british museum guided tour

The 5 Best British Museum Tours [2024 Reviews]

As the first national public museum of the world, the British Museum brings all kinds of cultures together with countless artifacts and historical accounts.

While there are plenty of incredible art museums in London, but if you’re a history buff like me, this is a can’t-miss! There’s a ton to see, however, so I highly recommend taking a proper tour to guide you through the most notable pieces.

I’ve carefully curated a guide to the 5 top tours of the British Museum out there, so you don’t have to worry about which ones are actually worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Thames Dinner Cruises , Windsor Castle Tours and Buckingham Palace Tours .

Best British Museum Guided Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best british museum private & guided tours for 2024.

• The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
• Private Guided Tour of the British Museum
• Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London
• The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour
• British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

British Museum Tour Reviews

1. the british museum london guided museum tour – semi-private 8ppl max.

• Duration: 2.5 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 & 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Semi-private museum tour, no more than 8 participants, professional tour guide

London’s cultural landscape is like some type of treasure trove filled with intense history, art, and fascinating artifacts. The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max  experience is one of those top-tier tours that I wish I’d found out about earlier.

If you want an in-depth yet intriguing way to see the over 6,000 years of history under one roof, look no further!

The tour starts off by meeting the guide right outside the museum gates, where we instantly hit it off and were able to ask them any questions we had along the way.

They asked us about any specific interests we had, and as our group was limited to just 8 participants, it felt very intimate and fun. We then received a briefing of what to expect and the history of the museum, which really set the tone for a fascinating next few hours.

Our whole group was open to seeing pretty much anything and everything, so we started off by following our educated guide through the different rooms to see a wide array of impressive ancient and medieval exhibits.

The Rosetta Stone was so fascinating to me, especially because it essentially unlocked the ancient Egyptian world, from the language to their afterlife beliefs.

Expand To See More See Less

I’m a huge fan of ancient Greek sculptures, so being able to see the Parthenon sculptures was something of a dream – we even learned how a massive gold and ivory image of Athena used to stand inside the Parthenon!

What was really cool was that we easily had the best guide in the place, who spoke to us more like longtime friends and relayed information about each artifact in a way that was easy to comprehend.

They never made us feel like we should have a certain level of knowledge, and while our group varied in education about certain subjects he spoke to all of us in a way that made sense.

Overall, this was a great tour that I’d recommend to anyone of any age or background who’d like to explore the British Museum in an effective way.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other london experiences you may enjoy:, 2. private guided tour of the british museum.

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell Street, London, UK
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 2:00 & 5:00 PM
• Includes: Licensed and insured guide, entrance ticket

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely taken some boring museum tours throughout my life and don’t always look forward to them. Many times, I’ve just wandered through museums and hoped for the best by reading up beforehand on some of the sites I’m most interested in.

However, with tours like the Private Guided Tour of the British Museum , my mind was changed and I discovered that with the right guide the entire experience can be elevated.

Upon meeting our guide, I was instantly captivated by both her knowledge and skilled way of speaking while showcasing the best the museum has to offer.

Sometimes it just feels like you’re wandering around or the guide is making things up as they go, but that was not the case here. She was a true leader and clearly knew exactly what she was talking about and where to go, taking a seamless route that tied everything together, effortlessly.

Even though the artifacts from room to room vary wildly, she somehow weaved each piece of history together, relating the different civilizations and discoveries to the other.

It was a super cool way to see the museum and learn, especially as I am a big fan of world history!

I learned a ton of fun facts and larger concepts that I admittedly didn’t even know about prior to this tour, and I loved how she included plenty of lesser-known artifacts, too.

The museum is so massive, that it will not only save you time but frustration by going on a curated experience such as this tour, with a guide who has a ton of in-depth knowledge.

While the tour lasts only a few hours, it flew by even faster than expected thanks to the captivating stories regaled to our little group. While it is a bit more expensive, this is a small-group experience maxing out at 6 people, so it’s well worth it!

