Every first Sunday of the month, almost twenty museums managed by the city of Vienna open their doors to the public for free. Entrance to each one usually costs five to seven euros. Normal people might say, “Great! I think I will try to get to one or two.“
I am not normal people.
Come on. When you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet, do you just pick one or two things? No. You put on your stretchy pants and get your money’s worth. You can see how I saw this as a challenge. I mapped out my strategy the day before and killed it.
Think you have what it takes? Here’s what you need:
1. Super comfortable walking shoes
2. A day pass for Vienna‘s amazing transportation network
3. A battery to recharge your smartphone/camera because you will be taking loads of photos
Here are the ten museums and the order I recommend to get to them all...
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz
Johann Strauss Apartment
Prater Museum
Virgilkapelle (Virgil Chapel)
Roman Museum
Neidhart Frescoes
Clock Museum
Shubert’s Birthplace
Beethoven Museum
After spending a little time studying the museums at www.wieuseum.at,
I started the day by getting myself to the first museum when it opened at 9:00am.
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Museum of Military History)
Housed in the old arsenal and barracks built by Franz Josef to show his respect and encourage his army, this building is one of the most impressive in Vienna. Although it is referred to as a military museum, it is an incredible source for understanding Austrian history.
Spending two hours, or even two days, here is easy. To keep you focused, here are the top things you should see:
- Lobby of Generals (Note that each one is the same height showing how equally important the designers thought they were.)
- The room with the artifacts (car, guns, uniform) from the assassination of heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo - the event that precipitated WWI
- Lobby and galleries upstairs
- 20th Century galleries on the other side of the gift shop - naval ship model split in half
- Tanks and 21st Century pavilion outside through the cafe
When you leave, head through the park and grab a ride on the D tram going towards Nußdorf. Get off at Gusshausstrasse. Walk behind the French Embassy and you’ll see Karlskirche:
As you come around to the front, take an awesome selfie and then enter the next museum...
Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz
The exhibit is super small so you may just spend five minutes here but if you’re a Wagner fan, you Otto stay longer.
To get to the next museum, head to the Karlsplatz Metro station and take the U1 to Nestroyplatz station - when you get off, take the exit nearest to the front of the train. It will put you right at the entrance for your next museum.
Johann Strauss Wohnung/Apartment
When you get to the door, ring the bell so you can be buzzed in. This is another small but mighty house museum. Music lovers may want to spend more time here, but it only held my interest for about fifteen minutes.
To get to the next museum, hop back on the U1 and get off at the Praterstern station. Follow the crowds going towards that giant Ferris Wheel.
Prater Museum
This museum can be difficult to find as there is no signage. Luckily, the Prater Wheel is right next to it... selfie time!
You will see the planetarium to your right. The museum is in that building. If you like carnival kitsch, you will love this exhibit. In this single room, they have packed photos, antique artifacts and some really creepy dolls. Enjoy!
It‘s time to head into the Inner Stadt. Hop back on the U1 and get off at Stephansplatz. This is important...
When you arrive, go up to the main level but NOT outside. This stunning archeological find is underground.
Virgilkappelle (Virgil Chapel)
This is truly an amazing find in middle of the city. Again, this is a small but mighty museum. It could take ten minutes unless you want to indulge your spiritual side and absorb the atmosphere longer.
When finished, head upstairs, grab a selfie with the cathedral and follow this map on foot to the next museum.
Romermuseum (Roman Museum)
Housed in what looks like an unassuming modern apartment building in Hoher Markt, get excited to travel back in time almost two thousand years. Can I share something? I “collect” manhole covers. Photographing one that has been around for two millennia was pretty cool.
If you‘ve gotten this far, you’re halfway there! How are you doing time-wise? Some of these smaller museums close from 1:00-2:00pm. If you are in this break time slot, grab a bite to eat and hydrate.
After fortification, use this map to get to the next very small museum on the way to the Clock Museum.
Neidhart Fresken (Neidhart Frescoes)
The building that holds these fifteenth century treasures used to house a private dance hall.
Note: It is closed until October 16, 2019 for renovations. (I have a bonus museum for you after the Clock Museum if you must see ten museums!)
Uhrenmuseum (Watch/Clock Museum)
This is a tricky one to find. It is in a square behind the church, Kirche am Hof. I would love to say that I saw the entire museum but, alas, the stairs were too much for me.
If you have a similar issue, let me take you to two super interesting spots on our way to the next museum. Follow the map to see the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial and then to the super instagrammable Ferstel Passage.
Bonus Museum! Beethoven Pasqualitathaus
The map will lead you to a hill. Yup. You have to climb it. And then... the museum will be on the top floor. Nope. No elevator. That is why this is a bonus museum. If you can’t do it, I have your back. The last two museums are awesome.
Time to head to the countryside! Well, at least it used to be the countryside a couple hundred years ago. Get thee to Schottentor station and grab the 37 or 38 bus to Canisiusgasse. The museum is a few steps away at Nußdorfer 54.
Shubert Geburtshaus (Shubert Birthplace)
Getting out of the city, you’ll be pleased to enter the courtyard of this lovely old house. Shubert didn’t spend much time here, but the building holds an interesting story of life in Austria long ago.
One more museum to go! Head back to the tram stop and catch the 37 to Hohe Warte.
When walking from the tram, you will meet a fork in the road. Go left. If you go right, you’ll end up in a beautiful park instead of the next museum...
Beethoven Museum
I was happy to reach this museum for so many reasons. Aside from getting through ten museums and being exhausted, this turned out to be my favorite. I felt that I understood Beethoven and his struggles so much better. The former spa town is lovely and a really beautiful way to finish the day.
So, what are you going to do with all the money you saved today? If you are up for suggestions, I would take a right as you leave the Beethoven Museum and indulge in one of the winery restaurants before heading back into the city.
One final tip - please check the city of Vienna’s website before heading out for your adventure: www.wienmuseum.at. Hours can change and when conservation work is being done, museums may have to close.
If if you take the challenge, please let me know!
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