The most-visited museums in the world welcome millions into their galleries every year. From Paris to Beijing, see what turns a single ticket into a once-in-a-lifetime payoff, and why these 8 museums boast the highest visitation.
1. The Most-Visited Museum in the World: The Louvre Museum in Paris, France
Annual visitation: 8,700,000 (2024)
See more world-famous artworks in one visit than anywhere else. A central Paris setting and an unmatched concentration of renowned masterpieces deliver maximum value on a single ticket, drawing both first-timers and repeat visitors to the Louvre Museum.
Why people visit:
2. National Museum of China: Beijing, China
Annual visitation: 6,956,800 (2024)
Survey 5,000 years of Chinese civilization with national treasures rarely seen outside China. A monumental single-building museum located on Tiananmen Square, featuring modern displays and major state exhibitions, attracts substantial attendance from both domestic and international visitors.
Why people visit:
3. Vatican Museums: Vatican City (Rome)
Annual visitation: 6,825,436 (2024)
See Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel paintings in their original setting while accessing landmark classical sculptures and Raphael’s fresco cycles in one visit. A single admission to the Vatican Museums encompasses multiple must-see masterpieces, offering outstanding value.
Why people visit:
4. British Museum: London, UK
Annual visitation: 6,479,952 (2024)
Explore headline artifacts from many civilizations in one stop at no cost. Free entry to the permanent collections at this central London museum encourages frequent visits, maintaining consistently high foot traffic.
Why people visit:
5. Natural History Museum: London, UK
Annual visitation: 6,301,972 (2024)
Experience awe across natural history, from dinosaurs to gemstones, in a family-friendly setting. Free general admission, strong school partnerships, and visually appealing centerpieces maintain year-round popularity among all ages.
Why people visit:
6. Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York City, USA
Annual visitation: 6,301,972 (2024)
See an Egyptian temple, European masters, and American art under one roof. Blockbuster exhibitions, an iconic Fifth Avenue location adjacent to Central Park, and an encyclopedic breadth spanning millennia keep both locals and travelers returning to The Met.
Why people visit:
7. American Museum of Natural History: New York City, USA
Annual visitation: 5,400,000 (2024)
Encounter dinosaurs, ocean giants, and the cosmos in a single science campus. Planetarium shows, the new Gilder Center, and curriculum-linked programs convert curiosity into repeat family visits.
Why people visit:
8. China Science and Technology Museum: Beijing, China
Annual visitation: 5,315,000 (2023)
Engage with science through hands-on exhibits, giant screens, and kid-focused labs. Interactive pavilions and strong school partnerships near Olympic Green turn STEM learning into a full-day destination.
Why people visit:
The 8 Most-Visited Museums in the World (Quick Reference)
| Museum | City | Annual visitors | What to see first | Why it’s so popular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louvre Museum | Paris | 8,700,000 (2024) | Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo | Unmatched concentration of globally recognized masterpieces in one museum. |
| National Museum of China | Beijing | 6,956,800 (2024) | Houmuwu Ding, “Ancient China”, Hongshan Jade Dragon | Monumental single-building narrative of 5,000 years with nationally significant treasures. |
| Vatican Museums | Vatican City (Rome) | 6,825,436 (2024) | Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, Laocoön | Access to the Sistine Chapel plus Raphael and canonical antiquities in a single visit. |
| British Museum | London | 6,479,952 (2024) | Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Sculptures, Egyptian mummies | Free entry and a broad survey of world civilizations in one central institution. |
| Natural History Museum | London | 6,301,972 (2024) | “Hope” the Blue Whale, Dinosaurs Gallery, The Vault | Family-friendly science with iconic displays and one of the largest specimen collections. |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York | 5,727,258 (2024) | Temple of Dendur, Arms and Armor, Van Gogh, Wheat Field with Cypresses | Encyclopedic breadth across millennia plus headline exhibitions that drive repeat visits. |
| American Museum of Natural History | New York | 5,400,000 (2024) | Blue Whale, Tyrannosaurus rex, Titanosaur | Campus-scale science experiences with showpiece fossils and planetarium programs. |
| China Science and Technology Museum | Beijing | 5,315,000 (2023) | Dome Theater, Explorations & Discoveries Hall, Children’s Science Paradise | Hands-on STEM pavilions and large-format theaters that resonate with families and schools. |
