TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When exploring many parts of the world, museums often become more than just tourist attractions. They preserve the story, creativity, and discoveries that define human civilization. Among the countless, some institutions have earned recognition as the greatest museums in the world for the extraordinary way they connect visitors with humanity’s past.
Whether it is artistic treasures housed in the Louvre Museum, historical wonders displayed at the Natural History Museum, or scientific discoveries showcased at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, each museum takes visitors through an eye-opening journey.
List of the Greatest Museums in the World
Citing Travel + Leisure and TimeOut, here are 10 of the greatest museums in the world you must visit, at least once in a lifetime.
1. The Louvre, Paris
One of the greatest museums in the world is also the most visited. The Louvre is simply a haven of art, where many of the finest works ever made in history called it home. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has long been the crowd’s favorite, while the glass pyramid outside stands as a photo-worthy highlight. It’s best to arrive early to avoid huge crowds.
2. Vatican Museums, Vatican City
The Vatican Museums are the sanctuary of artistic masterpieces carrying profound political, historical, and spiritual significance. Located at the heart of Vatican City, the vast collections of tapestries, paintings, and sculptures are promised to immerse visitors in awe. Among the greatest treasures within the complex is the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s celebrated ceiling frescoes inspired by the Book of Genesis.
3. The MET, New York City
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is far more than just the venue for the iconic Met Gala. Within its halls, visitors can travel across 5,000 years of history through a collection of more than 490,000 works of art. Some of the museum’s most-admired treasures include Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.
4. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida
For space enthusiasts, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex may be the most fascinating museum on the list. In addition to its collection of historic spacecraft and immersive interactive displays, the center carries immense historical significance as the very site where the Apollo 11 Moon Landing began. Visitors can also enjoy the unique chance to meet real astronauts, making the experience even more fulfilling.
5. National History Museum, London
Dinosaurs never fail to become a highlight in conversations about the world’s greatest museum collections. Inside the Natural History Museum in London, visitors are welcomed by stunning Romanesque architecture and an extraordinary collection of animal specimens spanning millions of years of natural history. The museum’s most breathtaking sights are countless, yet the massive blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling certainly will certainly catch visitors’ attention first.
6. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
As the national museum of the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum offers visitors a journey through more than 8,000 masterpieces of Dutch art and history. Its grand historic building is every bit as mesmerizing as the collections it houses, showcasing works from legendary artists such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and Vincent van Gogh. Beyond simply admiring its celebrated artworks, visitors can also explore the museum’s extensive book collections.
7. National Museum of China, Beijing
The National Museum of China is unthinkably one of the greatest museums in the world. There are 48 galleries to discover, which housed 1.4 million collections of artifacts dating back to over 5,000 years. Alongside treasured items like the Jade Dragon of the Hongshan Culture from the Neolithic period, the museum has also been implementing modern technology to showcase cultural legacy, adding a unique layer to the discovery.
8. The Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt
As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, ancient Egypt left behind an incomparable wealth of historical treasures. At the Grand Egyptian Museum, more than 100,000 priceless artifacts are preserved, offering visitors a remarkable glimpse into thousands of years of Egyptian history. Only here can visitors discover the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures, including his famed golden burial mask.
9. Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo
The Miraikan lives up to Japan’s global reputation for technology and innovation. From its immersive dome theater to cutting-edge exhibits and interactive installations, the museum aims to share scientific knowledge while inspiring visitors to imagine a better future. Families visiting with little ones will especially find it a fun and educational experience.
10. Museum of the Future, Dubai
The striking futuristic design of the Museum of the Future reflects the visionary spirit of the collections housed within. Spread across seven floors, the museum invites visitors to discover immersive experiences centered on the connection of humanity, nature, and technology. It also houses “Future Heroes,” an interactive area dedicated for children to build future-proof skills through creativity and hands-on exploration.
Beyond their walls of art, history, and science, the world’s greatest museums serve as reminders of humanity’s endless creativity and desire to understand the world. At last, each visit becomes a journey on its own.
Read: 7 Most Iconic Paintings at the Louvre Museum
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