The Madame Tussauds museum is familiar to many from various cities around the world, especially from London where the original museum opened back in 1835. For about 190 years, the realistic wax figures have managed to charm numerous visitors all over the globe. The museum is named after Marie Tussaud, the French sculptor who started the idea of human-sized wax figures.
What is there to see at Madame Tussauds in Vienna?
In 2011, another branch of the popular museum chain opened in Vienna, right next to the Giant Ferris Wheel in the heart of the Prater amusement park. This museum quickly became a beloved attraction for locals and tourists alike.
On an area of about 2,000 square meters, there are several different exhibitions featuring about 80 life-sized wax figures. These figures represent important personalities who have shaped history, both from Austria and from around the world. The wax figures include artists, historical figures, Hollywood stars, soccer stars, and more.
Interesting to know: The preparation time for one figure is between three to six months (about 800 working hours). It requires about 500 body measurements and 200 photos from different angles to achieve the maximum level of accuracy displayed in the museum. The cost of preparing and finishing one life-sized wax figure is around €230,000!
Which wax figures are on display at Madame Tussauds Vienna?
The wax figures are divided into different categories from fields like art, movies, history, politics, and music.
In the Hollywood figures section, you can see:
- Ryan Gosling
- Johnny Depp
- Angelina Jolie
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Will Smith
- Chris Hemsworth
- Brad Pitt
- Quentin Tarantino
- And more
Art and music lovers can gaze at and take pictures with important figures such as:
- Gustav Klimt, Beethoven, Mozart, Hundertwasser
- Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, CRO, Austria’s Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, and more.
Another important section in the museum includes a variety of historical figures like:
- Emperor Franz Joseph, Sisi
- Anne Frank, Schindler, Churchill
- Napoleon
- And other figures who shaped the course of history.
Sports fans won’t be left out either, although most of the figures in this section are related to important figures in Austrian sports, such as soccer player David Alaba, tennis player Dominic Thiem, skier Hermann Maier, and more.
Currently, there is a temporary exhibition of the “Sexiest Men Alive”: Brad Pitt, David Beckham, Chris Hemsworth, and Johnny Depp in respectable attire that justifies a souvenir photo.
How much time should you dedicate to visiting the museum?
Madame Tussauds is a very experiential place, and besides looking at the various figures, you can, of course, take pictures with them. If you take your time and take a lot of photos, you can calculate about an hour and a half for the visit. Fortunately, Madame Tussauds is located in the heart of the Prater amusement park, so you can combine your visit with other rides in the park or with lunch at one of the nearby restaurants.
Purchase entrance tickets online for Madame Tussauds
Where is the museum located? How to get there by public transport from the city center?
The museum is located in the heart of the Prater amusement park, a short walk from Vienna’s famous Giant Ferris Wheel. The most convenient way to get there is by taking the subway from the city center to the Praterstern station. Subway lines U1 (the red line) and U2 (the purple line) stop at this station. You can get on the U1 line at Stephansplatz station or get on the U2 line at Schwedenplatz or Taborstrasse stations, for example.
Exit the station towards Praterstern and Prater park, and from there you will have to walk to the heart of the amusement park. The walk takes about 10 minutes. You will find the museum in the amusement park.
Other Essential Information for Your Visit
Opening Hours:
Open 364 days a year from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last admission is at 5:00 PM. Closed on Christmas Day, December 24th.
Prices:
There are several types of tickets (Standard, Gold, and Couple). The standard entrance ticket costs around €23.85. The price increases slightly on weekends. The other tickets cost €45 and €58. They also include a souvenir from the visit.
Book tickets in advance for admission to the museum
Address:
Riesenradplatz 5-6, 1020 Vienna
Location on Map:
What else can you do in the Prater park?
The Prater is a huge complex that offers a variety of activities for the whole family. In fact, the Prater is divided into two areas: the area with the amusement rides and the area with lawns and wonderful urban nature. You can spend several fun hours enjoying the various rides in the park or go for a light walk among the trees and lawns of the green park. You can find comprehensive information and explanations about the entire Prater complex in the detailed article we have prepared about the Prater park.
