You need no introduction from me, given the long history of Madame Tussauds all over the world. Cavort with personalities of the past and current celebrities in a wax-filled selfie heaven.
- A mix of national and international icons
- Tourists and locals both get value
- Surrounded by an entertainment park
- Also covered by the Vienna All-Inclusive Pass from GoCity
- See also:
Beethoven to Beyoncé
(Press photo © Madame Tussauds Wien)
Various information displays (in English, too), interactive screens, and similar round out the Madame Tussauds experience, but I imagine what any visitor really wants to know is just who you can meet and grab a photograph with.
Fortunately, Vienna offers rich territory for an attraction like this, given that many local celebrities also serve as international celebrities. Think Mozart or Sigmund Freud.
So if you’re concerned only locals would recognise the figures within, then fear not. The Vienna Madame Tussauds does a nice job of catering to all-comers. Yes, some figures you may not recognise, but most you will.
To the details…
You pass through various themed areas, such as sport, entertainment, World War II, and politics. Figures of the past rub shoulders with those of the present.
I found Mandela and Marx close enough to swap stories. And the British Queen’s audience included the likes of Barack Obama, Gandhi, and Angela Merkel.
Talking queens, right at the start you could take a photograph of yourself enjoying a tête-à-tête with Marie Antoinette of France or Empress Maria Theresa of Austria (actually mother and daughter!).
(Chris Hemsworth is a recent addition to the collection; press photo © Georg Aufreiter / Madame Tussauds Wien)
The settings obviously make for memorable photos. Options on my visit included:
Reclining on a couch while Sigmund Freud took notes about your childhood.
Or accompanying Schubert on the piano.
Or reminding the world that the hills are alive with the sound of music in the company of Julie Andrews with an Alpine background.
Or slipping through war-torn Vienna with Harry Lime. (You can still see many of the actual Third Man film locations around Vienna.)
Or solving equations with Einstein.
And much more.
The music and entertainment sections, particularly, offer plenty of iconic fun.
Alongside classical music greats like Haydn, Beethoven, and Strauss (this is Vienna, after all), I shared a tune with Madonna, Freddy Mercury, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. And shared anecdotes with Benedict Cumberbatch and Sandra Bullock.
(Recent additions to Madame Tussauds Vienna include Zendaya and Chris Hemsworth, fresh from Marvel movies and other cinematic adventures.)
I particularly enjoyed sitting for a cup of coffee with my historical crush, the great Audrey Hepburn, who (sadly if all too predictably) proved remarkably disinterested in my attempts to make conversation.
The final part of Madame Tussauds focused on Vienna’s most famous imperial pair (Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph), with a chance to dress up and experience more detailed displays than is the case for other personalities.
(Press photo © Madame Tussauds Wien / Christoph Kleinsasser)
Will you come away with a detailed understanding of the geopolitical impact of the Habsburg empire and the role of Haydn in developing the Viennese classical music tradition? No.
Will you have a bunch of photos to bring smiles to the faces of friends and family? Yes.
Tickets & visitor tips
Madame Tussauds offers various packages beyond simple entry, with bonuses that include photos, souvenirs and similar. If you’re a family, look out for the cheaper combination ticket.
A free one-time visit is also possible using, for example, the Vienna All-Inclusive Pass (my review) from Go City.
The surrounding Prater forms a huge entertainment and park complex just to the east of the city centre.
Madame Tussauds sits on the entrance square to the fun park, with neighbours that include the famous Riesenrad giant Ferris wheel.
Wander further into the complex for the Prater delights, both hi-tech and traditional: rollercoasters, dodgems, high-speed rides, arcades, tower carousels, and more.
For those escaping the thrills, the Prater also has long walks through meadows and light woodland, as well as several decent restaurants.
How to get to Madame Tussauds
The Riesenrad dominates the skyline from afar and that’s what you head for from the Praterstern station that feeds people through into the main entrance to the Prater.
Subway/tram: Take the U1 or U2 subway to reach Praterstern or tram lines O or 5. Both subway lines leave from the city centre.
Address: Riesenradplatz, 1020 Vienna | Website