10 Must-See Art Galleries in Europe ...

1. Musée Du Louvre

The Louvre is without a doubt one of the most popular art galleries in Europe, possibly even the world (a quick internet search reveals that it attracts more than 8 million visitors a year!). It is home to thousands of priceless paintings and antiquities, with the most famous being the portrait of the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is a Parisian icon and a must-see upon visiting the city.

2. Museo Del Prado

The Museo del Prado is located in central Madrid, Spain. It is the main Spanish national art museum and holds one of the world’s finest collections of European art. Much of the collection comes from Spanish royalty and features many works by famous Spanish artists.

3. Musée National D'Art Moderne

If you prefer modern art then check out the Musée National d'Art Moderne. It is located in Paris, France and is the largest modern art gallery in Europe. It also has the second largest collection of modern art in the world.

4. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is located in central London. It is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Inside the art gallery you’ll find art spanning 5000 years, from ancient times to the present day. The collections hold pieces from all over the world and cover everything from architecture, jewellery, fashion, photography, and sculpture.

5. Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is a museum of international modern and contemporary art and is located in London. It is one of the most visited modern art galleries in the world. The art gallery itself is a converted power station and has several levels that hold permanent and temporary exhibits.

6. Van Gogh Museum

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The Van Gogh Museum can be found in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It holds the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world and also showcases the works of many of his contemporaries.

7. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain is a museum of modern and contemporary art. Inside the museum you’ll find a range of permanent and visiting exhibits by Spanish and international artists. Even the building itself is worth seeing. Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, the futuristic looking building is definitely a sight worth seeing.

8. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are world-renowned for their collections of medieval and Renaissance art. One of the biggest attractions is the Sistine Chapel, which is on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums. Be warned though, the entry queues can be notoriously long.

9. Galleria Degli Uffizi

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest art museums in the world. It is located in Florence, Italy and is home to many famous artworks like the Birth of Venus by Boticelli. Since it’s such a popular tourist destination, queues to get into the gallery can become extremely long during peak seasons.

10. Hermitage Museum

Russia might not be one of the most visited destinations in Europe, but if you ever make it to the city of St. Petersburg then the Hermitage Museum is worth a visit. It’s one of the oldest museums in the world and holds a large collection of art from around Europe.

From London to Paris to St. Petersburg, there are just so many art galleries to choose from. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few of these, however the rest are firmly on my must-see list. Have you ever visited any of these art galleries and museums? Which art galleries are on your must-see list?