London Vs Paris: Which Has The Best Museums?

The age-old question for travelers planning a European vacation is, "London or Paris?" Both cities are equally historic, with elegant architecture, refreshing parks, and riverfront strolls. Paris has long been considered "the world's unfriendliest city," while travel expert Rick Steves considers the entire United Kingdom among his least favorite places in Europe. But that hasn't stopped millions of tourists from visiting these world capitals every year.

The plethora of museums is no doubt a major draw for visitors, with the Louvre in Paris welcoming close to 9 million tourists each year, while The British Museum in London is busy with visitors wanting to see the iconic Rosetta Stone. But which city has the best museums, London or Paris? For those planning a European itinerary, it's a tough decision to make. "If you're an art lover, [Paris] is your spot," declares a post on the Be My Travel Muse blog. Parisian behemoths like the Orsay Museum and, of course, the Louvre boast instantly recognizable classics like Monet's "Water Lilies" and the "Mona Lisa," along with painted ballerinas by Edgar Degas and Van Gogh's iconic blue-tinted Impressionist self-portrait.

However, if you're on a tight schedule and have to choose between London or Paris, go with London for the widest selection of museums (London has nearly 200 museums, while Paris is estimated to have closer to 150). Travelers with interests beyond famous paintings will enjoy the variety of exhibits London has to offer, from military history at the Imperial War Museum to the evolution of double-decker buses at the London Transport Museum. What's more, there are still world-famous artworks to admire in town, like Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, or the Tate's haunting scene of a drowning "Ophelia" by Sir John Everett Millais. To seal the deal, a Redditor on r/Travel declares, "the free museums in London are hard to beat."

No matter your interests, there's guaranteed to be a museum in London to suit your taste. A post on the Evan Evans tour guide website writes that London's museums are "specialised in everything from art, history, literature, science, and even crime." And even though London might not have the "Mona Lisa," appreciators of fine art can still enjoy fantastic paintings here. An absolute must-visit is The Wallace Collection, where "The Swing" by Rococo painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard takes pride of place, while medieval history buffs can enjoy the extensive displays of swords, old-fashioned guns, and suits of armor.

For travelers who prefer the sciences to famous paintings, the Natural History Museum awaits. The colossal skeleton of a blue whale welcomes guests in the entrance hall, while the vast galleries cover everything from ancient fossils and the evolution of humans to marine life and natural disasters. "It isn't just a collection of old bones; it's a breathtaking tribute to the history of our planet," wrote a previous visitor. Stare up at enormous dinosaur skeletons, step inside the earthquake simulator, and take selfies with a bona fide Neanderthal skull.

Military fiends wanting to experience London during the Blitz should head underground into the Churchill War Rooms. Wander through the basement bunker for a peek at the secret meeting spaces and map rooms where Winston Churchill made key decisions that won the war. "Amazing that it's all been left the way it was when the war ended," a previous visitor shared. Meanwhile, fans of the Wizarding World can feel the magic at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London's most iconic Harry Potter experience. With so many museums and galleries all in one city, a trip to London is sure to be rewarding.