Famous museums over the world
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The 19 Best Museums in the World
Some of the best trips include a day or more spent deep inside the halls of a
museum. It's in these often grand buildings (which are impressive in their own
right) that travelers can find masterpieces by artists like Monet and artifacts that
showcase a destination's culture and history. And while museums are largely
subjective — some visitors love art, while others are fascinated by science — the
numbers don't lie.
Year after year, Statista aggregates and analyzes museum visitation numbers,
highlighting those that rise to the top. Their most recent report showed that while
attendance declined sharply in 2020, many of the world's most-visited museums in
2019 held strong in 2020, boasting notable (albeit smaller) numbers.
From national treasures like New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art to
venues in far-flung destinations like Russia and Taiwan, these are the best
museums in the world, according to number of visitors.
Louvre, Paris
With over one million more visitors than the next museum on this list,
the Louvre has long been a worldwide favorite (it reported 9.6 million visitors in
2019 and 2.7 million in 2020). Before becoming a museum, the building was a
palace, so the exterior alone is worth the trip. Inside the historic walls, you'll
find celebrated works of art like the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus de Milo."
National Museum of China, Beijing
There's truly no better place for travelers interested in Chinese history and art than
the National Museum of China. The building sits off Tiananmen Square in Beijing
and boasts a massive collection of Chinese artifacts and art.
Nanjing Museum, Nanjing
This sprawling museum in the city of Nanjing houses historical Chinese objects
and art in a series of buildings built around an open plaza. In 2020, Nanjing
Museum welcomed just over 1.5 million visitors, making it third most-visited
museum in the world.
Tate Modern, London
Tate Modern is part of a series of art galleries found in London, Liverpool, and
Cornwall. Alongside the Tate's collection of contemporary art, the museum has
exhibits that allow visitors to interact with the works and those that highlight how
renowned pieces were made.
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Shanghai
Located in the heart of Shanghai, this modern museum focuses on technology and
includes a series of multimedia exhibits, educational programs, and a theater that's
dedicated to showing films related to the sciences.
Vatican Museums, Vatican City
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Housed inside Vatican City, the Vatican Museums are a series of chapels, galleries,
and traditional museums dedicated to showcasing work amassed by the Catholic
church (think famous Roman sculptures, a collection of modern art, and more).
The British Museum, London
With a free entry policy (except for some special exhibitions) and a dedication to
showcasing and preserving human history, The British Museum is a popular to-do
for visitors to London. The museum houses eight million permanent works, many
of which were collected during the British Empire era.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
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As Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, the Reina Sofía houses a large
number of pieces in its permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibits. Once
visitors are done exploring the sprawling museum, they can walk through the
neighboring park to access the Palacio de Cristal, a conservatory made almost
entirely of glass.
Natural History Museum, London
Situated in South Kensington, the Natural History Museum showcases a wide array
of animal bones, lifelike dioramas, and educational exhibits dedicated to the
natural world. You'll find the bones of a blue whale suspended from the ceiling and
the first Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered.
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