13 Most Famous Museums in The World to Visit in Your Lifetime
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Explore these 13 famous museums in the world for a marvellous trip to the past.
- The Louvre, Paris, France
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
- Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece
- Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Xi’an
- State Hermitage, St Petersburg, Russia
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Prado Museum, Spain
- Egyptian History Museum, Egypt
- History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
Museums are the reflective mirrors from our past, showing us a glimpse of who we were and how our cultures have evolved. From ancient artefacts to modern marvels, these cultural sanctuaries connect tales of our past, present, and future.
Every corner of the world has museums or cultural storehouses open to visitors to glance at enticing, educational, and unique visual treats. Join us as we explore the famous museums in the world and their essential role in safeguarding the treasures of humanity.
Let’s start an adventure through time, where every exhibit is a doorway to a richer understanding of mankind. Here are the most famous museums in the world.
One of the best museums in the world, The Louvre, France’s national museum and art gallery, occupies a section of a grand palace in Paris. It is constructed on the site of Philip Augustus’s 12th-century fortress. Renowned as the most frequented art museum globally, it has a diverse collection ranging from ancient civilisations to artworks from the mid-19th century. Originally constructed as a fortress in 1190 A.D., The Louvre was later transformed into a royal palace during the 16th century. Under various monarchs, it underwent significant expansions, eventually covering an area of 6,52,300 square feet.
Location: Louvre Museum
Type of Museum
History Museum
Top Attractions
- “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci
- “Venus de Milo”
- “Winged Victory” (Nike of Samothrace)
- The Code of Hammurabi
- “The Dying Slave” by Leonardo da Vinci
Entry Fee
- €22 for Adults (1966 INR)
- Free for under 18-year-old and under-26-year-old residents of the EEA
Timings
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm
Friday: 9 am to 9:45 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Location: Uffizi Gallery
Type of museum
Art museum
Top attractions
- “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli
- “The Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci
- “Madonna of the Goldfinch” by Raphael
- “Tondo Doni” by Michelangelo
Entry Fee
Low Season Prices:
- The Uffizi: Full: €12, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- Pitti Palace: Full: €10, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- Boboli Gardens: Full: €6, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- 5 Days Ticket (all museums): €18 (INR 1609)
- Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens: €14 (INR 1252)
- Extra fee for groups of 11 persons or more (only The Uffizi): €70
High Season Prices:
- The Uffizi: Full: €25, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- Pitti Palace: Full: €16, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- Boboli Gardens: Full: €10, Reduced: €2 (INR 179)
- 5 Days Ticket (all museums): €38 (INR 3397)
- Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens: €22 (INR 1967)
- Extra fee for groups of 11 persons or more (only The Uffizi): €70 (INR 6258)
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 am to 7 pm
Monday: Closed
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Type of museum
Art Museum
Top attractions
- Figure: Seated Couple
- The Temple of Dendur
- Washington Crossing the Delaware
- Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Entry Fee
Adults: $30 (INR 2490)
Seniors: $22 (INR 1826)
Students: $17 (INR 1411)
Free for Members, Patrons, children under 12, and a caregiver accompanying a visitor with a disability.
Timings
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Friday: 10 am to 9 pm
Wednesday: Closed
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Since its establishment in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, South Korea (MMCA) has been an integral part of the nation’s artistic evolution. With four distinct spots established over the years in Gwacheon, Deoksugung, Seoul, and Cheongju, this museum has made it to the list of the most famous museums in the world. Each has its focus, ranging from early modern Korean art to contemporary exhibitions. MMCA’s goals for the next fifty years are to promote artistic dialogue, present engaging exhibitions, and provide beneficial educational experiences.
Location: MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) Seoul
Type of museum
Contemporary Art Museum
Top attractions
Paintings, drawings, and sculptures by contemporary Korean artists, including:
- Over 100 works by painter Lee Jung-Seob
- Almost 70 works by craftsman Yoo Kangyul
Notable Western artists and art collectors also donated art to the museum. Some of them are:
- Paul Gauguin
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Camille Pissarro
- Marc Chagall
- Salvador Dalí
This museum also received donations of close to 1,500 works of art in 2021 from the estate of Late Lee-Kun-Hee, making it the largest contribution ever received by the museum in terms of both value and scale.
