The Louvre Museum in Paris continues to dominate the global museum landscape, attracting approximately 9 million visitors in 2025. This impressive figure secures its position as the most-visited museum worldwide, according to the latest attendance report from the Art Newspaper. Despite a decline from the pre-pandemic visitor count of 230 million in 2019, the top 100 museums collectively welcomed around 200 million guests in 2025.
New museums emerging in the Middle East and Asia are making significant strides in attracting visitors. Notable institutions like the National Museum of Korea in Seoul and the Shanghai Museum East have seen remarkable growth. The National Museum of Korea experienced a 70% increase, drawing 6.5 million visitors in 2025, while the Shanghai Museum East reached 4.6 million, bolstered by a blockbuster exhibition on Ancient Egypt.
Other prominent museums in the top ten include the Vatican Museums, the British Museum in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Vatican welcomed 6.9 million visitors, maintaining its popularity, while the British Museum and the National Gallery in London also remain key attractions.
In Europe, museums have shown resilience, with the Prado in Madrid exceeding 3.5 million visitors for the first time. Meanwhile, the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre Pompidou in Paris have maintained stable attendance levels. The Louvre's consistent visitor numbers highlight the ongoing interest in cultural heritage despite the challenges faced by many institutions.
Australia's Art Gallery of New South Wales reported an impressive recovery, nearly doubling its 2019 visitor count to 2.4 million. This trend reflects a broader resurgence in museum attendance across the globe, showcasing a renewed appreciation for art and culture.
As the museum landscape evolves, the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened recently near Cairo, is already attracting significant crowds, reporting up to 18,000 visitors daily. This could position it among the world's most-visited museums in the near future.
Overall, the rise of new cultural institutions, particularly in Asia, indicates a shifting dynamic in the global museum scene. As competition intensifies, established museums may need to innovate and adapt to maintain their visitor numbers and relevance.
