The 10 Best Museums in Austria, Austria

The highlights of this natural history museum include a significant collection of dinosaur skeletons and meteorites in addition to a large display of insects from around the world.

For centuries the Vienna Hofburg was the centre of the Habsburg empire. Today the palace houses three museums which afford historically authentic insights into the traditions and everyday life of the imperial court: The Imperial Apartments with their original furnishings and decoration, the Sisi Museum with its sensitive staging of the empress' life, and the Imperial Silver Collection which contains a comprehensive range of tableware and other utensils used at the imperial court.

This amazing 11th-century castle overlooks Salzburg from a hill on the outskirts of the city. Fortress Hohensalzburg is a real eye-catcher, high above the Baroque towers of the city. The castle remains a visible landmark to this day and is an unmistakable feature of Salzburg’s world-famous skyline. From afar, the mighty walls begin to reveal the history visitors experience at first hand within these sturdy defenses. Opening hours: We are open for you 365 days a year - even on public holidays! January – April and October– December: 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. May – September: 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Advent weekends and Easter: 9.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Please note: On 24th of December, we are closing at 2pm.

The two Belvedere palaces were built in the early eighteenth century by the famous Baroque architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt to be used as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736). One of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks, this ensemble – comprising the Upper and Lower Belvedere and an extensive garden – is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the Belvedere houses the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the work of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann. Highlights from the holdings Vienna 1880–1914 are the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s paintings (including the famous golden Art Nouveau icons the Kiss (Lovers) and Judith) and works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Key works of French Impressionism and the greatest collection of Viennese Biedermeier art are further attractions on display at the Upper Belvedere.

Experience one of the world's foremost museums! Let yourself be enchanted by works spanning five millennia, from Ancient Egypt to the modern era. Experience unique major works by Dürer, Raphael, Titian and Velázquez as well as the world's largest collection of Bruegel paintings, all in a magnificent setting. The Kunstkammer Vienna, featuring the famous Saliera by Benvenuto Cellini, is a veritable universe of art and beauty guaranteed to transform any visit into an unforgettable experience. Included in the ticket are the collections at the Neue Burg on the opposite side of Vienna's Ringstrasse. Here you will see the instruments used by the great composers and be transported back to chivalrous times when knights held sway and tourneys and hunting shaped courtly life.

Riegersburg Castle is situated on top of a 482 m dormant volcano. The "strongest fortress of Christianity" was first mentionend 1138. The Riegersburg is the property of the princely family of Liechtenstein sind 1822 who endeavour to preserve and restore the fortress. Make an art history time travel in the castle from the Gothic chapel over to the Renaissance Knights Hall and to the Baroque White Hall. The fortress is easily accessible by lift, situated north of the castle. You can also enter the Riegersburg climbing up the footpath through the 7 archways. For the ascent you need about 20 minutes. For the adventurous there is the via ferrata.

In view of the current situation, restricted opening hours will apply at the Imperial Treasury Vienna from Monday 2 November 2020 until Sunday 28 March 2021. Awaiting you at the Imperial Treasury Vienna in the Hofburg Palace is the Austrian Imperial Crown and the insignia of the Holy Roman Empire with the Imperial Crown and the Holy Lance. Other highlights include the treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece and parts of the immensely opulent treasure of the Dukes of Burgundy from the 15th century. Also on show is the original jewellery of Empress Elisabeth and legendary treasures such as the agate bowl associated with the Holy Grail, the world’s largest cut emerald, and the »horn« of the mythical unicorn.

Due to the current regulation to contain the pandemic, the museums of the KHM Museum Association will remain closed until 23th March 2021! The wonderful world of the Renaissance The provincial sovereign of Tyrol, Archduke Ferdinand II (1529-95), son of Emperor Ferdinand l, ordered that the mediaeval fortress at Ambras be turned into a Renaissance castle for his wife Philippine Welser. He also commissioned the building of a separately designed museum complex to house his world-famous collections. Constructed according to the most advanced ideas of its time, it is an eminent precursor of our modern-day museums and has been preserved at its original site to this day. The armouries comprise rare examples of 15th century jousting armour from the collections of Emperor Maximilian I, suits of armour of famous 16th century commanders, the Archduke’s private armour, the armour of the court of Innsbruck, and weapons from the Thirty Years’ War.