Best Museums in Italy

The house of thousand arts, Vatican museums are one of the most popular art museums in Italy. With around 6 million annual visitors, this site is one of the oldest in Rome. Boasting one of the best art collections in the city, the Vatican museums include exhibits that run across around 7 kilometres of corridors and halls. This showcase of priceless art is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in Roman art.

The Ufizzi Gallery holds great works of art from various artists from the Italian Renaissance. It is located in the Historical center of Florence, close to Piazza Della Signoria. The gates to this place are made of bronze and are called The Gates of Paradise. The artistic entrance is something worth watching!

Located on the top of Capitoline Hill, Capitoline Museums is a group of museums in Rome consisting of archaeological and art museums. The museums date back to the late 15th century when it started with a small collection of bronze statues donated by Pope Sixtus IV. Visitors get to check out a large collection of exhibits that were either donated or collected over the years. Capitoline Museums is one of the most recommended attractions for tourists to get insights into ancient Roman art and archaeology.

Built in the 13th century, Pinacoteca di Brera is a massive public gallery popular for various paintings and Italian artworks. The gallery is located in the Palazzo di Brera. The museum's main attractions are Italian paintings, mainly from the Quattrocento, Renaissance, and Rococo periods.

Castel Sant'Angelo, also called The Mausoleum of Hadrian, has served as a fortress, a mausoleum, a hideaway and a museum in different periods of history. Located in Parco Adriano region of the capital city of Rome, this cylindrical monument is one of the most popular landmarks of the country.

Known For : Excavations of Pompeii Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary Villa of Mystery

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city located near modern-day Naples in southern Italy. It became famous due to the volcanic eruption that buried the entire city of Pompeii under several meters of volcanic material, instantly killing its inhabitants and preserving the city in a remarkable state of preservation. The ruined city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, and draws close to 25 Lakh tourists every year.

Best Time: March to May, September and October

11 Pompeii Attractions

Also known as Museo Egizio, the Egyptian Museum is a renowned museum celebrated for housing one of the most extensive and significant collections of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo. Boasting over 30,000 artifacts, including mummies, statues, and papyrus scrolls, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian civilization. Museo Egizio often hosts temporary exhibitions, adding a dynamic element to its already impressive permanent collection.

The Grand Museum of Venetian masters, Academia Gallery is located in Dorsoduro, on the south bank of the Grand Canal, alongside Academia Bridge. It is a collection of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th century including works of Bellini, Tintorretto and Titan.

Venaria Reale, located in Turin in northern Italy, is a museum that beckons visitors into the grandeur of the Savoy dynasty. It has evolved into a UNESCO World Heritage site and is renowned for its opulent architecture and expansive gardens. The centerpiece of the complex is the Palace of Venaria, a Baroque marvel that boasts lavish halls, opulent chambers, and awe-inspiring galleries.

The Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church and Dominican Convent located in the Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. It boasts - the Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) by Leonardo da Vinci.

The Pitti Palace is home to a number of museums that treasure the history of this place. This Palace is home to a number of museums like the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Silver Museum, the Porcelain Museum, and the Costume Gallery.

Located at Piazzale Scipione Borghese in Rome, Borghese Gallery is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world. It houses the Borghese collection of antiquities, paintings and sculptures dedicated to Renaissance art and ancient and contemporary style.

National Roman Museum is a group of museums located at different sites in Rome. These museums were established to display a vast collection of pre and early historical artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the regions nearby. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to cover all the museums but a day out exploring the culture of the city through the displays is sure to be worthwhile.

The former Roman temple, now a church, the Pantheon is one of the most ancient buildings in Rome. The oculus in this building is the main source of natural light and has been in continuous use throughout its history. Adopting a different, non-traditional structure from other Roman monuments, this attraction is one of the best-preserved buildings in the nation and is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in Roman history.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of four Guggenheim museums, is located on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro, Venice. A collection of modern art by the greats like Jackson Pollock and Piccasso and acquired by Peggy Guggenheim is on display here.

Villa Farnesina is a massive mansion built during the Renaissance Period (1505 - 1511) in the Trastevere district of Rome. The name of the villa is given in dedication to the one of the owners of the villa Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Villa Farnesina is not just known for its magnificent building, but also for the interiors and the decorations.

The Doge's Palace, or the Palazzo Ducale, is an ancient palace in Piazza San Marco in Venice. The palace looks incredible due to its Gothic facade. The famous Bridge of Sighs connects the interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace with the New Prison.

The Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is a private museum owned by the Doria Pamhilj family on the Via del Corso in Rome. On display are many masterpieces by Raphael, Tiziano, Caravaggio, Correggio, Velazquez and Bernini. Out of these, Velazquez's realistic portrait of Pope Innocent X clearly shines through and is given its own room.

The Museo Nazionale del Bargello is a Renaissance art museum located on the Via del Proconsolo in Florence. The Bargello has a collection of spectacular sculptures and bronze works by some prominent artists. There are weapons, armors, medals, etc., on display here, too.

The Palace Barberini is located at the junction of Via Veneto and Via delle Quattro Fontane. This magnificent palace is renowned for its opulent Baroque design and historic significance.