Search For Other London Experiences You May Enjoy

3. kid-friendly private british museum highlights and walk to covent garden london.

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
• Includes: Local guide, Professional Blue Badge guide, Private Tour

While the British Museum may not be the first sight that pops into your head when planning a trip with kids in tow, it’s actually perfect for curious young minds.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, the Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London Tour  is just the ticket!

Lead by expert guides who clearly have a knack for teaching and keeping younger people intrigued, this interactive tour is tailored specifically for children aged 6 to 12 years old. However, that’s not to say that it’s not for people older than that, or the information isn’t accurate.

In fact, I had a fantastic time and felt like this was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a museum tour – as a child or as an adult!

The tour starts out with a warm welcome from your guide, who right off the bat created a space that made everyone feel comfortable enough to learn and ask any questions.

From Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures to decoding hieroglyphics, this hands-on experience made these artifacts come to life.

As this is a private tour, you don’t have to worry about big groups and your guide will even help personalize the experience.

I know that moving through museums with kids can be a delicate manner, but our tour guide kept everyone so entertained that there wasn’t even a moment for them to think about “accidentally” touching something they weren’t supposed to or playing tag next to ancient artifacts.

They gave us a shortlist to the most popular sites, narrating each one with fascinating historical accounts in a way that younger kids can easily digest. If you’re looking to bring children to the British Museum, look no further, because this is the best tour of them all.

4. The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 and 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Guided museum tour, tour guide

The British Museum holds around 8 million items – needless to say, you can spend quite a bit of time there if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

With The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour , you can rest easy knowing that your guide will create a custom itinerary designed around what you’re most interested in seeing!

These are the experts who know the museum like the back of their hand, maximizing your time in this absolute gem of an attraction.

Another huge pull for me with this tour was just how affordable it was for the sheer value received, making it one of those “biggest bang for your buck” experiences!

Lasting 2.5 hours, I wasn’t prepared for just how much I was able to see and learn about, at a pace that went smoothly and just made sense. This definitely isn’t one of those run-of-the-mill museum tours where the guide is just rattling off commonly known information!

We started out by meeting our guide right outside the museum gates, where they gave us a briefing on the history of the museum building and some of the most notable artifacts. We then got to head right inside, wasting no time to get to the best parts!

While the Rosetta Stone, mummies, and sculptures are absolute musts, I was surprised at the amount of amazing art!

Do not miss the drawings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, the Assyrian reliefs, the Lewis Chessmen, and much more! The tour consisting of carefully selected items was phenomenal, with our guide sharing tons of valuable, entertaining stories.

Our guide tailored our tour to lean a bit towards art as that’s one of my main interests, and I do recommend stopping by these exhibits! If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of what humans are capable of, let’s go!

5. British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

• Departure: 49 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3BA
• Departure Time:  Varies
• Includes:  Private expert guide, customizable tour

Are you looking for a tour that’s just a couple of hours long to try and fill your itinerary with a fun, entertaining tour experience?

If so, then check out the British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour  is completely customizable, so there’s no more dealing with monotonous tours that you didn’t sign up for!

Known as the “World’s Museum”, expect to see lots of big tourist attractions, along with plenty of “hidden” gems that most don’t get to see.

I met up with my guide right outside the museum, and while I chose to do a morning tour, there are tons of different start times available for added convenience. As it’s just a few hours long, I’d say it’s super easy to fit into even the busiest of itineraries!

Before we got started, he did ask me if I had any specific interests or preferences as to what we explore inside the museum, creating a customized schedule based on that.

I couldn’t believe how affordable this tour was when I realized that it was completely private, which ended up literally just being me and my guide.

It was like I had a best friend local to the area taking me around to all the sites I want to see while giving me a fun, intriguing narrative on each one. I was able to ask plenty of questions, and he answered each one with confidence which only enriched my experience further.

I felt that this tour was very comfortable with a pace that wasn’t too fast nor too slow, even taking breaks intermittently to rest and go for a coffee/pastry!

I can say with confidence that this guide knew just about everything in the museum, and on the private tour I felt comfortable asking anything that came to mind. I highly recommend this tour for anyone!

Tour Guides

The The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max is our Editors Choice for the best British Museum tour

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best florence wine tours [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

British Museum Guided Tour in London

Admire this world-famous historic collection with the help of an expert guide.

Planning to visit the British Museum while you’re in London, but overwhelmed by where to start? With such an extensive collection of artifacts, it can be hard to know how to navigate this world-famous venue. On this 2-hour tour, your licensed guide will lead you through the expansive museum’s most impressive highlights, detailing the fascinating history behind each collection. After your tour, you’re free to continue exploring the rest of the museum’s many treasures on your own!

• Meet your guide outisde British Museum
• Great Court
• Enlightenment Gallery
• Rosetta Stone
• Parthenon sculptures​
• Egyptian mummies​
• Nereid Monument​
• End inside the British Museum

Your 2-hour tour of the British Museum begins at the building’s main entrance, just past security. After meeting your knowledgeable guide and the rest of your friendly group of travelers, it’s time to dive right in. Marvel at the impressive ceiling of the Great Court, learn about the famous Rosetta Stone, admire the Parthenon Sculptures, and explore the Ancient Egypt galleries. All the while, your expert guide will detail the fascinating history behind each collection. After the tour, feel free to continue exploring the rest of the museum’s extensive collections on your own!

British Museum Guided Tour Description

Your 2-hour tour includes:

Knowledgeable, licensed guide

Informative walking tour through the museum’s key collections

The “Rosetta Stone,” Parthenon Sculptures, and the Winged Bulls from Khorsabad

Ancient Egypt galleries and Egyptian mummies collection

The roof of the Great Court

Learn about the history of each collection

Meet Your Licensed Guide

To begin your immersive tour through the iconic British Museum, meet your licensed guide at the main entrance. They’ll be waiting by the stairs after the security check, along with the rest of your group members. Once everyone has arrived, it’s time to begin exploring the museum’s expansive collections! Your guide is an expert and will lead you to the most impressive highlights of this world-famous museum while explaining the fascinating history behind each historical treasure.

Gaze at the Great Court

Your tour will begin immediately by admiring the spectacular glass roof of the Great Court. This two-acre space, which was designed by Foster and Partners, is considered the largest covered public square in Europe. After taking in the extraordinary ceiling, your guide will lead you to the legendary Rosetta Stone. While marveling at this historic granitoid stone, your informative guide will explain how it played a crucial part in understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Visit Controversial Sculptures

Continue immersing yourself in ancient history as you make your way to the Parthenon Sculptures. Listen carefully while your guide explains the fascinating controversy behind these sculptures, as they were taken from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin, the former British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

Admire Ancient Egypt

Next, follow your guide to the remarkable Ancient Egypt galleries, where your jaw will drop at the wide collection of Egyptian mummies and the Anglo-Saxon “Sutton Hoo” burial relics. Your guide will end the tour with the extraordinary Winged Bulls from Khorsabad, a breathtaking sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia, found at the entrance of the Assyrian galleries.

Following your tour, you’re free to continue exploring the rest of this historic museum on your own. The British Museum is massive, so there’s still plenty left to see!

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What you get with this tour

See what people are saying

3 total reviews

Our guide did not show up. We waited for 20 minutes on the steps after being two of the first to get onto the grounds on what was to become a very crowded day at the British Museum. This is the second time that a guide was a no show from The Tour Guy. Don't book with this company. They are not reliable. I am waiting for a refund.

Awesome tour

The way our tour guide put everything into a timeline and made us view history from a different perspective, as if we were there, is something truly unforgettable. Highly recommend!

I loved this tour!! I highly recommend taking this tour when in London. Wandering the museum on your own is enjoyable, but having your guide there to explain the history and mythology behind the pieces absolutely elevates the experience. 5 stars!

