Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is Vienna's jewel and one of the five most important art museums in the world — alongside the Louvre, the Prado, the Hermitage, and the Uffizi. The collection stems from the Habsburgs' love of art, who gathered Europe's finest works over centuries.
The Highlights
- Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The world's largest Bruegel collection — 12 paintings, including "The Tower of Babel" (1563), "Peasant Wedding", "Hunters in the Snow", and "Children's Games". This room alone justifies a visit to Vienna.
- Vermeer: "The Art of Painting" — one of only 35 known Vermeer paintings worldwide.
- Velázquez: The Infanta portraits — royal children's portraits of impressive depth.
- Caravaggio: "David with the Head of Goliath" — dramatic chiaroscuro.
- Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt — the collection is a who's who of European art history.
The building itself is a work of art: The entrance hall with marble staircases, ceiling frescoes, and gilded decorations is breathtaking. In the café in the dome hall, you can eat Sachertorte under frescoes. Admission: €21.
💡 Tipp
The KHM is open until 9 PM on Thursdays — the best time to visit. Fewer visitors, the Bruegel rooms almost empty, and then dinner at the Naschmarkt. The combination ticket with the Natural History Museum (opposite) saves money if you want to visit both.
