Sigmund Freud Museum

The Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna is one of the most significant places to understand the birth of psychoanalysis and the life of its founder. Located at the famous address Berggasse 19 in the Alsergrund district, this museum occupies the flat where Sigmund Freud lived and worked for 47 years (from 1891 to 1938), turning this place into the cradle of a revolution that changed the understanding of the human psyche forever.

Founded in 1971, the museum underwent a major renovation in 2020 that almost doubled the exhibition area to about 550 square metres. For the first time since its opening, all private rooms of the Freud family are accessible to visitors, offering an intimate glimpse into the domestic and professional life of the great psychoanalyst. The renovation has made the museum fully accessible to wheelchair users (with the exception of the gallery above the café), demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.

The museum is not only a tribute to the figure of Freud, but also a historical reminder of the loss of culture and humanity during the National Socialist regime. In June 1938, after the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany, Freud was forced to flee to London with his family, leaving behind the house that had hosted his greatest discoveries. He died a year later, in 1939, at the age of 83, ending his life with the help of a doctor friend due to a serious tumour.

Today, the museum holds over 400 objects including letters, books, furniture, photographs and documents that tell not only about Freud’s professional life, but also the more personal aspects of his existence. The visit offers an immersive experience combining history, psychology and contemporary art, making this a must-see for anyone interested in the history of medicine, psychology or simply early 20th century Vienna.

The exhibitions of the Sigmund Freud Museum

The museum’s exhibition route is spread over several levels, each dedicated to a different aspect of Freud’s life and work. The entrance foyer welcomes visitors with the ticket office, the museum shop and Café Freud, a cosy cafeteria where a large wall portrait of Sigmund Freud watches over visitors. Freud’s first ambulatory, located on the mezzanine floor, is now dedicated to the museum’s contemporary art collection, with works by conceptual artists such as Baldessari, Kabakov, West and Hiller dialoguing with the themes of psychoanalysis.

On the mezzanine, visitors can choose between two routes: on the left is access to the family’s private rooms, while on the right are the consulting rooms where Freud received patients. The private rooms have been reconstructed on the basis of historical photographs and offer a fascinating insight into the daily life of the Freud family, showing how domestic spaces were used. Particularly moving is the original waiting room, one of the few rooms that still has the furniture of the time, as Freud was able to bring most of his belongings with him to London.

The main floor is entirely dedicated to science and research: here is the Library of Psychoanalysis, the largest in Europe with over 40,000 titles, and the Sigmund Freud Archive with priceless historical documents. The new second stairwell tells the dramatic story of the building during the Nazi period, when the flats were used as communal living quarters for Jews: a total of 79 people stayed here until their deportation, a tragic chapter that the museum does not forget to commemorate.

Admission tickets for the Sigmund Freud Museum

Tickets for the Sigmund Freud Museum can be purchased online at this link or directly on site at the ticket office in the entrance hall. Purchasing online is recommended in order to avoid any waiting time, although the museum generally does not experience significant queues thanks to its well-sized spaces.

A free audioguide is provided at the entrance, which greatly enriches the experience, providing details on Freud’s life, his theories and historical context. The museum has also implemented a system of QR codes strategically placed in the various rooms, which allow visitors to access in-depth information in different languages via smartphone, making the visit interactive and customisable.

Discounted or free entry with City Cards

Admission to the Sigmund Freud Museum offers several savings options: it is completely free for Vienna Pass holders, while those with the Vienna City Card can take advantage of a discount on the standard adult price. This distinction is important to consider when choosing between the tourist cards, as the Vienna Pass includes free access to over 90 attractions, while the Vienna City Card offers discounts on more than 200 partners as well as unlimited public transport.

Opening hours

The Sigmund Freud Museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., including public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, with the exception of some special periods. On Wednesdays the opening hours are extended until 9 p.m., offering the opportunity to visit the museum in the evening hours with a quieter and more atmospheric atmosphere.

During the summer period (1 July to 30 September), the museum applies extended hours and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., eliminating the Tuesday closure to accommodate the greater flow of visitors during the peak tourist season.Last admission is one hour before closing time (5 p.m. during standard opening hours, 6 p.m. in summer and 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings).

During the Christmas period (13 December to 8 January), the museum applies special opening hours and is open daily. On 24 December, it observes reduced opening hours from 10:00 to 14:00, and on 1 January it opens later, from 12:00 to 18:00. It is advisable to check the updated opening hours on the official website before visiting, especially during the holidays.

To visit the museum completely, exploring all the rooms and reading the information provided, 1.5-2 hours are recommended. Fans of psychoanalysis and history could easily spend more time, especially if they decide to stop in the museum café or visit the shop with its rich selection of books and souvenirs.

How to get to the Sigmund Freud Museum

The Sigmund Freud Museum is located at Berggasse 19 in the district of Alsergrund (9th district), a short distance from the historic centre of Vienna. The nearest underground station is Schottentor on the U2 (purple) line, from which the museum is about a 5-minute walk away. Exiting the underground, follow the signs to Berggasse through the characteristic university quarter.

Alternatively, you can use the Roßauer Lände station on the U4 (green) line, which is about an 8-minute walk from the museum. Tram lines 1 and D stop at Schlickgasse station, only a 3-minute walk from the museum, whilebus 40A stops directly at Berggasse, practically in front of the museum entrance.

For those using regional trains, the REX 1, REX 4, S2, S3 and S7 lines stop at Schlickgasse station, a short walk away. From the historic centre of Vienna with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the museum can be reached in about 15 minutes by public transport or with a pleasant 20-minute walk through the shopping streets.