Sigmund Freud Museum
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About
Located at the world-famous address where Freud lived and worked for 47 years before fleeing the Nazis in 1938, this museum was extensively renovated in 2020. It explores the birth of psychoanalysis and Freud's personal life. While much of the furniture was taken to London, the museum uses original artifacts, films, and conceptual art to fill the intellectual space. Expert recommendation: Take a look at the waiting room, which is the only room that still contains its original furnishings. Practical pro tip: The museum is located in the 9th district, a bit of a walk from the center. Use the U2 line to Schottentor and then enjoy a 10-minute walk through the charming 'servitenviertel' neighborhood. Book timed tickets online to avoid waiting.
Highlights
- Birthplace of psychoanalysis
- Freud's original office and home
- Personal artifacts and library
- Historical 19th-century apartment
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Votivkirche
This Neo-Gothic masterpiece was built as a 'votive offering' of thanks after Emperor Franz Joseph survived an assassination attempt in 1853. Its twin spires dominate the skyline of the Alsergrund district. The interior is light and airy, featuring stunning stained-glass windows that cast vibrant colors across the white stone pillars. It is often referred to as a 'miniature St. Stephen's' but with more uniform architectural consistency. Expert recommendation: Visit the church museum to see the Antwerp Altar, a magnificent 15th-century woodcarving. Practical pro tip: The park in front of the church (Sigmund-Freud-Park) is a favorite hangout for university students and offers the best angle for wide-lens photography of the facade.
Minoritenkirche
This 14th-century French Gothic-style church is one of the oldest in Vienna. It is famous for its unique 'stubby' tower (the top was shot off during Turkish sieges) and for housing a life-size mosaic copy of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper,' commissioned by Napoleon. The atmosphere is stark, quiet, and medieval. Expert recommendation: The mosaic is made of over 10,000 stones and weighs 20 tons; the detail is stunning when viewed up close. Practical pro tip: It is a parish church for the Italian community in Vienna, so you might stumble upon an Italian-language mass. It is located in a quiet administrative district and is a great place for a peaceful moment away from the tourist crowds.
Café Central
Café Central is Vienna's most celebrated grand café, housed in a palatial neo-Gothic building in the heart of the first district. Opening in 1876, it became the meeting place of Vienna's intelligentsia — Lenin, Freud, Trotsky, and the young Adolf Hitler all frequented these marble-topped tables. Today, expertly dressed waiters in bow ties serve an extensive menu of coffees, from melange to einspänner, alongside elaborate Viennese pastries and light meals. The towering vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and grand piano accompaniment transport visitors to the golden age of Viennese café society.
Globe Museum
The only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to globes, this hidden gem is located in the magnificent Baroque Palais Mollard. It displays over 250 terrestrial, celestial, lunar, and planetary globes, some dating back to the 16th century. The intricate craftsmanship and the history of cartography on display are fascinating. Expert recommendation: Look for the 'folded' pocket globes that were the 18th-century equivalent of a Google Map. Practical pro tip: Your ticket also includes entry to the Esperanto Museum located in the same building. It is a very niche museum, so it’s rarely crowded and provides a very tranquil, intellectual atmosphere.
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