10 of The Best Museums In Austria

Albeit slightly gory, The Josephinum is one of Austria’s most fascinating and intriguing historical collections. Built to provide a vital resource to the school of medicine, the 6 exhibition halls are filled with meticulously detailed waxwork figures of the human body – gruesomely atomically correct and impossible to turn away from.

Währinger Str. 25, 1090 Wien

Learn about the life and work of Austria’s most renowned resident and one of the most revered and prolific classical composers of all time. Mozart’s birthplace, in picturesque Salzburg, is one of the most frequently-visited tourist attractions in all of Austria, offering a glimpse into the prodigy’s early days with a collection of portraits, historical instruments and various memorabilia from his lifetime.

Getreidegasse 9, 5020 Salzburg

This intriguingly-named museum is committed to spreading the word about how we connect using our senses – a truly unparalleled choice if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. Located in the setting of a former bathhouse, the museum takes you on a uniquely interactive journey, with the option of taking a dip in the ‘Samadhi-Bad’ – an immersive experience that allows you to float, weightless, in total darkness.
Friedrichgasse 41, 8010 Graz

The newly-renovated museum houses a comprehensive collection of historical objects that relate to Vienna’s Jewish citizens from the past and present. Permanent exhibitions include a 3D map that allows you to explore Vienna’s former synagogues – many of which were ravaged during the war – and a ‘memory map’ which shows the devastation caused by the Nazis to Vienna’s Jewish community. The museum describes itself as ‘a place of confrontation and understanding’ and is a fascinating, and at times sobering, experience.

Dorotheergasse 11, 1010 Wien

Another slightly unusual choice, but it’s always good to break away from the crowds. Available to visit by appointment only, The Old Viennese Schnapps Museum pays tribute to the fruity liqueur. It isn’t purely a history lesson, of course: there is the chance to sample various types of Schnapps, including many made using historic recipes, making this a boozy, yet educational, day out.

Wilhelmstraße 19, 1120 Wien