WestLicht
Vienna photography museum in the 7th district with changing photo exhibitions, the annual World Press Photo show and a collection of historic cameras.
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About the museum
WestLicht was founded in 2001 by the collector Peter Coeln as a non-profit association. Its holdings today include historic cameras, photographs and collections on the history of photography, which the museum presents in exhibitions and in the permanently displayed Camera Museum.
The museum is located on Westbahnstraße in the 7th district, in a loft from the 1950s that formerly housed a glass factory and a photo studio. The architecture firm Eichinger oder Knechtl converted the roughly five-metre-high rooms for museum use; on about 650 square metres, exhibitions, events and guided tours take place.
The programme alternates exhibitions on art photography, reportage and portraiture with emerging voices. For many years WestLicht has hosted the World Press Photo exhibition every autumn, in 2026 for the 25th time. The Camera Museum is on permanent display: around 360 devices show the milestones of camera technology in chronological order, from drawing and projection apparatus to the first commercially manufactured camera, the daguerreotype camera by Susse Frères, to the beginnings of digital photography. In addition, there is a digital 3D Camera Museum with one hundred significant developments. On Thursdays, the bar in the building turns into the HaiBar in the evening.
Highlights
- Camera Museum with around 360 cameras from all eras
- Daguerreotype camera by Susse Frères, the first commercially manufactured camera
- Annual World Press Photo exhibition in autumn
- Digital 3D Camera Museum with 100 milestones of photography
- Late opening on Thursdays until 9 pm with HaiBar
Permanent exhibition
- Kameramuseum – Around 360 cameras from all eras show the milestones of camera technology, from the precursors of photography to the beginnings of digital technology; the showpiece is the daguerreotype camera by Susse Frères.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- WestLicht. Schauplatz für Fotografie (gemeinnütziger Verein)
- Director
- Peter Coeln (Vorstand)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12Seniors aged 65 and over or with a pensioner's ID, students under 27, apprentices, civilian and military service personnel, holders of the Vienna City Card, Club Ö1, EasyCityPass Wien, Gartenbaukino season tickets, ÖVF members |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 18: €6; children under 6 free. |
| Seniors | €12From age 65 or with a pensioner's ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6With a disability ID. |
| Students & apprentices | €12Under 27 with ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €12 per personFrom 10 adults, price per person. School groups without a guide pay €6 per pupil (advance booking required). |
| Families | €36Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children up to age 16. |
Prices include 10% VAT. Free admission with Kulturpass, Vienna Pass and Vienna Flexi Pass. A single ticket is valid for 6 months from purchase, the annual pass for one year from the first visit. Members have free admission all year. ID is required for reduced categories; otherwise the full price will be charged at the ticket desk.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to Vienna Tourism, accessible for wheelchair users; assistance dogs are welcome. The museum website does not give more precise information on the lift and toilets.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €36 · Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children up to age 16. |
- Family tours & workshops
Family tours for accompanied children aged 7 and over with child-friendly prompts and small interactive tasks (€6 in addition to the exhibition ticket), workshops and programmes for school classes. Family ticket €36, children under 6 free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tram 6 and 49, U-Bahn U6 and U3.
By car
Car park nearby: Kaiserstraße 45, 1070 Vienna. The inner courtyard can be used for loading and unloading.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Museum shop with books. Bar in the building with coffee from the roastery Caffè Cambio; every Thursday from 6 pm as the HaiBar with cocktails, oysters and snacks.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 300 guests.
Five-metre-high loft of around 650 m² for gala dinners (up to 120 people), flying dinners (up to 300), presentations, conferences and celebrations; rental price on request from €1,800. Catering freely selectable, no minimum spend. Can also be booked in addition: a guided tour of the exhibition or an evening tour with a sparkling wine reception.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public overview tours of the current exhibition by registration (participation with a valid exhibition ticket), as well as expert tours of the Camera Museum on late Thursdays with founder Peter Coeln, after-hours tours and special tours with coffee. Group tours and school classes by arrangement. |
