- 🔸 Introduction: why do these museums attract millions of visitors?
- 🔸 Ranking methodology: where did the data come from and what did we count?
- 🔟 Musée d'Orsay (Paris, France) - about 3.75 million visitors.
- 9️⃣ National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea) - about 3.79 million visitors
- 8️⃣ National Gallery of Art (Washington, USA) - about 3.93 million visitors
- 7️⃣ Tate Modern (London, UK) - about 4.60 million visitors
- 6️⃣ American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA) - about 5.40 million visitors
- 5️⃣ Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Met (New York, USA) - about 5.73 million visitors.
- 4️⃣ Natural History Museum (London, UK) - about 6.30 million visitors
- 3️⃣ British Museum (London, UK) - about 6.48 million visitors
- 2️⃣ Vatican Museums (Vatican City) - about 6.83 million visitors
- 1️⃣ Louvre (Paris, France) - about 8.74 million visitors
- 🏁 Summary: What do the world's most visited museums have in common?
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🔸 Introduction: why do these museums attract millions of visitors?
Each museum tells its own story. Some entice with icons of world art, others impress with the grandeur of their architecture or modern displays. They are the focus of what stirs the imagination most: the past recorded in images, artifacts and spaces that become works of art themselves.
Not surprisingly, it is the museums that attract crowds of tourists from all over the world each year. Often they are not only a must-see point during a trip, but also a symbol of a particular city. In 2024, some of them noted record turnout - And it's hardly surprising.
In this listing you will find 10 museums visited by the most people in the world. From Parisian classics to New York legends, each has something that attracts and inspires you to explore.
🔸 Ranking methodology: where did the data come from and what did we count?
To prepare a reliable ranking of the world's most visited museums, we needed reliable data, clear ranking rules and a consistent approach. Here's what our step-by-step methodology looked like:
📊 Data sources
The compilation is based on data published by the The Art Newspaper (2025 report, summarizing attendance in 2024), as well as official museum statistics and statements from the Wikipedia and government institutions.
🧍♂️ Who do we count as a visitor?
The statistics include any person who:
✔️ visited the museum's exhibition (ticketed or free),
✔️ was registered by the input system (manual or electronic),
✔️ participated in museum events on site.
🚫 Not included: participants in online events, technical visits, staff or visits closed to the public.
🏛️ Which institutions were ranked?
Only Physical museums with permanent or temporary exhibitions, open to the general public.
❌ We excluded, for example, commercial galleries, museums under construction, as well as establishments operating exclusively online.
📅 Time range
The ranking is for a full year 2024 (January to December). The analysis also includes a comparison with 2023 to show trends in tourist attendance and return after the pandemic.
As a result, the ranking remains consistent, objective and based on publicly available data, and every museum on the list is a place realistically visited by millions of visitors from around the world.
🔟 Musée d'Orsay (Paris, France) - about 3.75 million visitors.
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Musée d'Orsay is one of the most recognizable art museums in the world. It is housed in a former Art Nouveau railroad station on the Seine, which gives it a unique industrial-elegant character. It is here that you can see the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings - works by Monet, van Gogh, Degas or Cézanne are viewed here in spaces full of light and air.
🖼️ Impressionist and post-impressionist galleries - iconic paintings by Monet, Manet, Renoir or Gauguin in a uniquely harmonious display.
🏛️ Architecture of the building - The old train station hall impresses with its Art Nouveau clock, structural details and spacious interior.
🎨 Van Gogh and symbolism - The museum has iconic works by the master as well as a collection of symbolists from the late 19th century.
📽️ Temporary exhibitions and installations - In addition to its permanent collection, the Orsay presents modern exhibitions and dialogues between ancient and contemporary paintings.
🌉 Location on the Seine - close to the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, an ideal place to continue your cultural walk in Paris.
The Musée d'Orsay is not just a museum - it is an aesthetic experience. It combines classical beauty with a modern approach to art. It is a space where the history of painting meets the history of architecture and the Parisian spirit.
9️⃣ National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea) - about 3.79 million visitors
National Museum of Korea is the largest museum in the country and one of the most important in East Asia. Its mission is to present Korea's cultural heritage - from the earliest times to the present - in a modern, accessible yet impressive way. The monumental building is surrounded by gardens and ponds, making it a peaceful haven in the heart of bustling Seoul.
🧿 Gallery of ancient art - Buddhist sculptures, calligraphic scrolls, bronzes, ceramics from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.
🏺 Korea's national treasures - The museum collects more than 310,000 objects, including officially recognized state treasures.
🗺️ History and archaeology - A cross-sectional story about the culture of the Korean Peninsula, with rich descriptions and multimedia.
🎧 Educational and interactive zones - spaces for children and families, workshops, 3D simulations and audio guides in multiple languages.
🌳 Park Yongsan - The museum is adjacent to an extensive park and garden, where you can relax after a busy tour.
