Albertina vs Albertina Modern

What is the difference between the Albertina and Albertina Modern?

They are two separate museums of the same institution, about ten minutes apart on foot. The Albertina is the historic palace with old masters to Picasso; Albertina Modern shows art from 1945 to now.

The main Albertina is a Habsburg residence turned museum: State Rooms, a permanent display of classical modernism and four halls of changing exhibitions. Albertina Modern sits in the Künstlerhaus, built in 1865 as a gift to the city's artists from Emperor Franz Joseph, and draws its shows from the museum's holdings of post-war and contemporary art, including the Essl Collection.

What can you see at the main Albertina?

The 20 Habsburg State Rooms, the permanent Monet to Chagall display, and this season Picasso - Bacon until 31 January 2027, Her Story until 14 February and Shara Hughes until 28 February.

You enter on the bastion of the old city wall, under Hans Hollein's long steel roof from 2008. The State Rooms come first for most people: classicist interiors where Habsburg archdukes lived for about a century, from the Hall of the Muses to the Gold Cabinet. Monet to Chagall, the Batliner Collection, runs from Monet, Degas and Cézanne to Malevich, Chagall and a long run of Picassos.

The temporary shows are the reason to check dates. Right now: Picasso - Bacon. What It Feels Like to Be Human until 31 January 2027, Her Story. Women Artists of the ALBERTINA until 14 February 2027, Shara Hughes. Sink In until 28 February 2027, Otto meets Albertina until 10 January 2027, and Arnulf Rainer from 12 November 2026. Where to start is in what to see at the Albertina.

What is on at Albertina Modern now?

Vasarely and Adrian. Dynamic Grids, an Op Art show, runs until 10 January 2027. Franz West. The Revolution of Sculpture opens on 6 November 2026.

Vasarely and Adrian sets Victor Vasarely's geometric colour patterns beside the work of Marc Adrian, the only Austrian in the famous 1965 Op Art show The Responsive Eye at MoMA, per the Albertina. It is the kind of exhibition that needs no art history to enjoy: the pictures move while you stand still. Franz West, the Viennese sculptor, takes over from 6 November 2026.

A Modern ticket covers only the museum's exhibition halls on the ground and basement floors of the Künstlerhaus. The Albertina Modern ticket on GetYourGuide is sold by the Albertina itself, from $20 (3.9 from 94 reviews), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Albertina Modern in the Künstlerhaus: Vasarely and Adrian now, Franz West from 6 November, no time slot and open daily from 10 a.m.

★ 3.9 · 1 to 2 hours · from $20

Explore the Albertina Modern ticket → Tour details

Does one ticket cover both the Albertina and Albertina Modern?

No. A normal ticket is for one building only. The combined ticket (EUR 29.90, EUR 24.90 reduced) gives one entry to each venue, on the same day or different days within a year.

Bought separately, an adult pays EUR 20.90 plus EUR 17.90, or EUR 38.80. The combined ticket saves EUR 8.90 on that and includes Klosterneuburg too, though that venue is closed this winter. Under-19s are free everywhere, so families only need to work this out for the adults.

Check the building name before you pay, whatever you book. The Modern listing on GetYourGuide is clearly titled Albertina Modern at Künstlerhaus, and it does not get you into the main museum. All prices and discounts are in the ticket price guide.

How do you get from the Albertina to Albertina Modern?

Walk. It takes about ten minutes from Albertinaplatz past the State Opera and across the Ring to Karlsplatz. The U1, U2 and U4 stop at Karlsplatz too, but the walk is quicker than the platform.

From the Albertina's entrance, take the escalator or lift down to Albertinaplatz and head past the State Opera to the Ring. Cross at the Opera, using the Karlsplatz passage under the road if the traffic is heavy, and keep going towards Karlsplatz. The Künstlerhaus stands on the square next to the Musikverein, with the green dome of the Karlskirche across the park.

In bad weather the underground passages of Karlsplatz station keep you out of the rain for part of the way. The private guided tour's 4-hour option does this route with a guide and covers both buildings: see the private Albertina tour.

Which should you visit first, the Albertina or Albertina Modern?

On a Wednesday or Friday, do Albertina Modern first and the main Albertina in the evening: the Modern closes at 6 p.m. every day, the Albertina stays open until 9 p.m. on those two nights.

On other days both close at 6 p.m., so start with whichever matters more to you. If you only have time for one and this is your first trip to Vienna, pick the main Albertina. The State Rooms and the Picassos are what the museum is known for, and the season's big shows are there.

Pick Albertina Modern if you have seen the palace before, if Op Art or post-war Austrian art is your thing, or if you want a quieter visit. Visitors usually plan 2 to 3 hours for the main museum with its shows and 3.5 to 4 hours for both buildings together.

Is Albertina Modern worth visiting?

Yes, if you like modern or contemporary art. It is smaller than the main museum, takes an hour or two, and the Künstlerhaus itself is a fine 1865 building.

Albertina Modern has over 2,000 square metres of exhibition space for Austrian and international art from 1945 to the present, per the museum. Its shows rotate, so whether it is worth it for you depends on what is on. This winter's Op Art show is easy to like; Franz West suits people who enjoy sculpture with a sense of humour.

Go in knowing it is not a second helping of the main Albertina. There are no State Rooms and no Monet to Chagall here, and the museum offers no smartphone guide at the Modern at the moment. The free lockers in the basement mean you can leave coats and bags.

What about Albertina Klosterneuburg?

It is the third venue, just outside Vienna, and it is closed from 16 November 2026 until March 2027.

Albertina Klosterneuburg sits at An der Donau-Au 1 in Klosterneuburg, about 3 km beyond the city border by the Danube. In its 2026 season it opened Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at EUR 9 for adults. A combined ticket with Klosterneuburg Abbey costs EUR 13 and is sold only at the venue's ticket machine.

For a winter trip, ignore it and plan on the two Vienna buildings. The combined ticket stays valid for a year, so it can still cover Klosterneuburg after the reopening in March 2027.

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