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Make sure to bring a valid ID and wear comfortable shoes.

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

No, this tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in London.

Are tickets included in this tour?

The entrance for the British Museum is free, the tour includes 2-hour guided tour with a professional tour guide.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

Please keep in mind, this tour involves 2 hours of walking through the museum. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your mobility.

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

No, but we're happy to recommend one of our favorite spots in the area, and your guide is sure to point you in the right direction too.

Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?

Kids are welcome on this tour, and children 3 and under join for free. Children aged 4-15 pay a reduced fee. Please choose accordingly during the booking.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is included on this tour. You’ll meet your guide at the designated meeting point, on the museum stairs just past the security check.

Where does this tour end?

This tour ends inside the British Museum. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like and continue exploring the museum.

What is the cancellation policy of this tour?

You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours before the tour.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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British Museum Tour

Visit The British Museum on a private two hour tour, or include it on a flexible day in London.

TOUR PRICES

Prices include:.

Prices are per private group not per person. Prices do not include entrance fees or meals unless stated.

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

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About The Tour

Discover the highlights of the British Museum on a private two hour tour, or include the Museum on a flexible full day  London day tour

The British Museum was founded in 1753 and today has approx six million objects from antiquity to today's i-pod from all around the world giving an insight into ancient cultures and civilisations.

Our tour begins in Lord Foster's Great Hall: You will see the three ancient scripts on the Rosetta Stone from Egypt, as well as architectural relics from temples and mausoleums in Mesopotamia, Assyria, Greece etc. Hear about the Lion Hunt and see the huge statues of Pharaoh Rameses the Great who had over 70 children.

Lord Elgin transported many pieces of the friezes showing the pan-Athenic festival of the ruins of the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Greece to London, and a special hall was constructed so they could be on permanent display to all.

The Enlightenment Gallery shows collections of souvenirs wealthy 18th century British travellers brought home from their journeys, appreciating art and cultures of other civilisations, and wishing to share these treasures with others.

You will learn about preservation of the dead from Egyptian Mummies, or "Ginger"- to the English bog-man.

In England, art objects and valuables were at times of trouble hidden underground for fear of invaders. Recently many such Hoards have been discovered. In the British Galleries you will see ancient Jewellery, weapons, armouries, plates, cutlery - even Roman postcards! Items were imported, brought by immigrants or produced in Britain, giving us an insight into earlier cultures and civilisations of our predecessors of Celtic, Roman, Ango-Saxon, Viking or Norman origin, as well as more recent world-wide migrants from which today's multi-cultural nation derived.

Harry Potter fans will love the Lewis chess set found on the Scottish island.

Further interest could include the Islamic gallery, European and Chinese porcellain, clocks, medicine or money from around the world.

On entering the museum, walk ahead into the Great Court. This is the brightly lit area with the geometric glass roof. Your guide will meet you by the benches immediately to your right as you enter the Great Court.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN.

London sightseeing tour, british museum, early morning private tour, bloomsbury: literature, love & learning, this is the second time in a year that we have utilized british tours. we could not be more satisfied with the experience we’ve had both times. british tours always does an excellent job. however, what made these tours extra special and outstanding for us was our tour guide tom.

Bill Bade, KS, USA

Why choose us?

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

Follow us on our journey

Travel Home > UK Tours > London > British Museum

British Museum Guided Tour

Officially licensed guides, guided walking tour, flexible rescheduling, private tour of british museum.

Visit one of the most renowned museums of the world with a private guide and view famous artifacts such as the Rossetta’s Stone, the controversial Parthenon marbles, and much more. 

Enjoy a brief stroll around the famous area of Bloomsbury and hear how the British Museum came to be before entering this magnificent institution.

