Museums are a great way to experience some culture on your holiday. There are over 95,000 museums in the world, so whether artwork, science, or history is your thing, there is something out there for everyone.
Now that the Grand Egyptian Museum will soon open, we’re encouraged to look up other magical museums across the world. We have put together the top museums around the world for you to add to your bucket list. Let’s take a look at a list of our favourite 10…
- Tate Britain, London
- The Louvre, France
- The Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt
- Acropolis Museum and acropolis site, Greece
- Natural History Museum, London
- Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, China
- California Academy of Sciences, USA
- The Vatican Museums, Italy
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA
- The Vasa Museum, Stockholm
Step into the world’s largest museum in Egypt
Just outside of Cairo in Egypt is the Grand Egyptian Museum, now the world’s largest museum. It opened most of its exhibits to the public on the 16th of October 2024, 21 years after it was announced. It is home to the full Tutankhamun collection so it should be at the top of any history enthusiast’s list of things to see. Plus, at 600 egp (roughly £9.49) a ticket, it is great value.
The museum would be a perfect escape from the heat while getting a real taste of ancient history. When you step inside, you are greeted by a 36-foot-tall, 83 tonne statue of the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II. This is just one of the over 100,000 artifacts they have on display at this state-of-the-art museum. While you’re in Egypt, be sure to get those perfect holiday photos with a trip to the Great Pyramids of Giza – just a mile away.
Visit the most famous painting at the Louvre
If you are going to France, make sure to visit the Louvre Museum, home to the world-famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Due to the popularity of this artwork, it is likely there will be a queue to see it so be prepared and plan extra time when you do go. Although it will be busy, it is still a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the masterpiece in real life.
Don’t forget to look for the Venus De Milo statue while you’re at the museum. Standing at 6’8 inches, she is also a world-famous artwork of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. You may recognise the statue when you see it, as she is famous for no longer having arms! Then, just before the exit, you can’t miss the Pyramid by I.M. Pei. You may not know it by name, but if you have ever seen pictures of the Louvre, you will have seen this famous structure. Make sure you get your camera ready for this one.
Avoid the rain at a London Museum
London is home to many different museums and cultural hubs for you to explore. Some of the most well-known are the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, or one of the many art galleries such as Tate Britain. These are the perfect day out for when the weather is wet and miserable, or you want to see something a little different.
Some of the London museums are free to visit so you can have a cultural day out without paying a hefty entrance fee. The Natural History Museum is free although you are recommended to book a timed entry ticket to guarantee your admission. They also host paid events like Halloween nights and ‘out-of-hours dinosaurs’ where you can get a guided tour of the ferocious gallery before it opens for the day. This is a great way to immerse yourself in history in a fun and unique way.
Visit the 8th wonder of the world in China
History lovers should have Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum on their bucket list. Home to 8,000 terracotta warriors and horse monuments from 200 BCE, this is a UNESCO world heritage site – one not to miss. Due to the popularity of the Terracotta Warriors, it is worth considering a visit during the shoulder season. This period between the peak and off-peak times will bring down the crowd size so you can explore at your leisure.
Tickets for this museum are 120 yuan (£12.98), including entry to the museum and to the Terracotta Army. While you’re here, just under an hour’s drive away is the Xi’an city wall. Though it is not a museum, the wall is one of the best-preserved defensive walls built using classic Chinese architecture. You will get an uninterrupted view of the city and take home some perfect holiday photos.
Dive into the world’s only ‘living’ museum
If regular museums aren’t your thing, we’ve found the perfect place for you. In San Francisco, they have the California Academy of Sciences. It is a very unique museum as they have combined an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and museum under one roof. One of their top exhibits is their resident albino alligator named Claude. Make sure you catch a swamp talk where you can learn about the reptile, and you can even watch him being fed.
This is a great place to visit to learn about the natural world in a fun and interesting way. The museum aims to educate people on how to make the world a healthier and more eco-friendly place. Plus, their 75-foot planetarium dome is a large, immersive experience that you must try. You will learn about the history of the earth and how it all came to be but make sure you reserve tickets as this show is on a first-come, first-served basis!
Travel, with confidence
At Free Spirit, we understand that travelling with pre-existing medical conditions can be tough. That’s why our policy is here to help you travel, with confidence.
