10 Famous Museums You Must Visit For Art, History, And Culture

Visitors explore ancient Egyptian statues and sarcophagi inside a grand museum hall.

Visiting museums offers valuable insights into a region’s history, art, and culture. Exploring famous museums worldwide is like stepping into time capsules filled with remarkable artefacts and artworks. Visiting museums with children provides educational experiences that help build a strong foundation for learning. From science and technology to art museums, each offers a rewarding experience for visitors of all ages. Museums inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and broaden knowledge, positively influencing future decisions and fostering a deeper understanding of the world.

Top 10 Famous Museums In The World

Discover the top 10 famous museums in the world, accessible by road, rail, or air from major global cities:

1. Louvre Museum

The Louvre, among the most famous museums in the world for a fun-filled vacation in Paris

Photo: Benh LIEU SONG / Wikimedia Commons

It was established in the year 1793 and is located in Paris along the banks of the river. The museum is popular as a symbol of French culture and history. It has renowned pieces of art like Monalisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus De Milo, and the wind victory of Samothrace. It is also popular for liberty leading the people and the coronation of Napoleon. Other than this, the museum has Egyptian antiques like the famous Sphinx of Tanis. It has Islamic art, French paintings, and Near Eastern antiquities.

Entry Fee: €17 / ₹ 1,530 for online buyers; €15 / ₹ 1,350 at the museum
Nearest Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

2. The British Museum

The British Museum, among the most famous museums in the world for a vacation in London

Photo: Ham / Wikimedia Commons

The British Museum was Established in 1753 at Great Russell Street in London. The museum is dedicated to human history, culture, and art. Through the museum, an attempt is made to highlight the global collection of objects and the interconnectedness of cultures. It has the popular Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marvels, and Egyptian mummies. The standard of Ur and the Lewis chessmen are also popular. The Benin bronzes created by the kingdom of Benin are visited by global travelers.

Entry Fee: Free
Nearest Airport: London Heathrow Airport

3. Indian Museum

Indian Museum is among the most famous museums in the world to explore the artefacts

Photo: Excusemepls / Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Museum was established in 1814 and is the oldest and largest museum in the nation. It is popularly known as the Museum of Museums due to its massive collection of art, anthropology, natural history, and archaeology. It is located in Kolkata, India. It has the Ashoka pillar, fossils of dinosaurs, and antique sculptures like Chola bronzes and Gandhara sculptures. Buddhist art and relics from Nalanda and Bodh Gaya are also present. Coins and metals from the Dynasties like Mauryas and Guptas attract visitors.

Entry Fee: ₹30 for Indian citizens; ₹500 for foreign nationals
Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport

4. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

A popular museum for exploration with your loved ones in the heart of the United States

Photo: Daniel Dimitrov / Wikimedia Commons

Located in New York City, USA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was established in 1870. It observes over 7 million visitors annually. It is the most visited museum globally due to The American Wing, the Temple of Dendur, and the death of Socrates. Other attractions are the Modes and the Met cloisters. The Greek and Roman galleries with Islamic art collections attract visitors in large numbers. Do not miss their arms and armour section with samurai swords and Indian Armour.

Entry Fee: $30 / ₹ 2,490 for adults; Reduced fees for students and seniors
Nearest Airport: LaGuardia Airport

5. The State Hermitage museum

Stunning exterior of a museum in Russia with exceptional art pieces and artefacts

Photo: Godot13 / Wikimedia Commons

The State Hermitage Museum is located in St Petersburg, Russia. It was established by Catherine the Great in 1764. It is popular because of its mechanical masterpiece, the peacock clock. The golden room is another attraction with an amazing collection of jewellery and armour. The Madonna Litta by Leonardo da Vinci is a significant Painting. The Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael and the Room of the Russian Tsars are the other two attractions. The Winter Palace houses exemplary imperial Russian architecture with Grand staircases and opulent decorations.

