The 20 Most Incredible Museums from Around the World
From downtown New York to the center of Krakow, the editors at ELLE Decor share their bucket list institutions.
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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. So, we asked the team at ELLE Decor to share their must-see museum destinations—from world-famous institutions to the lesser-known gems—that should be added to your bucket list ASAP.
From New York to Qatar, and everything in between, read below a list of the 20 best museums from around the world.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
"There are many great museum buildings around the world that are themselves as iconic as the works of art within their walls. But there are only a handful where the architecture is more celebrated than any piece in its collection, and the Guggenheim, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is surely at the top of this list. So go for the illustrious Frank Lloyd Wright–designed spiral, then stay for the rotating exhibitions of top-flight modern works from artists the world over." —Jeffrey Bauman, Executive Managing Editor
Musée Picasso, Paris
"It wasn't until I visited the Musée Picasso in Paris—located in the Hôtel Salé in the Marais—that I really got a grasp of how impressive and multifaceted Picasso was as an artist. With over 5,000 works of art and thousands more archived pieces—many of which were donated by his family following his death—the museum includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, prints, and (my personal favorite) notebooks from when Picasso was just a teenager, all the way into his old age. If you're like me, and can feel overwhelmed by a museum with thousands of artists' works, the Musée Picasso allows you to deeply explore the work of one of the art world's most renowned figures." —Lucia Tonelli, Digital Editorial Assistant
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
"I'm a native New Yorker and am always impressed every time I pay a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue. It 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. There's also a rooftop garden bar that's open seasonally—it's a lovely spot to end your day." — Monique Valeris, Home Decor Editor
Louvre Museum, Paris
"The Louvre may be known for the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory, but you may not know that it was once a royal residence. And after having spent every Friday of my semester abroad roaming the grand halls and sketching the greats, it became a second home to me as well. Insider tip: don't miss the secret apartments. Off the beaten path in the Richelieu Wing, you'll find the swanky former chambers of Napoleon III. From gilded crystal chandeliers and marble fireplaces to frescoed ceilings and Baroque panel molding, these over-the-top rooms are my favorite to explore." —Laurel Benedum, Market Editor
Qatar National Museum, Doha
"The new Jean Nouvel designed Qatar National Museum in Doha, Qatar was over a decade in the making. No wonder: the elaborate structure, which resembles a “desert rose” (not a flower, actually, but a mineral structure found in the desert) is composed of 250,000 different steel elements bolted together in curving sections and covered in glass fiber-reinforced concrete (ED was here for the pre-opening in April 2019). The exhibitions inside, which tell the story of Qatar through dynamic films projected on the undulated walls, are just as impressive." —Whitney Robinson, Editor-in-Chief
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
"The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam is the kind of unpretentious, joyful modern art museum that you can casually meander through all day, whether you’re a diehard purveyor of art or someone who enjoys it much more casually. I visited once while I was studying abroad, and despite being exhausted from travel, was completely immersed in the exciting and impressive collection of art. It’s the Netherlands’ most famous modern art museum—with over 90,000 pieces of art—that has a focus on Bauhaus, Pop Art, and Neo-Impressionaism. Plus, it’s right around the corner from the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, if you’re trying to get your museum fix all at once." —Lucia Tonelli, Digital Editorial Assistant
The Cooper Hewitt Museum, New York
"This Manhattan museum would be worth it for the setting alone: it's located in industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie's stunning 64-room mansion, built from 1899 to 1902, and beautifully restored. But under the leadership of director Caroline Baumann, the museum is also an essential destination for anyone who loves design. The current exhibit, Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial, is a fascinating glimpse at how designers like Neri Oxman are grappling with climate change and ecological crises in groundbreaking ways. Don't miss walking through Curiosity Cloud, Mischer Traxler's cloud of light bulbs, each containing a handcrafted model of an insect native to New York City, which flutter when they feel your movement.” —Ingrid Abramovitch, Executive Editor
Czartoryski Museum, Krakow
"The Czartoryski Museum in Krakow has gone through the ringer over the past centuries, with part of the noble family's collection being destroyed in the 19th century to the theft by the Nazis of a Raphael portrait that has still never been found. When I visited in the mid-aughts, I had just spent an exhausting, heart-rending day touring Auschwitz. Needless to say, I was in need of something to restore my faith in humanity, so I went to the Czartoryski to have an audience with da Vinci's greatest portrait, Lady with an Ermine. This painting's beauty cannot be understated. I still wonder how a man could create something so beautiful without channeling the divine. The Czartoryski has been closed since 2010, but will supposedly be reopening sometime this year." —Charles Curkin, Articles Editor
The Neue Galerie, New York