The National Museum of Korea is a modern gateway to the past. It combines tradition with technology, and its displays inspire a deeper understanding of Far Eastern culture.
8️⃣ National Gallery of Art (Washington, USA) - about 3.93 million visitors
National Gallery of Art is one of the most important art museums in the United States and a true gem of the National Mall. Divided into two contrasting edifices - the classic West Building and the modern East Building - the museum offers a journey through the centuries of art: from the Renaissance to the avant-garde of the 20th century. And all this - completely free of charge.
🖼️ Masterpieces by European masters - Botticelli, Vermeer, Rembrandt, da Vinci - many works available at your fingertips without crowds.
🏛️ West Building - A neoclassical edifice full of light and tranquility, ideal for contemplating ancient art.
🌀 East Building - A modern block by I.M. Peia, dedicated to contemporary art: Rothko, Pollock, Warhol.
🎶 Sculpture Garden - outdoor space with works by Miró and Calder, among others, often accompanying concerts and cultural events.
📚 Educational programs and temporary exhibitions - Diverse events, workshops and themed galleries for children and adults.
National Gallery of Art is a museum open to all - Literally and figuratively. No tickets, no barriers, instead a unique collection that tells the story of art in an accessible, elegant and surprisingly intimate way.
7️⃣ Tate Modern (London, UK) - about 4.60 million visitors
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Tate Modern is an icon of contemporary culture and one of the boldest art museums in the world. Created in the walls of a former power station on the Thames River, it has been transformed into a space full of light, concrete and artistic experimentation. It is a place that not only presents works of art, but also evokes emotions, provokes and inspires.
🖤 Art of the 20th and 21st centuries - Picasso, Dali, Rothko, Bourgeois, Kusama - avant-garde classics and installations by contemporary artists.
🏗️ Turbine Hall's industrial space - monumental hall for large-format exhibitions that often interact with viewers.
🌉 View of the Thames and St Paul's Cathedral - The upper terrace offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of London.
🧠 Experimentation and performance - In addition to its permanent collections, the museum presents temporary installations, sound art and performance events.
🧒 Family and interactive zones - Child-friendly galleries, workshops, spaces for creative activities.
Tate Modern is a temple of modernity. It is not afraid of controversy or big ideas. It is a place where art becomes part of urban life - accessible, diverse and constantly alive.
6️⃣ American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA) - about 5.40 million visitors
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American Museum of Natural History is a gigantic museum that transports visitors through time and space - from dinosaurs to the depths of the oceans, from the cultures of the Amazon to the boundaries of the Universe. Located by Central Park, it is one of the most recognizable science museums in the world - known both for its films and its unforgettable exhibitions.
🦖 Galleries of dinosaurs and prehistory - The iconic Tyrannosaurus and Diplodocus skeletons attract children and adults like a magnet.
🌍 Classrooms of geology, anthropology and biology - extraordinary dioramas, collections of meteorites, minerals and ethnographic artifacts from around the globe.
🚀 Hayden Planetarium - A state-of-the-art astronomy center with 3D shows about space and the structure of the Universe.
🧬 Temporary exhibitions - From human evolution to the microworld of bacteria - educational and engaging even for the youngest.
🎥 Known from pop culture - The museum has gained additional popularity with a series of films Night at the museum.
The American Museum of Natural History is a place where learning becomes an adventure. This is one of the few museums that fascinates as much as it educates - and from which you don't leave the same way you came.
5️⃣ Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Met (New York, USA) - about 5.73 million visitors.
The Met is not only the largest art museum in the United States, but also one of the most prestigious in the world. Located on Fifth Avenue, just off Central Park, it offers a true journey through five thousand years of history - from ancient Egypt to contemporary fashion. It's an institution that impresses with its grandeur and diversity, and each visit can look very different.
🏛️ Galleries of ancient and medieval art - monumental Greek sculptures, Egyptian sarcophagi and Byzantine mosaics in an impressive setting.
🎨 Masters of European painting - Rembrandt, Velázquez, Van Gogh, Vermeer and many others - all in one place.
👘 Fashion, music and photography - The Met is not afraid to combine the classics with modernity: exhibitions on popular culture and contemporary art draw crowds.
🏰 The Met Cloisters - A separate branch of the museum dedicated to medieval art, housed in a reconstruction of a monastery.
🌟 The Met Gala and the impact of pop culture - The annual fashion event is one of the most media-savvy moments in the world of art and show business.
The Met is a total museum - Not only impressive in size, but also in the depth of the collection. Here you can really get lost for a whole day... and not see everything.
4️⃣ Natural History Museum (London, UK) - about 6.30 million visitors
Natural History Museum in London is one of the most beloved museums in the world - and for good reason. Its combination of fabulous neo-Romanesque architecture and fascinating collections on nature, science and evolution make it a must-see on any visit to the British capital. For many, it's a museum of childhood, first discoveries and scientific curiosity.
