Without a doubt, the most famous European tourist attractions are the many museums scattered throughout the continent. Europe represents the cradle of Western civilization and was home to the empires that most marked history.
In other words, if you love art and have already obtained your International Driver's License, rent your car and get ready, because Europe's main museums are a must for any international trip.
In them, you'll find a summary of human history, its sciences, different civilizations and even records of our evolution, with countless artefacts, paintings and productions that deserve to be known and preserved. Check out the list of the main museums in Europe that you can't miss!
1. London's Natural History Museum
If you love human history, that of planet Earth, the evolutions that have taken place and the development of biological life, then the Natural History Museum is the place for you! In this museum in London, you'll find an overview of the development of the entire planet.
- Prices: free;
- Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m;
- Location: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
Since it was founded in 1881, this museum has housed artifacts and geological treasures collected from all over the world. It also has a special space called the Darwin Center, in honor of the great biologist Charles Darwin. There, you can find several preserved species, including a giant squid which is one of its main attractions.
2. National Gallery
Also located in London, the National Gallery is a space dedicated to the arts. The museum was founded in 1824, close to the Natural History Museum, and brings together the most important paintings in history.
- Prices: free;
- Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m;
- Location: Trafalgar Square, London, United Kingdom.
There are more than two thousand pieces spread throughout the gallery, all from different periods and styles. The number of pieces is so high that it is recommended to visit the museum in at least two or three days to see everything. Some of the most famous paintings are by Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Caravaggio.
3. Uffizi Gallery
As we continue our European sightseeing, we come to the Galleria Degli Uffizi, an Italian destination founded in 1581. This gallery is well known for the number of sculptures it exhibits to its thousands of visitors, the vast majority dating from the 12th to 17th centuries.
- Prices: for adults US$13.10 and for young people aged 17 to 25 US$6.60. The museum is free for minors;
- Opening hours: from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m;
- Location: Piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
There are pieces by Botticelli, Donatello, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and other famous Italians who have marked history. The museum is home to famous sculptures such as Caravaggio's Venus and Medusa and Da Vinci's Annunciation. It's definitely on the list of Europe's top museums to visit.
4. Palace of Versailles
One of the most famous European tourist attractions in France is the Palace of Versailles. Of all the museums on offer, this is one of the most special because its history begins with the history of the building itself. The palace was one of the great symbols of the absolutist French monarchy, a building of great prestige, founded as early as 1610.
- Prices: US$ 21.30 for adults and free admission for minors;
- Opening hours: from 09:00 to 17:30;
- Location: Place d'Armes, Versailles, France.
Since it was turned into a museum by order of the monarch Louis-Philippe I, the palace has become home to incredible pieces of French history and the whole of Medieval Europe. Historical pieces such as Napoleon's Coronation, Count Artois' Clock and Marie Antoinette's portrait add to the Palace's own architecture as objects worthy of your visit.
5. Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum
If you like museums, you can't miss the Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum, which opened in 1881, when you visit Germany. This is a wonderful place, home to tapestries, metal sculptures and paintings from all over the world. It's worth taking a look at the museum's exhibition calendar to check out the periodic and traveling attractions.
- Prices: vary according to the exhibition;
- Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m;
- Location: Niederkirchnerstraße, Berlin, Germany.
In any case, this is a very strong and rich cultural destination throughout Europe and, because of its renovation, it is one of the most varied spots. It offers different opportunities to learn more about art and forms an interesting contrast to the classic and traditional options of other museums.
6. Claude Monet's Home, Studio and Gardens
Claude Monet was a French painter of the 19th and 20th centuries who became one of the greatest of his time and the history of France. "Impression, sunrise", "Water lily pond" and "Woman with umbrella" are some of his main paintings. It was precisely his home and studio that became the museum that travelers can access today.
- Founded: 1926
- Prices: EUR 9.50 for adults and EUR 5.50 for children;
- Opening hours: from 09:30 to 18:00;
- Location: Giverny, France.
In addition to excellent paintings by Claude Monet himself, the whole place is worth a visit for its breathtaking beauty. The 1926 house is set in an area of greenery and lakes. Surrounding the residence are bamboo groves, willows, tulips, hydrangeas and various fruit trees that guarantee a colorful garden.
7. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is not a museum, but it is undoubtedly one of Europe's most famous tourist attractions, which holds many mysteries and generates immense fascination. This structure is made up of stones up to 5 meters long arranged in concentric circles weighing more than 50 tons.
- Prices: £21.00 for adults and £11.40 for children;
- Opening hours: from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m;
- Location: Salisbury, United Kingdom.
