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8,354 places

• SeeArt galleryCBDMelbourne

  National Gallery of Victoria

  NGV International

  The premier venue for international fine art exhibitions in Melbourne, with a permanent collection and international collections. A must-see for art lovers.

  Wed-Mon 10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day and Good Fri; 1PM on ANZAC Day · Free for the permanent collection · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeMuseumIndre ByCopenhagen

  Nationalmuseet

  National Museum of Denmark

  This museum portrays the national history and cultural heritage of Denmark and is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe. The permanent collection is well laid out, an informative collection of national artifacts, perhaps the most impressive being those exploring Danish prehistory from the Bronze Age through to the Vikings. The museum also holds a collection of Classical and Near Eastern artefacts. The children's museum in the basement is a blast for the kids.

  10:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays in winter) · 150 kr (135 kr online), children under 18 years old free. · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeArt museumIndre ByCopenhagen

  Ny Carlsberg Glyptoteket

  The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek houses over 10,000 works, divided into two principal collections. One is of works from the Mediterranean cradle of Western culture, including classical Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiquities and Romanticist sculptures; the other of Danish and French art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including paintings by Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Cézanne and van Gogh, as well as several bronze sculptures by Degas. Completed in 1897, the building is an attraction in its own right, especially the sub-tropical winter garden.

  Tue-Sun 11:00–18:00, Thu 11:00-22:00, closed on Mondays · Adul 115 kr, under 27 85 kr, under 18 and Tuesdays free · Wi-Fi · Entry DKK 125

• SeeMuseumHigashiyamaKyoto

  Kyoto National Museum

  京都国立博物館 Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan

  It is near Sanjusangen-do, and has a large collection of ancient Japanese sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, painting, and other artifacts. (It's quite similar to the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo/Ueno.) The Museum building is fairly grand, but the statue of Rodin's The Thinker out front is a bit out of place, as there's no Western art inside. It's seven minutes east of Shichijo Keihan.

  Tue-Sun 09:30-18:00 · Admission ¥500 (¥1500 during a special exhibition period) · Wi-Fi · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeObservatoryIndre ByCopenhagen

  Rundetårn

  The Round Tower

  Climb the spiral, cobbled road up to the observation platform of this tower, for a wonderful view of the city.

  10:00-20:00 (winter: 18:00) · 60 kr, students 40 kr · Limited wheelchair access · Built 1642

• SeeArt museumIndre ByCopenhagen

  Christiansborg

  the Parliament

  This Neo-baroque palace, completed in 1928, after 11 years of construction - is unique in the world, housing both the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power of Denmark, in a single building. It is the 5th construction at the site, and the ruins of the original castle dating back to the 12th century - was excavated during the construction of the current palace, is open to the public (adult 85 kr, student 60 kr). Apart from the ruins there are a few other places that can be visited: free guided tours of the parliament building are conducted during summer months; Parliament's tower can be visited free of charge Tu-Su 11:00-21:00; the Royal Reception Rooms (including the Great Hall with the tapestries) 150 kr; the Royal Kitchen 85 Kr, the Royal Stables 85 kr; the Palace Chapel - free admission. Besides, there is a combination ticket which allows entrance to all of the aforementioned sights - 225 kr. You get a discount of 10 kr for all tickets when ordering online.

  10:00–17:00, May-September opens one hour earlier · Free entry

• SeeArt museumNew TownEdinburgh

  National Galleries of Scotland: National

  This holds much of Scotland's fine artwork from Renaissance to 20th century, with changing exhibitions. These rotate seasonally, so an exhibition put on for the Festival typically stays to the end of the year, allowing quieter times to view. Enter from the plaza between gallery and Royal Scottish Academy, and a basement passage connects the two exhibition spaces. The Scottish Galleries on the lowest floor reopened in 2023 after several years of redevelopment, and show a good collection of local work and views which may inspire trips.

