A. Methodology For Our List of the Best Museums

In order to have the most complete profile of a museum, five criteria were established. Every museum is rated in every one of these 5 criteria on a scale from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

We analyzed (via research/literature and personal visits) all the principal museums worldwide, tried our best to keep everything as objective and logical as possible to calculate a general score. The best museums were ranked based on their general score.

B. Criteria

1. Art Collection and Exhibits

Everybody is delighted and amazed by fascinating artworks. In this criterion, we thoroughly analyzed the collection of a museum. In the evaluation, we take into account how many and which masterpieces are in a museum.

To identify masterpieces, apart from personal research and visits, we consider various expert books (like Art: The Definitive Visual Guide, Andrew Graham Dixon, 1000 Paintings of a Genius by Victoria Charles, 1001 Art Masterpieces You Must See Before You Die by Stephen Farthing, 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die by Stephen Farthing), websites about art, etc. in a consensus-based approach. 

Best Museums for Interesting Artworks: Louvre Museum and National Gallery: both 10/10; Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musée d'Orsay, Galleria Degli Uffizi: all 9/10.

2. Renowned Masterpieces

Many of the best museums in the world are attractive to visit already because of their star attraction. If a museum possesses one or even several world-famous works, it scores well in this category. 

Method: To identify the most famous masterpieces, apart from personal research and visits, we consider various expert books (like Art: The Definitive Visual Guide, Andrew Graham Dixon, 1000 Paintings of a Genius by Victoria Charles, 1001 Art Masterpieces You Must See Before You Die by Stephen Farthing, 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die by Stephen Farthing), websites, etc. in a consensus-based approach. 

Best Museums for Famous Artworks: Louvre Museum and Egyptian Museum: both 10/10; Galleria dell'Academia, The Vatican Museums, Galleria Degli Uffizi: all 9/10.

3. Presentation and Interpretation

We consider it quite important how the artworks are displayed in a museum. Sometimes light reflections, too many artworks in a room, no (or inadequate) information, etc., can affect the art experience. 

Method: Analysation via personal visits, and other research.

Best Museums for Art Display: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Louvre Museum, Galleria Degli Uffizi: all 8/10

4. Architecture

If a museum presents its artworks inside stunning palaces or outstanding modern architecture, it is rewarded in this criterion. 

Method: The rating in this category is based on personal visits and other research.

Best Museums for Building: Hermitage Museum, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna: all 10/10; Vatican Museums and Louvre Museum: both 9/10

5. Size

As for the size rating, we weighed the Gallery Space, but also the number of presented artworks on display and the number of Galleries in total. 

Method: The rating of this criterion is based on available statistics, floor plans, and personal visits.

Best Museums for Size: Louvre Museum and National Museum of China, both 10/10.