Famous Sights you can visit Virtually
While there’s nothing quite like seeing world-renown art pieces in real life, the current predicament of the pandemic makes it challenging to do so. Fortunately, Google’s Art and Culture Project has collaborated with more than 2500 museums and attractions over the world and made it possible to visit them virtually. Now, art connoisseurs and culture fanatics can admire their favourite pieces and artefacts from the comforts of their own home!
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the best museums and attractions that you can visit virtually. Now, you have the world at your fingertips! So where would you like to go first? Perhaps you’d like to see one of the seven wonders of the world? Or maybe you want to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre? Thanks to the project, you don’t have to choose! Select a continent and let’s get started.
Europe
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is home to some of the best museums in the world, and fortunately, many of them offer virtual tours. The world-renowned Rijksmuseum (National Museum) and the Van Gogh Museum are two of the most prominent ones in the city, housing the works of Dutch painters Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh respectively.
Paris
No one loves art more than Parisians. Walking through the streets of Paris is like walking through an art museum. With a glass of wine and some camembert, visiting all of its museums can be an unforgettable experience. There are many perks to visiting these museums virtually. For example, you can enjoy the Mona Lisa at The Louvre without the usual tourist hassle.
Another museum in Paris you can visit online is the Musée d'Orsay.Go back to 19th century France and dream of the world of Monet or Cézanne. You can even visit one of the most visited places in the world: The Eiffel Tower. Moreover, in the suburbs of Paris, there’s the giant Palais de Versailles which you can also visit now.
London
In addition to being proud of their "English breakfast" and their "tea time", the British love art. London is home to some of the most impressive museums in the world, and now, you can visit them virtually too! There’s the British Museum which has one of the largest art collections in the world, and there’s also a virtual tour of the famous art museum: National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. You can also admire one of the largest natural history collections at the National History Museum. Another attraction that you can admire from home is the Stone Henge.
Rome
Oh, beautiful Italy! Where history, architecture and art are present on every corner. You don't have to go anywhere, the streets of Rome are a museum in themselves. Luckily, you can virtually walk around this beautiful city. If you want to visit a virtual museum in Rome, let yourself be surprised by the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or by the works of Leonardo da Vinci in the Clementine Museum. The Vatican also offers virtual tours of all Vatican Museums.
Do you prefer to know more about virtual museum tours on another continent? Go back to the top of the page to select it.
United States
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
With more than 2 million works of art from around the world, the Metropolitan Museum (or "The Met" in New York City parlance) is one of the most significant art museums in the world. From the treasures of classical antiquity to the works of the greatest European artists, every piece in the museum is a sight to behold. Visit The Met Museum now.
National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, like the Natural History Museum in London, holds the largest collections of natural history in the world. Virtually explore the largest elephant in the African savannah or the giant whale in the North Atlantic. As each exhibition is virtually visible, you really are present in the museum.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Fifth Avenue is not only a place for shopping but also a place full of art. This is where the musée Solomon R. Guggenheim is. he spiralling architecture of the building is a work of art at its peak. Once inside, modern and contemporary art will envelop you until you can't stand it anymore. Now, you can admire a Picasso from home.
Did you know that there is also a Guggenheim Museum in Spain? The Guggenheim in Bilbao is also worth a visit.
J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles
Jean-Paul Getty was a successful oilman and one of the wealthiest people in the world at the time. However, he is best known for his exquisite hobby of being an art collector. His collections are kept at the J. Paul Getty Museum in LA. Getty's artistic treasures include Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Monet.
National Parks
Besides museums, some beautiful national parks in the United States can be visited virtually. You can virtually walk through Utah's Bryce Canyon and dream on your computer screen with a beautiful starry sky. You can also go virtually to Hawaii and fly over active volcanoes, or kayak among Alaska's icebergs.
Do you prefer to know more about virtual museum tours on another continent? Go back to the top of the page to select it.