Entry Fee
Exhibition Ticket (Paid): KRW 2,000 per person (INR 125)
Pass Tickets: KRW 5,000 (INR 311) (available when more than 3 exhibitions are operating)
Wednesday, Saturday: Zero entry fee between 6 pm and 9 pm
Culture Day (last Wednesday of every month): Zero entry fee
Timings
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Wednesday and Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
Location: Acropolis Museum
Type of museum
Archaeological Museum
Top attractions
- “Calf-bearer”
- “Statuette of Athena Promachos”
- “Head of Alexander the Great”
Entry Fee
General entry fee: Winter Season €10,00 (INR 894), Summer Season €15,00 (INR 1337)
Reduced entry fee: Winter Season €5,00, Summer Season €10,00 (INR 894)
Timings
Winter Season (1st November – 31st March)
- Monday to Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)
- Friday: 9 am – 10 pm (Last entry: 9:30 pm)
- Saturday & Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm (Last entry: 7:30 pm)
Summer Season (1st April – 31st October)
- Monday: 9 am – 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm (Last entry: 7:30 pm)
- Friday: 9 am – 10 pm (Last entry: 9:30 pm)
Archaeological excavation hours
Winter Season (1st November – 31st March): Monday to Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)
Summer Season (1st April – 31st October): Monday: 9 am – 5 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm) and
Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm (Last entry: 7:30 pm)
Location: Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses West Gate
Type of Museum
Archaeological Museum
Top attractions
- Life-size terracotta figures of warriors
- Terracotta figures of horses
- Replicas depicting the imperial guard of the Qin Dynasty
- Archaeological excavations and ongoing work at the site
Entry Fee
Unavailable
Timings
Daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm
Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, the Hermitage is an art museum in St. Petersburg, that originally served as a private gallery of the extensive art collection of the empress. Opened to the public in 1852, it became public property after the October Revolution of 1917. It was expanded in the 1920s with requisitioned art. The museum experienced setbacks during industrialisation in the 1930s when some masterpieces were sold. Post-World War II, its collection of European art expanded significantly. The museum building in itself is beautifully designed with its classic exteriors and luxurious interiors. If you enjoy the experience within this museum, you may also find the nearby Faberge Museum very interesting.
Location: State Hermitage Museum
Type of museum
Museum of Art and Culture
Top attractions
- The Winter Palace
- The Hermitage Museum
- The Malachite Room
- The Jordan Staircase
- The Peacock Clock
Entry Fee
Main Museum Complex: RUB 500 (valid for 1 day) (INR 445)
General Staff Building: RUB 500 (INR 445)
Menshikov Palace: RUB 600 (guided tour in Russian) (INR 534)
Porcelain Museum: RUB 300 (INR 267)
Timings
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:30 am to 6 am
Wednesday and Friday: 10: 30 am to 9 pm
Monday: Closed
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Location: Rijksmuseum
Type of museum
Art Museum
Top attractions
- “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt van Rijn
- “The Milkmaid” by Johannes Vermeer
- “The Kitchen Maid” by Johannes Vermeer
- “The Jewish Bride” by Rembrandt van Rijn
- “The Merry Family” by Jan Steen
Timings
Everyday: 9 am to 5 pm
The Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, is one of the best museums worldwide with premier art galleries, known for its extensive collection of European art from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. The Prado Museum houses works by illustrious Spanish artists such as Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, as well as renowned masters such as Titian, Rubens, and Rembrandt, providing visitors with an illustrated journey through the evolution of Western art.
