​Top 7 museums in the world, according to Worth a Journey; Know where India stands​

Museums offer more than a glimpse into the past. They preserve civilisations, showcase artistic achievements and tell stories that have shaped the world. Munich-based travel publication Worth a Journey has released its 2026 list of the world's 100 best museums, featuring institutions across 37 countries. Here are the seven museums that lead the 2026 global ranking, along with what makes each of them worth a visit.

Ranked No. 1 globally, Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology offers an extensive journey through the country's pre-Hispanic civilisations and indigenous heritage. The museum is home to one of the world's most significant collections of archaeological and anthropological objects, documenting the history and cultures of Mexico's indigenous communities. Its galleries explore major civilisations, including the Maya, Olmec and Mexica, offering visitors an insight into their art, religious practices, traditions and ways of life.

Madrid's Museo del Prado, ranked second globally, is one of Europe's most celebrated art museums and a major destination for lovers of classical painting. The museum houses an extensive collection of European art, with a particular focus on Spanish masters. Its galleries feature celebrated works by artists such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya and El Greco, alongside paintings by international masters including Peter Paul Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch.

Ranked third, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk is known for its collection of modern and contemporary art, striking architecture and setting along Denmark's Oresund coast. Located north of Copenhagen, the museum brings together art, architecture and nature in a setting that is as much a part of the visitor experience as the exhibitions themselves. Its galleries are connected through glass corridors, allowing natural light to enter the spaces and offering views of the surrounding landscape.

Saint Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum, ranked fourth, is among the world's largest and most significant art and cultural institutions, with collections spanning several centuries and civilisations. Founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, the museum began as an imperial art collection and gradually developed into a vast cultural institution. Its collections include European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, archaeological objects and artefacts from ancient civilisations.

Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, ranked fifth, is renowned for its extensive collection of European art, imperial treasures and historical artefacts from the Habsburg dynasty. The museum was established to house the extensive art collections assembled by the Habsburg rulers, one of Europe's most influential royal families. Its galleries feature paintings by celebrated artists, including Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael and Vermeer.

Ranked sixth, the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum in southeastern Türkiye offers a window into some of the earliest known settlements and civilisations in human history. Located in a region closely associated with the ancient history of Mesopotamia, the museum showcases archaeological discoveries from different periods, including the prehistoric era. Its collection features sculptures, stone tools, ceramics, ornaments and other objects that help visitors understand how early human communities lived, worked and developed their cultures.

Ranked seventh, documents one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history through historical objects, personal accounts and immersive exhibitions. The museum presents the history of World War II, exploring its origins, major developments and consequences for countries and communities across the world. Its permanent exhibition takes visitors through the political tensions and events that led to the conflict, the experiences of civilians and soldiers during the war, and the aftermath that reshaped the global political order.

India's only museum on the global top 100 list, Bihar Museum in Patna has secured the ninth position worldwide and emerged as Asia's highest-ranked museum in the 2026 ranking. The museum offers a journey through Bihar's rich history, tracing the region's heritage from the Stone Age to modern times. Its collections include ancient sculptures, archaeological discoveries, coins, manuscripts and traditional folk art, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of a region that was once home to powerful empires and important centres of learning.