The MuseumsQuartier is located in Vienna’s 7th district, a short walk from the Hofburg Palace, the Museum of Art History, the Natural History Museum, and the Mariahilfer Strasse shopping street. Originally, it was the palace’s stable complex, but it has undergone significant renovation and renewal. The complex covers 60,000 square meters and stands as the center of modern art in Vienna. Old Baroque-style buildings surround the area on all sides, but once you step inside, a decidedly modern surprise awaits. In its center, there are several very modern buildings that serve as museums. It houses three respected art and creative museums: MUMOK, the Leopold Museum, and the Zoom Children’s Museum. In addition, the complex has two galleries: Kunsthalle Wien and Q21.
The MuseumsQuartier is somewhat secluded, and as such, it serves as a kind of escape from the bustling city life for locals. At the center of the complex is a large plaza with a modern fountain and plenty of public seating in the form of uniquely colorful benches called ENZI. There is also a variety of trendy bars and restaurants. On summer days, the area is teeming with life, filled with young locals who come to “catch some color” in the sun with a cold beer, watch free movie screenings, or dance into the wee hours of the night at various music events.
This is what MuseumsQuartier looks like
Even if you are not a fan of museums or art, you can enjoy the MuseumsQuartier and its wonderful atmosphere. You can buy a cold beer and sit for free on the quirky benches in the quarter’s plaza or have a small picnic with the children. Afterwards, you can continue shopping on Mariahilfer Strasse or head back to the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace.
Museums and Galleries in the MuseumsQuartier
In the MuseumsQuartier, there are, of course, a variety of interesting museums and galleries with international exhibitions. These are the museums and galleries:
- MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna)
- Leopold Museum
- ZOOM Children’s Museum
- Kunsthalle Wien (Art Hall Vienna)
- Q21 Complex
You can read more detailed information about each museum and gallery by clicking the link above.
Comprehensive Guided Tour of the MuseumsQuartier
The guided tour will take you throughout the MuseumsQuartier and explain its formation and the transformation it underwent from being the Habsburg’s stable area to one of the largest art and culture centers in the world. The tour will present to you the wonderful combination of new and old, and of classic and modern. You will get a comprehensive overview of the quarter and what goes on within it.
- Tour Times: Every Saturday at 3:00 PM (tour in English)
- Tour Duration: About one hour
- Tour Cost: €9 for adults, €8 for children and students
- Ticket Purchase: Tickets must be purchased at the MuseumsQuartier information center, called MQ Point. The place is located right next to the main entrance.
- Click to book tickets in advance for the guided tour
- Meeting Point: Next to the MQ Point information center
- Email for inquiries about private tours: tours@mqw.at
How to get to the MuseumsQuartier by public transport?
You can easily reach the MuseumsQuartier by subway. The purple line (U2) stops right nearby. You should get off at the station called Museumsquartier. Another option is to get off at the Volkstheater station, which is served by the orange line (U3) and the purple line (U2).
Address: Museumsplatz 1
Map:
