Consider yourself a bit of an art lover? Well, Europe boasts some of the best museums in the world. There...
Best Museums in Edinburgh, Scotland
So you’ve landed in Edinburgh, dropped your bag at the hostel, and you’re ready for a pr...
Consider yourself a bit of an art lover? Well, Europe boasts some of the best museums in the world. There is some incredible art to see if you're travelling between cities – so be sure to check out the best galleries, paintings and contemporary art on your trip. From the Louvre in Paris to the Van Gogh museum, here are our top 10 recommendations to get your arty fix.
These pictures have all been captured by happy travellers!
1 THE LOUVRE, PARIS
75001 Paris, France
So let's start with the biggest. The famous home of the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is a sight not to be missed when you’re in Paris – the actual building itself is piece of art. Admire the beautiful architecture, the world-famous pyramid, magnificent ceilings along with the spectacular pieces of classic art that reside here.
See the Mona Lisa up close and personal
The gallery is currently hosting the masterpieces of the Leiden Collection, showcasing the work of 17th-century Dutch painters including the largest private collection of works by Rembrandt.
2 THE TATE BRITAIN AND THE TATE MODERN, LONDON
Tate Britain, Tate Britain Art Gallery, Milbank, London SW1P 4JU
The Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
An art enthusiast's paradise. For a first visit to London the Tate Britain is a must. Housing British art from 1500 to present day – this gallery gives the visitor a comprehensive view of the country’s culture within the art world.
The Tate’s younger sibling – the Tate Modern, hosts a collection of international art from 1900 to modern day with an eclectic mix of exhibitions, and contemporary art forms.
Located in an old power station, the art in the Tate Modern often comes with an experimental twist and is home to the likes of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons, so expect paintings, sculptures, and installations like you have never seen before.
3 THE NATIONAL GALLERY, PRAGUE
Staroměstské nám. 12, Staré Město, 110 15 Praha 1 – Staré Město-Praha 1, Czechia
The National Gallery is home to the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic. Prague’s National Gallery exhibits a mix of Czech artwork, Baroque pieces and Cubism. The gallery will be exhibiting items such as 14th–16th Century Panel Paintings and the Charter 77 story throughout this year. This is a unique opportunity to see first-hand, the work of Prague’s most famous artists and to learn the stories of the past.
4 THE GROENINGE MUSEUM, BRUGES
Dijver 12, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
For an art lover in Bruges the Groeninge Museum is the perfect place to experience the mesmerising collection of work from Belgium and the Netherlands, dating from the 18th Century. The museum displays an eclectic mix of historic paintings with post-1945 pieces, too. A visit to the gallery will give you a valuable insight into the artistic culture of the city.
5 THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
When you’re in the city of tulips and cheese, you can’t miss this. Amsterdam presents one of its most famous national treasures – Van Gogh, in a museum dedicated to his life and work. This is complimented by other 19th Century artists and contemporaries of Van Gogh. This museum holds an extensive selection of Van Gogh’s work at various stages across his career. Whether you’re familiar with Van Gogh’s work or you’re a newbie to the world of art, this is a place everyone will appreciate.
6 THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART (GNAM), ROME
Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, 00197 Roma, Italy
Modern art in an ancient city. Rome’s National Gallery was founded in 1883 and yet prides itself on maintaining a contemporary standing. The gallery houses some of the 20th Century’s greatest artists including Dutch painter Mondrian, along with many of Italy’s finest.
7 EAST SIDE GALLERY, BERLIN WALL
Mühlenstraße, 10243 Berlin, Germany
In 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, 118 artists gathered from across the globe to transform the remaining section into an open-air gallery with over 100 paintings. The East Side Gallery allows you to take in the historic importance of the location as well as viewing the wonderful artwork commemorating the location. After being neglected in the 1990s, restoration and refurbishment has just been completed, making it better than ever.
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8 MUSÉE D'ORSAY, PARIS
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
The stunning Musée D’Orsay is a beautiful landmark in itself, made even more fascinating by the world famous paintings and sculptures inside it. Cézanne, Monet and Renoir are all permanently on display here – and you simply must check out the giant clock. Entry is €8.
9 MUSEU NACIONAL D’ART DE CATALUNYA (MNAC), BARCELONA
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
This is one of many breathtaking buildings in Barcelona and it’s here where you can explore Catalan history through paintings, sculptures and photographs – to get a unique insight into this historic culture. Specialising in Catalan Art with particular reference to the Gothic and Romanesque genres, the collection and the surroundings make for a breathtaking experience.
10 SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERIES, EDINBURGH
The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL
Edinburgh has a collection of three National Galleries, the Portrait Gallery, the Modern Gallery and the National Gallery. Each specialise in their particular genre and between these institutes, they house the best Scottish artworks anywhere in the world. If you love paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures, then you’ll love the Scottish National Galleries.
