Interior photos, the Acropolis Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum.From London and Berlin to Cairo and Mexico City, these 12 institutions rank among the best history museums in the world. Each museum is defined by world-changing artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, the treasures of Tutankhamun, the Terracotta Warriors, the Parthenon sculptures, and many more.1. British Museum: London, UKThe British Museums Great Court is one of Londons most iconic museum interiors. Source: David Iliff/Wikimedia Commons.Welcoming over six million visitorsannually, theBritish Museumhas long been regarded as one of the best history museums in the world.Founded in 1753 as the worlds first national public museum, it now houses more than eight million objects spanning every continent. From ancient Egypt to Anglo-Saxon England, its collection redefined how we understand global civilizations.Known for: Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Sutton Hoo treasures2. Pergamon Museum: Berlin, GermanyThe reconstructed Market Gate of Miletus is one of the Pergamon Museums most notable highlights. Source: SMB, Foto: Becker.The Pergamon Museum is Berlins crown jewel, attracting millions with its full-scale reconstructions of ancient monuments.Opened in 1930, it uniquely transports visitors into antiquity, with massive structures from Babylon, Greece, and Rome rebuilt within its walls. Extensive renovations, currently underway until 2027, promise even more ambitious displays of ancient architecture, ensuring its status among the worlds best history museums.Known for: Ishtar Gate, Market Gate of Miletus, Pergamon Altar3. Grand Egyptian Museum: Cairo, EgyptInterior of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Source: Architect Magazine.Situated in the shadows of the pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest archaeological museum in the world. Its official grand opening is scheduled for late 2025.The Grand Egyptian Museum safeguards the most extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts ever assembled, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. For the first time, all 5,000 items from his tomb are displayed together, making it one of the best history museums in the world for ancient civilizations.Known for: Mask of Tutankhamun, colossal statue of Ramesses II4. Topkapi Palace Museum: Istanbul, TrkiyeThe Imperial Gate of Topkapi Palace, once the grand entrance to the Ottoman sultans residence in Istanbul. Source: Context Travel.For nearly 400 years, Topkapi Palace was the seat of Ottoman sultans, now transformed into one of Istanbuls most important museums.Opened in 1924, it reveals the opulence of imperial court life through jeweled treasures, sacred relics, and private chambers. The Harem, once a political and family center, remains a highlight, though only a fraction of its 300 rooms are open to the public.Known for: Topkapi Dagger, Sacred Relics Chamber, Ottoman Imperial Harem5. National Museum of Anthropology: Mexico City, MexicoThe courtyard and iconic umbrella pillar of the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Source: Wikimedia Commons.Mexicos most visited museum, the National Museum of Anthropology, attracts millions with its iconic modernist design and collection of Mesoamerican treasures.Opened in 1964, the museums vast galleries showcase Mexicos pre-Columbian cultures, from the Aztecs to the Maya. Full-scale reconstructions bring ceremonial spaces to life, securing its reputation as one of the worlds best history museums for Mesoamerican heritage.Known for: Aztec Sun Stone, Maya treasures6. Acropolis Museum: Athens, GreeceThe Acropolis Museum in Athens, built beneath the Parthenon to showcase its sculptures. Source: Louis Dalibard/Wikimedia Commons.Opened in 2009, the Acropolis Museum was built to display the masterpieces of the Acropolis of Athens in direct view of the Parthenon above. Its glass floors reveal ancient ruins beneath, while the Parthenon Gallery mirrors the temples original layout, offering unmatched context for the sculptures inside.Known for: Parthenon sculptures, Caryatids of the Erechtheion7. Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Xian, ChinaThe Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian, China. Source: Wikimedia Commons.Discovered in 1974, the ancient underground Terracotta Army is one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses preserves thousands of life-sized warriors and horses, originally created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, Chinas first emperor. Each figure has a unique face, believed to reflect those of real soldiers from the Qin dynasty.Known for: Terracotta Warriors, bronze chariots and horses8. National Museum of Korea: Seoul, South KoreaThe National Museum of Korea in Seoul, the countrys largest cultural institution. Source: Richard Mortel/Wikimedia Commons.The National Museum of Korea is South Koreas largest and most prestigious cultural institution, attracting millions of visitors annually. Since 1945, it has preserved Koreas heritage, from prehistoric artifacts and Buddhist art to modern works, all within a museum surrounded by tranquil gardens and reflecting pools.Known for: Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, celadon ceramics, Buddhist sculpture9. Apartheid Museum: Johannesburg, South AfricaThe Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, uniquely devoted to South Africas apartheid era. Source: Apartheid Museum.Opened in 2001, the Apartheid Museum is the only museum in the world devoted solely to South Africas apartheid era. Its exhibits trace the rise and fall of racial segregation while honoring the struggle for democracy.Visitors to the Apartheid Museum begin their journey with tickets randomly classifying them as White or Non-White, a poignant reminder of apartheids daily reality. Due to its unique focus, it is recognized as one of the worlds best 20th-century history museums.Known for: Apartheid-era exhibits, Pillars of the Constitution10. Imperial War Museums: London, UKThe Imperial War Museums in London, a leading institution of modern conflict. Source: Wikimedia Commons.The Imperial War Museums are one of the worlds foremost institutions dedicated to the study of modern conflict. Founded in 1917, it documents the impact of war on people and society through vast collections that span the World Wars, the Cold War, and beyond. Its Holocaust Galleries and dramatic displays of tanks, planes, and rockets remain deeply moving.Known for: World War II Spitfire, Holocaust Galleries, military vehicles in the atrium11. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture: Washington, D.C., USAThe Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall. Source: Frank Schulenburg/Wikimedia Commons.Opened in 2016, this Smithsonian institution is the first national museum devoted solely to African American history and culture.Its architecture, inspired by Yoruban art, makes it one of the most striking buildings on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. Inside, exhibits span slavery, civil rights, and contemporary culture, creating both a memorial and a celebration of African American life.Known for: Harriet Tubman artifacts, segregated Jim Crow-era railcar, civil rights galleries12. National Museum of India: New Delhi, IndiaThe National Museum in New Delhi, one of Asias largest museums. Source: Wikimedia Commons.One of Asias largest museums, the National Museum of India preserves over 200,000 works spanning a period of 5,000 years.Founded in 1949, it houses Harappan relics, Mughal masterpieces, and more. Its Central Asian antiquities and relics associated with the Buddha make it not only a museum but also a destination for cultural pilgrimage.Known for: Harappan artifacts, Mughal miniatures, Buddhist relicsQuick Facts: Must-Visit History MuseumsMuseumLocationClaim to Fame1. British MuseumLondon, UKOldest national museum; home to the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles2. Pergamon MuseumBerlin, GermanyMonumental reconstructions, including the Ishtar Gate and Market Gate of Miletus3. Egyptian MuseumCairo, EgyptLargest archaeological museum; treasures of Tutankhamun on full display4. Topkapi Palace MuseumIstanbul, TrkiyeOttoman imperial palace with jeweled treasures and sacred relics5. National Museum of AnthropologyMexico City, MexicoMexicos most visited museum; treasures of the Aztec, Maya, and Olmec civilizations6. Acropolis MuseumAthens, GreeceModern showcase for the Parthenon sculptures and Athenian antiquities7. Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and HorsesXian, ChinaThousands of life-sized Terracotta Warriors guard Chinas first emperor8. National Museum of KoreaSeoul, South KoreaKoreas largest museum, from prehistoric relics to Buddhist masterpieces9. Apartheid MuseumJohannesburg, South AfricaOnly museum devoted solely to apartheid and South Africas path to democracy10. Imperial War MuseumLondon, UKLeading museum of modern conflict, with tanks, planes, and Holocaust galleries11. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureWashington, D.C., USAFirst national museum devoted to African American history, culture, and contemporary life12. National Museum of IndiaNew Delhi, IndiaSpans 5,000 years of Indian history, from Harappan relics to Mughal treasures