From breathtaking art, to yummy coffeehouse pastries, to lavish palaces— there is so much to experience in Vienna.
While I was there, I spent hours walking through the beautiful museums viewing famous works by renowned artists like Klimt and Schiele. I was taken aback by the intense, moody nature of Schiele’s work and was awestruck by Klimt’s masterpieces.
The art in Vienna is something you do not want to miss. Here’s my guide to best museums to visit during your trip to Vienna, Austria.
Visit the Belvedere Palace to see The Kiss Painting
If you only have one day in Vienna, you have to make sure to see the Gustav Klimt paintings. Many people don’t realize that most of Gustav Kilmt’s most famous paintings actually aren’t anywhere in the Museums Quartier. They are located an eight minute drive away at the Belvedere Palace which has been converted into a museum.
The Kiss Painting by Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt is an incredible artist whose gold-leaf works look familiar to even the most novice art viewers. The exhibition at the Belvedere Palace includes: The Kiss, Judith, and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. To see the full list of Klimt paintings on display, visit their website.
In comparison to other palaces and museums in Vienna, I wasn’t all that impressed by the Belvedere Palace itself. So I would suggest that you only go to the room with Gustav Klimt’s famous works and then leave. Before going to your next destination, you may want to grab a slice of Sachertorte cake at Café Gloriette— a cafe in the garden behind the Belvedere Palace
Go to the MuseumsQuartier Wien
The museum district, or what is known locally as the “MuseumsQuartier Wien,” definetely has the best museums to visit in Vienna. It is home to many different ones including the Leopold Museum (famous for its Klimt painting and Schiele collection), the mumok (Museum of Modern Art), the Natural History Museum, the Architekturzentrum Wien (museum of architecture), and many others. One of my favorites, which doesn’t seem to be widely talked about, is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It is within walking distance of the other museums in the Museumsquartier.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum Cafe
A fountain in front of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the MuseumsQuartier Wien
Visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum (AND CAFE!)
The Kunsthistorisches Museum and cafe are absolutely to die for. The museum houses art from Ancient Egypt all the way to the late eighteenth century. Their collection is so large that you could easily spend half a day here. Kunstkammer Wien – The Cradle of the Museum collection was my favorite. It is on the first floor and has interesting found objects that you could imagine being displayed in castles.
As if these treasures weren’t enough, another hidden gem lies on the second floor. The cafe is beneath a giant dome, making for a gorgeous seating area. While the entire museum has insane architecture, this is the ideal place to stop and enjoy it. Between bites of scrumptious Sachertorte cake, I noticed a striking contrast between the black and red verona marble pillars and the gold detailing on the walls.
Death and Life painting by Gustav Klimt in the Leopold Museum
House by the River by Egon Schiele at the Leopold Museum
Visiting the Leopold Museum
The Leopold Museum has a wide collection of Austrian art from the second half of the nineteenth century to the Modernist era. This includes the painting Death and Life by Gustav Klimt. The museum also famously exhibits many paintings by Egon Schiele’s, one of Klimt’s students. To read more about what I thought about his paintings, visit the Vienna Portrait of a Place article. The Leopold museum also has rotating exhibits. I saw the Splendor and Misery exhibit, which was so interesting!!! Read more in my Portrait of Vienna article.
Vienna has so much to offer. I visited for four days but wished I stayed for six. In addition to the museums, there are many opera houses, parks, castles and palaces to explore. If you’re only there for a short time however, don’t miss the art! Exploring these museums in Vienna was truly a highlight of my last European tour.
