Austria Vienna Vienna Museum

Natural History Museum

About

The Natural History Museum Vienna offers an extraordinary journey through the diversity and history of life on Earth, housed in a grand 19th-century building opposite the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Visitors can marvel at over 30 million specimens spread across 39 exhibition rooms, including the world-famous 29,500-year-old Venus of Willendorf, a masterpiece of prehistoric art. The museum's dinosaur hall captivates with massive skeletons and a lifelike animatronic Allosaurus that moves and roars, alongside impressive fossil displays. The zoological collections feature meticulously preserved animals, from rare birds like the dodo and moa to majestic mammals such as fin whales, narwhals, and the extinct Steller’s sea cow. The meteorite collection is among the largest and oldest globally, with over 1,100 specimens and interactive simulators illustrating meteorite impacts. The museum also presents anthropology, mineralogy, and geology exhibits, including precious gemstones and minerals. Recent permanent exhibitions like "The Natural Order" visualize nature’s structure, while the historic architecture, original Victorian display cases, and a rooftop tour offering panoramic city views enhance the visitor experience. The museum combines scientific research with engaging displays, making it a must-visit cultural landmark in Vienna.

Vienna Austria

Location

The Natural History Museum Vienna is located at Maria-Theresien-Platz, Burgring 7, in the city’s first district, right across from the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This grand square is a cultural hotspot, featuring two nearly identical monumental buildings facing each other, with the Natural History Museum on one side and the Art History Museum opposite. The area around the museum is rich with historic and cultural landmarks, including the Hofburg Palace, which is just a short walk away, offering imperial apartments, museums, and the Spanish Riding School. Nearby is the Vienna State Opera, a world-renowned venue for opera and ballet. The museum is well served by public transport, with tram lines and the Volkstheater U-Bahn station (U2 and U3 lines) close by, making it easily accessible. The Maria-Theresien-Platz itself is a beautifully landscaped square with statues and fountains, providing a scenic setting between the two museums. This central location places the Natural History Museum at the heart of Vienna’s cultural district, surrounded by historic architecture, parks, and other major attractions.