Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and supermodel Kate Moss at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Tom Cruise at the Belvedere, Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the Albertina, and Madonna and Yoko Ono at the Leopold Museum. They’ve all taken exclusive guided tours of the collections on display at some of Vienna’s best-known museums. But this special privilege isn’t just reserved for A-listers – special offers make it possible.

Undisturbed insights into Vienna's museums

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, for example, offers unique insights behind the scenes of its collections. Over the past quarter of a millennium, a layer of patina has given Leopold Mozart’s violin a blackish tinge. Every now and again, a top musician takes this priceless instrument out if its display cabinet and the sweet melody of a sonata by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – the son of the violin’s former owner – soon fills the air in the marble hall, home to the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A tiny audience listens in – even though the museum has long since closed for the night. This unforgettable performance is possible by private tours which give visitors the chance to view the museum’s collections at their leisure.

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Visitors can discover other dazzling exhibits including the breathtaking crowns on display in the Imperial Treasuries and Cellini’s world-famous Saliera salt cellar in the Kunstkammer during a night tour, browse the museum’s vaults in the company of a curator, watch a restorer at work or admire works by Rembrandt and Bruegel as part of an early-morning stroll around the picture gallery. And to round off your personal tour, there’s the option of a stylish dinner served in the museum’s unique surroundings.

An exclusive museum visit outside of normal opening times is also possible at the Leopold Museum. Marvel at masterpieces of Vienna Modernism or current exhibitions at a private viewing. The Belvedere also opens its doors for guided tours in the evening and allows visitors to experience Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" and other prominent works undisturbed.

The imperial living quarters of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth can be explored on an evening tour of the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments in the Imperial Palace. A visit to Schönbrunn Palace is also possible after regular opening hours. You can stroll through the unique palace on the evening tours without any pressure of time or other members of the public.

Schönbrunn Zoo right up close

There are also backstage tours at the Schönbrunn Zoo. Guided tours of the Aquarium-Terrarium House, the Polarium or the Rainforest House offer a glimpse behind the scenes. Those who would rather just visit the animals and maybe even feed them are well-advised to use the Adventure Ticket. Here, a maximum of two people, accompanied by an employee, can pay a visit to lemurs, giant tortoises, penguins, rhinoceroses, koalas, or elephants. You can also pay an exclusive eye-level visit to the giraffes, feeding included. But there is a waiting time of up to a year for some animals.