The Best European Cities For Art And Museums
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ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE ARE ITS WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS AND THE CENTURIES OF ART TREASURES THAT THEY HOLD.
From the grand museums of Paris and Vienna to contemporary collections in Bilbao and Munich, Europe is brimming with amazing art.
I LOVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WANDERING THROUGH A MUSEUM AND LOSING TRACK OF TIME.
Whether wandering the halls of the Louvre in Paris, marveling at the Renaissance wonders of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, or discovering ancient artifacts of the British Museum in London, art enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in Europe.
Below, I’ve collected a list of my favorite European cities for exploring the artistic heritage of Europe and the world beyond.
Read on to discover Europe's best museums — some of them may surprise you.
The Best European Cities For Art And Museums
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Paris, France
THE CITY OF LIGHT IS OVERFLOWING WITH EXCEPTIONAL ART DESTINATIONS LIKE WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS, SMALL GALLERIES, AND OFFBEAT EXHIBITS.
It’s impossible to miss the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum and home to thousands of masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Across the river Seine, the Musée d'Orsay offers an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir.
Its setting, a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station, makes it a favorite with visitors, many of whom happily wait in line for photos in front of its iconic, window-like clock.
The crowds at the Louvre can be intense; I’d recommend booking a private tour to ensure a focused, edited experience.
Musée d’Orsay punches above its weight in with a strong collection of Impressionist paintings.
Modern and contemporary art enthusiasts will enjoy the Centre Pompidou, a striking architectural landmark known for its inside-out design and vast collection.
It, too, offers breathtaking views of the Paris skyline from its top floor.
NEW MUSEUM OPENINGS HAVE BROUGHT EVEN MORE ATTENTION TO MODERN ART IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is an architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry that showcases contemporary artworks by both established and emerging artists.
In addition to these major museums, Paris also has smaller museums dedicated to influential art movements, like the surrealism-focused Dalí Paris.
These are the top museum experiences in Paris:
Florence, Italy
FLORENCE IS AN UNPARALLELED DESTINATION FOR FANS OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE.
Ruled for nearly three centuries by the powerful Medici family, Florence itself was the ultimate beneficiary of the family’s vast art collection.
The final Medici heiress, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, bequeathed the entirety of the Medici treasures to the city of Florence on one condition — that all items were required to remain in Florence.
That gift formed the basis of the Uffizi Gallery collection, which includes Renaissance masterpieces by luminaries such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
In Florence, the Uffizi Gallery offers Renaissance masterpieces, like Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”
At the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Michelangelo’s marvelous “David” is the star of the show.
HERE, VISITORS CAN MARVEL AT TIMELESS WORKS LIKE "THE BIRTH OF VENUS" AND "PRIMAVERA.”
Beyond the Uffizi, the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze offers an intimate encounter with Michelangelo's towering masterpiece, "David," a sculptural triumph of the human form.
And the Medici Chapels, final resting place of the Medici rulers, offers a deeper array of Renaissance art and decor.
These are the top museum experiences in Florence:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
RENOWNED FOR ITS PICTURESQUE CANALS AND HISTORIC CHARM, AMSTERDAM IS A TREASURE CHEST FOR ART ENTHUSIASTS.
The city's crown jewel is the Rijksmuseum, a monumental institution showcasing masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals.
The museum's impressive collection spans centuries of Dutch art and history, providing visitors with a captivating journey through the nation's cultural heritage.
The small, offset galleries that make up the main hall of the Rijksmuseum may just be the prettiest in all of Europe.
The largest collection of Van Gogh works can be found at the museum dedicated to the artist in Amsterdam.
Post-Impressionism lovers should not miss the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world's largest collection of artworks by the legendary Dutch artist.
VISITORS CAN IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN VAN GOGH'S VIBRANT AND EMOTIVE PAINTINGS AND GAIN INSIGHTS INTO HIS TUMULTUOUS LIFE AND GROUNDBREAKING VISION.
Modern and contemporary art fans should head the Stedelijk Museum for its cutting-edge exhibitions, from innovative installations to thought-provoking sculptures.
The Moco Museum, a relatively new private museum, features modern art as well as works by street artists like Banksy and WhIsBe.
Beyond its world-class museums, Amsterdam's vibrant arts scene extends to its galleries, studios, and cultural events scattered throughout the city.
These are the top museum experiences in Amsterdam:
Copenhagen, Denmark
COPENHAGEN IS A CHARMING BLEND OF NORDIC DESIGN, CONTEMPORARY ART, AND HISTORIC GRANDEUR.
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is a wonder, with its outstanding collection of ancient sculptures, Impressionist paintings, and Danish Golden Age works.