"The Neue Galerie is New York’s answer to the Musee Nissim de Camondo, Rodin, or Picasso in Paris—a true house museum (brilliantly restored by Ronald S. Lauder with the architect Annabelle Selldorf)—that boasts one of the country’s best known masterpieces: Adele-Bloch Bauer, by Gustav Klimt. Pro tip: after bidding auf wiedersehen, go to Cafe Sabarsky in the Museum for a piece of Sacher torte. The gift shop is also a not-to-be-missed jewel." —Whitney Robinson, Editor-in-Chief
Doria Pamphilj, Rome
"There's no shortage of breathtaking art museums in Rome, though the Doria Pamphilj is unlike any other that I've visited. 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. Yes, ever." —Lucia Tonelli, Digital Editorial Assistant
The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia
“The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia is truly the most spectacular display of art I have ever seen. The permanent collection—all impressionist and post-impressionist pieces originally collected by Albert Barnes for his private home—includes the world's largest collection of Renoir (nearly 200 of them) and Cézanne, with literally every wall covered in masterpieces by artists like Picasso, Modigliani, Van Gogh, and Matisse (Matisse even custom-painted a huge mural in Barnes's home, which is also on display.) There's such a visual glut of riches that walking through can be a little overwhelming, but the eye-overload is more than worth it to see such an unparalleled collection.” —Lauren Hubbard, Contributor
Fondazione Prada, Milan
"A 'haunted house' clad in 24-karat gold leaf. A cluster of old factory buildings and warehouses renovated by starchitect Rem Koolhaas. A vintage-style Italian cafe that looks straight out of a Wes Anderson movie—wait, it actually was designed by Wes Anderson! A cinema programmed by icons like Pedro Almodovar. There are multiple reasons to head to Milan’s Porta Romana district to visit Prada’s cultural campus. But the best reason of all to visit is the spectacular arts programming, with temporary exhibitions (catch the immersive Lizzie Fitch/Ryan Trecartin installation before it closes August 5) and a permanent collection that ranges from Jeff Koon’s candy-colored metallic Tulips to Carsten Höller’s Upside Down Mushroom Room." —Ingrid Abramovitch, Executive Editor
The Nezu Museum, Tokyo
"The Nezu museum, tucked away in a tiny suburb of Tokyo, is the kind of jewel-box institution that is so precious you don’t really want to tell your friends about it. The collections comprise superb examples of Japanese and East Asian art, calligraphy, sculpture, textiles, lacquer, and screens. But it may just be the building, designed by renowned architect (of the moment) Kengo Kuma (he’s doing the Ace Hotel in Kyoto) and the crazy size-for-Tokyo gardens that stay with you long after you visit." —Whitney Robinson, Editor-in-Chief
The British Museum, London
“I went abroad to London while in college, and I lived right near the British Museum, so I found literally any excuse to go. Seeing the Rosetta Stone in person is so memorable, and there are countless Greek and Roman sculptures and objects to view. The Enlightenment Gallery is one of my favorite spaces, and the Great Hall is pretty magical as well (when it’s not too crowded). Plus, admission is free.” —Maggie Maloney, Associate Digital Editor
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town
"If you're traveling to Cape Town, don't conclude your trip without a visit to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), especially if you're an architecture buff. The museum's collection of 21st-century African art spans more than 100 galleries and there are informative tours that are offered daily to enhance your experience. Plus, the eye-catching building was converted from an old silo complex, which is a historic landmark. The structure itself is just as appealing as the works featured inside of it." — Monique Valeris, Home Decor Editor
Fondation Monet, Giverny
"It’s not your typical museum, but Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny (a short train ride from Paris) are breathtaking. From the neat rows of green-shuttered windows to the two-toned yellow dining room, and the muted tones of the artist’s studio to the blue-tiled kitchen, Monet’s home is a study of color. And the well-kept gardens are equally transportive, replete with the water lilies and Japanese footbridges that have become so iconically 'Monet.'" —Samantha Swenson, Editorial Assistant
The National Museum of African American History & Culture, D.C.
“The National Museum of African American History & Culture is a must-visit in Washington, D.C. The museum as a whole tells an incredibly powerful story from the slavery era through today, shedding light on some of the most horrific chapters in American history. It also celebrates the immense contributions and accomplishments of African American people, from pieces of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gear to buttons from Obama’s first presidential campaign in 2008.” —Maggie Maloney, Associate Digital Editor
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. I’d especially recommend visiting the ‘Inside the Horizon,’ which is like a contemporary, LED version of the hall of mirrors." —Lucia Tonelli, Digital Editorial Assistant
The Frick Collection, New York
“Anyone who loves Old Master paintings and European sculptures should head directly to the Frick. The gorgeous space on Fifth Avenue is a work of art itself (it’s one of the last Gilded Age mansions in New York), and inside you’ll find pieces by Vermeer, Renoir, and Rembrandt, to name a few. Plus, the garden court is one of the most Instagram-able locations in the city.”—Maggie Maloney, Associate Digital Editor
Château du Champ de Bataille, Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc
"One of my favorite museums is the Château du Champ de Bataille. I was lucky enough to go on a tour of the place with Jacques Garcia himself, and it is one of the most fabulous castles I have seen in Europe. I love how Garcia recreated the way it would have been, and the French formal garden he redesigned is absolutely incredible and I would say rivals Versailles!" —Parker Larson, Style Director
Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.
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