Here are the 10 most visited museums in the world. At the very top is the pearl of Europe.
Have you ever wondered which museums in the world are the most popular? Daily Passport decided to find out and, based on available data, created a ranking of the 10 most-visited "temples of art." These numbers were for 2024 and may be a bit surprising to many! Let's start with number ten.
10. Suzhou Museum – Suzhou, ChinaThe Suzhou Museum was designed by renowned architect Ieoh Ming Pei , who also designed the Louvre Pyramid. It combines modern architecture with traditional Chinese style, creating a harmonious space. Its collection includes archaeological artifacts, calligraphy, and Chinese paintings. It is one of the most aesthetically and culturally renowned museums in China.
Number of visitors in 2024: 4.85 million
Suzhou Museum – Suzhou, China/photo Unpslash, Vida HuangIt is one of the largest and most important natural history museums in the world. It is renowned for its extensive collections of dinosaurs, meteorites, and ecosystem reconstructions. The museum frequently appears in popular culture, including films. It also plays a significant role in scientific research and education.
Number of visitors in 2024: 5 million
American Museum of Natural History – New York, USA / Unsplash, Aditya VyasOne of the oldest and largest museums in China , founded in 1933, it houses over 400,000 exhibits , including ceramics, jade, and textiles. The museum is divided into several thematic pavilions, making it easy to explore. It is an important center for presenting Chinese history and culture.
Number of visitors in 2024: 5.01 million
7. China Science and Technology Museum – Beijing, ChinaThis is the most important science and technology museum in China . Its exhibitions are interactive and aimed at popularizing knowledge among children and young people. It features exhibits on space, energy, communications, and new technologies. The museum is constantly evolving, adapting to contemporary scientific advancements.
Number of visitors in 2024: 5.32 million
6. Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, USAPopularly known as the "Met," it is one of the largest art museums in the world. It houses over 2 million works spanning art from almost every era and continent. Its collections of ancient Egyptian art and works by European masters are particularly renowned. The museum also serves as the city's prestigious cultural center.
Number of visitors in 2024: 5.73 million
Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, USA/photo: Unsplash, Diane PicchiottinoLocated in Tiananmen Square , this museum is one of the largest in the world. It combines the functions of the Chinese History Museum and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution . It presents the rich history of the Middle Kingdom from prehistoric times to the present day. It is an institution of great national and educational significance.
Number of visitors in 2024: 6.3 million
4. Natural History Museum – London, EnglandThis famous museum, housed in an impressive neo-Romanesque building, is best known for its extensive collection of fossils and dinosaur bones. It also boasts a rich collection of minerals, plants, and animals . It is one of the most visited museums in the UK.
Number of visitors in 2024: 6.3 million
Natural History Museum – London, England / Photo: Unsplash, Sung Jin ChoFounded in 1753, it is one of the oldest and most important museums in the world. It houses over 8 million artifacts from various civilizations. Its most famous objects include the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles . The museum plays a key role in the study of human history.
Number of visitors in 2024: 6.48 million
British Museum – London, England / Photo: Unsplash, Nicolas LysandrouThe Vatican Museums complex houses one of the finest art collections in the world. It encompasses works from antiquity to the Renaissance, including works by Raphael and Michelangelo. Its greatest attraction is the Sistine Chapel , with its famous frescoes, which attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually.
Number of visitors in 2024: 6.83 million
Vatican Museums – Vatican/photo Unsplash, Corey BuckleyThe Louvre is the largest and most visited art museum in the world. Its collection includes over 35,000 works , spanning antiquity to the 19th century. Its most famous exhibits include Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus de Milo." The building itself, a former royal residence, is also an architectural masterpiece.
Number of visitors in 2024: 8.74 million
Musée du Louvre – Paris, France / Photo: Unsplash, Michael Fousert
