Top 10 Most Expensive Museums in the World

What is a Museum? And which is the most expensive museum in the world? — A museum is a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited. A museum is a place of discovery, and knowledge — you get to better understand and visualize historical stories and it does justice to some readout records — and fun, of course.

However, some of you might have tried visiting a museum but were bored out due to perhaps the boring collections or some other factors, and you have probably vowed to never return. You should know that happened because you didn’t opt to have your adventure at one of the best museums in the world. Therefore, you shouldn’t repeat the same mistake if you finally find the courage to give it another shot. But take note, these best museums have a high tendency of turning out to be one of the most expensive museums and you sure would agree it is all worth it.

Furthermore, the best museums referred to here are known for well-curated collections and thought-provoking shows that especially entice visitors to learn about new cultures and subjects, and even have a broader knowledge of the old ones. However, this article details the most expensive museums in the world, some of which are also listed as some of the Best Museums.

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Most Expensive Museums in the World

1. The Louvre, Paris

Most Expensive Museum in the World

The Louvre in Paris, France is the best and greatest museum in the world and yet, the most expensive museum too. This museum is said to allow visitors to learn about Western Art from the Middle Ages to 1848, and also some ancient civilizations.

Initially, the Louvre was a medieval fortification and the royal residence of the French Monarchs before it became a museum centuries ago. The massive castle that houses the museum, which was built in the late 12th century, is a magnificent architectural masterpiece. From 1200 to 2011, the most creative architects worked on creating and developing the Louvre.

As the most expensive museum in the world, the Louvre’s general entrance ticket is 17 euros ($18). For individuals under 18 and EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 25, it is free.

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2. The Prado, Madrid

The Prado Museum located in Brazil is one of the most expensive museums in the world. General entrance to the Prado is 15 euros ($16), 7.5 euros ($8) for people over 65, and is free for students and visitors under the age of 18.

Also one of the best museums in the world, the Prado includes sizable collections of Italian (as well as Titian and Raphael) and Flemish artists along with prominent Spanish painters like Velázquez, Goya, Ribera, and Zurbarán. This museum’s treasure trove of classical masterpieces is credited to the Spanish royal family. And, kings and queens have collected and commissioned art for generations.

3. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Netherlands’ national museum is called the Rijksmuseum, and it is located in Amsterdam. In this museum, they recount the first 800 years of Dutch history, from 1200 to the present. And also host a number of exhibitions each year using both (inter)national loans and items from their own collection.

As one of the most expensive museums in the world, the Rijksmuseum charges 21 euros ($20) for a ticket and is free for children under 18.

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4. The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

The State Hermitage Museum has the world’s largest collection of paintings, is one of the world’s best, and also, one of the most expensive museums in the world. This museum was established in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great purchased a collection of masterpieces from Berlin merchant, Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. Also, this museum has almost 3 million art and artefact objects from around the globe. These art and artefact include sculptures, graphic works, paintings, archaeological relics, works of applied art, and numismatic pieces.

Being one of the most expensive museums in the world as earlier mentioned, entry into the museum can cost up to 500 rubles ($9).

5. The Uffizi Galleries, Florence

The Uffizi Galleries are located on the first and second floors of a huge edifice planned by Giorgio Vasari and built between 1560 and 1580. Asides from this museum being one of the best in the world, it is also one of the most expensive in the world. The cost for general admission is €20 ($21). Entry is $2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25, and free for students, teachers, and visitors under the age of 18.

The Galleries are known for their collection of antique statues and busts from the Medici family which decorate the halls as well as include ancient Roman replicas of vanished Greek chef-d’oeuvre. Some of these acclaimed masterpieces can be found in collections of paintings from the 14th Renaissance era.

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6. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

With a collection of almost 149,000 items illuminating 6,000 years of artistic expression worldwide, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States. LACMA is dedicated to displaying a variety of art history, presents and interprets works of art from fresh and surprising angles that are influenced by the area’s rich cultural legacy and diverse population. In order to share collections and programmes, develop ground-breaking projects, and engage new audiences, regional, national, and international partnerships are among the ways in which LACMA exhibits its spirit of experimentation. It also works with artists, technologists, and thought leaders in these fields.

However, this museum is one of the most expensive museums in the world as tickets cost $25 per adult, $21 for students and seniors, and $10 for children and teenagers from the age of 3 to 17.

7. The Musee d’Orsay, Paris

The Musee d’Orsay is a museum located on the Left Bank of the Seine in Paris, France. It is located in the former Gare d’Orsay, an 1898–1900 Beaux-Arts railroad station. The majority of the artwork in this museum was created in France between 1848 and 1914 and they include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photographs. This museum is home to the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings in the world, including works by Van Gogh, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, Berthe Morisot, Claude Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Édouard Manet. Prior to the museum’s establishment in 1986, a large number of these pieces were displayed at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, one of the biggest art museums in Europe.

The cost of general admission is €16 ($17), €13 ($14) for accompanying minors, and free for EU members aged 18 to 25, making it one of the most expensive musems in the world.

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8. The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879, and it is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures, and time. This museum also aids active learning for all—dedicated to investigation, innovation, education, and dialogue—continually aspiring to greater public service and civic engagement.

As one of the most expensive museums, entry into the Art Institute of Chicago costs $25, while seniors, students, and teens pay $19, and entry for children is free.

9. The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch Art Museum dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and his peers in the Museum Square in Amsterdam South. The museum opened on the 2nd of June, 1973, and its buildings were designed by Gerrit Rietvels and Kisho Kurokawa. This museum is also one of the world’s most expensive, the ticket costs 19 euros ($20) but is free for visitors under the age of 18.

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10. The Museum of Modern Art, New York City (MoMA)

MoMA was founded in 1929 as an educational institution and with the aim of becoming the greatest museum of modern art in the world. However, this goal was met, maybe not entirely, but to a great extent as this museum is one of the best museums in the world, and even, one of the most expensive museums.

The Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA)’s collection has grown over the years and now encompasses 150,000 paintings, sculptures, and design objects. It also has 22,000 films, videos, media works, film stills, screenplays, and historical documents, all from an original gift of eight prints and one drawing.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $18 for seniors and visitors with disabilities, $14 for students, but are free for children under the age of 16.

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Most Expensive Museums in the World

Below is a summary of the top 10 most expensive museums in the world:

• The Louvre, Paris
• The Prado, Madrid
• The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
• The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
• The Uffizi Galleries, Florence
• The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• The Musee d’Orsay, Paris
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
• The Museum of Modern Art, New York City (MoMA)