The 10 best art museums in the world that you should visit once in your life

When visiting a place for tourism, each traveler explores it in a different way, each with their own particular interests. There are those who prefer to see the most spectacular gardens in the world , or walk through the streets getting to know the most beautiful squares in the world, feeling the real heartbeat of a city. Or get lost in nature and get to know the natural surroundings of each area, or visit the most famous buildings and monuments. There are even couch potatoes who prefer to quietly check out virtual tours of the best museums in the world from their couch. But without a doubt, the cultural offering of a destination is a must-see and in every city there are always a couple of interesting museums, not only for their collections but also for their architecture.

Museums and cultural institutions, or even the best contemporary art galleries , invite people to explore new cultures and realities through their carefully curated collections and funds, as well as their timely exhibitions, which always bring us a different point of view. For those who quickly dismiss the museum experience as an uninteresting activity, it is time to reset our minds. Galleries in all corners of the world, from Senegal to Japan, have mastered the art of creating truly engaging exhibits on art, history, design and culture, which serve to open our thoughts and fill us with unique experiences. Remember that a museum brings different civilizations closer together and helps us better understand human thought. The past, present and future that shapes this world.

Why visit these museums?

Although the theme may vary from one place to another, whether it is sculpture, painting, ancient or contemporary art, archaeology, etc., the best museums in the world make visitors rethink the society in which we live. In addition, as a plus, we must say that many of these museums are known for the incredible buildings they occupy , designed by the best architects in the world. Some, as a plus, house fabulous restaurants with menus designed by great Michelin star chefs, so the cultural experience is added to a culinary experience that is definitely also culture. Because cooking is also a traditional good that unites different societies. And we must not forget the magnificent shops inside each museum, where you can buy a souvenir, a miniature replica of a work or a book with which to continue expanding your knowledge about art.

All of this contributes to making a day at a museum a unique, satisfying and intellectually enriching experience. That’s why we encourage you to take a look at this list of 40 of the best museums and galleries around the world. All of them hold unique collections that educate and inspire: contemporary or classical painting, sculpture, history, furniture or design. Discovering the ancient gems of Egypt or learning about the post-impressionist works of Van Gogh will help us decipher the enigmas of this life. So, don’t hesitate: plan your next trip now and include some of these art museums on your list of activities because they will not disappoint you.

1. The National Gallery in London

Located on the north side of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses the nation’s collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th century. Opened in 1838, Parliament considered Trafalgar Square to be the perfect location for its accessible location to everyone. The permanent collection includes Jan Van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait and Paul Cézanne’s The Large Bathers .

2. National Museum of the Prado in Madrid

Designed by famed architect Juan de Villanueva, the Museo del Prado is Spain’s national museum and showcases countless Spanish artists such as Diego Velázquez and Francisco Goya. King Charles III ordered the construction of the Prado in 1785 to house the Cabinet of Natural History. King Ferdinand VII later designated the building as the new home of Spain’s most valuable paintings and sculptures in November 1819.

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art ‘s beginnings date back to 1866 in Paris, France, where a group of Americans discussed the need to bring art education to the public. On April 13, 1870, the Met opened in the historic Dodworth Building before moving to its permanent location at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street in 1880. The museum features over 5,000 years of artwork, including Islamic art dating back to the 7th century and Edgar Degas’s well-known painting The Dancing Class .

4. The National Art Center of Tokyo

You never know what amazing sculpture or Japanese masterpiece you’ll find at this impressive institution. The National Art Center prides itself on being an “empty museum,” constantly featuring new exhibitions and collections spread across its concrete and glass structure designed by Kisho Kurokawa. Established in 2007, the quirky museum quickly grew in popularity and became a must-see attraction in Tokyo, with approximately 2 million visitors each year.

5. The São Paulo Art Museum

Founded in 1947 by Brazilian businessman Assis Chateaubriand, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) was the first modern museum in all of Brazil. Originally located on Rua 7 de Abril, the museum’s current glass structure on Avenida Paulista was designed by Lina Bo Bardi in 1968. The ethereal appearance of the building is reflected throughout the exhibition rooms, as works on glass easels feel as if they are floating. Its holdings consist of nearly 11,000 works of art and objects collected from around the world, including the most important collection of European art in the southern hemisphere.

6. Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence

The Grand Duke of Tuscany established the Galleria dell’Accademia in the 18th century as a teaching centre for students of the Academy of Fine Arts. Michelangelo’s David was added to the museum in 1873 from the Piazza della Signoria, becoming the museum’s must-see attraction.

7. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary commissioned the Kunsthistorisches Museum around 1891 as a place to display the House of Habsburg’s excellent art collection, which remains the museum’s core collection. Housed within the palatial building on Ringstraße, the museum’s works include Raphael’s Madonna del Prato and Diego Velázquez’s well-known portrait of Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress .

8. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebaek, Denmark

Knud W. Jensen’s vision was clear: he wanted to create a museum where Danes could see the modern art of their peers. In the years following its founding in 1945, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art quickly became the predominant institution for international modern art and architecture. The 4,000-piece collection encompasses works from 1945 to the present day from a variety of styles including eclectic European nouveau, global realism, and American pop art. The institution’s main principle is not simply to exhibit but also to educate.

9. The British Museum in London

The world’s first national museum, the British Museum, was established by Parliament when physician Sir Hans Sloane gave 71,000 items to King George II for the nation after his death in 1753. Sir Robert Smirke designed the museum’s present neoclassical building, including the famous copper-domed Reading Room. The museum is also the current holder of the classical Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone.

10. Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid

Since its creation in 1990, the Museo Reina Sofía has always been seen as a cultural centre where art tells the story of Spain and gives a glimpse into its future. The 20,000-piece collection focuses primarily on 20th-century Spanish artists, but you’ll find a number of groundbreaking pieces by international artists such as Vasily Kandinsky and Sarah Grilo. The star of the museum is Pablo Picasso’s Guernica.