Christmas Eve, opening hours are reduced (Dec. 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

 

>>>  Online Tickets Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

Important works of art Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

ByPieter Bruegel der Ältere originally from Google Art Project., Public Domain, Link

Jan Vermeer
lAHeqBoLaePtEA at Google Cultural Institute
Public domain

Masterpieces in the Museum of Art History Vienna (Kunsthistorische Museum)

Here’s a list of 10 absolute masterpieces you can see at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna—ideal for a focused visit or a highlights-only itinerary:

1. Pieter Bruegel the Elder – Hunters in the Snow
   One of the most famous winter landscapes in Western art; part of Bruegel’s iconic cycle of the months.

2. Pieter Bruegel the Elder – The Tower of Babel – picture above
   A monumental, highly detailed painting symbolizing human ambition and its limits.

3. Johannes Vermeer – The Art of Painting – picture above
   Considered one of Vermeer’s greatest works; subtle light, depth, and symbolism at their finest.

4. Raphael – Madonna of the Meadow
   A serene High Renaissance masterpiece showing Raphael’s perfect balance and harmony.

5. Titian – Nymph and Shepherd
   Sensual, atmospheric, and deeply Venetian in color and mood.

6. Caravaggio – Madonna of the Rosary
   Dramatic lighting and realism; a powerful example of Caravaggio’s revolutionary style.

7. Peter Paul Rubens – Self-Portrait
   An intimate yet confident image by one of the Baroque era’s most influential painters.

8. Diego Velázquez – Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress
   A striking court portrait showing Velázquez’s mastery of texture and presence.

9. Giuseppe Arcimboldo – Summer
   A playful yet sophisticated portrait composed entirely of fruits and vegetables.

10. Rembrandt – Self-Portrait
    Deeply human and introspective; a classic example of Rembrandt’s psychological insight.

Film with impressions from the KHM