Back from vacation and already drowning in your feed? We get it—your squad’s been globetrotting, hitting up cities you know (and some you don’t), flooding Instagram with fire pics from the world’s coolest museums. Major FOMO alert! But here’s the tea: those flawless shots don’t tell the whole story.
Let’s be real—visiting iconic museums these days means battling crowds, booking tickets months ahead, and waiting in endless lines (often in meh weather). Glam? Hardly. Luckily, tech’s got your back. Many of these spots now offer free virtual tours, so you can peep their collections without leaving your couch. And some are totally worth it. Here’s the lowdown on the best ones:
Prado Museum
Madrid
Get up close with Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, Velázquez’s Las Meninas, or temporary exhibits (like past Rubens showcases). Their gigapixel tech lets you zoom into insane details, plus there’s audio guides for that extra context.
Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Center
Madrid
Offers an immersive virtual experience that allows you to explore its collection of modern and contemporary art. Among its attractions is the opportunity to admire Picasso's iconic "Guernica" in detail. Visitors can also access temporary exhibitions, audiovisual materials, and interactive tours.
Guggenheim Museum
Bilbao
This wonderful space, which as I recall is the protagonist of one of Robert Langdon's last adventures, in Dan Brown's Origin, not only shows you the works in the collection, but with 360º immersion technology, visitors can tour the rooms, admire outstanding works and enjoy temporary exhibitions, all accompanied by detailed explanations that enrich the cultural experience.
The Louvre Museum
Paris
This museum, which receives millions of visitors each year, offers excellent virtual tours that allow you to explore its majestic halls and galleries. The virtual tours include high-resolution images of iconic works such as the "Victorian Victory of Samothrace," as well as thematic exhibitions ranging from founding myths to art and power. Without a doubt, one of the most important attractions of these tours is a special tour about the Mona Lisa beyond the glass, in which the work and its surroundings are recreated, going beyond what Da Vinci strictly portrayed, through the application of augmented reality. It is a unique opportunity to enjoy its cultural richness without leaving home.
The British Museum
London
Virtual tours of the museum's interior and exterior are available online. This fascinating virtual tour allows you to explore its vast collection of art and historical artifacts. The tours include detailed views of iconic pieces such as the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies, as well as themed exhibits covering two million years of human history. It is a unique opportunity to explore the museum's cultural and archaeological riches without having to travel.
Modern Art Museum (MoMA)
New York
This site is incredibly comprehensive and offers a wealth of virtual tours and videos with explanations and analyses of current and past works and exhibitions. Through these interactive tours and resources like Google Arts & Culture, visitors can admire iconic works such as Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" and pieces by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Frida Kahlo. Additionally, explanatory videos and educational materials are included to enrich the experience.
Bonus Level: The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, or the Vatican Museums, Romealso slay the virtual game. So ditch the FOMO and museum-hop in your PJs. Which virtual spot’s your fave?
