Have you ever wanted to get lost? To not be disturbed for several hours, allowing you to truly relax? Then this TOP list of the largest museums in the world is for you. Here, you can get lost with a guarantee, repeatedly. And there’s no doubt you’ll have a great time. Shall we begin?
1 The Art Institute of Chicago – 93,000 sq.m.
Don’t be misled by the name. It’s both an art museum and a university. In fact, it’s one of the largest museums and one of the largest universities in the world. According to the latest data, it receives about 1.8 million visitors annually and houses a collection of 300,000 items.
2 The Louvre – 73,000 sq.m.
The Louvre building, a former royal residence, is itself a historical treasure, a medieval fortress built in the 12th century. But what it contains is even more astonishing! The array of world art masterpieces is unparalleled.
3 The State Hermitage Museum – 67,000 sq.m.
In fact, the Hermitage is the largest museum in the world if you consider the total area, not just the exhibition space. It also has ten times more exhibits than the number one on our list. But its 365 halls’ area is still smaller, earning it an honorable third place.
4 National Museum of China – 65,000 sq.m.
Just behind the top three is the largest museum in China. It is located in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, one of the largest squares in the world. This is the most visited museum in the world, with 8.6 million visitors in 2018!
5 The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 59,000 sq.m.
The Met may be more modest in size, but it attracts almost as many visitors. Its collection features masterpieces of European painting, which are continually enriched through purchases and donations. It’s also very accessible, with nearly its entire collection digitized.
6 The Vatican Museums – 43,000 sq.m.
One of the smallest states in the world houses one of the largest museums in the world, and this is no joke. Considering that the Vatican’s total area is just 440,000 sq.m., it is impressive. The museum’s exhibits include magnificent Renaissance paintings and works by great ancient sculptors.
7 Tokyo National Museum – 38,000 sq.m.
Japan’s largest museum showcases Asian artifacts and art, mainly from Japan. Despite being the oldest museum in the country, it was founded in 1872, making it quite young compared to other major museums.
8 National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico – 33,500 sq.m.
Where else but in Mexico, the heir to an ancient empire, would you find the world’s largest anthropology museum! The ancient Aztecs did not disappoint, and every meter of this museum is a true treasure trove!
9 Victoria and Albert Museum – 30,000 sq.m.
The Victoria and Albert Museum boasts one of the world’s largest collections of decorative arts. The museum has several branches, including the Museum of Childhood, with 100,000 exhibits: all toys, dollhouse furniture, and other children’s entertainment.
10 National Museum of Korea – 27,000 sq.m.
The National Museum of Korea is the country’s largest research center, featuring archaeological finds, art objects, and historical treasures of South Korea. Despite its relatively modest size (by the standards of this TOP list, of course), it is visited by more than 3 million people a year!
