Thankfully Themed Entertainment Association ranks several attractions including museums by their attendance every year in their Themed Index. In their report from 2018, they show that the top 20 world’s most famous museums received 108.1 million visitors in 2018.
The most famous museums in the world are located all over the globe. In this article, we have discussed 10 of the most popular ones by their attendance. So make sure you include at least one of them on your next cultural trip around the globe.
Louvre in France
Louvre in France once again was the most visited museum in the world. Its popularity is constantly growing and in 2018 10.2 million people attended this most famous museum in the world.
If you happen to be in Paris, don’t miss the opportunity to see some of the most famous artworks in the world. Ranging from Mona Lisa to the Winged Victory of Samothrace, there is a variety of more than 35 thousand artworks to appreciate.
National Museum of China
The National Museum of China was visited by 8.6 million people according to the Themed Index. Founded in 2003, it is located on the edge of Beijing’s infamous Tiananmen Square. There is no entry fee even though it is the most famous museum in Asia.
You will find more than 1.3 million art pieces scattered all across its impressive more than 40 halls. The main focus of these exhibitions is China’s achievements in culture, history, and art.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located in New York and visited by 7.4 million people in 2018, this The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers so many masterpieces that one day might not be enough. The impressive selection of Greek and Roman statues, artwork from Rembrandt, Raphael, and other famous artists, reconstructed Temple of Dendur is a lot to take in and appreciate.
The cost of entry is set with a pay what you want principle so you might want to consider visiting the museum for more than one day dividing it into sections to admire.
Vatican Museums
Located in a separate realm in one of the most romantic places in the earth, Vatican Museums in the Vatican have been visited by 6.8 million people in the year of 2018.
In these museums, you will find many artworks that were collected over the centuries by popes. From Renaissance artwork to the Roman tombs, these artworks will impress you. Some of the most renown highlights are Sistine Chapel, Gallery of Maps, and papal throne.
National Air and Space Museum
Being part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. is home to the world’s most impressive collection of aviation and space artifacts. In the year of 2018, 6.2 million people visited the museum to admire such artifacts as the 1903 Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 command module.
British Museum
This is one of the most impressive museums in terms of covering a vast chunk of human history. In the year 2018, 5.9 million people visited British Museum in London to admire two million years of human history.
Opened in the 1750s, the British Museum has collected such pieces as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles, and Egyptian mummies.
Tate Modern
Tate Modern museum is located in London and it got visited by 5.8 million people in the year of 2018. This museum was opened in 2000 and it’s growing popularity led it to a ten-story expansion in 2016.
As its name suggests, Tate Modern is a modern art gallery. The building of this museum used to be a power station and now its vast Turbine Hall houses are home to large-scale sculptural projects and installations. For example, one of its famous artworks has been a huge installation mimicking the sun in the sky.
The National Gallery
Located in London and free of charge, the National Gallery was visited by 5.7 million people in 2018. This museum is home to more than 2000 paintings. Some of them date back as far as the 13th century. The artworks located here range in style and time period. One of the highlights of National Gallery is Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in Room 43.
The Natural History Museum
Appreciated by 5.2 million people in the year of 2018, the Natural History Museum in London once again is a world-leading natural history museum and science research center.
The exhibitions here host a vast range of specimens from various parts of natural history. It is home to life and earth science with more than 80 million items located across various collections. You will find botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology specimens from ranging historical times.
American Museum of Natural History
This natural history museum is dedicated to teaching you the wonders of the natural world. Visited by 5 million people in the year 2018, the American Museum of Natural History is located in Washington, D.C.
Here you will be able to admire dinosaur fossils, a living coral reef, the 45.52 carat Hope diamond, and many more impressive artifacts.