„Don´t go to a museum with a destination. Museums are wormholes to other worlds.“- Jerry Saltz; Long Night of Museums
Once a year, Vienna transforms into one giant museum. Lights shine everywhere, people stroll through the city with small program booklets, and the doors to places that normally close at 6 p.m. stay open until midnight. The Long Night of Museums is a bit like a cultural adventure in the moonlight—with snacks, history, and sometimes a wet ending (but more on that later).
How it all began – or:
Why does this night actually exist?
The Long Night of Museums was launched over twenty years ago by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) with the idea of making art and culture accessible to everyone. You buy a ticket, valid throughout Vienna (and other Austrian cities), and you can visit as many museums as you like.
That sounds easier than it is. Because even if you start out with full enthusiasm, you’ll realize after the second museum at the latest that time is simply flying by. Between admiring the architecture, listening to audio guides, marveling at exhibits, and drinking coffee, every hour passes faster than you can say „medieval armor.“
The plan
– and what really happened
We actually had a very precise plan this year. My husband had been looking forward to the Long Night of Museums for weeks because he absolutely wanted to visit the Sissi Museum, the Treasury, and the Spanish Riding School. Three places that were at the top of his list.
Well – and then there we were: all three closed. I don’t know if they deliberately took a break this year, but somehow I had the feeling that there were fewer museums from the city center than usual. It’s a shame, really, because these historic buildings have a special kind of magic at night.
But hey – instead of frustration, there was flexibility. We spontaneously replanned, just set out, and by the end of the evening, we’d managed to visit three museums. Not many, but three really good ones. And honestly, that’s quite an achievement, considering that you don’t want to rush that night, but rather enjoy it.
Stop 1: Hofburg
– History meets the world
We started at the Hofburg, specifically at the History Museum, which is connected to the World Museum. I’ve never been there before (don’t ask me why—sometimes you just live too close to things to really see them). As soon as I entered, I was completely blown away. This architecture! These walls! These staircases! I stood there and thought: How beautiful can a building possibly be?
My husband, of course, immediately went into explanation mode. I swear, he could easily become a museum guide. And because I don’t want to keep his facts to myself, here are a few highlights for you:
• The building was built to magnificently welcome emissaries from all over the world.
• A monumental staircase runs the entire length, looking as if it never ends.
• The curved shape of the building, by the way, is intentionally intended to create confusion—a kind of architectural illusion.
• The emperor himself thought the whole thing was a complete waste of money. (Classic.)
I love details like that. They make history somehow tangible.
At the end of the exhibition, we came to a medieval area – and that’s exactly where there would have been show fights. Of course, we were too late. But there were exciting stories, like the one about how every young man who wanted to become a citizen of Vienna had to own his own suit of armor. The price? The equivalent of a Mercedes AMG today. Unimaginable, right?
After this first stop during the Long Night of Museums, we were definitely already in the vibe: history, architecture, and my husband’s constant commentary. I loved it.
Stopover:
Beer, food trucks and reflections
After the first museum, we continued toward Maria-Theresien-Platz, the official meeting point for the Long Night of Museums. It was really busy there. People with the typical green wristbands everywhere, music in the air, food trucks serving curry, burgers, and even crepes.
I briefly considered getting something to eat, but somehow I didn’t want to waste our time waiting. So we just had a beer while we figured out our next stop.
The evening felt really lively—so many people, all on the same mission: to experience as much art and culture as possible in six hours. A little crazy, a little chaotic—but that’s exactly what makes the Long Night of Museums so appealing.
Stop 2: NHM
Natural History Museum – Coffee, Cake & Dinosaurs
And that was a good decision. You sit there among dinosaur skeletons, gemstones, and planets, drinking cappuccino and eating apple strudel or chestnut cake—surrounded by history. I love it. Luckily, we managed to get a table, which is certainly not a given during the Long Night of Museums.
While we were sitting there, we looked at the ceiling paintings and wondered how much time and patience it would take to design a house like that.
A few facts (and fun facts) about the NHM that you might not know yet:
• The museum opened in 1889 – back in the time of Emperor Franz Joseph.
• The collection originally came from a Florentine naturalist, whose objects Franz I simply bought.
• Incidentally, the NHM also houses the Tyrannosaurus rex „Franz Josef“ – named after the emperor, of course.
• The oldest exhibit is over 29,000 years old: the famous Venus of Willendorf.
• And: There’s a special department for meteorites – stones that literally fell from space. How cool is that?
I think the NHM (Natural History Museum) is the kind of place that feels a little different every time. Impressive by day – almost magical by night. Especially during the Long Night of Museums, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
And yes – I actually managed to lose myself between a dinosaur and a mammoth while my husband was giving a lecture about rock layers somewhere.
Stop 3: Academy of Fine Arts
– a hidden gem
Our last stop of the evening was the Academy of Fine Arts on Schillerplatz. And honestly? It was my highlight.
The building has been recently renovated, and many people don’t realize how beautiful it really is inside. The courtyard is a small work of art in itself—high ceilings, artistic paintings, and yes, swings! Of course, I immediately took a seat.
The academy is not only a place of study, but also houses a small but incredibly valuable art gallery. And there hangs one of the most famous works of all time: Hieronymus Bosch’s The Last Judgment. Standing before it, you almost feel as if the painting is alive—so many details, so many stories in a single work.
A few fun facts for you:
• The academy was founded in 1688 – older than many countries in their current form.
• Adolf Hitler actually applied here twice – and was rejected both times. (Which is perhaps the most famous „no“ in art history.)
• The collections include works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Cranach, van Dyck, and Titian – simply priceless.
• After the renovation, many rooms were digitized, so students there now work with the latest technology.
• And one more thing: During the Long Night of Museums, there are often short tours given by art students themselves – super charming because you can see how passionate they are.
Unfortunately, the weather here spoiled our plans. As soon as we got outside, it started pouring – really heavily. No umbrella in the world would have helped. So we called it a night, completely soaked, but happy.
my summary
a night full of impressions
Every year, the Long Night of Museums is a bit like a treasure hunt. You never know exactly what to expect, but you always find something that surprises you.
I love the feeling of walking through Vienna at night, with music in the distance, rain in the air, and the knowledge that somewhere behind a heavy door, a completely different cosmos awaits you.
Sure, you can never do everything. There are too many museums, too many impressions, too little time. But perhaps that’s precisely the point—it’s not about seeing everything. It’s about discovering, experiencing, and being amazed.
Even though some of my dream museums were closed this year, it was a wonderful evening. Three stops, countless impressions, and a wet finale – all during the Long Night of Museums.
If you’re joining us next year, my tip:
Start early, wear comfortable shoes, plan roughly, but remain spontaneous. And treat yourself to a piece of cake at the NHM every now and then – it’s simply part of the experience. I’m already looking forward to the next Long Night of Museums – perhaps with a little less rain, but with just as much enthusiasm.
PS: If you’ve never been to the Long Night of Museums, go for it! It’s one of those nights you don’t plan, you simply experience. And who knows, maybe you’ll meet up again amidst dinosaurs, baroque paintings, and apple strudel.
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