24 Museums Around the World You Must Visit in Your Lifetime

Museums are gateways to culture, history, and the human experience. From the quirky and unusual to the historically rich and artistically magnificent, there are countless museums around the world that offer something unique and memorable. Here’s a list of 24 museums you must visit in your lifetime, ranging from artistic masterpieces to oddities that will leave you speechless.

1. Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱

Home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings in the world, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam offers an incredible journey through the life and work of this iconic artist. Among its many masterpieces, the museum proudly displays Van Gogh’s famous “Sunflowers”, providing an intimate look into his unique brushwork and vision.

Highlight: An extraordinary collection of Van Gogh’s works, including “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom.”

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2. Museum of Broken Relationships – Zagreb, Croatia 🇭🇷

This unusual museum showcases personal objects from broken relationships, donated by people from all over the world. Each object is accompanied by a story that reflects heartbreak, loss, or closure. It’s an emotional journey that highlights the power of human connections.

Highlight: Personal stories behind everyday objects, making it a deeply human experience.

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3. The Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) – Cancun, Mexico 🇲🇽

Located off the coast of Cancun, the Underwater Museum of Art offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore an underwater world of over 500 sculptures. These pieces, submerged beneath the ocean, act as artificial reefs, promoting marine life growth while offering an eerie and enchanting visual experience for snorkelers and divers.

Highlight: Explore a surreal underwater sculpture garden teeming with marine life.

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4. Icelandic Phallological Museum – Reykjavik, Iceland 🇮🇸

This quirky museum in Reykjavik is the world’s only museum dedicated to phallic specimens. With over 280 exhibits from various animals, including whales and polar bears, the museum offers a humorous yet scientific insight into the diversity of species.

Highlight: The museum’s collection of phallic specimens from various animals, both large and small.

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5. The Mutter Museum – Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸

Known for its extensive collection of medical oddities, The Mutter Museum is home to anatomical specimens, wax models, and antique medical instruments. Visitors can explore unique exhibits such as the Soap Lady and the preserved brain of Albert Einstein.

Highlight: Fascinating displays of medical history and human anatomy.

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6. Museum of Ice Cream – Multiple Locations, USA 🇺🇸

The Museum of Ice Cream is a vibrant, interactive museum filled with colorful displays and Instagram-worthy installations. From a giant pool of sprinkles to an ice cream scooping station, this museum is a fun, sensory experience that celebrates everyone’s favorite frozen treat.

Highlight: Dive into a pool filled with sprinkles and enjoy ice cream in a whimsical environment.

7. Capuchin Catacombs – Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹

The Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo are one of the eeriest yet fascinating museums in the world. The catacombs house the mummified remains of over 1,200 monks, locals, and nobles, with many still dressed in their finest clothes. It’s a haunting but historically significant look at Sicilian burial customs.

Highlight: Rows of mummified bodies dressed in centuries-old clothing.

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8. Corpus Museum – Oegstgeest (Near Amsterdam), Netherlands 🇳🇱

The Corpus Museum offers an interactive journey through the human body. Starting at the knee and traveling through various body systems, visitors learn about the functions of organs, muscles, and cells. This educational experience makes science come to life in a fun, immersive way.

Highlight: A walk-through of the human body, learning about how each organ functions.

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9. Museum of Cryptozoology – Saint Petersburg, Russia 🇷🇺

Dedicated to the study of cryptozoology—the search for and study of animals whose existence is disputed or unproven—the Museum of Cryptozoology features exhibits on creatures like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other mysterious beings. It’s a must-see for fans of the strange and unexplained.

Highlight: Displays of supposed evidence of cryptids like the Yeti and Nessie.

10. Museum of WWII – Gdańsk, Poland 🇵🇱

Located in Gdańsk, Poland, the Museum of WWII offers a comprehensive exploration of the war’s global impact, with a focus on the events that shaped Eastern Europe. The museum presents gripping exhibits of wartime artifacts, photographs, and multimedia presentations that bring history to life.

Highlight: Learn about the events of World War II through immersive exhibits and personal stories.

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11. The Dog Collar Museum – Leeds Castle, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Leeds Castle in Kent, England, houses a unique museum entirely dedicated to the history of dog collars. Featuring collars from the 15th century to the present day, this museum offers a fascinating look at how pet accessories have evolved over time.

