Vienna’s art scene is a sprawling mosaic of imperial grandeur and ongoing creativity. At the turn of the 20th Century, Vienna nurtured artistic expression with figures like Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Otto Wagner, whose work defined Austrian Modernism and the Secessionist movement.
Today, the city continues to amaze with its treasured attractions from past to present, where each district reveals opulent architecture and world-class museums. Among the best are the ornate Baroque collections at the Kunsthistorisches Museum to the world-class displays at the Leopold Museum and the Belvedere Palace.
The list of places to visit is long. It would be impossible to fit them all into one trip, so I’ve put together this art guide that (in my opinion) highlights the finest Vienna has to offer.
Museums
Belvedere Palace
For the ultimate wow factor begin your art exploration of Vienna at the Belvedere Museum. Built as a summer getaway for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 1700s, the palaces are now home to an incredible array of Austrian art, including the world’s largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt.
The Upper Belvedere, especially, is known for Klimt’s The Kiss, that shimmering, golden ode to love, as well as exquisite pieces by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. The Lower Belvedere is more of a creative hotspot with rotating exhibitions.
The gardens, with their symmetrical designs and fountains, offer the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and admire scenic views of Vienna’s skyline before heading back inside. One of my favourite things about the whole museum are the figurative columns in the main entrance, so impressive in size they almost make Michelangelo’s David look like some kind of stick figure.
Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
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Leopold Museum
If I were pushed to choose, I think my favourite museum in Vienna is the Leopold Museum. The museum itself might not be as grand as some of the others, but the collection is out of this world. It introduces you to the birth of the Vienna’s Modernist art movement through paintings, sculptures, furniture, glassware, and posters. So if you like to see a wide range of art and design, this museum is for you.
Located in Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier, the Leopold houses the world’s largest collection of Egon Schiele’s works, along with an exceptional array of Austrian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Founded by Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold, this museum offers insight into fin-de-siècle Vienna, when artists such as Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, and Schiele transformed the art scene.
Highlight: With over 40 paintings and hundreds of drawings, the museum holds the most extensive Schiele collection worldwide. His self-portraits, landscapes, and intensely emotive pieces offer a look into the psychological intensity of Austrian Expressionism.
Though the Belvedere holds the largest collection of Klimt’s work, the Leopold Museum also offers key pieces, providing a well-rounded look at Klimt’s contributions to the Vienna Secession movement.
Don’t miss: Lastly, there’s a whole section on works from the Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna’s famous early 20th-century design collective, with furniture, jewelry, and decorative objects that pioneered the concept of functional art. The furniture by Koloman Moser is incredibly dreamy. Look closely at the mother of pearl inlay on the armchairs and you will even spot figurative artworks. The eye is in the detail as they say!
Address: Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
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Secession Building
This iconic Art Nouveau building, adorned with a golden laurel dome, is a symbol of the Vienna Secession movement, led by Klimt and other artists who broke away from academic art.
The first floor is dedicated to contemporary art, staying true to the Secessionist spirit of innovation. You’ll find a range of media ranging from video, photography, installations and paintings. The top floor includes a small exhibition room that often showcases video installations.
The pièce de résistance is found on the ground floor, home to Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze, made in homage to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. For an immersive experience, visitors can grab one of the available headphones and listen to Wagner’s interpretation of the musical masterpiece while admiring the artwork. The result is ineffably beautiful.
Address: Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Vienna
Albertina
No art guide to Vienna would be complete without visiting the Albertina. It houses one of the most important art collections in the world. Within the sumptuous State Rooms and rich art collection lies approximately 65,000 drawings and one million old master prints including Rembrandt and Michelangelo.
To ensure the Albertina has something for all tastes, the museum hosts a wide selection of exhibitions by modern artists throughout the year. This year, I was lucky enough to see an exhibition of Chagall and another by Robert Longo. I wasn’t very familiar with the work by Robert Longo and all I can say is if you ever get the chance to see an exhibition of his work near you, make sure to go. Wow.
Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
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Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) in Vienna is one of the world’s most important art museums, known for its extensive collection of European paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. The imposing building itself, located on Maria-Theresien-Platz, will make you stand in your tracks. It’s so grand and impressive that I was initially convinced it must be the parliament building. But, nope, the Viennese just have a knack at making everything look imperial.