Located in England, the structure has an uncertain date calculated between 3100 B.C. and 2075 B.C. Among the most striking details is that the circle was created in a precise and curious way to align with the sunrise on the summer solstice (the longest sunrise of the year). Questions such as how such primitive men could have carried the stones there remain a mystery.
8. Rijksmuseum
Founded in 1798, it is located in the Netherlands. There you can find a vast art collection, with paintings by many important artists from all over Europe.
- Prices: € 21;
- Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m;
- Location: Museumstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
And if you like Van Gogh's works, this is the best place to visit! The entire building is filled with important works by the painter and is the world's largest collection of Van Gogh's works, with important pieces such as "The Scream".
9. Hermitage Museum
In near-eastern Europe you can visit an incredible museum, the Hermitage, located in St. Petersburg and founded in 1764. The first pieces that formed the basis of the museum were personal items of Catherine II, known as "The Great". As the collection grew, the Hermitage took shape.
- Prices: ₽ 500;
- Opening hours: from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m;
- Location: Palace Square, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Today it is undoubtedly one of Europe's most intriguing tourist attractions and boasts an immense collection - a total of more than 3 million pieces. The museum not only offers space for Russian authors, but also famous paintings from all over Europe by authors such as Rembrandt, Titian and Paulus Potter.
See also: 5 cities in Portugal you must visit
10. Prado Museum
Located in Spain, this is perhaps the most important museum in the country. Dating back to 1819, the Prado Museum is located in Madrid, the heart of Spain, and has works that are important to the history of the nation and the rest of Europe.
- Founded: 1819;
- Prices: €15 and with audio guide €20;
- Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m;
- Location: Ruiz de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
Important artists such as Goya have their works scattered throughout the building - which has more than 8,000 paintings and 700 sculptures. The building itself is a spectacle that adds to the pieces, making it a beautiful museum to add to your trip to Spain.
11. Vatican Museums
Rome has its own galleries known as the Vatican Museums. There are several galleries, art galleries, museums divided into sections and even by the name of the religious authority (such as the Pope) who founded that particular gallery or to whom it was named as an honor.
- Founded: 1506;
- Prices: €26 for adults, €17 for youngsters and free for children under 6;
- Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m;
- Location: Vatican City.
Founded in 1506, these museums are not just reserved for the faithful or enthusiasts of Christian and sacred arts. In fact, the Vatican museums contain works of the most varied styles and even different cultures, such as pagan Roman statues. They are tourist attractions that are well worth including in your itinerary to the Italian capital.
12. Louvre Museum
It's impossible to mention European tourist attractions without mentioning the Louvre Museum, which is the largest art museum in the world. The Louvre houses 460,000 objects, 35,000 works of art and artifacts from countless civilizations. The building is home to works such as Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", Milo's "Venus" and Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty".
- Prices: 17€;
- Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m;
- Location: Paris, France.
Founded in 1793, this museum is huge and it is recommended that you split your visit over several days. However, if you just want to have a look around, it's still advisable to set aside at least two hours to enjoy the tour.
13. Acropolis Museum
Even though it dates back to 2009, the Acropolis Museum, also known as the Museum of Athens, is one of the great tourist attractions in Greece, which is full of unmissable sites. Its main function is to put on display the main Greek pieces and artifacts found in the excavations of the Acropolis.
- Prices: €10;
- Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m;
- Location: Dionysius Areopagite, Athens, Greece.
These excavations contain important objects and artifacts dating back to the Byzantine and Roman periods. It's worth mentioning that the museum's surroundings make it possible to see the Athenian ruins, as the building's glass walls were created to make it easier to contemplate the historical ruins.
14. Picasso Museum
Another of Spain's museums, the Picasso Museum is a stronghold of memories of the great Picasso, one of the greatest artists in history. The building, created in 1963, houses his works, paintings and even personal objects that belonged to the artist.
- Prices: €14 for adults, €7.50 for under-25s and free for under-16s;
- Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m;
- Location: Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Spain.
In addition to the paintings and works by Picasso himself, which total more than 350 pieces, the museum houses works that Picasso himself acquired during his lifetime. It's a really interesting place with a wide variety of works.
15. Hagia Sophia
The ancient Hagia Sophia basilica, founded in the 5th century, is one of the greatest monuments in Europe. This historic building was once a museum and today, under the tutelage of the Turkish government, it will become an important mosque for Muslims.
- Prices: free;
- Opening hours: it is open all day, except during the 5 daily Muslim prayers;
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey.
It's interesting to note that the monument contains numerous sacred and religious arts, including those shared between Islam and Christianity. An interesting tourist attraction for those who love history and religious art.
What do you think of the main European museums and tourist attractions to visit during your trip to Europe? They show a little of the continent's history, civilization and even human history. And to make your trip even easier, check out our tips for renting a car in Europe with Happy Tours!
