While many museums are celebrated for their impressive collections and galleries, others are just as captivating for the remarkable buildings and architecture that house their exhibits.
They are found around the world, from Spain to New York and Thailand, where striking architecture earns just as much praise as the interior exhibits. See for yourself, and plan a visit to the following six visually stunning museums where the architecture itself is a work of art.
In this article
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao houses an impressive collection of work by Spanish and international artists. Yet, for many visitors, the museum’s extraordinary architecture is just as intriguing as the museum exhibits housed inside.
Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao’s exterior resembles rolling waves or hillsides wrapped in titanium, glass, and stone. With a location next to the Nervión River, it becomes even more breathtaking as light reflects off more than 33,000 thin titanium panels. There’s also a large skylight shaped like a metal flower, which covers the atrium at the building’s highest point.
Inside, three main floors are centered around the atrium and, similar to the exterior design, feature curved walkways and glass and titanium elements. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao also has more than 20 galleries, many with unusual shapes and sizes.
Tickets are required to enter; however, children and youth under the age of 18 are free. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday each week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. All tickets include an audio guide. Guided tours are available if you desire for an additional cost.
British Museum in London, England
The British Museum, located in London's Bloomsbury area, houses more than 2 million years of history and is the world’s oldest national public museum, opening its doors in 1759 (that makes it older than the U.S.). It's also one of the United Kingdom’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing more than 6.5 million visitors to its 60-plus galleries.
While there is much to see inside, the outside is just as spectacular, reminiscent of another time period. The Greek Revival-style building was completed in 1852 and features concrete floors, 43 Greek temple-inspired columns, and four large wings.
Each wing, room, and even entrance tells a story. One of my favorite exterior features is the remarkable sculpture on the pediment over the main front entrance. Created by Sir Richard Westmacott between 1847 and 1851, this sculpture shows the various stages of mankind, from the creation of man to his becoming a fully educated individual.
Admission to the British Museum is free, but I recommend reserving a date for your visit in advance to ensure entry, as this popular museum can become quite busy. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and because the museum is so large, consider downloading a map before you arrive so you can more easily plan which exhibits and galleries you want to see.
Self-guided audio tours are available, as are object trails, which are curated routes that can help guide your visit, whether for a single hour or an entire day.
Louvre Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Located on the Persian Gulf in Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi may be accessed by either land or sea.
Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the art museum uses concrete, water, and light to create a truly one-of-a-kind building.
The first thing you may notice, however, is its location. The Louvre Abu Dhabi sits on a man-made extension of Saadiyat Island and is supported by four piers.
The crown jewel is a large central silver dome. Inspired by Arabic architecture known as cupola, the dome is dotted with more than 7,800 stars of different sizes set at various angles across eight layers. When the sun passes through, the light filters onto the ground and creates an effect known as “the rain of light.” This design is inspired by the palm trees of Abu Dhabi, when light filters through their leaves onto the ground.
Inside, you’ll find more than 23 galleries to browse, and if you time your visit just right, you can attend film screenings, workshops, tours, family events, and more.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is open from 10 a.m. until midnight, while some galleries and exhibitions close earlier throughout the week.
To reach the museum, you can travel by car, bus, taxi, or water taxi service. Tickets are required for entry, and if hunger strikes during your visit, several café and restaurant options are available at the museum.
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, United States
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is my favorite art museum and a destination that I find absolutely inspiring. Located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Fifth Avenue, the Met is the largest art museum in the U.S., housing more than 5,000 years of global art and 1.5 million objects under its roof.
Learning the museum's history made me fall in love with it even more. The Met dates back to 1860 in Paris, when a lawyer named John Jay (grandson of the founding father of the same name) proposed bringing art and education to the American people. He worked to bring art collectors, artists, philanthropists, and others together. The museum moved from various locations until it officially opened its doors at its current site in New York City in 1880.
Designed by architects Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, the original building was inspired by Ruskinian Gothic design. However, the original building is not the same building of grandeur you see today. Since the 1800s, several additions have been constructed, some as early as 1888, by different architects and in various architectural styles.
Today, the museum is almost a puzzle of styles that combine to create a destination where you’ll likely find dozens of people walking inside and sitting on its front steps, admiring its beauty. In fact, you’ll likely see me sitting on the famed staircase each time I visit the city.
Ticket prices vary by age. New York State residents, as well as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut students, can choose their own admission price, but you must pay something even if it’s only a nickel. The museum is open daily except for Wednesdays.
Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan, Thailand
The Erawan Museum is a newer museum, and it’s also one of the most visually appealing and easy to recognize on this list.
The exterior features a massive elephant sculpture equivalent to a 14-story building and weighing 150 tons. This is the largest hand-carved sculpture in the world and the first of its size.
Construction began in 1994, and the Erawan Museum, located nearly 30 minutes outside of downtown Bangkok, officially opened to the public nine years later, in 2003. The idea for the museum’s design was imagined and created by businessman and art collector Lek Viriyaphant, with architectural design contributions by Khun Suwannee Napasawangwong.
Erawan means water, clouds, and rainbows, and is the sacred name of a white elephant with 33 heads. Inside this museum, there are three main floors that correspond to the Hindu representation of the universe: Underworld, Earth, and Heaven. The top floor is located inside the belly of the elephant sculpture and is a sacred place where believers can worship.
Tickets are required to enter the museum, and prices vary depending on age. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with audio guides available in various languages, including English.
Also, be mindful of the dress code: no sleeveless clothing, and all shorts, skirts, and dresses must fall below the knee.
The Whale in Andenes, Norway
While this one is technically not open yet, the reported facade is so incredible, I can’t help but include it.
The Whale is a highly anticipated museum set to open in northern Norway in June 2027 that will explore the world of whales.
Through science, art, and storytelling, visitors will learn more about these magnificent creatures, and all inside a unique exterior that will be purposefully designed to look like a whale's back diving into the sea.
Designed by the Danish firm Dorte Mandrup, the curved roof will be covered in local stone and vegetation, where guests can walk, take in ocean views, and even stare at the night sky or watch the Northern Lights dance overhead.
When it opens in 2027, tickets will be required, with time-slot reservations necessary during peak periods. Exhibits throughout the museum will be in Norwegian and English, but free audio guides will be available in additional languages. You'll also be able to curate your visit with a whale-watching experience for an additional cost.
The Shortcut
You can reach the Louvre Abu Dhabi by car, bus, or boat. The museum is open until midnight, but many exhibits close early, so plan your visit accordingly. Several food options are available at the museum, so you can make it a full-day trip.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, best known as the Met, is made up of several buildings designed by various architects and featuring multiple styles, making it one of the most uniquely designed buildings on our list.
The Erawan Museum is not only a place to admire masterpieces, but also a sacred place for Thai believers. Before visiting, make sure you understand the rules and follow the modest dress code as a sign of respect.
