Natural History Museum Vienna
Vienna · Austria · Founded 1889
Good for: Families · History Enthusiasts · First-timers
1891
Opened
30 million+
Specimens
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Natural History Museum Vienna in Vienna, Austria — the Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna (NHM) opened in 1889 as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum across the square. Open Wednesday–Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Wednesday until 9:00 PM (closed Tuesdays). Admission: ✓ €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Natural History Museum Vienna
The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien faces its twin, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, across Maria-Theresien-Platz on the Ringstrasse. Emperor Franz Joseph opened both in 1891 — one for art, one for nature — in matching neo-Renaissance palaces.
The Venus of Willendorf — a 30,000-year-old Palaeolithic limestone figurine — is the collection's most celebrated object. The meteorite collection includes specimens from Mars and the Moon. The dinosaur hall displays Allosaurus and Iguanodon skeletons.
Over 30 million objects span mineralogy, palaeontology, anthropology, and zoology. The building's interior — grand staircase, painted ceilings — rivals the collections for spectacle.
Combined tickets with the Kunsthistorisches Museum are available. Both museums anchor Vienna's Museum Quarter.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Natural History Museum Vienna without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 1
Venus of Willendorf
📍 Prehistory gallery, Room 19
A 11 cm limestone figurine of a female body — discovered in Lower Austria in 1908, among the oldest art objects in the world and an icon of prehistoric culture.
- 2
Allosaurus Skeleton
📍 Dinosaur hall, first floor
A mounted Allosaurus skeleton — part of the palaeontology collection that makes the dinosaur hall a favourite with families.
- 3
Martian Meteorite
📍 Meteorite collection, Hall 5
Specimens from Mars and the Moon — part of one of the world's finest meteorite collections, with material from confirmed extraterrestrial origins.
- 4
Grand Staircase
📍 Entrance hall
A monumental staircase beneath painted ceilings depicting the progress of human knowledge — the architectural equal of the Kunsthistorisches across the square.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Natural History Museum Vienna — and why they matter.
Venus of Willendorf
Palaeolithic · c. 28,000 BCE
📍 Prehistory gallery, Room 19
A 11 cm limestone figurine of a female body — discovered in Lower Austria in 1908, among the oldest art objects in the world and an icon of prehistoric culture.
Allosaurus Skeleton
Natural history · Jurassic
📍 Dinosaur hall, first floor
A mounted Allosaurus skeleton — part of the palaeontology collection that makes the dinosaur hall a favourite with families.
Martian Meteorite
Natural history · from Mars
📍 Meteorite collection, Hall 5
Specimens from Mars and the Moon — part of one of the world's finest meteorite collections, with material from confirmed extraterrestrial origins.
Grand Staircase
Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer · 1891
📍 Entrance hall
A monumental staircase beneath painted ceilings depicting the progress of human knowledge — the architectural equal of the Kunsthistorisches across the square.
Collections & highlights
- • Venus of Willendorf — Palaeolithic figurine
- • Meteorite collection — Mars and Moon specimens
- • Dinosaur hall — Allosaurus and Iguanodon
- • Mineralogy — 350,000 specimens
- • 30 million objects in the collection
- • Twin building to Kunsthistorisches Museum
- • Grand staircase and painted ceilings
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Venus of Willendorf?
In Room 11 on the ground floor, in the Prehistoric gallery. It is small — just 11 cm — but displayed clearly in a dedicated case.
Is it worth visiting alongside the KHM?
Yes — both museums occupy the same square and share an architectural design. A Vienna Museum Pass covering both is good value.
How long should I spend at Natural History Museum Vienna?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Natural History Museum Vienna best known for?
The Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna (NHM) opened in 1889 as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum across the square. Its collection of 30 million objects makes it one of the largest natural history museums in the world, covering mineralogy, petrology, geology, palaeontology, anthropology, and zoology. Key highlights include Venus of Willendorf — 29,500-year-old Palaeolithic figurine, Maria Theresa's bouquet of gems — the museum's founding jewel, Meteorite collection — one of the largest in the world.
How do I get tickets for Natural History Museum Vienna?
✓ €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en
Can I visit both NHM and Kunsthistorisches in one day?
Yes — they face each other across Maria-Theresien-Platz. Combined ticket available. Allow 2–3 hours for each — a full day for both.
Are the meteorites real?
Yes — the collection includes confirmed Martian and lunar meteorites among thousands of specimens. One of the world's finest meteorite collections.
You might also like
World Animal Rescue Network
Adopt an orangutan symbolically
Orangutans lose forest across Borneo and Sumatra. A symbolic adoption — one-off or monthly — funds rescue and habitat protection with a personalised certificate. Please consider a donation to support this work.
Enjoying our free guides? Support World Museum Guide — optional, and every guide stays free.