World’s Most Stunning Museums of 2025: Where Art, Architecture & Culture Intertwine

Every year, the Prix Versailles—a prestigious global award that recognizes architectural brilliance across public and commercial spaces—honors exceptional cultural landmarks. Announced annually at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the award underscores the global importance of architecture as a force for cultural expression and societal progress.

As it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the spotlight turns to seven of the most visually and conceptually remarkable museums from around the world. These newly opened or reimagined institutions are not merely buildings; they are immersive experiences that seamlessly merge art, design, and heritage in breathtaking fashion.

Selected for their architectural innovation and deep cultural relevance, the seven museums are now in the running for three major distinctions to be announced in November:

•The Prix Versailles (overall award)

•Best Interior

•Best Exterior

Each nominee tells its own compelling story through bold structural design, thoughtful use of materials, and a meaningful connection to place and memory. Notably, India proudly features on the list with a museum dedicated to resilience and remembrance, marking a powerful tribute through architecture.

This year’s honorees form the Prix Versailles’ “World’s Most Beautiful Museums” list—a celebration of visionary design that reflects local heritage in globally resonant ways.

Here’s a journey through the seven standout museums nominated as the most beautiful in the world this year:

1. A4 Art Museum – Chengdu, China

At first glance, you might feel like you’ve wandered into a Tuscan village rather than the outskirts of Chengdu. Located in the picturesque Luxetown district, the A4 Art Museum cleverly blends European-inspired surroundings with contemporary Chinese creativity. Designed by Tektonn Architects—originally Paris-based, now rooted in Chengdu—the museum retains the romantic charm of medieval architecture while introducing sleek modernity with its angular façade and towering narrow windows. Inside, the upper levels invite visitors into open, airy spaces that mirror the town square outside, while the minimalist galleries below ground level offer a serene environment to engage with contemporary art. It’s a striking blend of past and present, tradition and innovation.

2. Grand Egyptian Museum – Giza, Egypt

Located in the formidable shadow of the Great Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum is a feat two decades in the making by Heneghan Peng Architects of Dublin. Its awe-inspiring structure mimics the geometry of its iconic neighbors, with clean limestone planes and triangular forms subtly paying homage to ancient Egypt. The museum’s atrium is a grand spectacle in itself—its perforated design floods the space with light, dramatically spotlighting a towering statue of Ramses II. As visitors ascend through the museum, they’re rewarded with sweeping views of the Giza Plateau, making the museum not just a house for over 100,000 artefacts, but an extension of Egypt’s timeless legacy.

3. Smritivan Earthquake Museum – Bhuj, India

In Gujarat’s Bhuj district, where tragedy struck in 2001 with a devastating earthquake, a powerful symbol of remembrance and rebirth now stands. The Smritivan Earthquake Museum, designed by Rajeev Kathpalia of Vastu Shilpa Sangath, is a profound tribute to the 12,932 lives lost. Built into a hillside using warm, earthy stone, the museum winds its way upward in a series of circular galleries connected by gently climbing paths. Each gallery represents a theme—Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew—reflecting different facets of resilience. Beyond its emotional architecture, the museum is surrounded by a living forest of 12,932 trees, nourished by reservoirs engraved with victims’ names. Inside, it uses art, artefacts, and immersive VR exhibits to explore Gujarat’s past and its journey of healing.

4. Simose Art Museum – Hiroshima, Japan

Floating on a reflective pool in Hiroshima, the Simose Art Museum is a tranquil marvel of color and light. Designed by the visionary Shigeru Ban, it features eight gallery spaces housed in translucent, colorful cubes that appear to drift on water. Their vivid hues contrast beautifully with the natural backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea, while a contemporary garden filled with seasonal blooms echoes the floral inspirations of Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé—whose works are showcased inside alongside pieces by Matisse, Chagall, and Japanese doll art. As night falls, the museum becomes a glowing beacon of creativity and calm, with its rooftop offering panoramic views of the Setouchi Islands.

5. Paleis Het Loo – Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

The historic Paleis Het Loo, once a royal residence, has been reimagined with an elegant underground extension that’s as modern as it is respectful of its past. Created by KAAN Architecten, the new addition lies hidden beneath a reflective oval pool in the palace courtyard. This serene feature doubles as a skylight, illuminating the pristine white marble galleries below. Taking cues from the palace’s hydraulic garden systems and baroque symmetry, the extension includes exhibitions dedicated to the Dutch royal family and a vibrant children’s museum. It’s a beautiful dialogue between eras—imperial heritage above, and sleek innovation beneath.

6. Oman Across Ages Museum – Manah, Oman

A shining symbol of national identity and pride, the Oman Across Ages Museum rises from the desert like a vision. Created by Australian firm Cox Architecture, its gleaming white form is inspired by the surrounding arid plains and the distant Al Hajar Mountains. A monumental spike anchors the design next to a vast canopied entrance plaza. Inside, the museum weaves Oman’s past with its present, tracing its evolution through rich displays of history, archaeology, and cultural milestones. Located near Nizwa, an ancient capital steeped in heritage, the museum fulfills a vision set forth by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said—to inspire future generations through their roots.

7. Polish History Museum – Warsaw, Poland

In the heart of Warsaw’s Citadel, the Polish History Museum stands as a bold architectural statement. Designed by the Polish firm WXCA, its sleek marble façade evokes both history and strength. The stone panels, arranged in layered horizontal strips, create a visual metaphor for the layers of Poland’s complex past. Etched into these panels are intricate reliefs drawn from iconic Polish sites, including Gniezno Cathedral and the Spodek arena. The museum is part of a massive cultural complex that includes the Polish Army Museum and the Katyn Museum, making it not just a repository of national memory, but a cornerstone of Polish ideas.

What unites these seven stunning museums is not just their beauty, but their purpose. Each one tells a powerful story—of resilience, remembrance, innovation, or cultural pride—through architecture that resonates emotionally as well as visually. Whether it’s a floating museum in Japan or a desert jewel in Oman, these buildings are more than places to see art—they are art. As the world awaits the announcement of the Prix Versailles winners later this year, one thing is clear: every one of these museums is already a triumph in its own right.