Historic Pharmacy Cellar Guided Tour & Tickets Vienna
- Duration1 hour
- Open onSee time slots in the booking calendar
- Meeting pointThe side entrance of the Schutzengel pharmacy on Taubstummengasse, opposite number 17
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
Discover a hidden pharmacy cellar in the heart of Vienna's old town that is not open to the public, on a one-hour guided tour. An old laboratory and medicine cellar show how remedies were prepared in the past, from herbs and powders to the tools of the apothecary. The tour is led by a live guide in German, includes the entrance fee and fast-track entry through a separate entrance, and suits history and medicine enthusiasts who understand German.
Highlights
- Access to a historic pharmacy cellar that is not open to the public
- An old laboratory and medicine cellar in Vienna's old town
- Live guide in German for the whole one-hour tour
- Entrance fee included, with fast-track entry through a separate entrance
- Insight into how medicines were made in the past
- A small, atmospheric visit for history lovers
Full Description
A hidden pharmacy cellar in Vienna's old town
Under a historic building in Vienna's old town lies a pharmacy cellar that visitors normally never see. Such underground rooms were once working spaces where apothecaries stored ingredients, kept them cool and prepared remedies away from the shop counter. The vaulted stone walls and low light give the tour a strong sense of stepping back into earlier centuries.
The exact meeting point is given in your booking confirmation, and it lies in the old town, so it is easy to combine with a walk to Stephansplatz, the Graben or the Hofburg. Because the space is limited, the tour runs at a fixed start time shown in the booking panel and you should arrive a few minutes early.
The old laboratory and the making of medicine
The tour visits an old pharmacy laboratory, where your guide shows how medicines were made in the past. You learn about the herbs, minerals and other raw materials pharmacists used, the mortars, scales and glass vessels of the trade, and how recipes were passed on and controlled by the authorities.
The stories bring Vienna's medical history to life, from everyday remedies to the way pharmacists worked when illness spread through the city. It is a fascinating stop for anyone interested in medicine, chemistry or social history. The tour focuses on craft as much as on medicine, so it also interests visitors who enjoy old tools and historic workshops.
The guided tour: language, duration and practical details
This tour is run in German by a live guide and lasts about one hour. Please book it only if you are comfortable following a German commentary, because no translation is provided in this option. The ticket includes the guide, the entrance fee and fast-track entry through a separate entrance.
Age categories are set by the organisers: adults from 16 years and youths from 10 to 15 years, so children under 10 cannot join. Food and beverages are not included. The cellar is a historic space, so wear comfortable shoes and expect stairs.
Itinerary
- Meet at the meeting pointGather at the point in Vienna's old town given in your confirmation, a few minutes before the start.
- Fast-track entryEnter through the separate entrance with your guide.
- Descend into the cellarExplore the vaulted medicine cellar while the guide explains its history.
- The old laboratorySee the tools and hear how medicines were made in the past (about 30 minutes).
- End of the tourFinish after about one hour and walk on into the old town.
What's included
- Live guide (German)
- Entrance fee
- Fast-track entry through a separate entrance
Not included
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 10–11
- History and culture lovers
- A short visit — about 1 hour
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Not suitable for
- Guests who do not understand German, as the guided tour is in German
- Children under 10 years
- Visitors who find stairs or low ceilings difficult
Meeting point
Meet at the meeting point given in your booking confirmation, in Vienna's old town. Arrive a few minutes before the start time shown in the booking panel. The guide speaks German, and there is no hotel pickup.
Important information
- The tour is in German; no other language is offered in this option.
- Adults from 16 years and youths from 10 to 15 years may join; younger children cannot.
- The cellar is not normally open to the public, so the tour runs at a fixed time.
- Food and beverages are not included.
- Wear comfortable shoes; expect stairs and low light.
- Bring your booking confirmation on your phone or printed.
- The tour lasts about one hour.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the historic pharmacy cellar tour cost?
The price depends on the age category you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and youth.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the guide at the meeting point in the old town, given in your booking confirmation.
How long is the tour?
About one hour.
In which language is the tour?
The tour in this option is led by a live guide in German.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Youths from 10 to 15 years can join with their own ticket category. Children under 10 cannot join.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable shoes and your booking confirmation. Cellars can be cool and the light is low.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if places remain. Choose your date in the booking panel and the available dates and start times are shown.
What is the difference between the options?
There is one option: the guided tour in German with the entrance fee and fast-track entry included.
What will I see inside the cellar?
An old laboratory and medicine cellar where your guide explains how medicines were made in the past.
Is the pharmacy cellar tour worth it?
Yes, if you understand German and enjoy hidden places, medicine or history. It offers access that most visitors to Vienna never get.
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