10 of the world’s best museums to visit

Some museums are worth planning a whole trip around. These ten hold many of the world’s most famous works of art and history — from the Mona Lisa to the Rosetta Stone.

Opening hours, ticket rules and prices change often, so check each museum’s official website before you go. Booking a timed ticket online usually saves you a long queue.

01 The Louvre, Paris, France

The world’s most visited museum is a former royal palace on the Seine. Beyond the Mona Lisa, don’t miss the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Egyptian galleries.

It’s huge — pick two or three wings rather than trying to see everything in one day.

02 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

“The Met” on Fifth Avenue covers 5,000 years of art, from an entire Egyptian temple — the Temple of Dendur — to European paintings, armour and fashion.

In summer, the rooftop garden has one of the best views over Central Park.

03 The British Museum, London, UK

Entry to the permanent collection is free. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian mummies.

The glass-roofed Great Court is a sight on its own.

04 The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Set in the green-and-white Winter Palace, the Hermitage holds one of the world’s largest art collections, with works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Matisse.

05 The Vatican Museums, Vatican City

Centuries of papal collections end at the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s ceiling and his Last Judgment. The Raphael Rooms are another highlight.

Visitors to the Sistine Chapel are expected to stay quiet and cover their shoulders and knees.

06 The National Museum of China, Beijing, China

On the east side of Tiananmen Square, this is one of the largest museums in the world, covering Chinese history from ancient bronzes and jade to modern times.

07 The Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece

Built at the foot of the Acropolis, this modern museum displays the sculptures found on the hill. Glass floors let you look down onto an ancient neighbourhood being excavated below.

The top-floor Parthenon Gallery is laid out to match the temple itself, which you can see through the windows.

08 The Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany

Famous for full-size ancient structures such as the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Pergamon is one of the five museums on Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museum Island.

The main building is closed for a long renovation. While it’s closed, the neighbouring Neues Museum — home of the bust of Nefertiti — is a great alternative.

09 The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt

The historic museum on Tahrir Square still holds a vast collection of ancient Egyptian treasures, including royal mummies and statues.

Tutankhamun’s treasures have moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, so plan time for both.

10 The National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City, Mexico

In Chapultepec Park, this museum tells the story of Mexico’s ancient cultures. Its most famous piece is the Aztec Sun Stone, and the central courtyard with its giant umbrella fountain is striking.

Tips for visiting big museums

• Book a timed ticket online. It’s often required now, and it saves queuing.
• Go early or late. The first hour after opening and late-evening openings are the quietest times.
• Pick your highlights. Choose a few galleries in advance instead of trying to see everything.
• Check for free days. Many museums offer free or reduced entry on certain days or evenings.