Asia
Seoul National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
In the capital of South Korea, the modern city of Seoul, you can now virtually visit the Musée National d'Art Moderne et Contemporain. This art museum has recently gained prestige abroad and is best known for its modern Korean architecture and design. It also has a robust international collection which includes works by Andy Warhol.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia
This temple paradise is the largest religious monument in the world. The only downside to this visit is the disproportionate tourism that almost always occupies him. Now there is a solution: a virtual tour of Angkor Wat. Visit the brightest buildings, each with its own story and lose yourself in the magical ruins.
The Great Wall of China
Have you ever dreamt of walking on the Great Wall of China? Now, you can do so from the comfort of your own home. The Great Wall of China now lets you take a virtual walk on the wall. Enjoy the endless number of awe-inspiring views and picturesque parts of the wall in abundance from your sofa. What once served as a wartime line of defence is now a UNESCO heritage site and is certainly worth an online visit.
The Taj Mahal in India
One of the world’s most iconic monuments is the ivory-white marble mausoleum Taj Mahal in India. The ruler of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahn, had this magnificent monument built for his wife after her death as a sign of his undying love for her. The memorial, which took over 22 years to build, attracts more than 7 million visitors every year. Lucky for us, we can now avoid the crowds and virtually admire this impressive mausoleum with its reflective pool and gardens of paradise!
Do you prefer to know more about virtual museum tours on another continent? Go back to the top of the page to select it.
Latin and South America
São Paulo Art Museum,
The São Paulo Art Museum, or MASP, is Brazil's most significant art museum. What makes this museum so special is the unique way it is presented. All of the paintings are displayed on glass donkeys, making the pictures appear to be floating in the air. Hey, there's a Rembrandt floating in there! Oh wait, there's a Picasso floating too! It is magic.
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
The largest statue of Jesus Christ and at the same time, one of the most famous figures in the world is Christ the Redeemer. This work of art is exhibited in Corvocado Mountain, where it stands 38 meters high. Not only is the statue impressive, but the 360-degree view from above is absolutely stunning. Lucky for us, we can now appreciate this beautiful statue and simultaneously enjoy the most beautiful views of Rio de Janeiro.
The Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico
Frida Kahlo is a famous Mexican artist best known for her intimate self-portraits in which the story of her sad life plays the leading role. This talented woman grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Mexico. Her childhood home has now been transformed into The Frida Kahlo Museum. This historic house museum is also called the Blue House, due to its striking cobalt blue walls.
Machu Picchu in Peru
Peru was built over 500 years ago, but how? It is still a mystery to this day. In the Andes mountains, the Incas, a fairly intelligent civilisation without cars or animals, built this city. Discover the history and beauty of Machu Picchu through a virtual tour with 360-degree views and voiceover.
Do you prefer to know more about virtual museum tours on another continent? Go back to the top of the page to select it.
Africa and the Middle East
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Egypt: The land of the pharaohs, hieroglyphics and pyramids! In the suburbs of Cairo are the three most significant and most famous monuments in all of Egypt: The Pyramids of Giza. With an age of almost 5,000 years, they constitute one of the oldest structures of humanity. A little further on is the famous Sphinx of Giza. Art history buffs can now virtually travel to Egypt and see these wonders of the world up close. How cool!
Petra in Jordan
Over 2000 years ago, the city of Petra was built in Jordan. This unique city located in the desert is today a gigantic historical park in ruins: from the Treasury and the amphitheatre to the monastery and the royal tombs. Do you want to visit the historic city of Petra, but don't want to put up with a long walk and extreme heat? Well, now you can skip all that by taking a virtual tour of Petra.
Do you prefer to know more about virtual museum tours on another continent? Go back to the top of the page to select it.
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Pauline
Hello! I am Pauline. I love to travel and if I could I would take a plane right now to go around the world. Where do I want to go? Australia! Lots of landscapes and modern architecture, what else can I ask for?