Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
4.5
About
The Museum of Military History, one of the most important history museums in the world, is situated right in the centre of the Arsenal. About five-hundred years of Austrian and European History are depicted in the collections exhibited in the main building, which has kept its character of an artistic synthesis, making visible, by means of thousands of original exhibits, a part of world cultural heritage. In five major sections the museum shows the history of the Habsburg empire from the end of the 16th century until 1918 and Austria's fate after the dissolution of the monarchy up to the year 1945.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Neighbourhood: Landstraße
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4.5
1,555 reviews
Excellent
921
Very good
487
Average
103
Poor
23
Terrible
21
racuch
New York City, NY567 contributions
Dec 2022
this is the oldest and most comprehensive museum of military history in Europe reporting very well on wars of Austro-Hungarian empire as well as its enemies. Full scale models and some old equipment from first world war and before was fascinating. well worth the visit.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jip79
Doha, Qatar530 contributions
Dec 2022
This was my second visit to the museum and this time with the family. Lots of improvements since my last visit more than ten years ago, with better organization of the exhibits from the wars in the 16th until the 20th century. Quite detailed information on the exhibits and this is a really good military museum to visit.
Written 3 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Theodore V
Limassol City, Cyprus29 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We visited the museum with our children during a medieval Xmas market.Incredible experience for us & children.We wore knight armor,listened to medieval music etc. Unbelievable experience,total worth it!
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Monk
11 contributions
Dec 2022
This museum is a hidden gem. First of all: It's not just a regular military history museum. Yes, there are tons of suits of armor, arms, and tanks. But the most significant exhibition at the museum is the World War I exhibit, and it does an excellent job of telling the story of the immediate origins of the war (the assassination in Sarajevo) and the course of the war from an Austrian perspective. It explains the story of the war as experienced by many ordinary Austrians. In that way, it's a great complement to the Imperial War Museum in London and the National WWI Museum in Kansas City, for example.
I went with a large group, and the others weren't interested in the Austro-Turkish Wars or the War of Austrian Succession, but everyone was fascinated by the large, detailed, and varied World War I exhibit. And, of course, the centerpiece of the exhibit is the actual car that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was riding in when he was shot, the uniform that he wore, and the pistols used by the conspirators.
Plus, admission to the museum is only 7 Euros (free for under 19s) -- a bargain compared to most museums in Vienna.
I went with a large group, and the others weren't interested in the Austro-Turkish Wars or the War of Austrian Succession, but everyone was fascinated by the large, detailed, and varied World War I exhibit. And, of course, the centerpiece of the exhibit is the actual car that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was riding in when he was shot, the uniform that he wore, and the pistols used by the conspirators.
Plus, admission to the museum is only 7 Euros (free for under 19s) -- a bargain compared to most museums in Vienna.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shawn
Carluke, UK15 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
If your serving military you get in for free regardless of what country which was a good plus. Nice layout, however it would be nice if they had post ww2 exhibits even post 9/11
Written 3 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ZiftD
New York47 contributions
Oct 2022
This museum is great if you're interested in the military history of Europe from 1600-1914. The sections dedicated to the Thirty Years War are the best, they have an extensive collection of weapons that let you see how they actually fought. The part about World War I is also good. It includes the car in which Franz Ferdinand was shot and the suit he was wearing. Napoleon is understandably downplayed and the section about World War II has a disclaimer about how they are revisiting certain subjects that may not be adequately covered (i.e. Hitler). Similarly, the "Panzer Museum" which is a long walk from the main building, includes Soviet, American and British tanks, but you won't find anything from World War II Germany.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GD_AE_Modelsport
Welwyn Garden City, UK117 contributions
Oct 2022
We had an excellent visit here on a rainy day in Vienna. It was already high on my list of places to visit in the city, and it didn't disappoint. Even just arriving at the museum you're instantly taken aback by the incredible building itself, and that's even before you've entered, it gets even better!
It's incredible value at just €7 per adult, and the audio guides are FREE! (you pay a €10 deposit in cash for these so remember to take some cash, but that is refunded when they are returned)
The information and exhibits are very detailed and extensive, although most of the descriptions in the cabinet are in German only, the audio guide goes a long way to alleviating that problem for those who do not understand German.
The whole museum was fascinating, documenting Austria's history covering several centuries right up until modern day. I found the period covering the Ottoman wars particularly interesting. For what I thought would just be a place to kill a couple of hours in, turned out to be almost a full day. But that said you could easily cover it fairly quickly and won't leave dissatisfied considering the cost.
The museum are doing a lot of work to expand the exhibits as well, so don't be disappointed if you find a couple of areas closed off, it's still exceptional value either way.
Honestly can't recommend this museum enough, it's cheap, it isn't absolutely heaving with people like Schonbrunn and other more popular attractions, but does more to cover Austrian history than anything else.
On the plus side there is a nice looking restaurant there (independent from the Museum but on-site as it were), or there is another restaurant just up in the Swiss Garden nearby called Klein Steiermark, both of which you can partake in some of the local cuisine.
