Visual art is a massive tourism pull, however, many people will feel reluctant to travel too far, considering the circumstances. Europe holds some of the world’s most famous pieces without demanding long-haul commitment. Therefore, in no order, here are the top five European cities to visit for art lovers.
Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, travel of all kinds has been restricted for safety reasons. In the meantime, many people have found themselves with more time than ever to contemplate tourism destinations for when it becomes possible to travel safely again.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
This quaint and picturesque Dutch city is by itself a piece of visual art, with its iconic canal houses, bridges and winding barges. After a brief flight of roughly one hour (from London), pay a visit to the famous Rijksmuseum, the home to a vast collection of pieces, including works from iconic names such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Admirers of Van Gogh and Rembrandt will be pleased to know that the two acclaimed Dutch artists have their dedicated galleries, ‘The Van Gogh Museum’ and ‘Rembrandt House Museum’. Just make sure to book your tickets in advance!
For fans of something slightly more abstract, there is the Stedelijk Museum, the home to a massive collection of expressionist and pop art pieces. If that does not scratch your artistic itch, pop into the Moco Museum, which has dedicated exhibitions to Salvador Dali and Banksy.
Paris, France
The French ‘city of light’ is widely regarded as the most beautiful city in the world, with iconic features aplenty. These are not limited to the Eifel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre. With a flight duration of roughly one hour and twenty minutes (from London), Paris may offer the best of all worlds.
The Louvre is the largest museum in the world. So big in fact, it is estimated to take roughly one hundred days to explore the entire location and its collections. Its most prominent pieces of art and sculpture include the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, the Raft of the Medusa and many more. I could go on forever naming pieces (or one hundred days to be specific).
For something less traditional, take a stroll into d’Orsay and the Pompidou Gallery for some fine examples of modern art or for those interested in ethnic art, the Quai Branly Museum is for you. This is only scratching the surface; Paris is a must for art enthusiasts of every kind.
Madrid, Spain
The Spanish capital is the economic and political centre of the nation, it is also the cultural and artistic hub, bearing an array of significant galleries, museums and pieces. Sitting two and a half hours away from London, it is still relatively easy travel duration for many of you.
Madrid’s famed ‘Golden triangle of art’, which resides in the Pasco Del Prado boulevard features three important galleries, the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Collectively, this is a massive collection containing some of the most iconic works the city has to offer.
If you want to avoid the crowds though, the Sorolla and Cerralbo Museums contain impressive collections of their own. Dedicated to showcasing the works of the named artists, these lesser-known galleries contain many subtle treasures for you to discover.
Florence, Italy
Florence sits roughly two hours away from London if travelled to by aeroplane. It is the birthplace of the Renaissance, which, in short, is the cultural transition from a focus on abstraction and religion to more rational and scientific themes. Its historical architecture, such as the domed cathedral; the ‘Santa Maria del Fiore’ is breathtaking.
The central-Italian city hosts a series of galleries and museums that display some of the finest works of the renaissance movement. Two famous locations include the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia gallery that house Botticelli’s iconic Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s sculpture David.
If that is not enough, Florence also features the Palatine Gallery and the Bargello Museum (to name a few). Florence is perfect for an art connoisseur who will not only appreciate the variety of significant galleries but the wonderful vistas also.
Berlin, Germany
Located just under two hours away from London, the German capital’s biggest strength is the sheer diversity of museums and galleries for you to explore. On its famed ‘Museum Island’ there are a whopping five different locations exhibiting artwork and sculptures from a multitude of ethnic origins, including Islamic, Persian and Egyptian.
For more localised pieces in unique settings, you should check out the Berlinische Galerie, which features modern art, architecture and photography exhibitions. Whereas the Hamburger Bahnhof, a former railway station, features pop artworks by Warhol and Lichtenstein. Furthermore, you could head towards The Sammlung Boros, located inside a WWII bunker and boasts an impressive selection of contemporary art.
If that was not enough, the Berlin Wall itself serves as one of the most unique art pieces you will find over the continent. Technically an open-air gallery, the wall features over one hundred politically and socially charged murals. A spectacle of modern art and history come together.
Final Words
Here is my personal choice for the top five European cities to visit for art lovers. In truth, this list barely scratches the surface of what Europe has to offer in regards to cityscapes and significant art collections. The facts are, every city will host a unique selection of famous and local pieces; this is just a slightly detailed glance into a few options.
Until it becomes safe to travel again, take the time to contemplate and consider all of the options you have going in the future. I hope this list has helped form an opinion and stay tuned, as there is the potential for the top five European cities to visit for art lovers. part two. In the meantime, if music and Dutch culture is more your thing, we have an article that covers just that!
