6 of the Best Free Museums To Visit Around the World 

From iconic masterpieces to immersive cultural experiences, some of the world’s greatest museums welcome visitors for free. Whether you’re exploring the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., or admiring European paintings at the National Gallery in London, there’s no shortage of incredible collections around the world to enjoy without an entry fee. Here are six of our favorite free museums to visit.

Smithsonian Museums – Washington, D.C.

The Smithsonian Institution operates more than 20 museums and galleries, with all but two of them located in the D.C. area. Aside from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, all Smithsonian museums are free to the public. Guided by its mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge,” the Smithsonian keeps admission free through a combination of U.S. government funding and private support. 

One of its most popular museums is the National Museum of Natural History, which is among the most-visited museums in the world and home to dinosaur fossils, famous gems like the Hope Diamond, and many fascinating cultural exhibits. The National Air and Space Museum, meanwhile, is a major draw for aviation and space enthusiasts, featuring historic aircraft and spacecraft (including Apollo 11 artifacts) along with interactive science displays. 

Other must-sees include the National Museum of American History — showcasing U.S. cultural, political, and social history with iconic artifacts like the original Star-Spangled Banner — and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, home to one of the world’s most extensive American art collections.

National Museum of Korea – Seoul, South Korea

The National Museum of Korea boasts more than 12,000 pieces displayed in six permanent exhibitions, which are all free to the public. Detailing more than 5,000 years of Korean art and history, the museum’s collections span ancient archaeological discoveries, royal artifacts, Buddhist sculptures, celadon ceramics, and traditional calligraphy and painting. 

Standout exhibits include the 10-story-tall Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, built in the 14th century, and the Pensive Bodhisattvas, Buddhist statues from the sixth and seventh centuries — both named National Treasures. The Silla Gold Crowns and the large Buddhist art collection are other highlights. Admission to the main permanent exhibition halls and the Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Korea is free; however, there is a charge to access the Special Exhibition Gallery, which varies.

National Gallery – London, England

The National Gallery is housed in a grand 19th-century neoclassical building crowned with a dome and Corinthian columns overlooking London’s Trafalgar Square. While the building is captivating even before you step inside, within, it holds one of the world’s finest collections of Western European paintings, with over 2,400 works from Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, and British artists. 

Masterpieces include Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Virgin of the Rocks,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” and several of J. M. W. Turner’s luminous seascapes. As you follow the evolution of European painting from the Renaissance through impressionism, you can also experience works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Monet. Admission to the permanent collection is free, but some special exhibitions may require paid entry. 

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Buenos Aires, Argentina

One of South America’s most prestigious art museums, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes was founded in 1896 and houses a diverse collection spanning several centuries and artistic styles. The museum holds one of the more impressive collections of 19th- and 20th-century European art outside of Europe itself, and masters such as Goya, El Greco, Van Gogh, and Manet are strongly represented. 

Balancing these international highlights is a rich presentation of Argentine art, featuring celebrated artists such as Antonio Berni and Prilidiano Pueyrredón. The museum’s permanent collection includes 688 major works, along with more than 12,000 sketches, fragments, ceramics, and other pieces, all of which are free to access.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand’s national museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, offers an engaging introduction to the country’s identity and history. Exhibits on Māori heritage and taonga (cultural treasures) are displayed throughout the museum, alongside dynamic, interactive galleries of natural history, art, and contemporary culture. 

Don’t miss “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War,” with its imposing figures depicting the stories of eight New Zealanders who fought in World War I. There’s also the colossal squid, the world’s largest squid specimen by mass, weighing nearly 1,000 pounds, as well as hands-on ecology exhibits featuring an earthquake simulator and kiwi house where you can see New Zealand’s national animal up close. Free to enter, Te Papa is a must-visit for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the country’s rich culture.

Petit Palais – Paris, France

The Petit Palais, home to the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts, is located steps from the Champs-Élysées. Its permanent collection, which is free to access, holds approximately 5,000 paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, with a strong emphasis on French artists such as Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, and Auguste Rodin. There are also many notable works by Spanish, Dutch, Flemish, and Italian masters. 

Spanning French romanticism, realism, and impressionism through the early 20th century, the works are displayed in galleries that reflect the building’s elegant beaux arts design. Equal parts museum and architectural marvel, the Petit Palais offers a refined, yet totally free art experience in France’s capital, with far fewer crowds than other major Paris museums like the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay.