Europe’s top 5 galleries for art lovers

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Where would we be without artists? From sculptures and painters to musicians and filmmakers, artists shape and reflect how we see the world around us. That’s why 25 October is celebrated as International Artists Day! This day aims to recognise the significance of artists and their work all over the world. It also happens to be the same day as Pablo Picasso’s birthday.

In honour of this year’s International Artists Day, Expat Explore has rounded up some of our favourite galleries in Europe. Art lovers will be in their element inside these galleries which house some of the world’s most important and beloved artworks. If you appreciate art as much as we do, read on and discover why you simply have to visit these European galleries!

These are the best art galleries in Europe:

1. The Louvre, Paris

As the home of the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, the Louvre needs no introduction! This national art museum is located in Paris, France and is one of the city’s top landmarks. The building, with its unique geometrical shape, is an artwork in itself. It also just happens to be the world’s most visited museum so be prepared for crowds – especially in front of the Mona Lisa! However, it is also the world’s largest museum with over 35,000 works of art on display. The Louvre is certainly worth braving the crowds for.

When in Paris, art lovers should also pay a visit to the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in a former railway station, this gallery boasts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Here, admire masterpieces from renowned French artists such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir and much more!

Louvre_ExpatExplore_Paris_France
Even the exterior of the Louvre is a work of art!

Related: Immerse yourself in French culture by practising these handy phrases!

2. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

A trip to Madrid is not complete without visiting a few of the city’s world-class museums. In fact, the capital of Spain is home to the Golden Triangle of Art as three top art galleries are located on the same boulevard, the Paseo del Prado. The Golden Triangle of Art was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2021. The galleries in question are the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Reina Sofia (home to Picasso’s Guernica) and, the largest of them all; the Museo Nacional del Prado. 

The Prado Museum offers its visitors hours of enjoyment. In fact, it is unlikely that you will see everything in one visit! With multiple works by Francisco Goya (considered Spain’s most important artist), Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Paul Rubens and many more esteemed artists, there is truly something for every type of art lover. 

Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain
You could spend hours wandering the halls of the Prado and still not see all its artworks.

Top Tip! Madrid’s museums are FREE to enter from Monday to Saturday, 18h00 – 20h00!

3. Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, making it a must-visit for lovers of art and architecture. It is also home to what is possibly the most important and most popular museum in all of Italy! The Uffizi Gallery displays over 2,000 priceless artistic masterpieces. Most notably, visitors can marvel at Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation and Michaelangelo’s The Holy Family among many others. 

Another must-visit museum in Florence is the Galleria dell’Accademia which is known for Michelangelo’s most famous work – the David. There’s also the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo which features original artworks created specifically for Florence’s iconic Duomo. Nearby the Uffizi is the Piazza della Signoria which is a free open-air gallery of ancient and Renaissance sculptures! Art lovers will never be bored in the “Jewel of the Renaissance”!

Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
Florence is a dreamy destination for art lovers.

Related: Discover Florence when you embark on our Taste of Italy tour!

4. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Netherlands has given us many of the world’s most beloved and revered artists. Dutch artists Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer are considered two of the greatest visual artists of all time, while Vincent Van Gogh’s influence over Western art is undeniable. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is certainly worth a visit for fans of the Dutch painter as it houses many of his most famous pieces. However, if you wish to understand the full influence and significance of Dutch art, visit the impressive Rijksmuseum!

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands which showcases Dutch art and history. The entire collection of the Rijksmuseum consists of a whopping 1 million objects and currently has around 8,000 objects on display! More than 2,000 of these are paintings from the Dutch Golden Age by artists such as Rembrandt and his pupils, Vermeer, Frans Hals and more. 

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Discover influential Dutch artists at the Rijksmuseum.

Related: Here are some more great reasons to visit Amsterdam.

5. East Side Gallery, Berlin

While the other galleries on this list focus more on classical art, our final entry is a must for contemporary art enthusiasts. The East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall. Today, it is an open-air gallery displaying street art from artists all over the world. The murals on display represent a time of great political change and immense hope for the future as well as the resilience of the German capital. 

Berlin is home to a number of cool and quirky art exhibitions and galleries. The Contemporary Fine Arts exhibits a rotating collection from top contemporary artists while König Galerie hosts events and exhibitions within the Brutalist concrete St. Agnes church! Berlin itself is almost like an open-air museum with sculptures, street art and unique architecture all over the city.

East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany
The East Side Gallery is a powerful symbol of Berlin’s resilience.

Related: Visit the East Side Gallery when you join the Berlin+ optional excursion on the Northern Explorer tour!

With the continent’s rich artistic history and exciting contemporary scene, Europe is truly a mecca for art lovers. There are certainly plenty of museums and galleries well worth visiting that are not on this list which just gives us more reason to keep exploring!


Ready to discover the world of European art? Join one of Expat Explore’s multi-country Europe tours and tick multiple artsy cities off your bucket list!


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