World Museum Index Ranks 40 Institutions by Attendance, Louvre Leads at 9.7 Million
Leading the World Museum Guide ranking, the Louvre attracts 9.7 million visitors, while the Vatican Museums follow with 6.8 million. The National Gallery in London secures third place with 6 million, just ahead of Tate Modern at 5.9 million and the British Museum with 5.8 million. The American Museum of Natural History sees 5 million visitors, charging non-residents $37. Similarly, the State Hermitage Museum also records 5 million, offering discounted tickets post 4 p.m. The Uffizi Gallery has an entry fee of €25, while Museo Reina Sofía charges €12. The Met's $30 admission is free for locals. The Art Institute of Chicago welcomes 1.5 million visitors, with a ticket price of $32. Data was last updated on June 30, 2026.
Key facts
- The Louvre leads with 9.7 million annual visitors, 2.9 million ahead of the Vatican Museums
- The Louvre adopted a €22 EEA / €32 non-EEA ticket on Jan. 14, 2026
- The National Gallery, Tate Modern and the British Museum admit 17.7 million people a year combined, all free
- The American Museum of Natural History charges $37 to out-of-state adults and suggests $25 for New York residents
- The State Hermitage Museum cuts its 1,200-ruble ticket to 700 rubles after 4 p.m. and 500 rubles after 6 p.m.
- The Uffizi Gallery prices entry at €25 at the door, €29 booked ahead and €16 from 4 p.m.
- The Art Institute of Chicago charges $32 and records 1.5 million visitors, the smallest crowd in the top 20
- World Museum Guide last reviewed the attendance figures on June 30, 2026
Entities
Institutions
- World Museum Guide
- Louvre
- Vatican Museums
- National Gallery
- Tate Modern
- British Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- State Hermitage Museum
- Uffizi Gallery
- Museo Reina Sofía
- Musée d'Orsay
- Museum of Modern Art
- Museo del Prado
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- Museu de Arte de São Paulo
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Quartz
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Vatican City
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York City
- New York State
- United States
- Saint Petersburg
- Russia
- Florence
- Italy
- Madrid
- Spain
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Washington, D.C.
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Oświęcim
- Poland
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Europe
- North America
- South America
Sources
- Quartz —