If you enjoy visiting places with amazing culture and history then you’ll love these top art destinations. There is a world of art out there, from giant sculptures to street art and everything in between. Take a look at these 7 city destinations perfect for any discerning art lover and you might discover a few surprises:
It doesn’t matter what type of art you adore, you’ll find it all here in the capital of England. For traditional masterpieces, visit the National Gallery where you’ll find the infamous Sunflowers by Van Gogh. The Tate Modern is home to contemporary works by Picasso and Warhol, while the Saatchi Gallery takes an edgier approach to displaying the very latest in modern art. Shoreditch is also the perfect spot for discovering the vibrant street scene in the city and don’t forget to look out for the work of Banksy, the infamous and anonymous street artist.
You probably never expected to find Africa in this list but Nigeria’s cultural scene is thriving. The largest city Lagos has both the Center for Contemporary Art and the African Artists’ Foundation. The city stages an annual photographic festival and national art contest. Be sure to include a visit to the Omenka Gallery which features work by both established and new Nigerian artists as well as international artists. Lagos is definitely one to watch for becoming a future top art destination with the energy it’s putting into its vibrant cultural scene.
Berlin has a hugely varied art scene and here you’ll find established galleries such as the Alte Nationalgalerie that hold masterpieces dating back to the 13th century. For fans of 20th century work, the Neue Nationalgalerie will satisfy with its large collection of modern art. A unique experience is to visit the East Side Gallery which consists of more than a kilometer of the Berlin Wall covered in the artwork of over 100 artists from all over the world. For photography, head to the C/O Gallery located in a stunning 19th century building where you’ll discover exhibitions from both well-known and up-and-coming photographers.
You may need several days to soak up all the art in New York with the building housing the world-famous Guggenheim Museum - a work of art in itself! The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Queens Museum should also be included in your itinerary. Taking some time to visit the other boroughs is also highly recommended to see excellent contemporary art galleries, street art in Brooklyn and the popular galleries of Chelsea, including the contemporary fine art of the Agora Gallery for a chance to purchase your own piece of art.
No list of the best art destinations would be complete without mentioning Florence. For anyone with a love of medieval and Renaissance art then you’ll fall in love with this Italian city. You’ll discover Michelangelo’s iconic David sculpture and a trip to the Galleria degli Uffizi is an absolute must for seeing the incredible works of Raphael and Botticelli. It’s not all about the Old Masters though, as you’ll find contemporary art on display at the Centro di Cultura Contemporanea Strozzina. Look out for the giant golden turtle too in the Palazzo Vecchio.
You might be surprised to learn that Chicago has the biggest number of art galleries outside of New York. Before you even enter a museum or gallery, the windy city boasts numerous public displays which include a Picasso sculpture. Visits to the world-class acclaimed Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago also need to make it onto your arty bucket list. Take a trip to the River North district where you’ll be spoilt for choice with more than 100 galleries to choose from!
Here you’ll get to experience the oldest art museum in the country, the National Gallery of Victoria. This is the most iconic art location in Melbourne with more than 70,000 works of art from traditional to cutting-edge. The Ian Potter Center houses work by Indigenous and contemporary artists alike. For those looking for something a little more upbeat then head to the Gertrude Contemporary or the Australian Center for Contemporary Art. Melbourne places great emphasis on public displays of art including some very impressive sculptures such as the Public Purse, Angel and Federation Bells.
