You love art and would like to take as much culture as possible on your next vacation? Then learn everything important about the 10 most exciting and popular museums in the world!
When we travel, we want to discover the world and if possible also to learn something about the holiday destination. Museum visits can be very helpful in getting to know a city, a country and a culture better. Which museums are particularly worthwhile or even world-famous, you can find out here in the top 10 of the best museums in the world, evaluated by AECOM. In addition, I've added a few extra of my favorite holiday museum tips for you.
In 10 museums around the world: The top 10 museums according to AECOM
10. National Gallery of Art in Washington
The two-part National Gallery of Art in Washington combines art from the Middle Ages to modern times. This distinction is also visible in the two buildings of the complex. Architecturally inspired by the Roman Pantheon, the neoclassical West Building houses pieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Monet, to Leonardo da Vinci.
Whereas in the geometric East Building with its mirrored and glazed fronts contemporary art is exhibited. Among them are works by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, but also by Picasso or Matisse. Both buildings are connected by an underground tunnel. In addition, there is a sculpture park behind the East Building.
9. Tate Modern in London
The Tate Gallery of Modern Art on the banks of the River Thames, located in a former power plant, is one of the largest museums of contemporary and modern art in the world. In addition to pieces by Pablo Picasso Salvador Dali, pictures of the avant-garde and American contemporary art will also be exhibited. The special thing about the Tate Modern is that the works are not arranged by epochs, but by subject areas, which allows you a good comparison of the different interpretation of an object in different eras. The outline provides the following subdivisions: States of Flux, Idea and Object, Poetry and Dream and Matter and Gestures.
8. British Museum London
The British Museum was built from the largest library in England, and today the museum also has a collection of about 350,000 volumes. The exhibits and artefacts deal with the cultural history of humanity with a focus on Greek and Egyptian antiquity. Architecturally, the British Museum is also worth mentioning: the glass domed roof above the courtyard makes it the largest covered public space in Europe. You need more London tips and would like to know which other London attractions are worthwhile? In my travel magazine you will learn it.
7. National Museum of Natural History in Washington
The National Museum of Natural History, like all Smithsonian museums to which it belongs, is in principle free.
Info & Tips: Let us advise you on the information, what you should visit, in accordance with your interests, so as not to be beaten to death by the size of the museum.
Caution: Checks can be expected at the entrances, backpacks must not be brought along and bags must be enclosed.
Only special exhibitions such as the Butterfly Pavilion or the 3D Dinosaur Show cost extra admission, which is still limited to $ 6. The exhibitions focus on scientific topics such as marine life, evolutionary biology, minerals and much more. Even the legendary Hope Diamond can be admired in the Natural History Museum. It is also worth noting that an incredible 185 scientists work in the museum - the largest number of museum-based scientists worldwide.
6. Shanghai Science & Technology Museum in Shanghai
Architecturally interesting from the outside, it is worth visiting the Shanghai Science Technology Museum in China.
Tip: On the way to the museum on the, in the subway created Underground Market, a kind of flea market, stroll!
Especially for children there is a lot to discover and try for yourself, as it is a very interactive museum. But adults also get their money. Thematically, the exhibitions deal with the interplay of nature, people and technology.
By the way: The Science & Technology Museum is not the only thing that makes a city break in the Chinese city attractive. You will learn more in my Shanghai tips.
5. Vatican Museums in Vatican City
The Vatican itself is worth a visit, especially the Vatican Museums show this very impressively. The museum, which consists of twelve complexes with more than 1300 rooms, can hardly be mastered on one visit, so you should first decide what you really want to see!
Tip: Every last Sunday of the month, admission is free!
Among the highlights are of course the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the Pinakothek with the paintings of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and many more. In my Rome tips you will learn more about the museum and the Vatican.
4. Metropolitan Museum of Art New York
With its exhibits, the Met is the largest art museum in the US and thus also the main point of contact for art and culture. Since the extensive collection has grown strongly since 1872, the areas of medieval and ecclesiastical art as well as contemporary art were outsourced to other locations. In the Metropolitan Museum of Art you can get a good overview of the different eras and admire changing exhibitions. By the way: Theoretically, you can even visit the Met for free. As? In my tips to experience New York for free, you will learn it.
