An Art Lover's Guide To Vienna In 24 Hours

Getting off at the U-Bahn stop Spittelau, head down the Street Art Passage that will lead you in the direction of the galleries at the Museumsquartier, to spy some local amateur artist’s work – including a piece by French street artist ‘Invader.’ If urban art is of interest, there is also a lot to see along the Danube Canal that runs through the city.

Once inside Museumquartier, you must be decisive when choosing where to start. There is a great deal to see and unfortunately not enough time in the day to fit all the galleries in. A mixture of classical paintings is an ideal starting point, ending up at the contemporary works, giving you the broadest scope possible. Head to the Leopold Museum to take in some breathtaking classical works and then wander down to the MUMOK for a dose of modern art.

For a more niche experience of the city’s avant-garde art world, there are plenty of galleries that live beyond the four corners of the Museumsquartier to check out. The Anker Bread Factory in the edgy 10th district contains a few institutions of modern art – and those who are keen on photographic art can visit OstLicht or Galerie Photon, a few of Vienna’s photography galleries.

Although the majority of museums and galleries in Vienna are fairly pricey, there are some venues that offer free entry on particular days. Tuesday evenings at the MAK are free and Wien Museum Karlsplatz doesn’t charge for entry on the first Sunday of every month.