Highlights of Our British Museum Guided Tour:

• Meet your professional  Blue Badge Guide  
• Visit one of the most important museums in the world
• Be shown incredible artifacts such as  The Rosetta Stone , the  Parthenon Marbles , and much, much more
• Skip the line access
• Free consultation with your guide to determine what exhibitions you want to spend the most time with

British Museum Tour Itinerary

The British Museum was the world’s free public museum and was first opened to the public in 1753. 

Sir Hans Sloane donated his extensive collection of 20, 000 pieces and the museum has grown ever since. And after visiting you will feel like you’ve traveled around the globe and seen so much along the way. 

Your guide will be sure to show you the museum’s highlights and believe us there are many. They include:

• The famous Rosetta Stone : the key to unlocking the hieroglyphic language
• The Parthenon Marbles : intricate statues from the Acropolis carved 2500 years ago in Athens
• The Sutton Hoo Hoard : the contents of a Saxon ship burial and the subject of the recent film, ‘The Dig’. 
• Ancient Egyptian Mummies
• The  Easter Island statue  called Hoakananaia 

*Please note that the British Museum may close off sections of the museum to the public without prior notice.

Interested in combining a tour of the British Museum with one of our other private guided tours of London, or as part of a larger multi-day tour of the UK?  Get in tou ch with our expert tour planners today and they will create a custom tour itinerary for you completely free of charge . 

Why Choose Us For Your Tour of The British Museum?

• See the British Museum the way you would like to see it – focus on the exhibits that are most important to you
• No following a guide with an umbrella. Your private guide will show you all the big exhibits and also some of the smaller ones that you would never learn about on a big group tour
• Customize your tour itinerary to suit you and your group

Tour Duration:  2-3 hours

Meeting point:  At your centrally located London accommodation OR at the Holborn Station station entrance

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Contact Us About Your Own British Museum Guided Tour

At London by Luxe we understand that no two private tours will be the same, and we endeavor to tailor every tour exactly to the tastes and requirements of our guests. So if there is anything we can do to customize your tour, just let our friendly planners know in the form below.

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British Museum Tour

Take a private guided tour of the British Museum – the world’s oldest national museum since it opened to the public in 1759.

Your private guided tour of the British Museum starts in the museum’s Great Hall – one of London’s finest public spaces and Europe’s largest covered piazza.

Inside this building is the story of human civilisation. See the Rosetta Stone – the inscriptions that decoded the hieroglyphs – discover the stories behind the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo, including a fabulous gallery full of mummies. Journey to the classical world to see ancient Greek marbles from the Parthenon temple in Athens, to ancient Assyria to enjoy a frieze depicting royal lion-hunts, and to marvel at giant carvings of winged bulls, then come back to these shores to follow the story of the Romans in Britain.

Complete your private tour of the British Museum with a selection of great treasures from the Anglo-Saxon world including the Sutton Hoo longship burial. You could even indulge in a Harry Potter moment as you contemplate the beautiful 12th century Lewis Chess Set.

If you require a guide with a private car to conduct your tour please tick above. This will send your request to one of our driver guides who are UK licensed, registered and insured.

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British Museum Tour: A Guided Crash Course

• Enjoy tailored insights and stories that cater to your interests, whether you're an art aficionado or a history buff.
• Navigate thousands of years of history and explore exhibits you might not see on your own with a knowledgeable guide who brings artifacts to life.

• You want to experience everything the museum offers with insights that go beyond what’s written on the plaques.
• You’d like a personalized experience tailored to your interests, whether in art, history, or archaeology.
• You're interested in exploring a collection that spans the globe, offering a deep dive into a myriad of cultures, from the ancient Greek masterpieces to the mysteries of Egyptian hieroglyphs and more.
• British Museum
• Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets, in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. If you would like to guarantee headsets for your tour regardless of your group size, please email us and we’ll do our best to get them reserved for you.
• There will be a break in the tour to stop and use bathroom facilities as well as opportunities to stop and rest along the way if needed. Please communicate any mobility needs or concerns with our team at the time of booking. 

