Kunsthistorisches Museum Tickets 2026: Prices, Hours & What to See

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is the reason you come to Vienna for art. Not the Belvedere with its Klimt selfie, not the Leopold with its Schiele angst — this one. It holds the world's largest Bruegel collection (12 paintings, no other museum comes close), Vermeer's Art of Painting, Raphael's Madonna of the Meadow, and Cellini's Saliera, the golden salt cellar that was once stolen and buried in a forest. The building matches the collection: a 19th-century palace built to house Habsburg ambition.

In 3 minutes, you'll know:

• What tickets cost and which combo saves money
• The rooms worth your time (and the ones to skip on a short visit)
• Whether the audio guide is worth €6
• How to avoid the Thursday evening crowds

How much are Kunsthistorisches Museum tickets in 2026?

Tickets cost €22 online. Under 19 enters free. The audio guide is €6 extra — worth it for the Picture Gallery, where the wall labels don't tell you enough about the Bruegels.

Combo tickets: Kunsthistorisches + Imperial Treasury for €26 (the Treasury holds the Habsburg crown jewels, the Holy Lance, and one of the largest emeralds in the world). Kunsthistorisches + Leopold Museum for €28 (if you want old masters and Schiele in one day).

What should you see first?

The Bruegel room (Room X, first floor). Twelve paintings, including Hunters in the Snow, The Tower of Babel, and Peasant Wedding. No other museum in the world has more than two Bruegels. This room alone is worth the ticket. Go here first while you have energy and the room is quiet.

The Kunstkammer (ground floor). Cellini's Saliera is the headliner — a golden salt cellar made for Francis I of France, stolen from the museum in 2003, found buried in a forest box three years later. But the entire room is extraordinary: automata, ivory carvings, scientific instruments, Habsburg curiosities that blur the line between art and obsession.

Vermeer's Art of Painting. One of only 35 surviving Vermeers. The Nazis looted it; Austria claimed it after the war. It hangs in the Picture Gallery and most visitors don't realise what they're looking at.

Raphael's Madonna of the Meadow. Room after the Bruegels. A painting so balanced it looks simple until you study how every element guides your eye.

When is the best time to visit?

June to August: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM (Thursdays until 9 PM). September to May: Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM (Thursdays until 9 PM). Closed Mondays.

Thursday evenings sound appealing but draw the biggest local crowd. Weekday mornings (10 AM – 12 PM, Tuesday or Wednesday) are the quietest. The museum is large enough that even on busy days, the upper-floor galleries feel calm.

What do most visitors wish they knew?

The café under the dome is spectacular. Marble columns, a painted ceiling, and better coffee than you'd expect. Sit down. It's one of the most beautiful museum cafés in Europe and most visitors walk through it on autopilot.

Skip the coin cabinet on a short visit. It's the world's largest, which sounds impressive until you realise it's cases of coins. Art lovers should spend that hour in the Egyptian collection or the Greek and Roman galleries instead.

The building faces the Naturhistorisches Museum. They're mirror images across Maria-Theresien-Platz. If you have time, the Natural History Museum (same architect, same layout, very different content) makes a satisfying pair.

Bags and coats go to the free cloakroom. Mandatory for large bags. The galleries are warm — you'll want your hands free anyway.

Frequently asked questions

How much are Kunsthistorisches Museum tickets in 2026?

Adults pay €22 online. Under 19 enters free. The audio guide costs €6 extra and is worth it for the Picture Gallery. A combo ticket with the Imperial Treasury costs €26.

How long do you need at the Kunsthistorisches Museum?

2 to 3 hours for the Picture Gallery and Kunstkammer highlights. The full museum (Egyptian collection, coin cabinet, Greek and Roman antiquities) needs 4-5 hours. Most visitors underestimate the size.

What are the Kunsthistorisches Museum opening hours?

June to August: daily 10 AM – 6 PM (Thursdays until 9 PM). September to May: Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM (Thursdays until 9 PM), closed Mondays.

Is the Kunsthistorisches Museum worth visiting?

Yes. It holds one of the top 5 old master collections in the world. The Bruegel room alone — 12 paintings, including Hunters in the Snow and The Tower of Babel — justifies the visit. The building itself rivals the collection.

What's the difference between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Belvedere?

The Kunsthistorisches covers old masters (Renaissance to Baroque: Bruegel, Vermeer, Raphael, Titian, Velázquez). The Belvedere covers Austrian art from medieval to modern, including Klimt's The Kiss. Different eras, different strengths. See the KHM vs Belvedere comparison for the one-day route.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of Europe's great art collections, and it doesn't get the crowds of the Louvre or Uffizi. Book the morning slot, start with the Bruegels, and leave time for the café. The Leopold Museum is a 10-minute walk across to MuseumsQuartier — old masters in the morning, Schiele in the afternoon. Get Kunsthistorisches Museum tickets on GetYourGuide — same price as official, free cancellation.

Last verified: April 2026