3. National Air and Space Museum in Washington
Something completely different is offered to you at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington: In addition to many information about the aerospace industry of the Americans you can look at different, original life-size aircraft. With the museum, Washington is on the list even three times represented and qualifies as a great museum city! If you are more interested in the pop cultural aspects of space travel, you will also get their money's worth here: The original model of the Star Trek Enterprise has been restored and is also on display. At different times, even the lighting inside the model is switched on. In addition, science fiction fans can linger and reminisce in a space modeled after the movie "2001 a Space Odyssey". Friends of Miniatures will also be pleased to see the featured Women of NASA LEGO® cooperation and toys from the 1960s, which playfully provide facts for young and old visitors.
A visit to the city of Washington is well worth it. What else you can experience and see in the city, you read in my Washington tips.
2. Chinese National Museum in Beijing
The world's largest museum building in the world is the Chinese National Museum in Beijing. There are two merged museums in one: In 2003, the Chinese Historical Museum and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution merged. The main focus of the exhibitions is on China's history and development in political and historical terms. After reconstruction, the building complex was reopened in 2011. Admission to the museum is free. Learn more about the city and its attractions in my Beijing tips.
1. Louvre in Paris
Still on the top of the list of the most popular museums is the Louvre, housed in the French capital. The former royal palace can now have about 380,000 works. In addition to a large selection of French art, especially the collection of antiquities with pieces from Greece and Rome is outstanding.
Fun Fact: Since 2017, thanks to a cooperation with Paris, there is a second smaller Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
About ten million visitors flock to the Louvre each year to admire the Mona Lisa, the Venus of Milo and many other stunning works of art. This makes the famous museum the most visited in the world and definitely a highlight of any Paris vacation. You can discover more highlights in my Paris tips.
My favorites among the museums
5. Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Reopened in April 2013 after renovation work, it's always worth making a detour to the Amsterdam Rijksmusem. In addition to Dutch art with a historical reference there are also some Asian works exhibited.
Fun Fact: The Rijksmusem has a small branch office with some factories at the terminal of Schiphol Airport!
Already in 1800 the museum was founded in The Hague and later brought to Amsterdam under Louis Bonaparte. Particularly famous are the numerous paintings by Rembrandt and his students, which belong to the collection of about 8000 exhibits. No wonder that the museum is one of the most beautiful sights in Amsterdam.
4. Reina Sofia in Madrid
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, the full name of the museum, was housed in the former Hospital General, a hospital. In its function as National Museum, it almost exclusively preserves 20th-century art by Spanish artists. Therefore, the most important Spaniards of the art scene are represented by Miro, Picasso and Dali. But also works of international artists could find their way into the Reina Sofia. For example, Roy Lichtenstein's well-known sculpture "Brushstroke" stands at the entrance to the museum.
In my Madrid tips you get more great ideas for your city trip to the capital of Spain.
3. Pergamon Museum in Berlin
Even a German museum has made it into the ranking, because it is not without reason that it is the most visited museum in Berlin:
Important: The hall with the eponymous Pergamon altar is expected to be closed until 2023 due to renovations. The other parts of the museum are still open.
The Pergamon Museum in Berlin with exhibitions on Islamic & Near Eastern art and of course the well-known collection of antiquities. The highlights are definitely the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate, which was part of the walls of Babylon. The three formerly independent parts of the museum were bundled in 1985 under the name Pergamon Museum.
2. Acropolis Museum in Athens
The Acropolisism in Athens shows finds of the overlying Acropolis. In addition to the location, the extraordinary architecture of the museum is particularly spectacular: it was built directly into the rock face. However, this proved problematic over the years as the museum can not be extended. Meanwhile, the extensions were opened after a long period of consideration and planning. As well as the objects directly from the Acropolis, for example, the trophy of the first marathon of the Olympic Games is among the exhibits, making the museum definitely one of the most important sights in Athens.
1. Hermitage in St.Petersburg
The winner of the hearts is the Ermitage in St. Petersburg. The city is gorgeous in itself and in its candy colors actually too good to be true! The Ermitage, which belongs to the Winter Palace, is no exception, but fits perfectly into the pastel architecture of the city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fun Fact: For all cat lovers it is certainly interesting to learn that since 1745, under Tsarina Elisabeth Petrovna, cats are kept in the Ermitage to protect the valuable art from rodents. Eccentric, but effective!
It is worth a visit from the outside - as my St. Petersburg tips show - but the Hermitage literally has it all to it: around 65,000 exhibits are housed in the famous museum in more than 350 halls. Among the works presented are pieces by Leonardo Da Vinci, Matisse, Rembrandt and many more. The various exhibitions include the areas of Russian as well as European art and archeology.
Fancy culture holidays?
Do you now have exactly the same desire to plan one or the other city break or even something concrete in the eye? Then take a look at my offers, certainly the right thing for you. No matter where you go, do not miss these impressive museums!