15 Best Museums In Europe to Visit with Your Family
Europe is packed with world-famous museums, and believe me—many of them are surprisingly fun for the whole family! From the Louvre Museum’s Mona Lisa (which was the main attraction of our Interrail vacation last summer 😊) to the Vasa Museum’s 17th-century ship, there’s something magical about seeing human history and creativity up close.
Whether you’re an art aficionado, a science buff, or a parent trying to sneak in a bit of learning between gelatos 🍦—these are the best museums to visit with kids and teens. You’ll find interactive galleries, open-air museums, and even spots where young people can tinker, experiment, and be part of the story.
Let’s take a closer look at Europe’s most family-friendly and world-class museums, where every family member will find something fascinating!
1. Louvre Museum – Paris, France
The Musée du Louvre, sitting proudly on the Left Bank of the Seine, is the most visited museum in the world. Its extensive collection spans from prehistoric times to modern times—and yes, it’s home to the one and only Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
Families can explore museum sectors dedicated to decorative arts, archaeological finds, and even Beaux Arts masterpieces. Kids love the guided tours that turn art into scavenger hunts.
💡 Tip: Visit early, and bring snacks. This world-famous museum covers over 72,000 square metres—that’s a lot of walking for little feet! As the Museum is huge, it is also a good idea to decide about some art pieces or collections that are considered “must-sees”, so you can focus on them and if the family still has energy left, look for other sections of the Louvre afterwards 🎨
🌐 Website: https://www.louvre.fr/en
2. Uffizi Gallery – Florence, Italy
Ah, the Uffizi Gallery—a dream for lovers of Renaissance art! Here you’ll find Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Raphael.
Even if your kids aren’t into art museums, the storytelling here makes it fun. The guided tours help young people connect the dots between different periods—from the Middle Ages to the 16th century.
💡 Tip: Grab the family pass—ticket prices are lower for kids, and you’ll skip long lines in the summer.
🌐 Website: https://www.uffizi.it/en
3. Vatican Museums – Vatican City
Inside Vatican City, the Vatican Museums are a masterpiece themselves, with their impressive collection of world cultures and religious art.
Families can explore rooms filled with archaeological finds, ancient maps, and Renaissance art. The Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo is the grand finale—an unforgettable work of art that even kids will gaze at in awe.
💡 Tip: Book your guided tour in advance—these tours often include secret shortcuts and temporary exhibitions.
🌐 Website: https://www.museivaticani.va
4. Natural History Museum – London, England
If dinosaurs and glittering gemstones make your little explorers’ eyes light up, this is the place. The Natural History Museum is one of the largest museums dedicated to human history, nature, and science.
It’s a world-class museum that’s as educational as it is entertaining. The interactive exhibits—from roaring T-Rex models to earthquake simulators—make science come alive.
💡 Tip: Admission is free, and the gift shop has adorable dino souvenirs.
🌐 Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk
5. Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam, Netherlands
This art museum celebrates Dutch Golden Age artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer. Families can admire 17th-century portraits and modern art installations.
The museum’s collection is huge, but family-friendly routes and interactive galleries help younger visitors stay engaged.
💡 Tip: Visit the museum’s garden—free entry and plenty of space for kids to unwind.
🌐 Website: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
6. Centre Pompidou – Paris, France
This isn’t your typical art gallery—it’s a modern art playground! The Centre Pompidou (or Pompidou Centre) is known for its contemporary designs, bold architecture, and temporary exhibitions featuring international artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
Kids will love the interactive exhibits and colorful public programmes. Parents, meanwhile, get a dose of new perspectives on art and life.
💡 Tip: There’s a rooftop café with amazing city views. Bring your camera—it’s a unique experience! Even this is one of my favorite museums since being a kid, please note that renovation works has started in 2025, so double-check opening times before scheduling your visit!
🌐 Website: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/
7. Deutsches Museum – Munich, Germany
One of the largest museums of science and technology in the world, the Deutsches Museum is a dream for curious kids.
The Kinderreich section offers interactive exhibits where kids can touch, test, and explore. Families can trace inventions from Christopher Columbus’s age to modern times.
💡 Tip: Combine it with a river walk—the museum sits beautifully by the Isar River.
🌐 Website: https://www.deutsches-museum.de
8. Prado Museum – Madrid, Spain
The Prado Museum houses works of art by Francisco Goya, El Greco, and Velázquez’s Las Meninas.
Older kids can enjoy guided tours that tell the personal stories behind these masterpieces. Art-loving parents can get lost in its permanent exhibition—it’s simply stunning.
💡 Tip: Free entry for children under 18!
🌐 Website: https://www.museodelprado.es/en
9. Hundertwasser Museum – Vienna, Austria
For something totally different, the Hundertwasser Museum (also called the Kunst Haus Wien) offers a vibrant, playful look at contemporary designs and modern art by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Kids love the quirky shapes, rainbow colors, and uneven floors—it feels like stepping into a fairy tale drawn by a child! It’s a great way to show young people that art doesn’t always have to stay inside the lines.