In addition to pieces by Degas, Rodin, and Van Gogh, the museum has a gorgeous indoor garden.
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek has an impressive assortment of sculptures and paintings, plus an indoor garden.
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, just outside of Copenhagen, consistently shows strong exhibitions.
Just outside the city, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art attracts lovers of modern and experimental art.
Overlooking the Øresund Strait, this world-renowned museum pairs groundbreaking contemporary exhibitions with stunning natural surroundings.
ALSO OF NOTE ARE THE KUNSTHAL CHARLOTTENBORG, WHICH SHOWS CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITS IN TOWN, AND ARKEN MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, WHICH PRESENTS CONTEMPORARY WORKS IN A STRIKING, SHIP-LIKE BUILDING ALONG THE COAST.
These are the top museum experiences in Copenhagen:
Vienna, Austria
Vienna can sometimes get lost in the conversation about Europe’s major art capitals.
During my last visit to Vienna, a friend and I asked ChatGPT for the top ten European cities for art museums, and Vienna came in a disappointing seventh.
BUT THIS IS MISLEADING!
The city itself is gorgeous, draped in a Habsburg-imparted grandeur that seems to seep into all districts of town, and its art collections are superb.
Vienna's major art museum is the Kunsthistorisches Museum, with a collection full of masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Raphael.
It’s an opulent museum, with rich marble staircases and fresco painted ceilings.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna was originally built to house the Habsburgs’ extensive art collection.
Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece, “The Kiss,” is in the permanent collection of the Upper Belvedere.
A few blocks away, Vienna's MuseumsQuarter offers a range of diverse array of art museums.
The Leopold Museum offers one of the most comprehensive collections of Austrian art, with works by Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt.
It’s one of the best museums created from a private collection — in this case, the artwork was amassed over five decades by its founders, Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold.
GUSTAV KLIMT’S MASTERPIECE, "THE KISS," IS ON DISPLAY AT THE UPPER BELVEDERE, PART OF PERMANENT COLLECTION WITHIN THE ÖSTERREICHISCHE GALERIE BELVEDERE.
The Upper Belvedere is an outstanding Baroque palace, and its permanent collection includes work by German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder and Peter Paul Rubens.
Beyond its art scene, Vienna buzzes with lively café culture, its delectable Naschmarkt, and the unbeatable combination of Wiener Schnitzel washed down by a crisp glass of Grüner Vetliner.
These are the top museum experiences in Vienna:
Madrid, Spain
MADRID, THE VIBRANT CAPITAL OF SPAIN, OFFERS A RICH MELANGE OF ART HISTORY AND TWO FLAGSHIP MUSEUMS.
At the heart of Madrid's art scene lies the renowned Prado Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of European art from the 12th to the early 20th century.
Here, visitors can marvel at masterpieces by Spanish masters such as Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, as well as works by other European artists including Titian, Rubens, and Bosch.
The Prado is one of the top museums in all of Europe, with works by both Spanish masters and other European artists.
The exterior of the Reina Sofía Museum is anchored by a glass-enclosed exterior elevator.
Beyond the Prado, Madrid’s other major museum, the Reina Sofía National Art Center Museum, is a must-visit for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts.
IT FEATURES WORKS BY SPANISH ARTISTS LIKE PICASSO, DALÍ, AND MIRÓ, ALONGSIDE INTERNATIONAL FIGURES LIKE WARHOL AND BACON.
The museum's crown jewel is Picasso's iconic masterpiece, "Guernica," a powerful depiction of the horrors of war that continues to resonate with viewers today.
Finally, the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum seems to bridge the gap between the Prado and the Reina Sofia with a comprehensive collection of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and 20th-century avant-garde movements.
These are the top museum experiences in Madrid:
The Hague, The Netherlands
THE HAGUE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL DESTINATION FOR ART LOVERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE SEEKING MASTERPIECES OF THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE, AS WELL AS UNEXPECTED CONTEMPORARY ART.
Mauritshuis, home to some of the most celebrated paintings in the world, is not to be missed.
This intimate museum, housed in a 17th-century palace, includes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp.”
The Mauritshuis in the Hague houses celebrated works like Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”
Nearby, the Kunstmuseum Den Haag presents an extensive collection of modern art, with a particular emphasis on the works of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
Its collection traces the evolution of Mondrian’s style from early landscapes to his famous geometric compositions.
MEANWHILE, THE NEARBY ESCHER IN HET PALEIS MUSEUM OFFERS A FASCINATING LOOK AT THE MIND-BENDING WORKS OF M.C. ESCHER, A DUTCH GRAPHIC ARTIST WHO IS FINALLY BEGINNING TO RECEIVE FINE ART APPRECIATION.
