Hotels near Natural History Museum Vienna

The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Natural History Museum Vienna) mirrors the Kunsthistorisches Museum across Maria-Theresien-Platz - identical facades designed by the same architects, Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer. Inside, 30 million objects fill 39 exhibition halls. The undisputed star is the Venus of Willendorf, a 29,500-year-old limestone figurine discovered in the Wachau Valley in 1908 and one of the most important prehistoric artefacts in existence. The mineral collection, with its meteorites and giant amethyst geodes, is the largest in Europe.

The dinosaur hall features full-size reconstructions alongside real fossils, and the planetarium (separate ticket, EUR 5) screens shows on a 9-metre dome. General admission is EUR 18 for adults. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday, 09:00-18:00 (Wednesday until 21:00), closed Tuesday. Its location on Maria-Theresien-Platz means you can visit both museums in a single day - a combined ticket is not offered, but the proximity saves transit time.

Pro Tip: The rooftop terrace opens in summer and offers a panoramic view across Maria-Theresien-Platz to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and beyond - access is free with your museum ticket. If visiting both museums, start here in the morning (it opens at 09:00, one hour before the KHM) and cross the square after lunch.