Sisi Museum
Michaelerkuppel, Vienna, Vienna, 1010
See an intimate side of Empress Elisabeth of Austria—a fascinating 19th-century monarch often known as Sisi—at a museum that covers her groundbreaking life and death. The personal items on display here include regal clothing, jewelry, and accessories in exhibits inspired by Sisi’s own poetry.
The basics
The Sisi Museum is part of the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), along with the Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection; admission to the Imperial Palace includes access to all three, plus use of audio guides in several languages. Some history-themed tours of Vienna include the Imperial Palace, or you can purchase tickets online to visit independently. Holders of the Vienna City Card can get discounted tickets, which must be purchased on-site.
Things to know before you go
- A must for history buffs, the Sisi Museum is also great for lovers of art, fashion, and design.
- Since there’s no cloakroom for left luggage and clothing, avoid bringing extra belongings.
- Tickets are valid for one year, so it’s possible to divide the Imperial Palace into two visits by seeing the ground-floor Silver Collection on one trip, and taking in the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments on another visit.
- The wheelchair-accessible museum is equipped with ramps and elevators, with on-site wheelchairs available for use.
How to get there
Centrally located in Vienna, the Imperial Palace is easy to reach using public transportation. By underground, take the U3/orange line to the Herrengasse stop. You can also take tram lines 1, 2, D, or 71 to Burgring; or bus lines 1A or 2A to Hofburg. If you have a Vienna City Pass or Sisi Ticket, enter the Imperial Palace through the inner palace courtyard.
When to get there
During the busy summer months, lines begin to form outside the Imperial Palace even before opening hours. To avoid a wait, plan to arrive early or book tickets online; pre-purchased admission lets you skip the line at the ticket window. Vienna City Card holders also get to skip the lines.
What Else to See in Sisi’s Vienna
While the Imperial Palace is a great place to start exploring Sisi’s heritage in Vienna, there’s plenty more to see. After you’ve toured the Sisi Museum, head to Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn), where the empress spent the summer months. Included on the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace are exhibits on Imperial coaches, furniture, and other Sisi artifacts.
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