Natural History Museum Vienna
Quick answer
Natural History Museum Vienna in Vienna, Austria — the Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna (NHM) opened in 1889 as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum across the square. Open Wednesday–Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Natural History Museum Vienna at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday–Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month |
| Free or reduced entry | Free on the first Sunday of each month |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening. |
| Getting there | Metro: U2 or U3 to Volkstheater — 5-minute walk to Maria-Theresien-Platz |
| Address | Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria |
| Official website | nhm-wien.ac.at |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Natural History Museum Vienna known for?
The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien faces its twin, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, across Maria-Theresien-Platz on the Ringstrasse. Emperor Franz Joseph opened both in 1891 — one for art, one for nature — in matching neo-Renaissance palaces.
The Venus of Willendorf — a 30,000-year-old Palaeolithic limestone figurine — is the collection's most celebrated object. The meteorite collection includes specimens from Mars and the Moon. The dinosaur hall displays Allosaurus and Iguanodon skeletons.
Over 30 million objects span mineralogy, palaeontology, anthropology, and zoology. The building's interior — grand staircase, painted ceilings — rivals the collections for spectacle.
Combined tickets with the Kunsthistorisches Museum are available. Both museums anchor Vienna's Museum Quarter.
Best for: Families · History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Natural History Museum Vienna?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Natural History Museum Vienna without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Venus of Willendorf
📍 Prehistory gallery, Room 19
A 11 cm limestone figurine of a female body — discovered in Lower Austria in 1908, among the oldest art objects in the world and an icon of prehistoric culture.
- 2
Allosaurus Skeleton
📍 Dinosaur hall, first floor
A mounted Allosaurus skeleton — part of the palaeontology collection that makes the dinosaur hall a favourite with families.
- 3
Martian Meteorite
📍 Meteorite collection, Hall 5
Specimens from Mars and the Moon — part of one of the world's finest meteorite collections, with material from confirmed extraterrestrial origins.
- 4
Grand Staircase
📍 Entrance hall
A monumental staircase beneath painted ceilings depicting the progress of human knowledge — the architectural equal of the Kunsthistorisches across the square.
What are the must-see works at Natural History Museum Vienna?
4 highlights that define the collection: Venus of Willendorf, Allosaurus Skeleton, Martian Meteorite and more.
Venus of Willendorf
Palaeolithic · c. 28,000 BCE
📍 Prehistory gallery, Room 19
A 11 cm limestone figurine of a female body — discovered in Lower Austria in 1908, among the oldest art objects in the world and an icon of prehistoric culture.
Allosaurus Skeleton
Natural history · Jurassic
📍 Dinosaur hall, first floor
A mounted Allosaurus skeleton — part of the palaeontology collection that makes the dinosaur hall a favourite with families.
Martian Meteorite
Natural history · from Mars
📍 Meteorite collection, Hall 5
Specimens from Mars and the Moon — part of one of the world's finest meteorite collections, with material from confirmed extraterrestrial origins.
Grand Staircase
Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer · 1891
📍 Entrance hall
A monumental staircase beneath painted ceilings depicting the progress of human knowledge — the architectural equal of the Kunsthistorisches across the square.
Collections and highlights
- • Venus of Willendorf — Palaeolithic figurine
- • Meteorite collection — Mars and Moon specimens
- • Dinosaur hall — Allosaurus and Iguanodon
- • Mineralogy — 350,000 specimens
- • 30 million objects in the collection
- • Twin building to Kunsthistorisches Museum
- • Grand staircase and painted ceilings
Tips for visiting Natural History Museum Vienna
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening. Combine with Kunsthistorisches Museum in the afternoon.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — Venus of Willendorf case draws steady attention. Less crowded than the art museum twin.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
€14 standard; combined ticket with Kunsthistorisches available at nhm.at.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum café; MuseumsQuartier restaurants 10 minutes away.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible. Lift to dinosaur hall and upper galleries.
How do you get to Natural History Museum Vienna?
- metro U2 or U3 to Volkstheater — 5-minute walk to Maria-Theresien-Platz
- tram Lines 1, 2, 46, 49, 71 to Burgring — Ringstrasse stop beside the museums
- walk Maria-Theresien-Platz — Hofburg and MuseumsQuartier within 10 minutes
Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Natural History Museum Vienna: frequently asked questions
Where is the Venus of Willendorf?
In Room 11 on the ground floor, in the Prehistoric gallery. It is small — just 11 cm — but displayed clearly in a dedicated case.
Is it worth visiting alongside the KHM?
Yes — both museums occupy the same square and share an architectural design. A Vienna Museum Pass covering both is good value.
How long should I spend at Natural History Museum Vienna?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Natural History Museum Vienna. Our 4-stop route — Venus of Willendorf, Allosaurus Skeleton, Martian Meteorite and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Natural History Museum Vienna best known for?
The Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna (NHM) opened in 1889 as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum across the square. Its collection of 30 million objects makes it one of the largest natural history museums in the world, covering mineralogy, petrology, geology, palaeontology, anthropology, and zoology. Key highlights include Venus of Willendorf — 29,500-year-old Palaeolithic figurine, Maria Theresa's bouquet of gems — the museum's founding jewel, Meteorite collection — one of the largest in the world.
How do I get tickets for Natural History Museum Vienna?
Admission: €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en
Can I visit both NHM and Kunsthistorisches in one day?
Yes — they face each other across Maria-Theresien-Platz. Combined ticket available. Allow 2–3 hours for each — a full day for both.
Are the meteorites real?
Yes — the collection includes confirmed Martian and lunar meteorites among thousands of specimens. One of the world's finest meteorite collections.
Is Natural History Museum Vienna open on Tuesdays?
No — Natural History Museum Vienna is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday–Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Natural History Museum Vienna's opening hours?
Natural History Museum Vienna is open Wednesday–Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Natural History Museum Vienna free to visit?
Not for everyone. Standard admission: €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month. Free or reduced entry: Free on the first Sunday of each month.
