The first time I stepped onto the musical stairs at the entrance to the House of Music in Vienna, each step lit up and played a piano note. I immediately felt like a child again, jumping between steps to create chaotic melodies.
The Haus der Musik opened in 2000 inside the Palace of Archduke Charles where Otto Nicolai founded the Vienna Philharmonic in 1842. It’s interactive, occasionally gimmicky, but genuinely engaging for both children and adults.
The virtual conductor exhibit lets you lead the Vienna Philharmonic using a baton. They respond to your movements — mess up the rhythm and virtual orchestra members will audibly grumble at you.
Why book the House of Music Vienna entrance ticket?
- Interactive sound museum: Explore exhibitions that let you compose music, conduct an orchestra and learn about sound in a hands-on way.
- Discover musical history: Learn about Vienna’s rich musical heritage and its most famous composers, from Mozart to Strauss.
- Suitable for all ages: Engaging exhibits and interactive displays make this experience interesting for families, adults and children alike.
- Flexible entry: Use your ticket to enter at the time that suits your schedule during opening hours.
- Central Vienna location: Conveniently situated in the heart of the city, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing.
Quick overview
The House of Music charges €19 for adults, €15 for students and seniors, and €8 for children under 12. Children under three enter free.
The museum opens daily 10am-10pm, with last entry at 9pm. This includes December 24th when it closes at 6pm. No advance booking is required for individual visits.
At a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €19 adults; €15 reduced; €8 children under 12; Free under 3 |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am-10pm; Dec 24 10am-6pm; last entry 9pm |
| Address | Seilerstätte 30, 1010 Vienna |
| Free for | Children under 3 |
| Last entry | 9pm (5pm on Dec 24) |
How much does the House of Music cost?
Standard admission covers all four floors of interactive exhibits. Prices are straightforward with several discount options.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €19.00 | Ages 27-59 |
| Reduced | €15.00 | Students under 27, seniors 60+, people with disabilities |
| Child | €8.00 | Ages 3-11 |
| Under 3 | Free | Children under 3 |
| Family ticket | €39.00 | 2 adults + 3 children under 12 |
| Group (10+) | €13.00 | Per person, registration required |
Combined tickets with Mozarthaus Vienna are available — €26 adults, €19 reduced.
Is the House of Music free to enter?
No. Only children under three enter free.
The museum operates as part of Vienna Holding, a municipal enterprise. Admission fees support operations and ongoing exhibition development.
Five great things to do while you’re in Vienna
- Take a guided bike tour through the Old City and along the Danube.
- Enjoy a classical music concert at St Peter’s Church.
- Taste gruner veltliners and much more on a wine tour through the Weinviertel region.
- See the World Heritage-listed sights of the Wachau Valley on a super-scenic day trip.
- Explore Vienna’s food scene in café’s and markets with an expert guide.
What time does the House of Music open?
The House of Music opens daily at 10am, closing at 10pm. Last entry is 9pm.
On December 24th, hours are 10am-6pm with last entry at 5pm. The museum shop opens 11am-9pm daily (11am-5pm on December 24th).
Do I need to book House of Music tickets in advance?
No for individual visitors. Walk in anytime during opening hours. You can book online if you like, however.
Groups of 10+ must pre-register online or by ringing +43 1 51 34 850. School groups receive special rates and educational materials.
History
Otto Nicolai (1810-1849) lived in this building when he founded the Vienna Philharmonic in 1842. The composer of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” established the orchestra’s first concert here.
The Palace of Archduke Charles dates from the early 19th century. It served various purposes before becoming a sound museum.
The Haus der Musik opened June 2000 as Austria’s first museum dedicated to sound and music. It won the Austrian Museum Prize in 2002 for innovative conception.
Development involved four Austrian universities, two foreign institutes, musicians, multimedia artists, and sound technicians. The result blends musicological content with interactive technology.
Zubin Mehta serves as honorary president. The museum has inspired international projects, including Casa de la Música de Viena en Puebla, Mexico (2015-2022).
What to see and do
The entrance features musical stairs — 13 movement-sensitive steps functioning as piano keys. Each step illuminates when activated, displaying the note on wall panels.