Entry Fee: €9 / ₹ 810 for adults; free admission for children under 18
Nearest Airport: Pulkovo airport

6. The Uffizi Gallery

A famous museum in the world, that houses massive collections of art by the famous artists

Photo: Petar Milošević / Wikimedia Commons

This renowned art museum in Florence, Italy, was founded in 1584 and is home to one of the finest collections of Italian masterpieces. It features iconic works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Highlights include The Birth of Venus, The Holy Family, Medusa, Primavera, and Madonna of the Goldfinch. The museum’s impressive sculpture gallery showcases Renaissance masterpieces and Roman portraits. As one of the world’s most celebrated museums, it offers an unforgettable experience for art lovers and history enthusiasts.

Entry Fee: €20 / ₹1,800 for adults
Nearest Airport: Florence Peretola airport

7. The National Gallery

The National Gallery is among the museums to explore in the heart of United Kingdom

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

The National Gallery in London, UK, houses Western European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries and attracts around 6 million visitors annually. Highlights include The Arnolfini Portrait, The Hay Wain, and Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks is a renowned masterpiece. Don’t miss the Dutch Golden Age and Spanish Baroque sections, showcasing extraordinary works from these influential periods in art history.

Entry Fee: Free
Nearest Airport: London Heathrow Airport

8. Prado Museum

Prado Museum is a beautiful museum to explore during your visit to Spain this year

Photo: Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada / Wikimedia Commons

Prado Museum is located in Madrid, Spain. The museum was founded in 1819 and has Las Meninas and the Garden of Earthly Delights. It has the popular The Third of May 1808 and The Descent from the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens. The work of the Italian artists like Raphael and Titian is present in the museum. The museum is also popular for its artwork from European artists. The neoclassical architecture of the building makes it a must-visit museum with majestic galleries and large spaces.

Entry Fee: €15 / ₹ 1,350 for general admission; discounts for students and seniors
Nearest Airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport

9. The Museum Of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art, among famous museums to explore in the United States of America

Photo: Ingo Mehling / Wikimedia Commons

This renowned museum in New York City, USA, was founded in 1929. It is famous for its modern and contemporary art collections, exhibitions, and programs. Masterpieces include The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh and The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí. Other highlights are The Dance and The Sleeping Gypsy. The museum showcases 20th and 21st-century contemporary art, historic photographs, and notable prints and drawings by Kara Walker and Chuck Close.

Entry Fee: $25 / ₹ 2,075 for adults; discounts for students and seniors; free admission for members and children under 16
Nearest Airport: LaGuardia airport

10. The Vatican museums

The Vatican Museum is a famous museum to explore during your visit to Italy this year

Photo: Joseolgon / Wikimedia Commons

This museum was founded in 1506 and is located in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy. The museum is popular for The Last Judgement by Michael Angelo and The Raphael Rooms by Raphael. The Vatican Egyptian Museum has ancient Egyptian artefacts, attracting visitors from all across the globe. The Gallery of Maps is a long corridor with maps of Italy. The modern religious art collection and the tapestry gallery are the other two highlights. The Ethnological Museum has the Catholic Church’s missionary work and numerous other exhibits.

Entry Fee: €17 / ₹ 1,530 for adults
Nearest Airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport

Now that you’ve explored the world’s famous museums, you’re all set for an unforgettable time with your loved ones. A visit to these museums broadens perspectives and sparks creativity, especially for children. Don’t miss this chance! Book your trip with TripXL for a seamless experience, combining fun and learning. Create lifelong memories with a hassle-free journey you’ll always cherish.

Cover Photo: Gérard Ducher / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the world’s most famous museums include the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
Some of the most famous museums in India are the National Museum in Delhi, the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai, the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, and the Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.
The best time to visit the Louvre Museum is early morning on weekdays, especially Tuesday to Thursday. For fewer crowds, visit during the off-season from November to March.
To reach the British Museum from Heathrow Airport, take the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line to Holborn or Tottenham Court Road, then walk. From Gatwick Airport, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, then the Underground to Tottenham Court Road.
The nearest airport to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is Florence Peretola Airport, about 10 km away. It takes around 20 - 30 minutes by taxi or tram to reach the gallery from the airport.

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