--- title: "Seven days of Vienna through its studios and rooms" city: "Vienna" country: "Austria" lens: "Art & Design" duration_days: 7 experiences: 14 price_from: "from €9,961 for two" currency: "EUR" firm_prices: 8 prices_on_request: 6 published: "2026-09-01" canonical: "https://keystothe.city/vienna/7-days-art-design" source: "Keys to the City" license: "Free to quote and cite with a link to the canonical URL" --- # Seven days of Vienna through its studios and rooms Vienna, Austria · Art & Design · 7 days · 14 experiences · from €9,961 for two Vienna does not merely reveal its treasures; it unlocks them in quiet rooms where time stands still. Your journey begins behind closed doors in the historic ateliers of the Habsburg empire, where the scent of polished wood, stitched leather, and unrefined metals lingers in the air. ## Day one — Imperial Gemologist’s Bench & Private After-Hours KHM Masterpieces Your immersion into Vienna’s secret ateliers begins in the intimate realm of A.E. Köchert, imperial jewelers to Empress Sisi. Escorted upstairs into the private first-floor workshop, the faint scent of polished brass and jewelry rouge fills the room. Here, master goldsmiths work intently at historic wooden benches, hand-setting rare stones as they have for two centuries. You will handle loose, uncut gemstones and turn the yellowed pages of original 19th-century imperial sketches in the Hansen salon. As twilight falls over the city on this warm June evening, the heavy bronze doors of the Kunsthistorisches Museum lock out the world. You step into the magnificent, empty marble hall accompanied personally by a senior curator. In absolute solitude, illuminated under gallery spotlights, Bruegel's detailed landscapes and Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro reveal intimate details lost during public hours. ### A.E. Köchert Imperial Jeweler Atelier Visit & Gemologist Bench Tour - Morning, 1.3 hours · price on request · Neuer Markt 15, 1010 Wien, Austria · Introduction by the house · quoted on request Private entry into Empress Sisi's historic jeweler atelier. Guests step onto the active first-floor workshop bench floor to interact with working goldsmiths and gemologists, hold unmounted rare precious gems, and inspect original 19th-century imperial crown jewelry sketches inside the historic Hansen salon. Provider: https://www.koechert.com ### Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) Exclusive After-Hours Private Curator Tour - Evening, 1.8 hours · from €1,850 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement Complete private buyout of the Kunsthistorisches Museum after closing hours. Led personally by a senior art historian curator, guests enjoy exclusive illuminated viewing of the Picture Gallery or Kunstkammer without public crowds. Provider: https://www.khm.at ## Day two — The Master Cobbler’s Last & Solitary Gold of 'The Kiss' Ascend above the historic cobblestones of the inner city into the active upstairs atelier of Rudolf Scheer & Söhne, custom shoemakers since 1816. Seventh-generation master cobbler Markus Scheer greets you among rows of antique lasts and rich leathers. At the lasting benches, craftsmen hand-stitch Goodyear-welted soles using techniques unchanged for centuries. You will hold Emperor Franz Joseph’s original carved wooden shoe lasts and undergo a personal bespoke measurement consultation. Later, as dusk settles, the Upper Belvedere Palace reopens its doors exclusively for you. Accompanied by a dedicated art historian, walk through the silent, dark Baroque galleries to stand in front of Gustav Klimt’s 'The Kiss'. With a welcome glass of Austrian sparkling wine in hand, observe the shimmering gold leaf and emotional depth of the painting in total, unhurried stillness. ### Rudolf Scheer & Söhne Imperial Shoemaking Atelier & Lasting Bench Experience - Morning, 1.8 hours · price on request · Bräunerstraße 4, 1010 Wien, Austria · Introduction by the house · quoted on request Private hosting by 7th-generation master cobbler Markus Scheer. Guests ascend to the active upstairs workshop floor to observe cobblers hand-stitching at original lasting benches, inspect Emperor Franz Joseph's wooden lasts, and participate in a bespoke shoe measurement consultation. Provider: https://www.scheer.at ### Belvedere Palace After-Hours Private Viewing of Klimt’s 'The Kiss' - Evening, 1.5 hours · from €1,700 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria · Limited release Upper Belvedere Palace opens exclusively at 6:30 PM after public closing. Guests tour the silent galleries with a private art historian, enjoying uninterrupted solitude in front of Gustav Klimt's 'The Kiss' and Egon Schiele masterpieces while sipping Austrian sparkling wine. Provider: https://www.belvedere.at ## Day three — Secessionist Dawn Frieze & Closed-Door Design Archives Begin early at 8:30 AM before any public visitors arrive at Joseph Maria Olbrich's 1898 Secession building. The golden laurel dome catches the soft morning light as an art specialist unlocks the side doors. Downstairs, in quiet sanctuary, you stand before Gustav Klimt's 34-meter Beethoven Frieze. Your guide reveals the hidden symbolic narrative, gold leaf work, and architectural innovation of this Art Nouveau icon in total quiet. In the evening, cross the Ringstraße to the MAK after museum hours. A design curator conducts a private deep-dive into the Wiener Werkstätte archives. Inspect original Secessionist furniture, glass, and metalwork by Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, and Otto Wagner. You gain rare access to study drawers and original sketch portfolios normally off-limits to museum goers. ### Secession Building Private Tour of Beethoven Frieze Before Public Hours - Morning, 1 hour · price on request · Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement · quoted on request Exclusive pre-opening access to Olbrich's 1898 Art Nouveau temple at 8:30 AM. Accompanied by a dedicated art specialist, guests explore the superstructure and stand alone before Klimt's monumental Beethoven Frieze. Provider: https://secession.at ### MAK (Museum of Applied Arts) Private After-Hours VIP Curator Tour of Wiener Werkstätte - Evening, 1.5 hours · from €1,175 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Private arrangement Private after-hours tour led by a MAK design curator. Guests inspect Secessionist furniture, glassware, and metalwork by Wagner, Hoffmann, and Moser, with exclusive study archive access. Provider: https://www.mak.at ## Day four — The Master Artisan’s Painting Bench & Princely Rococo Salons Inside the historic Augarten Palace manufacturing floor, meet a senior porcelain painter at her working studio bench. In this immersive one-on-one masterclass, you sit alongside the artist to learn delicate brushwork techniques used since the 18th century, painting your own porcelain piece with the classic 'Wiener Rose' motif. Your hand-painted artwork will be kiln-fired and hand-delivered to your hotel room. In the afternoon, proceed to the inner city to unlock the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein. Closed to walk-in public visitors, this magnificent private palace opens exclusively for your visit. Escorted by an expert princely collection guide, walk across restored Second Rococo silk state rooms, gilded parquet floors, and view private Biedermeier masterpieces owned by the Reigning Prince von und zu Liechtenstein. ### Augarten Porzellan 'Wiener Rose' Master Painting Atelier Workshop - Morning, 3 hours · from €460 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Obere Augartenstraße 1, 1020 Wien, Austria · Limited release Private guided walkthrough of Augarten Palace production floor followed by a 1-on-1 masterclass with a senior porcelain artisan at their studio bench. Guests paint a porcelain piece, which is kiln-fired and delivered to their hotel. Provider: https://www.augarten.at ### Stadtpalais Liechtenstein Private Tour of Princely Art Collection & Rococo State Rooms - Evening, 1.3 hours · from €700 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Bankgasse 9, 1010 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement Exclusive entrance into the inner-city Stadtpalais Liechtenstein, closed to general public walk-ins. Guided by a princely art collection expert, guests tour Second Rococo silk state rooms and Biedermeier art collections. Provider: https://www.palaisliechtenstein.com ## Day five — Chased Silver at the Bench & Subterranean Fortress Cellars Step directly onto the active workshop floor of Jarosinski & Vaugoin, silversmiths since 1847. Sixth-generation owner Jean-Paul Vaugoin welcomes you into the energetic studio atmosphere. Rhythmic hammer strikes ring out as silversmiths chase, hammer, and hand-polish raw silver at original oak benches. Afterwards, Jean-Paul hosts you inside the secure historic vault for fresh oysters and chilled champagne surrounded by museum-grade antique silver creations. As darkness falls, venture beneath the Palais Coburg to explore six levels of 16th-century subterranean fortification cellars. A master sommelier guides you through former defense casemates holding 60,000 bottles of world-class wine, opening rare Austrian and international vintages paired with artisanal accompaniments in vaulted brick niches. ### Jarosinski & Vaugoin Historic Silversmith Workshop & Private Champagne Reception - Morning, 1.8 hours · price on request · Zieglergasse 24, 1070 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement · quoted on request Hosted personally by 6th-generation owner Jean-Paul Vaugoin. Guests tour the active silver workshop floor to observe silversmiths hammering and chasing silver at benches, followed by a private champagne and oyster reception inside the silver vault. Provider: https://vaugoin.com ### Palais Coburg Subterranean Wine Cellars Private Tasting - Evening, 2 hours · from €1,396 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Coburgbastei 4, 1010 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement Private tasting led by a master sommelier inside six 16th-century subterranean vaults at Palais Coburg. Guests explore historical wine archives containing 60,000 bottles while sampling rare international and Austrian vintages. Provider: https://www.palais-coburg.com ## Day six — Vintage Hat-Form Blocking & Flagship Showroom After-Hours Supper In the morning, join head of house Klaus Mühlbauer at the Mühlbauer hat studio. Stepping onto the active millinery studio floor, smell humid felt and wood smoke as master milliners hand-block felt over vintage wooden hat forms. Klaus conducts a personalized fitting, helping select materials and shaping custom headwear tailored precisely to your silhouette. Your evening culminates in the trip's ultimate artisan experience. The iconic J. & L. Lobmeyr flagship on the Kärntner Straße locks its doors after hours exclusively for you. Your journey begins with chauffeur transfers to Jarosinski & Vaugoin for silver hammering and champagne, before returning to Lobmeyr's closed boutique. Beneath towering crystal chandeliers, enjoy a private candlelit three-course dinner prepared by Hotel Sacher, served on fine silver and mouth-blown Lobmeyr muslin glass. ### Mühlbauer Hutmanufaktur Workshop Visit & Custom Fitting with Klaus Mühlbauer - Morning, 1.5 hours · price on request · Seilergasse 10, 1010 Wien, Austria · Private arrangement · quoted on request Tour led by house head Klaus Mühlbauer through the active millinery studio where felt is hand-blocked on vintage wooden forms, followed by a bespoke personal hat fitting. Provider: https://www.muehlbauer.at ### Hotel Sacher x Lobmeyr & Jarosinski & Vaugoin Private Craft & Dining Experience - Evening, 6 hours · from €1,780 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Limited release Signature experience combining a hands-on workshop tour at Jarosinski & Vaugoin silver atelier with an after-hours buyout of the J. & L. Lobmeyr flagship showroom. Guests dine on a 3-course candlelit Hotel Sacher meal beneath Lobmeyr crystal chandeliers. Provider: https://www.sacher.com ## Day seven — The Unlocked Modernist Temple & Midnight Gothic Skywalk On your final day, drive to the green hills of Steinhof to experience Otto Wagner’s golden-domed masterpiece, the Kirche am Steinhof. Unlocked outside standard weekend opening times exclusively by a Wien Museum curator, step through the heavy brass doors into the bright white interior. Your curator demonstrates Wagner’s ergonomic design details and Koloman Moser’s shimmering stained-glass windows in serene, uninterrupted stillness. Your grand finale unfolds late at night at St. Stephen's Cathedral. At 9:00 PM, after all visitors have departed, the massive cathedral doors lock behind you. Accompanied by a cathedral warden, descend into silent medieval catacombs before ascending narrow winding stairs into the massive timber attic roof space. Step onto the high outdoor roof walkway in total darkness to gaze out across the glowing, moonlit rooftops of Vienna. ### Kirche am Steinhof (Otto Wagner Church) Private Architectural Deep-Dive - Morning, 1.3 hours · price on request · Private arrangement · quoted on request Private door opening of Otto Wagner's Modernist church outside public weekend operating hours. Led by a Wien Museum curator, guests inspect Koloman Moser's stained glass windows and Wagner's radical interior design details. Provider: https://www.wienmuseum.at ### St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) Private Night Tour of Roof Walk & Catacombs - Evening, 2 hours · from €900 per group (verified Sep 2026) · Private arrangement Complete late-night private buyout of Stephansdom between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Guided by a cathedral warden, guests explore dark catacombs and climb into the high attic roof walkway above illuminated Vienna. Provider: https://www.stephansdom.at ## The footprint from €9,961 for two — experiences only; flights and hotels are yours to choose. 14 experiences · 8 firm prices · 6 on request. --- Source: Keys to the City — https://keystothe.city/vienna/7-days-art-design. Prices are "from" figures per person unless stated otherwise, verified on the dates shown. Quote freely with attribution and a link.