The 20 Biggest Museums in the World 2024 [Updated List]

The 20 Biggest Museums in the World 2024 [Updated List]

Published on May 9, 2024 | By Glusea

Read about the top 20 biggest museums in the world. No matter what country you’re in, there’s always an interesting museum that you can visit to learn about your surroundings or have fun and take in some culture. Read  Ilhan Omar Net Worth

We put together this list of the world’s biggest museums, whether they’re traditional museums with large collections of art or newer museums that help tell the stories of different cultures, so that you can find out about them and see them if you haven’t already. 

In this article we will be sharing with you the top 20 biggest museums in the world.

Some are more famous than others, but they’re all worth learning about if you have the chance to visit them while traveling.

Top 20 Biggest Museums in the World

take a look at the top 20 biggest museums in the world and let us know your thoughts in the comments below

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is among the largest museum in the world and is located in Paris, France. It houses some of the most popular paintings in the world, including the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is also one of the largest art museums in the world, with over 35,000 works of art on display.

State Hermitage Museum

The State Hermitage Museum is the world’s largest museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The museum was founded in 1754 and had a collection of over three million items. The State Hermitage Museum is also one of the largest art museums in the world, with a collection that includes paintings, sculptures, and architecture from different periods.

The State Hermitage is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

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National Museum of China

The National Museum of China is one of the largest museums in the world, covering over 700,000 square feet and among the most popular, with over 10 million visitors yearly. This museum houses a vast collection of Chinese art and artifacts, making it a must-see for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York City’s Fifth Avenue is the largest art museum in the U.S. and the fourth-largest art museum of all time. It covers an area of 633,100 square feet.

The art collection at the Met includes over two million items covering 5,000 years of artwork from all over the globe. The museum’s most important pieces are antiquity and classical, as well as paintings from the ancient times of Egypt.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museum is the fifth largest museum in the world, and they’re home to some of the most well-known artists in history, including the Sistine Chapel and more. It has a gallery area of 460,000 sq ft (43,000m2). The museum was founded in 1506 and is Italy’s most well-known art museum.

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, check out the Vatican Library – it’s one of the oldest and largest libraries!

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Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum – the world’s largest museum, having a space of 410,000 square feet, with over 120,000 items on display. 

It houses a collection of art and artifacts from Japan’s history, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the country’s culture. The museum is also home to the biggest art museum in the world, with over 7,000 paintings and sculptures on display.

The Tokyo National Museum is is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

Museo Nacional de Antropología

biggest museums in the world

Museo Nacional de Antropología (The National Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City is one of the biggest art museums in the world. The museum was constructed to pay homage to the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico and houses more than 600,000 pieces of the collection that comprise the world’s largest collection of antiquated Mexican art. 

It also houses exhibits on Mexico’s ethnographic and modern-day indigenous peoples. It is also home to several interactive exhibits, making it a great place to learn about Mexican culture.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum – the largest museum in the world, having a space of 330,000 square feet. Located in London, England, it was founded in 1852. The museum’s collection includes more than 2 million objects worldwide, making it one of the most comprehensive collections. 

The museum is also home to various special exhibitions showcasing different aspects of the collection.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the 20 biggest museums in the world

Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum, one of the largest museums in Germany, has a space of 183,000-square-foot, and it’s dedicated to art, culture, and history. It has a collection of over 1 million objects and hosts temporary exhibitions. The Humboldt Forum is a must-see for anyone interested in art or history.

Houston Museum of Fine Arts

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts – the largest museum in the United States, space of 300,000 sq. feet. It’s one of the most well-known, with over two million visitors yearly. The museum has a wide variety of collections, including American art, European art, and Asian art. 

There are also temporary exhibitions that change yearly. If you’re planning a visit to Houston, add the Museum of Fine Arts to your list!

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

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Israel Museum

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, is Israel’s most important cultural institution and is among the top archeological and art museums. It was established in 1965. Israel Museum, Jerusalem was extensively expanded and renovated before and reopened in 2010. 

The gallery is 199,000 square Feet. The museum houses more than 500 000 objects, representing the entire material culture spectrum.

British Museum

The British Museum (gallery area of 277,000 square feet) is among the largest museums in the world, with over eight million items in its collection. The museum is located in London, England, and was founded in 1753. The museum’s collections include artifacts from all over the world, ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. It is a must-see for anyone visiting London!

The British Museum is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

Nanjing Museum

The Nanjing Museum is one of the largest museums in China and the world, with over 400,000 artifacts on display in a space area of 70,000 square meters. The museum has a wide variety of exhibitions, including ancient Chinese art, ceramics, jade, coins, calligraphy, and more. 

The Nanjing Museum is also home to one of the world’s largest Chinese paintings and calligraphy collections. If you’re interested in exploring more about Chinese history and culture, the Nanjing Museum is a must-visit.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago – is among the largest museums in the United States, and it measures 280,000 square feet in area. With a collection of over 300,000 works of art, it is also one of the most visited museums in the world. While visiting Chicago, you should visit other notable museums such as The Field Museum of Natural History. 

The Art Institue of Chicago is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

National Museum of Korea

biggest museums in the world

The National Museum of Korea – the largest museum in Asia and one of the world’s largest museums, having a gallery area of 291,600 square feet. With over 2000,000 items on display, the museum covers a wide range of Korean history and culture. From ancient pottery to modern art, there’s something for everyone at the National Museum of Korea.

Royal Ontario Museum

biggest museums in the world

The Royal Ontario Museum – is the largest museum in the world and is located in Toronto, Canada, with a space of 214,000 sq. feet. The museum has over six million visitors annually and features a diverse collection of art, archaeology, and natural history. 

The Royal Ontario Museum is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

The National Art Gallery Singapore houses the largest collection of artwork across Singapore and Southeast Asia. This museum is also one of the top art galleries in Asia that strives to protect its culture and bring art into the mainstream by using different mediums.

The National Gallery Singapore opened its doors to visitors on the 24th of November, 2015, in the Civic District of Singapore as the biggest museum in the world dedicated to visual arts. It comprises over 1,000 works spread over a massive floor space of 64,000 square meters.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

With over 90,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, situated in Minnesota, United States, is among the largest museums in the U.S., having a gallery area of 188,000 square feet. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, textiles, and photographs from around the world. Visitors can explore the museum’s galleries or participate in one of the many educational programs offered.

The Minneapolis Institue of Art is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

Three Gorges Museum

The Three Gorges Museum – the largest museum in the world. It’s located in China, and it covers an area of over 430,000 square feet. This museum has a collection of over 1,000 items on display, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from ancient China. The Three Gorges Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in Chinese history or art.

MASS MoCA

It is of the most important centers for contemporary art and performing art in the United States, with 250,000 square feet open to the public. It has housed within a renovated Arnold Print Works factory building complex.

MASS MoCA exhibits art by prominent and emerging artists focusing on large-scale immersive exhibits that would be impossible to create in traditional museums.

The MASS MoCA is among the 20 biggest museums in the world

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The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the largest museums in the world, you’ve come to the right place. This list has been updated for 2022 and includes some of the most famous museums. 

From art to history, there’s something for everyone on this list. So whether you’re looking to visit the largest museum in the U.S. or see some of the world’s most famous paintings, this list has you covered.

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