  Daily 10AM-5PM · Free, charges for major temporary exhibitions · Free entry

• SeeHistoric siteOld TownEdinburgh

  Edinburgh Castle

  Iconic fortress perched magnificently on a volcanic rock above the city. The castle has been continuously used for 1100 years and is kept in excellent condition; it's still the ceremonial headquarters of the army in Scotland. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels), the War Museum and the 12th century St Margaret's Chapel. The One O'Clock Gun is fired each day from Mills Mount battery. Audio guides available. It's mobbed with tourists and in summer often sells out, book online well in advance.

  Daily: Apr-Sep 9:30AM-6PM, Oct-Mar 9:30AM-5PM · Adult £19.50, child (7-15) £11.40, conc £15.50, Historic Scotland / English Heritage / Cadw free · Limited wheelchair access

• SeeAttractionCentralKyoto

  Kyoto Imperial Palace

  京都御所 Kyōto-gosho

  The palace is a reconstruction (dating from 1855), though the Emperor doesn't spend much time there, and the guided tour doesn't enter the palace buildings, only peeking at them from the outside, but nevertheless, it provides interesting insight into the lives of the Imperial Court and it's the only Imperial site in Kyoto that offers English guides. Show up an hour before the tour at the Imperial Household Agency building (west of Kyoto Imperial Palace), and they'll let you join if there's space, or make a booking for another day if there isn't. If you don't want to chance it, advance bookings can also be made online through the Imperial Household Agency's official website.

  English tours Mon-Fri at 10:00 and 14:00 (by appointment only) · Free · Built 1337

• SeeCastleLjubljana

  Ljubljana Castle

  The tower has magnificent views all over the city. You can also see the Sava River and Kamnik Alps in the distance. Included is a 3D Movie of the history of Ljubljana from a pre-historic settlement to Roman Empire to modern times (€6.50 for adults, €3 for students, seniors).

  Jan-Apr,Oct-Dec 09:00-19:00; May-Sep 09:00-22:00 · Entrance to the Castle Courtyard, Chapel and Gift shop is free, but there is a charge for access to the tower · Limited wheelchair access

• SeeHistoric siteHanoi

  Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum

  The city down south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, entombed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. Against his wishes, but that's how it goes. No talking, revealing clothing (shorts should be knee length and no exposed shoulders), or other signs of disrespect allowed while viewing; photos are allowed only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square. Purses are allowed into the tomb, but expect them to be searched by several bored soldiers along the way. Left luggage is handled in a complicated scheme: there is an office near the street for large bags, with separate windows for Vietnamese and foreigners, and a further office for cameras, which will be transported to a third office right outside the exit of the mausoleum. Items checked in at the first office, however, will stay there. The mausoleum is closed for a couple months around the end of the year, when the body is taken abroad for maintenance. It is closed in the afternoons for maintenance.

  Tue-Thu 06:30–10:30 Sat Sun 07:30-11:30 · Free

• SeeCastleCape Town

  Castle of Good Hope

  Popularly called 'The Castle' by locals, it is the oldest surviving building in South Africa, having been built from 1666 to 1679. The castle displays a vast range of historical military equipment and tools, an art collection and the William Fehr Collection, which includes antique Cape Dutch furniture. Visitors can buy wine and eat at the café or restaurant within the Castle.

  09:00-17:00 daily. Tours are offered Mon through Sat at 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00. Horse and carriage rides are offered daily at 10:30, 12:45 and 14:45. Booking is necessary · entrance fee for adults, for children and pensioners · Built 1666

• SeeMonumentOld TownEdinburgh

  St Giles

  It's often called a Cathedral, but the Church of Scotland brooks no such episcopal entity, and Charles I dubbing it "cathedral" in 1633 was one reason his head was chopped off. Safer to call it "High Kirk", though they're nowadays lenient with first time offenders. The present building is from 14th century with much Victorian Gothic, notably its crowned spire. Highlight is the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's chivalric company of royal knights. Services are M-F at noon and 9:30AM and 11AM on Sunday, with choral music at 6PM.

  Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1-3PM · Free · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeHistoric siteInner northMelbourne

  Royal Exhibition Building

  One of the few World Heritage listed buildings in Australia, it was completed in 1880 to host the Melbourne International Exhibition and was the site of Australia's first Federal Parliament in 1901. With its meticulously restored interior, expansive galleries and soaring dome, it offers a magnificent setting for trade shows, fairs and cultural events. Tours are available, although you need to call in advance to confirm dates.

  $5 adult, $3.50 concession · Heritage listed

• SeeMuseumInner northMelbourne

  Melbourne Museum

  Opened in 2000, the award-winning museum houses a permanent collection in eight galleries, including one just for children.

  9AM-5PM daily except Good Fri and 25 Dec · $15 adult; children and concessions free · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeBotanical gardenStockbridge and CanonmillsEdinburgh

  Royal Botanic Garden

  Impressive gardens with a large collection. Great place to wander around on a sunny day, or to sit and have a picnic. Highlights include the Rock Garden; the 165-m-long herbaceous border, backed by a huge, century-old beech hedge, and the Palm House, the tallest of its kind in Britain. (However the Palm House and all the glasshouses are closed until 2025 for rebuilding, and a small section of the garden is only open at weekends.) A number of sculptures, including two by Barbara Hepworth, are displayed around the gardens. The east gate has a bus service but the west gate is grander, with the John Hope Gateway building containing the restaurant, shop, and exhibitions. Botanic Cottage is an education centre in a house that was built in 1764-5, designed by John Adam and James Craig and moved to the garden in 2014. They also run the gardens at Benmore near Oban, Dawyck above Peebles, and Logan near Stranraer.

  Daily Nov-Jan 10AM-4PM, Feb-Oct 10AM-5PM, last entry 15 min before closure · Free · Free entry · Built 1670

• SeeArt museumIndre ByCopenhagen

  Thorvaldsens Museum

  Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) was a Danish/Icelandic sculptor, who lived most of his live in Rome. He is one of the major internationally renowned Danish artists. The museum houses many of Thorvaldsens original models, and several marble casts makes the collection almost complete. It is big and impressive, and the building itself is a striking piece of architecture.

  Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 · Adult 70 kr, students 50 kr, children free, retired Danish citizens: Free. Free admission for all on Wednesdays

• SeeFortØsterbroCopenhagen

  Kastellet

  Frederikshavn Citadel

  A superbly preserved and restored star-shaped citadel. First built in 1626 as St. Anne's Bulwark and completed in 1664, it was the stronghold at the northern end of the East Rampart, which arched through the city and remains in the form of the many parks extending down to Tivoli. The Citadel now houses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service, and is a popular spot for picnics. As well as two small museums with limited opening hours: Livjæger Museum and the museum in the North Gate which displays Garrison's Historical Collections.

  24hrs daily · Free · Wheelchair accessible · Built 1664

• SeeMuseumHanoi

  Hỏa Lò Prison

  Hanoi Hilton

  This prison was built by the French at the turn of the 20th century, in classical French prison design. Two thirds of the prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers, and the rest was converted into a museum. This is where the French imprisoned and executed Vietnamese freedom fighters. The museum exhibits the plight of jailed political revolutionaries under the French colonial regime and the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialism in chilling detail. Later, during the America-Vietnam War, the prison held US prisoners of war that sarcastically referred to it as the "Hanoi Hilton". This period is not emphasized, except to present the official narrative of how humanely the POWs were treated, such as showing photos only of prisoners being treated well and playing basketball and playing chess. The museum claims to have the flight suit of John McCain, the most notable POW held here, from when his plane was shot down. Most of the exhibits have detailed English information, but you can also get an audioguide for 50,000 dong.