There’s so much to love about his museums, and personally for me, the apex can be found inside the Old Masters Gallery. Displayed inside are works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, Rubens, and the world’s largest collection of Bruegel paintings. The imagination and the originality of the Dutch masters never seize to amaze me – if I weren’t pressed for time, I would spent the whole say examining each work by Bruegel. There’s a whole world to see inside his paintings.
Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
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Contemporary art galleries
These commercial galleries focus on today’s art world. They offer a great opportunity to discover emerging artists from around the world who are practising today using a wide range of artistic mediums.
These galleries are all free to enter so they are a great option if you’re saving money. They are much smaller than museums, usually just a couple of rooms, so they won’t take long to see everything inside. I recommend checking out their websites before to see which artists they are currently showing to determine whether or not you’d like to visit.
Gallery Krinzinger
Galerie Krinzinger, established in 1971 by art historian Dr. Ursula Krinzinger, is a prominent contemporary art gallery sitting at the forefront of conceptual art, inviting artists from around the world to exhibit their work in this historic location.
Over the past five decades, the gallery has curated more than 500 exhibitions, showcasing both national and international artists through solo, group, and thematic exhibitions. The gallery represents emerging artists as well as established names like Marina Abramović since 1975 and Chris Burden since 1992. It also has deep roots in Viennese Actionism, representing artists like Rudolf Schwarzkogler, Günter Brus, Hermann Nitsch, and Otto Muehl.
For all you design enthusiast, the winding staircase and exquisite interior alone is a reason to visit. Don’t forget to look up at the ceiling, it’s a masterpiece of plasterwork. Be sure to visit all rooms – one room is through an adjacent door from the main gallery space.
Address: Seilerstätte 16, 1010 Vienna
Layr
Layr is a contemporary art gallery and while it might be small the curation packs a punch. The gallery specialises in conceptual art, often showcasing works that engage with current social, political, and cultural issues. Their program features a mix of solo and group exhibitions, highlighting both emerging and established artists.
During my last visit I discovered the work of Matthias Noggler who lives and works in Vienna and Berlin. His 2024 exhibition ‘Untitled Abstraction’ taking inspiration from urban architecture was a treat for the senses.
On a side note, if you enjoy rummaging through vintage stores and furniture shops, there’s a fabulous selection nearby the gallery.
Address: Singerstraße 27, 1010 Vienna
Architecture
Hundertwasser
Okay, while Vienna is most often defined by elegance, you can also find pockets of quirkiness. Austrian artist, Hundertwasser, was tasked to design a social housing project. His eponymous complex broke away from conventional utilitarian design, instead prioritising colour, individuality and eccentricity.
He created incredible buildings brimming with glorious technicolour, and none more famous than his eponymous creation: Hundertwasserhaus. It’s a huge housing complex made up of 52 apartments and 16 private terraces, which the architect built between 1983 – 1985.
Read more → Hundertwasser: Vienna’s Colourful & Quirky Housing Complex
Address: Kegelgasse 36-38, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Wotruba Church
Brutalist architecture isn’t to everyone’s taste but I’m a big fan, and this is the best example you’ll find in the city. Have you ever seen a church like it?
The asymmetric pile of concrete block sits in complete contrast to the classical forms of architecture you find depicted in most places of worship. It’s not located in the centre of the city so I hopped in an uber to reach it, but it’s easily found by public transport too.
Address: Ottillingerpl. 1, 1230 Vienna
Anker Clock
I came to see the art nouveau architecture, but most people arrive at Anker Clock at noon to watch 12 figurines parade across the clock face accompanied by music of their era, starting with Kaiser Marcus Aurelius and ending with Joseph Haydn. If you have seen the astronomical clock in Prague, it gives you an idea of what to expect.
Address: Hoher Markt 10-11, 1010 Vienna
Vienna beyond the art
There’s still so much more to see of Vienna beyond the art museums and galleries. If you’re thinking about visiting and what to see what else Austria’s capital city has to offer, take a look at these Top 18 Things to Do in Vienna. Enjoy!
Vienna City Pass
👉🏻 If you plan on visiting lots of museums on this list and more, it’s worth getting the Vienna City Pass.
