‌

Plan your visit to the Sisi Museum at Hofburg Palace

The Sisi Museum is one of three main attractions within Vienna’s Hofburg Palace complex, alongside the Imperial Apartments and the Imperial Silver Collection. Dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as “Sisi,” the museum offers an intimate glimpse into her life and legacy through personal artifacts and captivating stories.

Navigating your way

The museum spans over 400 m² and can feel a bit complex if you’re unsure where to start. Most guided tours include a designated meeting point, but here’s all you need to plan your route and explore smoothly.

Pressed for time?

With so much to see across the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, long ticket lines can set you back by several minutes. To make the most of your time at Hofburg Palace, choose a skip-the-line guided tour that saves you the wait and lets you start exploring right away.

Entrance to the Sisi Museum with ornate wooden doors and purple banners in Vienna.

How to make the most of your time at the Sisi Museum?

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Skip-the-line small group guided tour

2–3 hours

Hofburg entrance → Sisi Museum → Palace courtyard

Priority entry and a small group setting for personal tour of Sisi’s world, catered to your interests

Skip-the-line guided tour

3–4 hours

Hofburg entrance → Sisi Museum → Imperial Apartments → Palace courtyard

Fast-track access with expert insights that bring Vienna’s imperial legacy to life.

Combo experience

5-6 hours

Hofburg entrance → Sisi Museum → Imperial Apartments → Imperial Treasury → New Hofburg Palace

A complete Hofburg experience covering royal apartments, treasures, and imperial history in one visit.

Handy tips

Beat the queues

  • Book tickets at least two weeks in advance to avoid long lines at the Hofburg entrance during peak hours (11am–3pm).
  • Choose a skip-the-line guided tour to enter directly with your group and save time at the main ticket counter.
  • Arrive before 10am for a quieter visit, as tour buses and large groups usually arrive later.
  • Visit on weekday mornings (around 9:30am, Tuesday to Thursday) for the calmest experience. Weekends tend to draw heavier tourist traffic from group tours.

Explore smarter

  • Start at Michaelerplatz under the green dome entrance to follow the museum’s natural route and avoid doubling back.
  • Use the audio guide or a guided tour to learn the stories behind Empress Elisabeth’s personal items, some of which are not labelled in detail.
  • Set aside time for the Imperial Apartments and stroll through the palace grounds afterward to take in the museum’s ambience at your own pace.
  • For a more complete Hofburg Palace experience, go for combo tickets that include the Sisi Museum, Imperial Treasury, New Hofburg Wing, and the wider palace tour.

Explore the Sisi Museum

Before you get there

Things to check before you reach Sisi Museum:

Know before booking your Sisi Museum tickets

  • All entry tickets include access to the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments, offering an in-depth look at the life of Empress Elisabeth and the grandeur of the Habsburg court.
  • Some tickets include a guided tour that provides detailed commentary and stories behind the exhibits. If you prefer exploring at your own pace, choose the option with the audio guide for a more flexible visit.
  • Skip-the-line tickets are the smartest choice to save time. They guarantee timed entry and let you skip queues at the main counter, saving about 15–30 minutes during peak hours (11am to 3pm).
  • Combo tickets are ideal if you want a fuller imperial experience. They often include access to other Hofburg highlights such as the Imperial Treasury helping you explore more of Vienna’s royal legacy in one visit.

Sisi Museum timings and best time to visit

AttractionDayTimingsLast entryClosed on

Sisi Museum

Daily

9am to 5:30pm

4:30pm

-

Imperial Treasury

Monday & Wednesday to Sunday

9am to 5:30pm

4:30pm

Tuesday

Best time to visit

Where is the Sisi Museum located

How to get there

Entrances

AttractionEntrance nameLocationWho it’s forCrowds & wait times

Sisi Museum

Michaelerkuppel

Under the large copper dome, accessible via the Michaelertor gate on Michaelerplatz

Individual visitors and Vienna Pass holders

Can get moderately busy during peak hours with wait time around 20–30 mins

Sisi Museum

Kaisertor

Inner palace courtyard of the Hofburg

Groups and visitors with valid tickets

Usually faster access with minimal waiting (<10 mins)

Facilities

  • Audio guides are available at the ticket counter in 13 languages and can be rented at the ticketing area.
  • The Sisi Museum features a gift shop called The Sisi Shop, which offers a range of imperial-themed souvenirs such as replicas of Empress Elisabeth’s jewellry, accessories, and exclusive Sisi-branded gifts.
  • Parking spaces for visitors with special needs are available at Heldenplatz, located near the museum.

Accessibility

Visiting with family

  • Baby changing facilities: Baby changing facilities are available in most restrooms, with those near the main entrance being the most convenient for families with young children.
  • Stroller policy: Strollers are allowed throughout the museum but may need to be folded at the entrance for security checks or when passing through narrower rooms.
  • Gift shop: The museum gift shop near the exit sells child-friendly souvenirs, including illustrated books about Empress Sisi and small trinkets.
  • Cafés: Café Central and Café Landtmann are nearby and make great spots for a quick coffee or snack during your break.

Rules and restrictions 

  • All visitors, regardless of ticket type, including skip-the-line holders, must pass through security screening at the entrance
  • Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and bulky items must be checked at the cloakroom before entry.
  • Flash photography and filming are not permitted inside the Sisi Museum or the Imperial Apartments.
  • Food and drinks are not allowed inside the exhibition areas.
  • Smoking and e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited throughout the museum.
  • Animals are not permitted, except certified guide and assistance dogs.
  • Re-entry with the same ticket is not allowed once visitors exit the museum.

Where to shop?

Where to eat?

Insider tips

  • Queue avoidance: Lines at the main ticket desk can stretch up to 30 minutes during peak hours (11am-3pm). Buy your ticket online at least two weeks in advance and arrive 10 minutes before the 9 am opening to skip queues.
  • Quick entry: Opt for the skip-the-line ticket to enter the Sisi Museum without the wait. This helps you begin your visit calmly before the crowds build up.
  • Hidden gem rooms: Few visitors notice the smaller side rooms displaying Sisi’s personal belongings such as her toiletries set and mourning jewellery. Head straight to the first side room marked with the small “Sisi” label before the crowd reaches it for a closer look at her world.
  • Tech and audio guide: Bring wired earphones for the audio guide, as Bluetooth connections may be unstable inside the palace’s thick walls.
  • Beyond the Sisi Museum: The museum is part of the larger Hofburg complex, which also includes the Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection. While the Silver Collection is currently not open to the public, plan an extra 20–30 minutes to walk around the palace grounds and enjoy the architecture.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Sisi Museum

Arrive at opening (9:30am) or 1.5–2 hours before closing (4:30pm) to avoid peak crowds between 10 am and 2 pm. Preferably visit on a weekday for the best experience.