🇦🇹 Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History)
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien · 빈
Location
Overview
The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Natural History Museum Vienna) is one of Europe's largest natural history museums, grown out of the Habsburg imperial collections and standing as the near-identical twin of the Kunsthistorisches Museum across Maria-Theresien-Platz. Opened in 1889, it holds more than 30 million specimens and is famous above all for the roughly 29,500-year-old Paleolithic 'Venus of Willendorf' and one of the world's largest meteorite collections. As of 2026 most permanent halls are open as usual, alongside rooftop Digital Planetarium shows and rotating special exhibitions, making it an easy half-day visit set within magnificent Ringstrasse architecture.
Venus of Willendorf - the museum's signature object, a limestone figurine carved about 29,500 years ago (Hall 11, prehistory)
Meteorite collection - among the largest on public display in the world, over 1,100 specimens including fragments of Martian origin (Hall 5)
Dinosaur Hall - life-size Allosaurus and Diplodocus skeletons plus a moving animatronic Allosaurus (Hall 10)
Mineral and gemstone collection - including Maria Theresa's 'bouquet of jewels' made from some 2,000 precious stones (Halls 1-5)
Rooftop Digital Planetarium and the domed-hall cafe - full-dome film shows and a scenic rest stop beneath the ornate ceiling
Good to know
RulesThe museum is closed every Tuesday, so plan around it. Hours are Thu-Mon 09:00-18:00 and Wed until 20:00, but always confirm the latest times on the official website.
CautionBuy tickets only through the official site (nhm.at) or authorized resellers. Third-party street or search-ad sites may charge inflated prices or sell invalid tickets.
SafetyPickpockets operate around the Ringstrasse and on the U-Bahn and trams. Wear bags in front and keep your wallet, passport and phone close.
MannersKeep quiet in the exhibition halls, and check large backpacks, umbrellas and luggage at the cloakroom. Flash photography is restricted in some areas, so watch for signs.
SeasonQueues can be long on summer mornings, so book online in advance. Planetarium screenings and rooftop (dome) tours run on set schedules and seasonally, so check show times ahead.
RulesOn Vienna public transport you must buy and validate a ticket before boarding; fare inspectors issue heavy fines for riding without one. A 24/48/72-hour pass or the Vienna City Card is convenient.
Practical info
The museum is on Maria-Theresien-Platz (Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna), a few minutes' walk from U-Bahn Volkstheater (U2, U3) and served by trams 1, 2, 46, 49, 71 and D (Volkstheater or Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring stops). It is open Thu-Mon 09:00-18:00 and Wed 09:00-20:00 (closed Tuesday); adult admission is about EUR 18 with free entry for under-19s (groups must register), but fares, hours and planetarium schedules should be confirmed on the official website before you go.
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