Your Guide to the Kunsthistorisches Museum Opening Hours
Today
Open 10:00–18:00
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is open from 10am to 6pm between Monday and Sunday. Only on Thursday, the museum is open until 9pm.
Feb 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Feb 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Wednesday (Today) | 10:00–18:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00–21:00 |
| Friday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00–18:00 |
Jan 1 TO Jan 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Jan 31) | TIMINGS |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00–21:00 |
| Friday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00–18:00 |
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is open daily from June to August, with the coin cabinet only opening on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Best time to visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Weekday vs Weekend
- Weekdays: The Kunsthistorisches Museum is generally less crowded on weekdays, especially in the morning and early afternoon. This allows for a more intimate experience, where you can enjoy the paintings without large groups around. School groups tend to visit more on weekdays, but they typically move quickly through the museum, so they won’t significantly impact your overall experience.
- Weekends: The museum is significantly busier on weekends, particularly during the afternoon. Both tourists and locals flock to the museum, which can make some galleries crowded and noisy. Expect longer lines at the entrance and more people in popular sections. You may also chance upon special events or guided tours on weekends.
Peak season vs low season
- Peak (June to August): The museum attracts a large number of visitors, especially in the afternoons and on weekends. The galleries are crowded and you will find longer lines at the entrance, however, you can take advantage of the longer daylight hours and explore other nearby attractions.
- Shoulder (March to May & September to November): These months offer cooler temperatures and are ideal for exploring museums in the city.
- Low (December to February): December sees an uptick in visitors, especially around Christmas and New Year’s, when tourists flock to Vienna for the holiday markets. After the holiday rush, the museum is much quieter, providing an almost private viewing experience in some galleries.
How long should I spend at the Kunsthistorisches Museum?
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is a vast museum spanning three floors, each with several exhibition rooms. With over 4,000 paintings and nearly 20,000 decorative objects and antiquities on display, you’ll need at least 3 hours to explore the extensive collection without rushing.
If you’re an art and art history enthusiast, you might want to spend longer exploring the artworks, particularly those by European masters like Raphael, Brueghel, Klimt, Rembrandt, Titian, Rubens, and Caravaggio. The museum is also home to one of the largest collections of paintings by Johannes Vermeer.
Other must-see exhibits include the ancient Egyptian collection, the Greek and Roman artifacts, and Kunstkammer Wien (the Cabinet of Wonders), which houses some of the most precious treasures collected by Vienna’s Habsburg rulers.