Location: Museo Nacional del Prado
Type of Museum
Art Museum
Top attractions
- “Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez
- “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch
- “The Third of May 1808” by Francisco Goya
- “The Annunciation” by Fra Angelico
- “The Duke and Duchess of Osuna and their Children” by Francisco de Goya
- “The Descent from the Cross” by Rogier van der Weyden
- “The Triumph of Bacchus” by Diego Velázquez
- “The Immaculate Conception” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Entry Fee
- General Entry: €15 (INR 1341)
- Reduced Entry (students/youth under 25 yrs): €7.50 (INR 671)
- Free entry for children under 18 yrs, persons with disabilities, and certain other categories
Timings
Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 8 pm
Sundays and holidays: 10 am to 7 pm
Location: The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Type of Museum
History & Society
Top Attractions
- Mask Of Tutankhamun
- Statue Of Djoser
- Menkaure Triad,
- Statue Of Rahotep And Nofret
Entry Fee
For Egyptians and Arab citizens:
EGP 30 for Adults (INR 81)
EGP 10 for Students (INR 27)
Other Nationalities:
EGP 450 for Adults (INR 1209)
EGP 230 for Students (INR 618)
Timings
Open between 9 am and 5 pm daily
Ticket Office open between 8:30 am and 4 pm
The History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City was founded in 1929 at the peak of the French Indo-China colonial era. This museum has gained a spot among the best museums in the world, one of the oldest and the first in South Vietnam. From finding the history of Ho Chi Minh City in a perfect illustration to learning about the wars during the French colonial days, you can unravel the city’s eventful history inside this well-planned museum.
Location: History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Type of Museum
History Museum
Top Attractions
- Different Buddha Idols
- Surya God Idol
- Goddess Durga Idol
- Avalokitesvara Idol
Entry Fee
VDN 30,000 per turn (INR 102)
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday open from 8 am to 11:30 amand 1 pm and 5 pm
Closed every Monday
Dedicated to the victims of the S-21 interrogation and detention centre from the Khmer Rouge regime, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh is among the most famous museums in the world. This memorial site promotes peace among visitors while showcasing the drastic consequences of the most tragic period that Cambodia has witnessed to date. You can consider this museum as an extensive archive that is now registered in UNESCO’s Memory Register. Visitors can search for information about various S-21 victims. It is also an excellent place for researchers and students working on this topic.
Location: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Type of Museum
History & Genocide
Top Attractions
- S-21 victims’ clothes
Entry Fee
Citizens of Cambodia:
Free
Non-Cambodian visitors:
$5.00 for Adults (INR 415)
$3.00 for people aged between 10 and 18 years (INR 249)
Timings
Open between 8 am and 5 pm every day
Established in 1876, The State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan is among Central Asia’s largest scientific-educational institutions. Besides being an educational institute, it also portrays the unique culture of Uzbekistan through impressive artefacts. As one of the top museums in the world, it hosts thousands of visitors every year to proudly help people navigate Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.
Location: State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
Type of Museum
Archaeological and Cultural
Top Attractions
- 19th Century Coral and Silver Jewelleries
- Artefacts from the Renaissance Period
- Coins from Uzbekistan’s Past
- Artefacts from the Stone Age found in Uzbekistan
Entry Fee
For adults:
UZS 7500 (INR 50)
For higher education students:
UZS 1000 (INR 7)
Excursion services (1 to 20 people):
For adults and people engaged in activities in Uzbekistan
UZS 1000 (INR 7)
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday:
Open between 10 am and 5 pm
Monday Closed
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Key Takeaways
Museums have a significant role as guardians of human culture in conserving the rich artefacts of a nation, which will serve posterity. They open doors to the past for us to know different people, their cultures, histories, and artistic accomplishments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Capitoline Museum, or Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy, is most likely the world’s oldest museum.
Well known museums offer discounts for students, seniors, and youth. It’s advisable to check the museum’s website or inquire directly for specific details.
Among the famous museums in the world, the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is found to be the world’s most visited museum, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Photography policies vary among top museums in the world. Some allow photography for free. However, many charge a dedicated fee.
Museums with interactive exhibits, children’s programs, and hands-on activities are ideal for kids. Science museums, children’s museums, and natural history museums are a few of the best museums for children.