These are the top museum experiences in The Hague:
London, England
LONDON’S ECLECTIC MIX OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES MAKE IT A MUST-VISIT FOR ART ENTHUSIASTS OF ALL STRIPES.
And best of all, many of London’s best museums offer free entry.
The National Gallery of London in Trafalgar Square houses more than 2,300 works dating from the mid-13th century to the 1900s, including noted works like Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," Da Vinci's "The Virgin of the Rocks," and the grandeur of J.M.W. Turner's seascapes paintings.
The nearby National Portrait Gallery has the most extensive portrait collection in the world.
It features sittings by British icons like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Judi Dench, and David Beckham.
The National Portrait Gallery has an extensive collection of portraiture, mainly of British historical figures.
The National Gallery of London is home to masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's "Virgin of the Rocks."
Fans of contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries should venture to the Tate Modern.
IT OFFERS THE ABSTRACT AND THE AVANT-GARDE, AND SHINES WITH WORKS BY PICASSO, WARHOL, AND HOCKNEY.
The Saatchi Gallery, known for launching artistic careers, is the place to find new, cutting-edge art by young, up-and-coming artists.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is a treasure trove of decorative arts and design, showcasing everything from intricate medieval tapestries to haute couture fashion and contemporary photography.
These are the top museum experiences in London:
Bilbao, Spain
BILBAO HAS UNDERGONE A STARK TRANSFORMATION IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, EVOLVING FROM AN INDUSTRIAL PORT CITY INTO A EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF ART.
The city’s most visited art space is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, an architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry that redefined both the city’s skyline and its global reputation.
Its collection of contemporary masterpieces is ever-evolving, and includes large-scale installations by Richard Serra to thought-provoking works by Anselm Kiefer and Jeff Koons.
The Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is as much a work of art as the collection it houses.
Beyond the Guggenheim, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao is often considered one of the top Spanish museums outside of Madrid.
It features works by Spanish masters like El Greco, Goya, and Zurbarán alongside international artists such as Van Dyck and Bacon.
The city itself takes on the feel of an open-air gallery, with sculptures and murals decorating public spaces, like Louise Bourgeois' towering spider sculpture Maman that stands guard outside the Guggenheim.
These are the top museum experiences in Bilbao:
Munich, Germany
MORE THAN JUST ITS FAMOUS BEER HALLS, MUNICH OFFERS VISITORS A FANTASTIC ART EXPERIENCE.
Anchoring its art scene is the Kunstareal, or museum quarter, home to the Pinakothek trio of museums: the Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek*, and Pinakothek der Moderne.
(The word “pinakothek” comes from the Ancient Greek for picture gallery.)
The Alte Pinakothek houses an impressive collection of Old Masters, including works by Rubens and Rembrandt, while the Neue Pinakothek showcases 19th-century European art, with works by Van Gogh and Klimt.
And as its name suggests, the Pinakothek der Moderne showcases modern and contemporary art, with pieces by Picasso, Klee, and Warhol.
The interior rotunda of the Pinakothek der Moderne, which showcases works by Warhol, Picasso, and Klee.
The Lenbachhaus in Munich houses the world’s largest collection of paintings by the Blue Rider movement.
CONTEMPORARY ART FANS SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT THE MUSEUM BRANDHORST FOR ITS COLLECTION OF NEARLY 100 WORKS BY WARHOL AND THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF CY TWOMBLY PIECES IN EUROPE.
Nearby, the Lenbachhaus offers fans of Expressionism a chance to see the world’s largest collection of paintings by the Blue Rider movement, spearheaded by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc.
*The Neue Pinakothek is undergoing major renovations and will remain closed until 2029.
These are the top museum experiences in Munich:
Tips for Visiting Museums in Europe
WITH SO MANY WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS TO CHOOSE FROM, PLANNING AHEAD ENSURES YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT.
Book tickets or tours in advance – Many popular museums, like the Louvre, require timed-entry tickets, and same-day availability can be limited.
Visit early or late in the day – Museums are busiest midday, so arriving early or in the evening can help you avoid crowds.
Check for free admission days – Some museums offer free entry on certain days or evenings, but these can be crowded, so plan accordingly.
No matter where you travel, Europe's museums offer unforgettable experiences that bring you face-to-face with artistic masterpieces.
Whether you’re captivated by Renaissance masterpieces or drawn to boundary-pushing contemporary art, Europe’s museums offer something for every kind of traveler.
Until next time,
Angela 🎨
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