One of the world's greatest art museums is just a short U2 metro ride away. Take the U2 from Schottenring to Museumsquartier station and step into centuries of masterpieces by Bruegel, Vermeer, Raphael, and Caravaggio.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Museum of Art History) is one of the foremost art museums in the world and the largest in Austria. Opened in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, the museum was purpose-built to house the enormous art collections of the Habsburg dynasty, accumulated over centuries of imperial patronage and collecting. The building itself, designed by architects Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer, is a masterpiece of Historicism and stands on Maria-Theresien-Platz facing its twin, the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum).
The KHM's Picture Gallery is its crowning glory, containing one of the most important collections of Old Master paintings in existence. The museum holds the world's largest collection of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, including the famous "Hunters in the Snow" (1565), "The Tower of Babel" (1563), and "Peasant Wedding" (1567). Other highlights include Vermeer's "The Art of Painting," Raphael's "Madonna of the Meadow," Caravaggio's "David with the Head of Goliath," Velazquez's portraits of the Spanish Infantas, and Arcimboldo's whimsical composite portraits.
Beyond painting, the KHM houses world-class collections in several other areas. The Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection includes authentic burial chambers and one of Europe's finest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities features the famous Gemma Augustea cameo and an extensive collection of ancient gold jewelry. The Kunstkammer Wien (Chamber of Art and Wonders) reopened in 2013 after years of renovation and displays an extraordinary array of precious objects, from Benvenuto Cellini's golden salt cellar (the Saliera) to astronomical instruments, ivory carvings, and automata.
The museum building itself merits attention. The grand staircase features paintings by Gustav Klimt and his brother Ernst (among Klimt's earliest public commissions), and the cupola cafe on the upper floor offers coffee and cake beneath an ornate domed ceiling, providing one of Vienna's most elegant settings for a museum break. A visit to the KHM typically takes three to four hours for the highlights, though art enthusiasts could easily spend an entire day.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is located on Maria-Theresien-Platz, directly on the Ringstrasse and adjacent to the MuseumsQuartier Wien (MQ), one of the world's largest art and culture complexes. This concentration of museums means that a serious art lover could spend three to five days visiting the KHM, the Leopold Museum (home to the world's largest Egon Schiele collection), MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art), the Albertina, and the Naturhistorisches Museum, all within the same small area.
Staying at Old Vienna Apartments gives you an affordable base for this kind of extended cultural immersion. Rather than paying premium hotel rates in the museum district (where rooms easily exceed 200 euros per night), our apartments from 45 euros per night let you allocate your budget toward museum tickets, dining experiences, and other cultural activities. The U2 metro line provides a direct, quick connection from Schottenring to Museumsquartier station, which is a 2-minute walk from the KHM entrance.
Our apartments' fully equipped kitchens are especially practical for museum-focused trips. You can start the day with a proper breakfast, beat the crowds by arriving at museum opening time, and return to your apartment in the early afternoon for a rest before heading out for an evening of culture or dining. The ability to make your own coffee and store snacks also saves the substantial sums that museum cafes and nearby tourist-oriented restaurants tend to charge.
Walk one minute to Schottenring station and take the U2 in the direction of Karlsplatz. Exit at Museumsquartier station (three stops). From the station, it is a 2-minute walk across Museumsplatz to the KHM entrance on Maria-Theresien-Platz. Total journey time: approximately 12 to 15 minutes door to museum.
A scenic walking route takes you from Herminengasse across the Danube Canal, through the university area near Schottentor, and along the Ringstrasse past the Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, and Volksgarten to Maria-Theresien-Platz. This walk takes about 25 to 30 minutes and passes some of Vienna's most impressive Ringstrasse architecture. It is a wonderful way to go on a fine morning.
The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is directly adjacent to the KHM and houses the Leopold Museum, MUMOK, Kunsthalle Wien, ZOOM Children's Museum, and numerous smaller galleries and creative spaces. The MQ courtyard is one of Vienna's most popular gathering places, especially in summer when colorful designer furniture (the "Enzis") fills the space. The same U2 trip to Museumsquartier station puts you at the MQ entrance.
The area around the KHM and MuseumsQuartier offers excellent dining options:
| Destination | Distance | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| Schottenring Metro (U2/U4) | 150 m | 1 min walk |
| Kunsthistorisches Museum | 2.3 km | ~15 min by U2 + walk |
| Museumsquartier Station (U2) | 2.1 km | ~10 min by U2 |
| Leopold Museum (MQ) | 2.2 km | ~12 min by U2 + walk |
| MUMOK (MQ) | 2.2 km | ~12 min by U2 + walk |
| Naturhistorisches Museum | 2.3 km | ~15 min by U2 + walk |
| Mariahilfer Strasse (shopping) | 2.5 km | ~14 min by U2 + walk |
| Vienna State Opera | 2.1 km | ~18 min by U2 + walk |
Immerse yourself in Vienna's art scene from an affordable, comfortable apartment. U2 metro direct to the museum district. From 45 euros per night.
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