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

• Get the most out of your trip to the museum with a pre-trip talk: Must-See Treasures of the British Museum
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. While you’ll be inside, you’ll still be covering a lot of ground! The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world, after all.
• Grab your sketchpad and channel your inner artist. Drawing is allowed in the galleries.

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These 15 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take from Your Couch

Experience the best museums — from London to Mexico City — in the comfort of your own home.

If you're a dedicated art lover, you likely go to great lengths to visit renowned museums and galleries. But even when you’re not traveling, you can still get a taste of the masterpieces, artifacts, and architecture at many famous institutions — and get inspired for future trips while you're at it.

Google Arts & Culture teamed up with more than 1,200 museums and galleries around the world to create a collection of online exhibits and virtual tours . Other museums have their own virtual tours, too, such as the Vatican Museums and the Louvre , which features a selection of exhibitions on their websites.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• View legendary artifacts like the Rosetta Stone on a virtual stroll through the British Museum.
• Gaze up at the Sistine Chapel’s divine ceiling without the crowds at the Vatican Museums.
• The Met’s immersive 360-degree VR videos are arguably the best virtual museum tours.
• Get a glimpse of the four locations of National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, on a Google Street View tour.
• Peruse some of Van Gogh's most iconic works in the artist's namesake Amsterdam museum.

The British Museum, London

This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court, which was given a striking contemporary redesign in 2000. Move through other galleries to discover ancient artifacts like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.

Vatican Museums

MihaiDancaescu / Getty Images

The next best thing to an after-hours tour , the Vatican Museums offers virtual access to more than a dozen of its galleries and richly decorated spaces. Explore the sumptuous murals of Raphael's Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, where you can zero in on Michelangelo's famous ceiling.

The Met, New York City

While you can explore highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's encyclopedic collection — including the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur — via Google Arts & Culture , the institution offers its own virtual reality tours. The Met 360° Project comprises six videos that can be viewed with a VR headset for an immersive experience, complete with ambient soundtracks.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

One of Korea's popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google's virtual tour gives you a taste of the museum's four locations with Street View visits and online exhibits. For a deeper dive, check out the museum's website for video walk-throughs of select exhibitions, including immersive VR versions.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Anyone who's a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close ) by virtually visiting this museum, home to the largest collection of art by Vincent van Gogh. Check out some of his most iconic paintings, including "Sunflowers" and "The Potato Eaters."

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This renowned American art museum offers three online exhibits through Google. An overview of American fashion from 1740 to 1895 features watercolors of garments from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. You can also browse through works from Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer and other Dutch genre painters of the period and take an in-depth look at an early work by Leonardo da Vinci.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

If you can't get to D.C., take a stroll among the historic planes, rockets, and other craft on display at the country's top air and space museum . Check out the Wright Brothers' first bona fide plane, the Wright Flyer, which took to the skies in 1903, and astronaut Neil Armstrong's spacesuit from the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Guggenheim, New York City

NurPhoto / Getty Images

Google's Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim's famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the impressionist, post-impressionist, modern, and contemporary eras.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

European artworks from as far back as the eighth century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

You can virtually walk through this popular museum that houses dozens of famous French works from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Get a peek at paintings and sculptures by Monet, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Rodin, among others.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

As one of Germany's largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer — even if you can't physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Explore masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you're actually wandering its halls.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Housed in a purpose-built 16th-century palace, the Uffizi Gallery showcases the art collection amassed by the wealthy and powerful de' Medici family. Today, anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world to view world-famous works like Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus."

MASP, São Paulo

The nonprofit Museu de Arte de São Paulo was Brazil's first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear, raised frames make it seem like they're hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.

Frida Kahlo Museum, Mexico City

Getty Images / Andrew Hasson

Enter the world of 20th-century artist Frida Kahlo with a Street View tour of several spaces in Casa Azul, the modest, vivid blue-painted house where she was born, now the Frida Kahlo Museum . You can tour her studio and peek into other personal spaces like the kitchen and lush courtyard garden as well as view works by Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera.

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