The first floor houses the Vienna Philharmonic Museum. Otto Nicolai’s former apartments contain the orchestra’s founding decree from 1842, the first concert programme, and batons from legendary conductors including Herbert von Karajan.
A cinema hall screens highlights from the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert and Summer Night Concert in HD quality. The viewing experience captures the Musikverein atmosphere.
The Waltz Dice Game lets you compose your own waltz through dice rolls. Mozart and Haydn used similar games—your creation appears on screen and can be printed at the shop.
The second floor explores the science of sound. Interactive exhibits demonstrate prenatal hearing, acoustic principles, and sound wave visualization.
The third floor celebrates Vienna’s great composers. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Mahler, Berg, and Webern each have dedicated sections with holograms, manuscripts, and personal effects.
The Virtual Conductor is the highlight. Stand on a podium with a motion-sensing baton and conduct the Vienna Philharmonic through pieces like “The Blue Danube” or “Radetzky March.” Fall out of rhythm and musicians criticize your technique.
A computer programme transforms your name into an original Mozart-style composition. Artist Johannes Deutsch created a floor-wide sound carpet installation.
Allow 2-3 hours minimum. Those who get into it easily spend four hours exploring every interactive element.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Access to all four floors of exhibitions
- Interactive musical stairs at entrance
- Vienna Philharmonic Museum and archives
- Virtual conductor experience
- Waltz dice game with printable scores
- Sound science experiments and installations
- Composer exhibitions with interactive elements
- Name-to-Mozart-melody generator
Things to do near the House of Music
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) (400m, 5-minute walk) – Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece dominates the city centre. The distinctive tiled roof and 137-metre South Tower are Vienna’s most recognizable landmarks. Climb 343 steps for panoramic views.
Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper) (300m, 4-minute walk) – One of the world’s finest opera houses in neo-Renaissance style. Standing-room tickets available from €10-15 on performance days. Guided tours run daily when performances permit.
Albertina Museum (500m, 6-minute walk) – World-class art museum housing Dürer’s “Hare” and one of the largest print collections globally. Monet, Picasso, and Klimt works fill the galleries.
Hofburg Palace (700m, 9-minute walk) – Former Habsburg imperial winter residence sprawls across the Innere Stadt. The Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum explore court life. The Treasury houses the imperial crown.
Mozarthaus Vienna (250m, 3-minute walk) – Mozart’s residence 1784-1787 where he composed “The Marriage of Figaro.” Three floors display manuscripts, period instruments, and biographical exhibits.
Elsewhere in Vienna, cultural attractions include Hundertwasserhaus, the Belvedere Palace, and the Museum of Art Fakes. Less intense are the food stalls of the Naschmarkt and the sprawling Prater park in Leopoldstadt.
Practical tips
- Late opening (10pm) makes this ideal for evening visits
- Interactive exhibits appeal to all ages—bring children
- The virtual conductor is popular—expect queues in peak season
- Photography permitted throughout for personal use
- Rooftop restaurant Huth offers views over Vienna—book ahead
- Nearest U-Bahn: Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4) or Stephansplatz (U1, U3)
- Fully wheelchair accessible with lifts to all floors
- Audio guides not available—exhibits are self-explanatory
- Museum shop sells printed waltz compositions and music souvenirs
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes, extremely. The interactive nature engages children as young as three. Musical stairs, virtual conducting, and hands-on sound experiments hold attention. School groups visit regularly.
How long should I spend here?
Budget 2-3 hours minimum. Music enthusiasts and families with children easily spend 3-4 hours exploring everything thoroughly.
Do I need musical knowledge?
No. Exhibits explain concepts clearly and interactivity works regardless of musical background. Classical music fans will appreciate deeper historical content, but anyone curious about sound will enjoy it.
Can I actually play the virtual conductor?
Yes. Everyone can try. The motion-sensing technology interprets baton movements in real-time. It’s harder than it looks—the orchestra genuinely responds to rhythm accuracy.
More Austria travel
Other Austria travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Vienna to Ljubljana: Direct train vs indirect train vs bus.
- Vienna to Salzburg train times and ticket prices.
- Visiting Salzburg’s Sound of Music locations.
- What to expect at Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
- Guide to Innsbruck’s Hofkirche and Hofburg.
