What is the Imperial Treasury?
The Habsburgs' treasure chamber in the oldest part of the Hofburg, Vienna's imperial palace. It holds two of the most important collections of regalia in Europe: the Crown Treasure of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown made around the 10th century and the Holy Lance, and the treasures of the Austrian Empire, with the Austrian Imperial Crown.
It's part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum group and much quieter than the Sisi Museum, which is why it's one of Vienna's best-kept secrets.
Tickets
The Treasury is not included in the Sisi Ticket or the Imperial Apartments ticket. Some city passes and combination tickets with the Kunsthistorisches Museum exist, so compare before buying. See our Hofburg guide for the other Hofburg tickets.
Reseller prices
Resellers often charge €25-30 for a "skip-the-line" Treasury ticket. The official €16 ticket gets you in just as fast.
🎟️ Skip the ticket line
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How busy is the Imperial Treasury?
The Treasury's rooms are small and dark, with display cases that people crowd around. The busiest spots are Room 11 (the Holy Roman Imperial Crown) and the Austrian Imperial Crown.
- Wednesday, after the Tuesday closure, is busier than other weekdays.
- Rainy days and Saturdays are busiest.
- Christmas market season and summer bring the most visitors to the Hofburg.
How to skip the lines
- Book online with a time slot.
- Come at 9 am and go straight to Room 11.
- Do the Treasury before the Sisi Museum: the Sisi route fills up later.
- Avoid Tuesdays (closed) and Wednesday mornings.
What to see
Secular Treasury
- The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire: an octagonal crown of gold, gems and pearls, used to crown German kings and emperors for centuries.
- The Holy Lance: venerated as the lance that pierced Christ's side, part of the imperial regalia.
- The Austrian Imperial Crown: made for Emperor Rudolf II in 1602, later the crown of the Austrian Empire.
- The coronation robes, including the Norman-Sicilian coronation mantle.
- The agate bowl and the "unicorn horn" (actually a narwhal tusk), treated as inalienable heirlooms of the dynasty.
- The Burgundian Treasure and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
- The cradle of Napoleon's son, the King of Rome.
Ecclesiastical Treasury
Reliquaries, vestments and liturgical objects used by the imperial court. Quieter than the secular rooms.
Plans by visitor type
Hofburg in a morning
Treasury at 9 am (1 hour), Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments at 10:30 am, then the Spanish Riding School's morning exercise if available.
Families
Under 19s are free, and children love the crowns and the "unicorn horn". Keep it to an hour.
History lovers
Get the audio guide and allow 1.5-2 hours. The Holy Roman Empire's regalia are among the most important objects in European history.
Getting there
The entrance is in the Schweizerhof, the oldest courtyard of the Hofburg, through the red-and-gold Swiss Gate.
Insider tips
- The Burgkapelle next door is where the Vienna Boys' Choir sings Sunday Mass (September to June).
- Bring the audio guide or read up first: the objects' significance isn't obvious from the labels.
- It's the calmest Hofburg sight: perfect when the Sisi Museum is packed.
Mistakes to avoid
- Planning it for a Tuesday.
- Assuming the Sisi Ticket covers it.
- Paying a reseller mark-up.
- Arriving after 5 pm.
Best (and worst) times by season
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Imperial Treasury, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Sunday, 9-10 am
Busiest time
Wednesday, 10 am-4 pm
Is the Imperial Treasury worth it?
Yes. It's one of the world's great treasuries, with objects that shaped a thousand years of European history, and it's rarely as crowded as Vienna's other imperial sights. Even an hour is enough to see the highlights.
FAQs
How much is the Imperial Treasury in Vienna?
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About €16 for adults and €12 for seniors. Under 19s are free.
Is the Imperial Treasury closed on Tuesdays?
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Yes.
What are the opening hours?
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9 am-5:30 pm, last entry 5 pm, every day except Tuesday.
Is the Treasury included in the Sisi Ticket?
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No, it's a separate ticket.
What's in the Imperial Treasury?
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The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy Lance, the Austrian Imperial Crown and the Habsburgs' treasures.
How long do you need?
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Heading to Imperial Treasury?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
