The Hofburg Palace is located in Vienna’s Old City and is undoubtedly one of the city’s most important attractions. The palace was home to the Habsburg family, who reigned as emperors for many centuries. After the fall of the empire, the palace became a public building, exposing its grandeur and splendor to all. When visiting Vienna, it is highly recommended to arrive and experience the majestic Hofburg Palace and its museums.
There is no doubt that simply observing the Hofburg Palace from the outside is an incredible experience. However, if you wish to enrich your trip and learn about the lives of the emperors and the empire, it is worth entering the museums and exhibition rooms within the palace. In total, there are 8 different museums in the palace complex.
Three museums and exhibition rooms are open to visitors within the ancient palace: the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, and the Silver Collection. In the new wing (Neue Burg), there are five additional museums.
In addition to these museums, there is a lovely attraction located in the greenhouse within the palace gardens—the popular Butterfly House. Information about this attraction can be found at the end of this article.
In this article, we will briefly review all the museums located within the Hofburg Palace complex.
1. Sisi Museum
This museum provides a rare glimpse into the life of Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi, from her coronation until her assassination. The museum is a must-visit for anyone who has heard of the beloved Austrian Empress and wants to get a close look at her life story and the legends surrounding her.
Check here for comprehensive and detailed information about the Sisi Museum at Hofburg Palace.
2. Imperial Apartments (Kaiserappartements)
Hofburg Palace was the residence of the Habsburg family for over 600 years! Besides its official imperial use, it also served as their winter residence. In this museum, you can admire the emperors’ living quarters and see the splendor in which they lived. This museum is integrated with the Sisi Museum.
Check here for more information on the Imperial Apartments, including opening hours and ticket info.
3. Silver Collection (Silberkammer)
The royal silver collection is uniquely large and impressive. This museum displays over 7,000 different silver items (out of a total collection of 150,000 pieces!) that testify to the empire’s great wealth. After the fall of the House of Habsburg, ownership was transferred to the Austrian government. While some items were sold, most were preserved in their original place in the palace. In fact, even today, some of these ancient silver pieces are used for official state dinners.
Additional info in the official website.
- Please note: The Silver Collection is currently closed to visitors until further notice.
4. Imperial Treasury (Kaiserliche Schatzkammer)
A true treasure! One does not see such a collection of jewelry and magnificent treasures every day. The Habsburg treasure collection includes many unique items from 1,000 years of rule across vast parts of Europe and is one of the largest in the world. This museum is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) located across the Ring Road at Maria-Theresien-Platz.
Check here for more information on the Imperial Treasury, including opening hours and ticket info.
Fascinating Museums in the New Wing (Neue Burg)
In the New Palace wing (Neue Burg), there are four interesting museums. Some belong to the Kunsthistorisches Museum located across the street. The museums are: the Ephesus Museum, the Imperial Armoury, the Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments, and the Weltmuseum.
5. Ephesus Museum
The city of Ephesus was one of the most important cities in the ancient world and housed the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city is located in modern-day Turkey. In 1895, Austrian archaeologists conducted excavations in the city and brought back a variety of interesting findings to Vienna. This museum displays these ancient artifacts, including statues, altars, and more.
Click to take a virtual tour inside the museum.
6. Imperial Armoury
This collection is among the largest and most unique in the world, featuring a vast array of armor and beautifully decorated weapons that belonged to the Habsburg emperors and archdukes.
Read comprehensive information in the expanded article we prepared about the Imperial Armoury in the new wing of the Hofburg Palace.
7. Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments
This museum displays historical musical instruments from the Renaissance and Baroque periods that belonged to the private collection of the Habsburg emperors. You can see instruments that cannot be found anywhere else in the world! This is one of the world’s most important collections of ancient musical instruments. Additionally, the museum houses instruments that previously belonged to famous musicians and composers. A visit here allows you to peek into the world of ancient music and even hear the sounds and melodies of these instruments.
Essential Information for Visiting:
- Opening Hours: Every day (except Wednesdays) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Fridays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Entrance Prices:
- Adult: 16€.
- Student/Senior: 12€.
- Child: Free.
- Note: One ticket is valid for three museums—the Armoury, the Musical Instruments Museum, and the Weltmuseum. Tickets can be purchased online. Entrance is through the adjacent Weltmuseum.
8. Weltmuseum (World Museum)
The Weltmuseum is the largest anthropological museum in Austria, established as early as 1876. The museum’s collections include approximately 400,000 archaeological, artistic, and cultural objects from Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas.
Bonus: The Butterfly House in the Palace Greenhouse
Another nice attraction located in the greenhouse within the palace garden is the Butterfly House. This attraction is situated inside the large greenhouse in the palace’s Royal Gardens. Inside the Butterfly House, you can see about 400 butterflies of various species and enjoy a tropical experience in the heart of the city.
You can read comprehensive information for visiting the Butterfly House in the expanded article we prepared about this attraction.