It's incredible value at just €7 per adult, and the audio guides are FREE! (you pay a €10 deposit in cash for these so remember to take some cash, but that is refunded when they are returned)
The information and exhibits are very detailed and extensive, although most of the descriptions in the cabinet are in German only, the audio guide goes a long way to alleviating that problem for those who do not understand German.
The whole museum was fascinating, documenting Austria's history covering several centuries right up until modern day. I found the period covering the Ottoman wars particularly interesting. For what I thought would just be a place to kill a couple of hours in, turned out to be almost a full day. But that said you could easily cover it fairly quickly and won't leave dissatisfied considering the cost.
The museum are doing a lot of work to expand the exhibits as well, so don't be disappointed if you find a couple of areas closed off, it's still exceptional value either way.
Honestly can't recommend this museum enough, it's cheap, it isn't absolutely heaving with people like Schonbrunn and other more popular attractions, but does more to cover Austrian history than anything else.
On the plus side there is a nice looking restaurant there (independent from the Museum but on-site as it were), or there is another restaurant just up in the Swiss Garden nearby called Klein Steiermark, both of which you can partake in some of the local cuisine.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nikica
Croatia575 contributions
Sep 2022
Two large floors of Austrian military history, a must for history buffs. An added bonus when we visited was the tank hall, which is only open on weekends, with over 30 military tanks on display.
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angelica
72 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
This is without doubt the best war museum I’ve ever been to. I spent several hours inside this beautiful building. There are artefacts dating back to the medieval period, through to the 19th century, both world wars and beyond. The most fascinating exhibits were the uniform Franz Ferdinand was wearing during the assassination, as well as the car
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
raymondf80
cork86 contributions
Jun 2022
What a building for a museum. The building on its own is worth a viewing. Once inside the fun really begins. The layout was perfect and the collection is vast and informative. One could spend hours there and never move much. I have visited many many military history museums throughout the world and this is one of the most impressive. The tours for school children wasn’t invasive or too distracting. At €7 this museum is so much value for money and a definite must see.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I would like to ask two questions :
- The first one : how to get to the Museum from the Airport ?
- The Second one : would it be possible to let my luggage at the entrance ? It is a standard plane suitcase (53 x 76 x 29 cm).
Da li ima neko link sa fotografijom uniforme Franca F. posle atentata od strane junaka Gavrila Principa
melbgirl123
Melbourne, Australia764 contributions
try google image search, they have official photo of franz ferdinance assassination unifrom still with dried blood on it
Leigh W
39 contributions
Is this museum pushchair friendly?
Yes! We do have an elevator inside. Best regards!
NE73
Gold Coast, Australia36 contributions
Is there an English tour, or audio guide?
Yes, an english audio guide is available!
John T
Charlottesville, VA20 contributions
Is there any parking for cars near the museum ?
Yes it is! You can park your car directly in front of the museum.
VeronicaGatti
Morbegno, Italy538 contributions
Hi ! Is it possible to buy tickets in advance on line ? Grazie mille ! Thanks !
David B
Modena, Italy157 contributions
in questo museo non serve non c'è mai fila
mikefromgeorgia
Newtownards, UK88 contributions
This is the message as posted on the museum's website: "No more waiting! Our First World War exhibition opens absolutely renewed on the 29th of June." Can you please clarify exactly what this means for visitors to the museum? Thank you very much.
logrundy
Liverpool, UK229 contributions
I think the message is referring to the Video/Virtual Tour of the First World War exhibition that will re-launch on the website on that day.
I visited the museum last Thursday, 19/04/2018, and I can assure you that the whole WW1 section was open and accessible.
It was one of the best First World War exhibitions I've visited - and I've visited quite a few. Definitely drop in if you're in Vienna.
mikefromgeorgia
Newtownards, UK88 contributions
I am planning to visit Vienna and the military history museum between the 24th and 27th of June. I primarily want to see the First World War and Sarajevo exhibitions but have read that the First World War exhibition is going to be “completely renewed” and will not reopen again until the 29th of June. I will be very disappointed if this is indeed the case. I will be leaving Vienna on the 27th of June. Can anyone please tell me if this is true and if the Sarajevo exhibition will be affected?
Mark A
Sydney, Australia156 contributions
Hi Mike, I was there yesterday and didn't see anything about changes. However, I wanted to see the Panzer collection and this was closed for renovations. I'd suggest contacting the museum at contact at hgm.at or see their website. It is a great museum for how the assassination of the archduke led to WW 1 and the war years. v
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Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
- We recommend booking Heeresgeschichtliches Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Heeresgeschichtliches Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Heeresgeschichtliches Museum:
- (0.41 km) Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere
- (0.54 km) Adina Apartment Hotel Vienna Belvedere
- (0.60 km) Hotel Schani Wien
- (0.81 km) Hotel Zeitgeist Vienna Hauptbahnhof
- (0.45 km) B&B Hotel Wien-Hbf
- Restaurants near Heeresgeschichtliches Museum:
- (0.12 km) Restaurant Arsenalstuben
- (0.29 km) Klein Steiermark
- (0.42 km) Eugen21
- (0.41 km) Aurora Rooftop Bar
- (0.66 km) IKI