The Albertina began as the private collection of Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen, who assembled tens of thousands of drawings, prints and photographs from the 18th century onward — including works by Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt, though only a rotating selection is displayed at any time to protect the fragile originals.
The modern art collection
Upstairs, the Albertina Modern and the museum's permanent galleries trace a path through Impressionism, Expressionism and into the 20th century, with works by Monet, Renoir, Klimt, Munch, Kokoschka and Picasso among the highlights. It's a compact but genuinely strong survey of exactly the periods most visitors come to Vienna's museums hoping to see.
The State Rooms
The Habsburg-era State Rooms (Prunkräume) are included in the general ticket and offer a lighter, more decorative counterpoint to the art galleries — a set of lavishly restored 19th-century interiors that give a sense of how the building's original residents lived.
Local tip
The Albertina sits right behind the State Opera, making it easy to combine with an opera tour or a walk down Kärntner Straße — build it into a morning covering the Ringstrasse's museum cluster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Albertina worth visiting?
Yes, particularly for its modern art collection — it's one of the more manageable major museums in Vienna, easy to see well in under two hours.
What is the Albertina famous for?
Its graphic art collection (drawings and prints, including works by Dürer) and its strong Impressionist-to-modern painting collection.