{"id":35265,"date":"2021-07-24T05:22:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-24T04:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=35265"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:09:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:09:34","slug":"museum-of-illusions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/museum-of-illusions\/","title":{"rendered":"The Museum of Illusions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"#tickets\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/illusionstickets.jpg\" alt=\"Museum of Illusions sign\" class=\"wp-image-45119\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Well, you won&#8217;t believe your eyes. Or rather, you will, but you really shouldn&#8217;t. The Museum of Illusions lives up to its name with a collection of installations that deceive, astound, and bring a bemused smile to your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Great for amusing photos &amp; Instagram<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Obviously excellent for kids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Very central location<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helpful staff, too<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Closed Feb 23rd to March 18th, 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reopens March 19th, 2026 at twice the size<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-attractions-c60335\/tickets-for-museum-of-illusions-vienna-p975908\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_Illu\" rel=\"sponsored\">tickets<\/a>* for the museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/kids-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"11143\">What to do with kids<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don&#8217;t trust your eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"274\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/floatingillusion.jpg\" alt=\"Floating illusion\" class=\"wp-image-35267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/floatingillusion.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/floatingillusion-300x164.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Press photo courtesy of and \u00a9 Museum of Illusions)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given world events, I entered the Museum of Illusions filled with cynicism paired with my usual dose of grumpiness. All the more pleasing then to report that the experience put a smile of wonder back on my face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider the &#8220;museum&#8221; a place of amusement and bemusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fun comes mainly from the larger installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some play with your senses, such as a solid, fixed gangway inside a rotating light display that has you clinging to the rails entirely unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/museumofillusionsme.jpg\" alt=\"Window sign with museum directions\" class=\"wp-image-70127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/museumofillusionsme.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/museumofillusionsme-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(This way for optical magic)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Others play with perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One room makes you look twice as big as your companion, for example. Another has you climbing a vertical wall. In one corner table, your head appears to be served on a plate. As such, this is heaven for instagrammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bemusement (also laced with fun) comes mainly from smaller installations and posters. The kind where your eyes and brain combine to create images and interpretations that simply do not exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some will stay with me a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/illusion1.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the Museum of Illusions\" class=\"wp-image-56886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/illusion1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/illusion1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Press photo courtesy of and \u00a9 Museum of Illusions)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the printed poster where a grey face appears to slowly disappear before your eyes. What? How?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or the rotating half sphere that&#8217;s not rotating at all. But it is! (No, it isn&#8217;t.) All a trick of the light and the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s like being on the front row of a magic show; you find yourself regularly furrowing your brow and going, &#8220;but how\u2026?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The museum is quite small; we were in and out in just 35 minutes, though you could stay longer to do all the little wooden and other puzzles that also dot the inside. But we thought it worth every cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(And my partner would happily have paid double to see my head served up to her on that plate).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illusion3.jpg\" alt=\"Museum view with optical illusions on the wall\" class=\"wp-image-64654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illusion3.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illusion3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Press photo courtesy of and \u00a9 Museum of Illusions)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tickets\">Tickets &amp; visitor tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tickets are available on site and online from various sources, of course. Note that the museum closes from February 23rd to March 18th, 2026 for refurbishment. The March 19th reopening sees the museum double in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)<\/p><div data-tiqets-widget=\"availability\" data-product-id=\"975908\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"AW_Illu\" data-layout=\"full\"><\/div><script defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The installations and illusions each come with a small information display in English, German, Italian and Spanish that typically includes an explanation of the deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few other tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some of the larger illusions need two people in them to function, which makes taking a photo tricky if no third person is available. However, we went as a couple and a friendly member of staff stepped in each time we got near such an attraction to take a photo for us<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Talking photos: blue spots on the ground indicate the ideal points to stand and click for the best illusory outcome on your phone or camera. Use them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Definitely a place to get to outside of peak times, so you don&#8217;t have to wait to get in or (once inside) for the photo opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you enjoy the puzzles, note that the small shop has quite a few to buy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pause a moment to consider the surrounds. You&#8217;re actually in part of a wider palais that dates back to the late 17th century and belonged to the Esterh\u00e1zy family. The likes of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/joseph-haydn\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6566\">Haydn<\/a> may have performed within, since the Esterh\u00e1zys were great sponsors of music<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For other entertaining attractions in Vienna that play with your perception and deceive your eyes, take a look at my curated list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/vr-multimedia-immersive\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57016\">VR &amp; immersive experiences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to the museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Museum of Illusions sits in Vienna&#8217;s old town and within <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50322\">walking distance<\/a> of many central landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One end of the street takes you to Kohlmarkt and the pedestrianised part of the city centre, close to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/michaelerplatz-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27254\">Michaelerplatz<\/a> entrance to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">Hofburg<\/a> imperial complex with all its attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cafecentralchristmas.jpg\" alt=\"Cafe Central at Christmas\" class=\"wp-image-45035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cafecentralchristmas.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cafecentralchristmas-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Recover from all the confusion at the nearby Caf\u00e9 Central, here pictured at Christmas)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other end emerges at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-central\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10683\">Caf\u00e9 Central<\/a>, where we had a remarkably good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/breakfast-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"82605\">breakfast<\/a> before our visit. The caf\u00e9 deserves its reputation, but its stunning interior d\u00e9cor and popularity means you might want to reserve a table: queues to get in are common at nearly all times of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: Herrengasse station (on the U3 line) practically counts as a neighbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram\/bus: trams don&#8217;t traverse the old town, but the local city centre buses stop nearby. For example, take the 1A or 2A to Herrengasse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Wallnerstra\u00dfe 4, 1010 Vienna | <a href=\"https:\/\/museumderillusionen.at\/\">Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1asmHlbVpicbQLt1557vf6l4l0zQ\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Well, you won&#8217;t believe your eyes. Or rather, you will, but you really shouldn&#8217;t. The Museum of Illusions lives up to its name with a collection of installations that deceive, astound, and bring a bemused smile to your face. Don&#8217;t trust your eyes (Press photo courtesy of and \u00a9 Museum of Illusions) Given world events, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-35265","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-museums","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35265"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88782,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35265\/revisions\/88782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}