🦕 Dinosaurs and prehistory - The iconic diplodocus skeleton (now replaced by the Hope whale) and interactive dinosaur models draw crowds of families.
💎 Geological and mineralogical galleries - thousands of crystals, meteorites and rocks, including the famous Hope Diamond and other treasures of the Earth.
🧬 Evolution and human biology - Accessibly told story of life on Earth, with realistic models and interactive displays.
🏛️ Architecture - The museum building itself is a work of art: the facade decorations, animal sculptures and spectacular interiors are impressive even before you enter the halls.
🎧 Free admission and education - As befits British state museums, admission is free and the educational offerings are vast.
The Natural History Museum is a place that combines science, aesthetics and emotion. From the first glimpse of the entrance hall to the last photo with the mammoth, this museum stays in the memory for a long time.
3️⃣ British Museum (London, UK) - about 6.48 million visitors
British Museum is one of the most recognizable museums in the world - and a true temple of world heritage. Its collection includes more than 8 million objects, some of which literally change the way we view human history. From ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia, from ancient Greece to the Aztec civilizations, this is where all eras and continents meet.
🗿 Rosetta stone, Elgin marbles, Egyptian mummies - the most famous facilities, which often become a destination in themselves.
🏛️ Norman Foster's Roofed Room - The so-called Great Court is the modern heart of the museum, combining classicism with architectural lightness.
🌍 Civilizations of the world - extensive galleries devoted to Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
📖 Free admission and availability - Like other state museums in the UK, the British Museum is open free of charge to everyone.
💬 Expert knowledge and temporary exhibitions - is also a center for research, preservation and debate on cultural heritage.
The British Museum is a journey through world history without leaving London. It delights, inspires and makes us reflect - not only on what we are looking at, but also on where it came from and what value it has for today.
2️⃣ Vatican Museums (Vatican City) - about 6.83 million visitors
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Vatican Museums is one of the largest and most spectacular museum complexes in the world. It is here that spirituality blends with the most outstanding art, and a visit becomes almost a pilgrimage. Thousands of halls, corridors and courtyards create a labyrinth of history, culture and faith - culminating in one of the most important works in human history: Sistine Chapel.
🎨 Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo's frescoes, including "The Creation of Adam" and "The Last Judgment," are the highlight of any visit.
🪷 Vatican Pinacoteca - painting gallery with works by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio or Giotto.
🪙 Egyptian, Etruscan and classical collections - rich archaeological collections and ancient works, including the famous Laocoon Group.
🌿 Courtyard of the Shire and the Pio-Clementino Museum - unique spaces combining sculpture and Renaissance architecture.
🚶♂️ Sightseeing on the move - The route is more than 7 kilometers long, so you should plan your visit in advance and with comfortable footwear.
Vatican Museums is not just a collection of artworks - it is a story of spirituality, power and genius. Each visit leaves the impression of participating in something greater than a simple sightseeing tour.
1️⃣ Louvre (Paris, France) - about 8.74 million visitors
Louvre is a museum-brand, a legend and the absolute number one in the world in terms of visitors. The former royal palace, turned into a museum of revolution and national identity, today draws crowds like a magnet. Here art meets history - not only of France, but of all civilization. It's hard to find a more iconic cultural site in Europe (and perhaps the world?).
🖼️ Mona Lisa - The most photographed work of art in the world. Inconspicuous in size, but surrounded by an almost religious cult.
⚔️ Ancient art - Egyptian, Greek and Middle Eastern collections with the iconic Venus de Milo and the Code of Hammurabi.
👑 Napoleon's apartments and works of European art - From Botticelli to Delacroix, the breadth of the collection delights connoisseurs and amateurs alike.
🔺 Peia glass pyramid - The museum's modern entrance has become a symbol of harmony between the past and the present.
🚶♀️ Navigation and scale - The Louvre has more than 70,000 works on display and 3 museum wings - it's a good idea to plan your route in advance, because it's easy to fall in love and get lost here.
The Louvre is not just a museum - it's a global reference point. It is a reminder that art can move, build identity and transcend language, culture and era.
🏁 Summary: What do the world's most visited museums have in common?
Although scattered across different continents and devoted to different fields, the world's most visited museums have surprisingly much in common. First of all - combine scale with quality. These are institutions that not only have huge collections, but also know how to present them in a modern, engaging and accessible way for everyone.
It also distinguishes them:
- iconic location - are often the tourist heart of their cities, like the Louvre in Paris or The Met in New York,
- global recognition - Many of them host iconic works, known even to people who have never seen them in person,
- ability to combine history with modernity - both in the architecture and in the manner of the narrative,
- educational mission and openness - Free admission, accessibility for families, modern approach to exhibitions and programs.
That's the mix - heritage, emotions and accessibility - makes these museums attract not only art connoisseurs, but millions of ordinary visitors from all over the world.
In a world full of hectic schedules and screens, these places offer something we increasingly miss: A time to focus, delight and get in touch with something bigger than ourselves.
