Hofburg Wien

About the museum

For over six centuries the Hofburg was the Viennese residence of the Habsburgs. From here they ruled first as sovereign princes, later as Holy Roman Emperors and, from 1806, as Austrian emperors until the end of the monarchy in 1918. The sprawling complex grew from the medieval Swiss Wing to the Michaelertrakt, completed at the end of the 19th century; today it is used by, among others, the Federal President, the National Library and several museums.

In the Reichskanzleitrakt and the Amalienburg, the living and state rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth can be seen. The Imperial Apartments are fully furnished and restored according to historical models; the tour leads through the study, living and reception rooms of the imperial couple.

The Sisi Museum was added in 2004; on more than 400 square metres it is devoted to the life of the empress and, with personal belongings, traces her image between myth and reality. It is being redesigned in stages until mid-November 2026. The Silver Chamber on the ground floor, with table silver, porcelain and equipment from the former court kitchen, has been closed until further notice since April 2023.

The rooms are operated by the Schönbrunn Group, which also runs Schönbrunn Palace, Schloss Hof and the Furniture Museum Vienna. Other museums in the Hofburg, such as the Imperial Treasury, the Prunksaal of the National Library or the collections in the Neue Burg, have their own admission tickets.

Highlights

• Living and working rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph
• Apartments of Empress Elisabeth in the Amalienburg
• Sisi Museum with personal belongings of the empress
• Entrance under the dome of the Michaelertrakt

Permanent exhibitions

• Kaiserappartements – Original living and state rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth, furnished according to historical models.
• Sisi Museum – Personal belongings and stations from the life of Empress Elisabeth; not accessible until 18 November 2026 due to redesign.

Founded

1279

Operated by

Schönbrunn Group

Admission & discounts

One ticket is valid for the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments. During the reconstruction phase from 6 October to 18 November 2026, tickets are reduced by 25% (except Sisi Pass). Original tickets are available online only via imperialtickets.com.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All exhibition areas are accessible via ramps, mobile wheelchair rails and a lift (lift 125 × 129 cm, door 78.5 cm); the rails are not suitable for very heavy or three-wheeled wheelchairs. Loan wheelchairs free of charge against ID at the turnstile. Accessible toilets on the ground floor and first floor (only with staff accompaniment). Three disabled parking spaces at Heldenplatz. Private tours for blind and visually impaired people on request. Groups with more than three wheelchair users should register in advance.

Kids & families

Children under 6 have free admission; the Schönbrunn Group's children's museum is located in Schönbrunn Palace.

Getting there & parking

Entrance for all visitors with a ticket directly under the Michaelerkuppel; ticket office for individual visitors to the left of the Kaisertor in the Inner Castle Courtyard, group ticket office in the foyer under the Michaelerkuppel. By car via the Ringstraße.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

No cloakroom and no luggage storage, as the entrance (Michaelerkuppel) and exit (Ballhausplatz) are at different locations. Souvenir shop at the end of the tour.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit