Natural History Museum Entry Tickets with Venus of Willendorf Vienna

The Natural History Museum on the Ringstrasse

The Natural History Museum Vienna opened in 1889 on Maria-Theresien-Platz. It was designed by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer as a twin to the Kunsthistorisches Museum across the square, and the facade, the dome and the staircase were planned as a total work of art. It holds around thirty million objects, which makes it one of the largest natural history museums in the world.

Natural History Museum Vienna tickets give you one-day admission. Opening days and hours change with the season, and the museum has a weekly closing day, so check the date in the booking panel. It is easy to reach by metro U2 or U3 to Volkstheater, or by tram along the Ring.

The Venus of Willendorf

The most famous object in the collection is the Venus of Willendorf, a small limestone figure about eleven centimetres tall, carved roughly 30,000 years ago and found in the Wachau valley in 1908. It is one of the best-known works of prehistoric art and a highlight of the prehistory rooms, which also show tools and finds from early European settlements.

Many visitors go to the Venus first and then continue through the other prehistoric rooms. The figure is small, so take your time and look at the details: the rounded form and the carved patterns on the head. The ticket gives access to the museum collections including the Venus, so you can return to it later in your visit.

Dinosaurs, meteorites and minerals

The dinosaur hall is a favourite with children, with large skeletons and casts of prehistoric animals. Elsewhere the museum holds one of the world's largest collections of meteorites, from small fragments to large blocks, and rooms of minerals, crystals and gemstones that show how Earth's materials form.

There are dozens of halls, so choose your priorities. A good first visit is the Venus, the dinosaurs, the meteorites and the minerals, which takes about two to three hours. Families with younger children can plan a shorter route through the animal and dinosaur rooms.

Planning your visit

The museum is on Maria-Theresien-Platz, directly opposite the Kunsthistorisches Museum, so many travellers pair the two, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The grand central hall under the dome is worth a photograph before you go in.

The ticket is valid for one day. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring your ticket. Food and drinks are not included, and the museum is wheelchair accessible. Opening hours vary through the year, so check the details for your date. Because you can stay as long as the museum is open, there is no rush.