- The courtyards are open around the clock and free
- 24 hours
- Year the quarter opened, in the former imperial stables
- 2001
- Egon Schiele works in the Leopold Museum, by the museum's count
- 220+
What it is and why it is worth your time
The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is a large arts district in the old imperial court stables. Wikipedia says the stables once housed up to 600 horses and 200 carriages. The quarter opened in stages in 2001, with new buildings by Ortner & Ortner. In 2026 it marks its 25th anniversary.
It is the right stop if you want contemporary culture and a place to sit. It is less essential if your focus is the Habsburgs.
What to see and how long to allow
The courtyards are the free part. The MQ describes the grounds as open around the clock, with cafés and restaurants that need no museum ticket. The pink outdoor seating is called Enzis. Dogs on leads are welcome outdoors but not inside the museums.
On the paid side you have a few choices:
- Leopold Museum: the main reason to pay. The museum says it holds more than 220 works by Egon Schiele and about 9,000 works in total, with a focus on Austrian art from the second half of the nineteenth century and Modernism. Klimt, Gerstl, Kokoschka and Wiener Werkstätte design are all listed.
- mumok: the modern and contemporary art museum. Go if that is your taste.
- Kunsthalle Wien and Architekturzentrum Wien: rotating exhibitions on contemporary art and architecture, worth a look only if the current show appeals. Kunsthalle Wien stays open until 8pm on Thursdays, and the Architekturzentrum Wien until 8pm on Wednesdays.
- ZOOM Kindermuseum: for children.
For a first visit, pick one museum and spend the rest of the time in the courtyards. The Leopold Museum alone is enough for a visit. Skip the rest unless you are an arts regular.
Tickets and opening hours
The MQ’s ticket information and opening hours pages are the reference, checked October 2026.
- Closing days: the Leopold Museum opens Wednesday to Monday, and mumok Tuesday to Sunday, both 10am to 6pm. So on Monday only the Leopold is open, and on Tuesday only mumok.
- Price pattern: the Leopold was €19 and mumok €18 at our check, with reduced prices a few euros lower. A Leopold plus mumok combined ticket was €33.
- FAB 5 Combo: €42 for the Leopold, mumok, Kunsthalle Wien, Architekturzentrum Wien and MQ Freiraum.
- MQ Point: the information and ticket desk at the main entrance, with a shop, open daily 10am to 7pm.
If you are also visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Leopold Museum lists a joint ticket with it, so ask when you book.
Guide or no guide
No. The MQ runs an overview tour in English on Saturdays at 15:00 from MQ Point, which cost €9 at our check. It adds the history of the stables, but the courtyards are easy to explore alone.
Getting there from the Hofburg
Take the U3 (Vienna’s underground) from Herrengasse, the Hofburg’s station, to Volkstheater. On the U3, Volkstheater is the station before Herrengasse, so it is a single stop. The MQ’s main entrance is at Volkstheater, at the corner of Burggasse and Museumsplatz. Tram 49 stops at Volkstheater, and the MQ says it is within walking distance of Burgring. See the Wiener Linien planner for live times, or our getting there guide.
One practical tip
Plan around the closing days. Leopold on Monday, mumok on Tuesday, both on any other day. For a quieter visit, the MQ suggests weekday mornings or early evenings. In bad weather, the museums and courtyards stay open as normal, but some restaurants and outdoor features may close.
How it fits with a Hofburg visit
The MQ is a contrast to the imperial sights, so it works as a break after them. The main Hofburg guide covers the palace itself, and tickets and tours covers booking. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is close by, and the Naschmarkt is another city-centre option for lunch. Pair the MQ with the Hofburg when you want one old and one new stop in the same afternoon.