Highlight: A quirky collection of decorative and functional dog collars from centuries past.

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12. The Avanos Hair Museum – Cappadocia, Turkey 🇹🇷

This strange museum displays locks of hair from over 16,000 women from around the world. Collected by a local potter, the hair hangs from the walls and ceiling, making for a rather eerie but intriguing display.

Highlight: Over 16,000 samples of hair collected from visitors, each tagged with a personal note.

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13. Little Museum of Nykøbing Falster – Denmark 🇩🇰

This small yet charming museum in Denmark tells the stories of the everyday lives of local residents throughout the centuries. The museum is packed with quirky historical items, personal artifacts, and a touch of Danish humor.

Highlight: A cozy, community-driven museum with a collection that spans history and local culture.

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14. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – Cornwall, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

This museum houses one of the largest collections of witchcraft-related artifacts in the world. From spell books to charms, visitors can explore the world of British magic and folklore in this atmospheric museum.

Highlight: A detailed exploration of magical artifacts, spells, and rituals from British history.

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15. The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) – Massachusetts, USA 🇺🇸

Celebrating the art of the amateur and the misfit, MOBA showcases “art too bad to be ignored.” The museum features hilarious, cringeworthy, and unintentionally humorous works of art, with entertaining descriptions.

Highlight: A collection of “so-bad-it’s-good” art that will make you laugh out loud.

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16. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets – New Delhi, India 🇮🇳

Tracing the history of toilets and sanitation, this museum is both humorous and informative. From ancient Roman latrines to modern-day flush toilets, it’s a quirky reminder of the importance of sanitation throughout history.

Highlight: Learn about the evolution of toilets and the role sanitation plays in society.

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17. Museum of Death – Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸

Dedicated to the macabre, the Museum of Death features morbid exhibits that include mortician instruments, crime scene photos, and taxidermy displays. It’s not for the faint-hearted but offers an educational glimpse into society’s relationship with death.

Highlight: Extensive displays of death-related artifacts, from crime scenes to famous last meals.

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18. Cup Noodles Museum – Osaka, Japan 🇯🇵

The Cup Noodles Museum offers a fun and interactive experience dedicated to the creation of instant noodles. Visitors can create their own custom cup of noodles, explore noodle-related exhibits, and learn about the history of this popular global snack.

Highlight: Customize your own cup noodles and learn about the history of instant ramen.

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19. The Neon Museum – Las Vegas, USA 🇺🇸

The Neon Museum in Las Vegas preserves the iconic neon signs from the city’s history. Visitors can stroll through a neon “boneyard,” filled with vintage signs from Las Vegas’s past, creating a nostalgic and colorful journey through time.

Highlight: Explore neon-lit signs from Las Vegas’s golden era.

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20. The Museum of Enduring Beauty – Malacca, Malaysia 🇲🇾

This museum explores global beauty practices and traditions, some of which may seem extreme or strange to modern audiences. From neck elongation to foot binding, it highlights how the pursuit of beauty has varied across cultures and time.

Highlight: Exhibits showcasing the diversity of beauty standards across cultures.

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21. The Vent Haven Museum – Fort Mitchell, USA 🇺🇸

A museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism, Vent Haven features a collection of over 900 ventriloquist dummies. It’s a unique and slightly eerie museum that explores the history of this niche art form.

Highlight: Over 900 ventriloquist dummies, each with its own history.

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22. The Cat Museum – Kuching, Malaysia 🇲🇾

Dedicated entirely to cats, the Cat Museum in Kuching showcases feline-related art, artifacts, and folklore from around the world. It’s a must-visit for cat lovers who want to learn more about the cultural significance of these beloved animals.

Highlight: A vast collection of cat-related art, memorabilia, and historical objects.

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23. The Bread Museum – Ulm, Germany 🇩🇪

The Bread Museum explores the history of bread and its impact on society, culture, and economy. With exhibits on the evolution of bread-making techniques and the social significance of bread, it’s a deliciously educational experience.

Highlight: Discover the global history of bread, from ancient times to today.

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24. Museum of Shadows – Omaha, USA 🇺🇸

Known as one of the most haunted museums in the world, Museum of Shadows houses artifacts said to be possessed by spirits. Visitors can experience paranormal investigations and learn about the supernatural history of each item.