Natural History Museum Vienna (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien)
The Basics
Founded in 1889 and ranking among the city’s top attractions, the Natural History Museum is one of two blockbuster museums located on Maria Theresien Platz in central Vienna. (The Museum of Art History—or the Kunsthistorisches Museum—is the other.) Dozens of halls entice visitors with everything from precious stones to stuffed examples of extinct species. To save time, book a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
Things to Know Before You Go
The museum is completely accessible to wheelchairs.
The museum has a lot of ground to cover, so wear comfortable footwear.
There are eateries and a gift shop on-site.
How to Get There
The museum is situated on Maria Theresien Platz on the Ringstrasse. Take metro line U3 or U2 to Volkstheater station or Museumsquartier station.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The museum is open every day except Tuesday. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Highlights of the Natural History Museum Vienna
The museum was founded with the collections of Emperor Franz Stefan (husband of Empress Maria Theresa), Rudolf II, and Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today you’ll find a vast assemblage of minerals, rocks, fossils, meteors, and flora specimens; a series of rare stuffed animals; and a dinosaur hall. And don’t miss the world’s biggest collection of human skulls, the largest single topaz, and the oldest human sculpture (dating back to 32,000 BC).
- Maria Theresa Square (Maria Theresien Platz)
- Temple of Theseus
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Museum of Fine Arts)
- Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien (MUMOK)
- Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier)
- Leopold Museum
- Kunsthalle Wien Museumsquartier
- Heroes’ Square (Heldenplatz)
- Austrian Parliament Building
- Neue Burg
- Karlsplatz
- Burggarten
- Palais Auersperg
- Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben)
- Burgtheater