Best Modern Art Museums in Europe

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A trip to Europe is, in many cases, a good reason to go back to the roots of the Western culture, admire some old churches and castles, concentrate to link together the history puzzle parts scattered all over the place and wear off one or two pairs of shoes along the interminable halls of the museums.

Non-Europeans usually associate the old continent with a kind of classical beauty: they always tend to see the castles, monuments, old historic centers rather the modern, dynamic part of Europe.  Many people also tend to forget that Europe has some of the best modern and contemporary art galleries in the world, where a Brancusi or Picasso will sit beside some mind-blowing art installation.

For the art buffs in search for the latest artistic trends (and not only), here are some European modern art museums that you cannot miss:

Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

When it comes to Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, it’s hard to believe that anyone could miss this impressive building. The building that is now hosting the biggest modern art museum in Europe is itself a true masterpiece of contemporary architecture. It’s ‘inside out’ look, with all the wiring, pipes and ducts  actually forming the facade of the building, has become a true icon of the late 20th century Paris. Throughout its more than 3 decades of existence, the center has been hosting the works of Andy Warhol, Max Ernst, Sopie Calle, Kandinsky or Jean Miro (among many others).

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

Speaking of iconic buildings, the Pompidou Centre has a strong rival of the other side of the Pyrenees: it is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The museum’s collections tend to imitate the abstractionism that inspired architect Frank Gerry in designing this remarkable building. If you are ready to face the 20th century avant-garde and try to guess the multiple meanings of conceptual art, than here is the place to start.

Tate Modern, London

Right between the historical Globe Theater and the modern Millenium Bridge crossing the Thames, stands the impressive chimney of a  disabled power station, now home to a really unique collection of 20th century art. Tate Modern can be proud of its extensive permanent collection, featuring the works of Monet, Matisse, Lichtenstein or Dali.

Ludwig Museum, Budapest

If you are curios to see what Eastern European artists have to say, then all you have to do is to pay a visit to the Ludwig Museum in Budapest.  The museum will surprise you with a substantial collection of pop art, containing works by Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg or Robert Rauschenberg.

The Ludwig Museum is also the place where one can contemplate the innovative works of some young Hungarian artists, as well as masterpieces of Hungarian art from the last decades.

S.M.A.K. , Ghent

SMAK is the acronym for ‘Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kun’, the oldest and best contemporary art museum in Belgium. Although the museum was initially opened in 1975, it only got its actual name in 1999, when it moved to its present headquarters, a former casino in the city of Ghent. Although you won’t find too many Picasso’s or Warhol’s here, the museum will definitely change and challenge your perspective on contemporary art.

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