MUST–VISIT MUSEUMS THE WORLD OVER
No matter your artistic preferences or geographic coordinates, there are a handful of museums that everyone should visit in their lifetime. Whether you’re traveling across the globe or simply looking for weekend plans, chances are there’s a nearby museum ready to take your breath away. But by the same token, narrowing down the seemingly endless options can be an equally challenging affair.
Here is our list of some of the world’s must-visit museums!
Here is our list of some of the world’s must-visit museums!
LOUVRE MUSEUM, PARIS
The Louvre houses masterpiece artworks like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo sculpture of Aphrodite, and what is considered to be the finest diamond in the world, the Regent. As one of the world’s largest museums, the Louvre houses around 70,000 pieces of art in its 650,000 square feet of gallery space.
The Louvre houses masterpiece artworks like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo sculpture of Aphrodite, and what is considered to be the finest diamond in the world, the Regent. As one of the world’s largest museums, the Louvre houses around 70,000 pieces of art in its 650,000 square feet of gallery space.
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK
The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue was established in 1870 and has an impressive range of art, sculptures, and paintings across a diverse group of cultures, from Islamic to African. To date, it showcases 5,000 years of art and is the largest art museum in the United States. |
THE BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON
Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world, and today it is Britain’s most-visited. Entry has always been free at the British Museum. Some of the museum’s most important and sought-after acquisitions include the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and ancient Egyptian structures. The museum is an iconic sight in itself, with the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, an enclosed inner courtyard completed in 2000. |
DORIA PAMPHILJ, ROME
There's no shortage of breathtaking art museums in Rome, though the Doria Pamphilj is unlike any others. For starters, every surface of every wall is covered in art, from the golden hallways to the Italian hall of mirrors, to the main collection—the largest private collection in Rome—which is on display in the museum's state rooms. Even the exterior courtyard alone makes it worth the visit. If you do decide to go, a must-see artwork is the Portrait of Innocent X by Diego Velázquez, which is considered by artists and critics to be the best portrait ever created.
There's no shortage of breathtaking art museums in Rome, though the Doria Pamphilj is unlike any others. For starters, every surface of every wall is covered in art, from the golden hallways to the Italian hall of mirrors, to the main collection—the largest private collection in Rome—which is on display in the museum's state rooms. Even the exterior courtyard alone makes it worth the visit. If you do decide to go, a must-see artwork is the Portrait of Innocent X by Diego Velázquez, which is considered by artists and critics to be the best portrait ever created.
VUITTON FOUNDATION, PARIS
This Frank Gehry-designed museum is the contemporary gem of Paris, with collections as impressive as the exterior architecture, and views that would make even a lousy museum worth the trip. With a permanent collection broken up into four categories—Contemplative, Pop, Expressionist, and Music & Sound—you’re likely to discover new artists you’ve never heard of, plus some of the modern art world’s biggest icons (think Ai Weiwei, Joan Mitchell, Alex Katz, and Takashi Murakami). It’s not the kind of museum you want to cram into the middle of a busy day—the Vuitton Foundation is jam packed with an incredible diversity of art (including a Gehry-designed auditorium, a sophisticated restaurant, and striking outdoor areas) that make it worth taking your sweet time. Especially recommended is a visit to Inside the Horizon, which is like a contemporary, LED version of the Hall of Mirrors. |
THE FRICK COLLECTION, NEW YORK
Many New Yorkers will tell you the Frick Collection is the best and, certainly, the most beautiful art museum in the city. Housed in the historic Henry Clay Frick House and named after the original owner, whose personal collection remains on display, this Upper East Side landmark, which dates back to 1912, is home to one of the country’s finest collections of old-master paintings. The aestheticism of the museum itself can’t be beat: the West Gallery, lined with intricate, dark wood crown molding and plush moss green carpets, is breathtaking, and the immaculate Garden Court serves as a sanctuary for those looking to escape the bustle of Fifth Avenue. Parents of young children, take note that those under ten years will be denied entry. |