Free Museums Around the World
69 world-class museums in our directory offer free standard admission — no ticket, no booking, no charge. Organised by country so you can plan a visit wherever you are.
Argentina
All museums in Argentina →
Australia
All museums in Australia →
Austria
All museums in Austria →
Brazil
All museums in Brazil →
China
All museums in China →
National Museum of China
FreeBeijing
Free admission with valid ID
Shanghai Museum
FreeShanghai
Free standard admission
Suzhou Museum
FreeSuzhou
Free standard admission
Guangdong Museum
FreeGuangzhou
Free standard admission
Nanjing Museum
FreeNanjing
Free standard admission
Shaanxi History Museum
FreeXi'an
Free standard admission
Hubei Provincial Museum
FreeWuhan
Free standard admission
Liaoning Provincial Museum
FreeShenyang
Free standard admission
National Art Museum of China
FreeBeijing
Free standard admission
Capital Museum
FreeBeijing
Free standard admission
Colombia
All museums in Colombia →
Denmark
All museums in Denmark →
Ireland
All museums in Ireland →
Israel
All museums in Israel →
New Zealand
All museums in New Zealand →
Norway
All museums in Norway →
Poland
All museums in Poland →
Portugal
All museums in Portugal →
Qatar
All museums in Qatar →
Russia
All museums in Russia →
Singapore
All museums in Singapore →
South Africa
All museums in South Africa →
South Korea
All museums in South Korea →
Spain
All museums in Spain →
United Arab Emirates
All museums in United Arab Emirates →
United Kingdom
All museums in United Kingdom →
The British Museum
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
The National Gallery
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
Tate Modern
FreeLondon
Free standard admission; charges for special exhibitions
Tate Britain
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
Victoria and Albert Museum
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
Natural History Museum
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
National Galleries of Scotland
FreeEdinburgh
Free standard admission
Tate Liverpool
FreeLiverpool
Free standard admission
Manchester Art Gallery
FreeManchester
Free standard admission
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
FreeBirmingham
Free standard admission
Science Museum
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
National Portrait Gallery
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
The Wallace Collection
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
Imperial War Museum
FreeLondon
Free standard admission
National Museum of Scotland
FreeEdinburgh
Free admission to permanent galleries
United States
All museums in United States →
Smithsonian American Art Museum
FreeWashington D.C.
Free admission
The J. Paul Getty Museum
FreeLos Angeles
Free admission, parking is $20
Art Institute of Chicago
FreeChicago
$32 for adults (Illinois residents discount available; free for children under 14)
National Gallery of Art
FreeWashington D.C.
Free admission
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
FreeWashington D.C.
Free admission
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
FreeWashington D.C.
Free admission (timed-entry passes recommended for peak times)
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
FreeWashington D.C.
Free admission
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
FreeWashington D.C.
Free (timed-entry passes required for the permanent exhibition; book well in advance during peak season)
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
FreeSan Francisco
US$30 standard adult admission; free for visitors 18 and under
Denver Art Museum
FreeDenver
US$19 standard adult admission; free for Colorado residents on certain dates
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
FreeHouston
US$19 standard adult admission; free on Thursdays for general admission
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
FreeBoston
US$20 standard adult admission; visitors named 'Isabella' enter free
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
FreeBentonville
Free permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket
Frequently Asked Questions
Which world-class museums are completely free to enter?
Many of the world's greatest museums charge no general admission. In the UK: the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, Science Museum, and V&A are all free. In the US: all Smithsonian museums are free, including the National Museum of Natural History and National Air and Space Museum. Many municipal museums in continental Europe also offer free entry.
Do free museums charge for special exhibitions?
Yes — most free museums still charge for temporary special exhibitions. Only the permanent collection is free. Check the museum's official website before your visit to see what is currently included in free admission.
Are the Smithsonian museums really free?
Yes. All 19 Smithsonian museums and galleries in Washington D.C. and New York City are free to enter, including the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History. The IMAX theatres and some special programmes charge separately.
Which free museums are best for families?
The Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. are outstanding free options for families. The British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern also offer family-friendly programming and are all free.
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