Vienna Museum of Fine Arts: Art Historian Private Tour of Must-see Masterpieces

Vienna , Austria

Vienna Museum of Fine Arts: Art Historian Private Tour of Must-see Masterpieces

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About this experience

Dozens of the rooms of the sumptuous Vienna Art History Museum are filled with thousands of artworks, each is unique and interesting. But how can someone decide which objects are more important and why?

This Critical Art Tour is created for those who want to know what exactly makes renown masterpieces so special. Is it their outstanding craftsmanship and expression of artistic genius? Or possibly a coincidence and good marketing?

In this tour, we'll explore celebrated masterworks from different perspectives to find out why these are on the museum’s must-see list – and then how this list could look different.

You will learn:
- What made ‘Saliera’ by Benvenuto Cellini into an Austrian ‘Mona Lisa’ – was it artistic skills or its criminal past?
- Why do we believe Pieter Breugel’s ‘Tower of Babel’ to be truthful despite our knowledge about it being architecturally incorrect?
- What a Reserve Head and a Hippo from Ancient Egypt tell us about our ability to understand its culture?

Available options

Private Tour

What's included

Professional Art Historian guide

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is best described as a 'temple of art'. Even its architecture, designed in the best traditions of historicism, combines the details of temples from the three principal Western cultures. Here you will find all the gods and heroes of the Western European art Olympus: Arcimboldo, Brueghel, Velasquez, Holbein, Dürer, Giorgione, Cranach, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian.

Like any Western museum that claims to be universal, the Kunsthistorisches Museum also has collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. A big part of the museum is devoted to the unique cabinets of curiosities.

The museum's curators have drawn up an informative list for visitors, including 700 masterpieces for local art lovers, 100 for regular visitors and 35 "must-sees" for first-time visitors. On this art tour, we follow the curators' shortlist and take a close look at world-renowned masterpieces from a different perspective to understand what makes each work of art so special.

Stop 2

The place to meet for your museum tour

What's not included

Museum admission tickets

Available languages

Guide guide

DE EN

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Important information

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Minimum age recomended is 14 years

Meeting point

The meeting point in front of the museum main entrance. There are three doors and the central one is closed. You guide will be waiting for you in front of it. The exact information with photos of the meeting point and your museum guide you will get with an extra file. Use the contact details on your confirmation/voucher if you have any question or have any difficulties to find the meeting point or your guide.

Important notes

PLEASE NOTE: This is your ticket for the tour but it does not entitle you to free entry to the museum. You have chosen a tour without museum tickets. Please buy these in advance online or at the ticket office. If you cannot buy them in advance, your guide will buy them for you when you meet her.

About Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its rich imperial history, vibrant arts scene, and stunning architecture. Known as the 'City of Music', it has been home to legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The city's elegant cafes, grand palaces, and world-class museums make it a cultural treasure trove.

Top Attractions

Schönbrunn Palace

A former imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. The palace and its gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical/Architecture 2-3 hours €18 for Imperial Tour, €24 for Grand Tour

St. Stephen's Cathedral

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a symbol of Vienna. The cathedral's multi-colored tile roof is iconic.

Religious/Architecture 1-2 hours Free entry, €6 for tower climb, €7 for treasury

Belvedere Palace

A historic building complex with two Baroque palaces, the Belvedere houses the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including 'The Kiss'.

Historical/Art/Museum 2-3 hours €16 for Upper Belvedere, €14 for Lower Belvedere

Vienna State Opera

One of the world's leading opera houses, the Vienna State Opera offers performances of opera, ballet, and concerts.

Cultural/Entertainment 2-4 hours (performance length) €10-200 depending on performance and seat

Hofburg Palace

The former imperial palace, Hofburg Palace is now home to several museums, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School.

Historical/Museum 2-3 hours €14 for Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, €20 for Silver Collection

Must-Try Local Dishes

Wiener Schnitzel

A thin, breaded, and fried veal cutlet, traditionally served with lemon and potato salad or dumplings.

Dinner Contains gluten and dairy

Tafelspitz

Boiled beef, usually served with root vegetables, apple sauce, and horseradish.

Dinner Gluten-free, dairy-free

Sachertorte

A famous chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered in dark chocolate glaze.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Apfelstrudel

A thin pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and sugar, often served with vanilla sauce or ice cream.

Dessert Contains gluten

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Vienna Woods Cycling along the Danube Kayaking on the Danube Coffee house hopping Spa day at a luxury hotel Strolling through Schönbrunn Palace Gardens Visiting museums and galleries Attending opera or concert performances

Best Time to Visit

May to September

This is the best time to visit Vienna for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during these months.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: German
Widely spoken: English, Austro-Bavarian dialect
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas, moderately spoken elsewhere

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET), GMT+2 (CEST during daylight saving time)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Vienna is a safe city with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services

Getting there

By air

Vienna International Airport • 18 km from city center

By train

Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Main Station), Vienna Westbahnhof

By bus

Vienna International Bus Terminal, Erdberg Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Vienna's metro system is efficient and user-friendly, with four lines (U1, U2, U3, U4).

Taxis

Available • Apps: Bolt, FreeNow

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Innere Stadt Leopoldstadt Wieden Hietzing

Day trips

Bratislava

80 km (50 miles) • Full day

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Salzburg

300 km (186 miles) • Full day or overnight

The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a beautiful city with a rich musical heritage, stunning architecture, and scenic surroundings.

Hallstatt

200 km (124 miles) • Full day or overnight

A picturesque lakeside village in the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt is known for its stunning natural beauty and historic salt mines.

Festivals

Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) • May to June Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball) • Late February or early March Vienna Christmas Markets (Wiener Christkindlmarkt) • Late November to December 26

Pro tips

Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds
Purchase a Vienna Pass for unlimited transport and attractions, saving time and money
Explore the city's coffee house culture and try traditional pastries like Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel
Take a day trip to nearby cities like Bratislava or Salzburg for a change of pace
Use public transport or walk to explore the city, as driving can be challenging and expensive