💡 Tip: Combine it with a walk through Hundertwasserhaus nearby—an open-air museum of colorful architecture.
🌐 Website: https://www.kunsthauswien.com/en/
10. City of Arts and Sciences – Valencia, Spain
Welcome to the future! Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is a mind-blowing science centre that feels like a movie set.
Families can explore the Oceanogràfic aquarium, the interactive museum (Museu de les Ciències), and even watch films in the IMAX-like Hemisfèric dome.
It’s an incredible mix of modern architecture, interactive exhibits, and fun learning for all ages—a true unique experience that combines education and entertainment.
💡 Tip: Buy a combo ticket—it’s cheaper than separate entries!
🌐 Website: https://www.cac.es/
11. Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands
A tribute to Vincent van Gogh, this world-famous museum offers a colorful, emotional journey through the life of the artist.
Families can admire work of art masterpieces like Sunflowers and The Bedroom, and even try the interactive galleries to create their own modern art.
💡 Tip: Kids’ activity books make this a fun art gallery experience for all ages.
🌐 Website: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en
12. Lindt Home of Chocolate – Zurich, Switzerland
Now here’s a museum that will have every family member excited from the start — because who can resist chocolate? The Lindt Home of Chocolate, near Zurich, is part interactive museum, part chocolate paradise, and 100% delicious.
You’ll start your visit walking through a stunning Beaux Arts–inspired hall featuring a nine-metre-high chocolate fountain (yes, really!). Then it’s on to learn about human history and how chocolate evolved from the ancient archaeological sites of the Aztecs and Mayans to the sweet treats we know today.
There are fun, interactive exhibits that show how cocoa beans are transformed into silky Lindt bars, and you can even peek inside the working factory. For kids, the highlight is often the tasting area—unlimited samples from the extensive collection of Lindt flavors. (Parents, you might need to “help” with quality control. 😅)
The guided tour is well-paced for families, offering both education and indulgence, and the gift shop might just test your self-control more than anything else in Switzerland.
💡 Tip: Combine your visit with a stroll along Lake Zurich—it’s the perfect way to walk off all that chocolatey happiness!
🌐 Website: https://www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com/en
13. British Museum – London, England
The British Museum is a treasure chest of human history and world cultures—from prehistoric times to the Second World Wars.
Families can explore the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and Greek temples. The guided tours and family trails are fantastic for young people.
💡 Tip: It’s free! But arrive early to avoid the crowds.
🌐 Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
14. Pergamon Museum – Berlin, Germany
Home to archaeological finds like the Ishtar Gate, this museum brings ancient civilizations to life.
It’s one of Europe’s best museums for exploring archaeological sites without leaving the city.
💡 Tip: Currently undergoing renovations—check social media platforms for updates before visiting.
🌐 Website: https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/pergamonmuseum/home/
15. Vasa Museum – Stockholm, Sweden
Step back to the 17th century and marvel at a real Viking warship that sank on its maiden voyage.
The Vasa Museum offers fascinating personal stories of sailors, explorers, and life at sea. It’s an instant hit with kids!
💡 Tip: Free for kids under 18 and stroller-friendly—score!
🌐 Website: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en
+1. Harry Potter Studio Tour – Leavesden, England
Okay, technically it’s not a museum, but come on—it’s way too magical to leave off the list! The Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden, just outside London, is a dream come true for both kids and grown-ups who still secretly wish their Hogwarts letter would arrive. 🪄
You’ll step right onto the actual film sets used in the movies—think the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and even the Forbidden Forest. There are thousands of props and costumes, detailed set designs, and behind-the-scenes peeks into how the executive producers and designers brought J.K. Rowling’s world to life.
The experience blends movie magic with a touch of museum-style storytelling, showing everything from early sketches to real film equipment. And yes, you can sip a frothy mug of butterbeer while pretending you’re late for Potions class. 🍻
💡 Tip: This one’s super popular—book tickets months in advance. They sell out faster than you can say Expelliarmus!
🌐 Website: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Takeaway
From the Louvre’s timeless masterpieces to Valencia’s futuristic domes, these world-class museums show that learning doesn’t have to be dull—it can be downright magical. ✨
Every museum tells a different story. Some take you back to prehistoric times, others launch you straight into the modern age of robots and space rockets. Whether your crew is into modern art, ancient archaeological sites, or hands-on science experiments, there’s a place in Europe where curiosity blossoms and creativity runs wild.
The best part? You’ll come home with more than just photos—you’ll have those wide-eyed “remember when” moments that become family favorites.
So pack your camera, a little curiosity, and (always!) a few snacks for the tiny museum explorers 😅. Then set out to discover the best museums in Europe, where the past, present, and future all come alive under one roof—and maybe inspire the next Leonardo da Vinci in your family! 🎒🖼️