  Daily 08:30-12:00, 14:00-16:30 (Mon & Fri from 08:00) · 50,000 dong · Heritage listed

• SeeHistoric siteNew TownEdinburgh

  Calton Hill

  This is the stubby crag just east of Princes Street: a short stroll up it commands great views. The "National Monument", a memorial to Scots killed in the Napoleonic Wars, was an attempt to out-do the Parthenon in Athens but the money ran out with only the west facade built. Nelson's Tower was built 1807-16 in the shape of an upturned telescope in honour of the naval hero. A Time Ball on the mast drops at 1PM every day just as the One O'Clock Gun is fired from the castle - this gives a time signal to ships in the Firth before the sound rolls out to them, or it would if not obscured by drizzle and the ships in possession of reliable watches. It was operated by the adjacent City Observatory, superseded in 1896 by the Royal Observatory in the south of the city. City Observatory remained active until 2009 then was refurbished as the Collective Gallery exhibition space for modern art.

  103 m high

• SeeMuseumOld TownEdinburgh

  National Museum of Scotland

  Superb museum of Scotland's heritage. You enter into the lofty Victorian Grand Gallery, where the millennium clock chimes on the hour. Exhibition halls cover Scottish and world history and culture, science, technology, art and design, and natural history. Dolly the sheep, the 12th-century Lewis chess pieces, and dinosaurs are some of the highlights. NMS also run the War Museum in the castle, the Museum of Flight near Gullane, and the Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride.

  Daily 10AM-5PM · Free · Wi-Fi · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeHistoric siteNorthKyoto

  Ryōan-ji

  龍安寺

  Famous for its Zen garden, which is considered to be one of the most notable examples of the "dry-landscape" style. Surrounded by low walls, an austere arrangement of fifteen rocks sits on a bed of white gravel. That's it: no trees, no hills, no ponds, and no trickling water. Behind the simple temple that overlooks the rock garden is a stone washbasin called Tsukubai said to have been contributed by Tokugawa Mitsukuni in the 17th century. It bears a simple but profound four-character inscription: "I learn only to be contented". There is a fantastic boiled tofu (湯豆腐 yudōfu) restaurant on the grounds, which you should be able to find by following the route away from the rock garden and towards the exit. It is slightly expensive, but serves delicious, traditional tofu dishes. There is also a small cafe, serving food including vegetarian yudōfu dishes, from 11am to 3pm. The rest of the grounds are worth a look too - particularly the large pond.

  Mar-Nov: daily 08:00-17:00; Dec-Feb: 08:30-16:30 · ¥600 · Limited wheelchair access · Heritage listed · Built 1450

• SeeMonumentNew TownEdinburgh

  Scott Monument

  Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) re-invented Scotland. In the late Georgian era, he popularised tales of its medieval and Jacobean tumults, and created the clan tartans you buy on Princes St. This grand Gothic memorial, part cathedral part moon rocket, was completed in 1846 to dominate the east end of Princes St. It's 200 ft 6 in / 61.1 m tall, and guided tours take you up 287 steps (no lift) to the top platform, for a closer look at many of the statuettes of characters from Scott's works. The man himself and his dog sit in state at the base. In the 1990s the curators considered cleaning the monument but realised that the Victorian grime was holding it together, so replacement stonework is prominently white.

  Daily 10-12:30AM, 2-4PM · Adult £8, child £6 · Built 1844

• SeeRuinsCentralKyoto

  Nijō Castle

  二条城 nijō-jō

  Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto, with fine gardens and splendid centuries-old structures. The castle was built by the Tokugawa shoguns to serve as the shogun's residence in Kyoto. After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle served as an imperial residence before being converted to a museum and opened to the public. The series of ornately-decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru Palace complex is particularly impressive, and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like squeaking sounds when stepped on so as to give advance warning when someone was approaching. From the empty base of the donjon that once overlooked the innermost section of the fortress (known as the Honmaru), you can get good views over parts of the castle compound and the wider city beyond. The donjon and original Honmaru Palace burnt down in two separate fires; the current Honmaru Palace was originally part of a prince's residence, and moved to its current location in the Meiji Period (late 19th century). The Honmaru Palace was opened to the public for the first time in 18 years on September 1, 2024, but reservations are required, and it will cost an additional ¥1,000. See also Japanese castles.

  Daily 08:45-16:00 (Gate closes at 17:00), Ninomaru Palace closed on Tuesdays. · ¥1,300 for adults; ¥400 for junior and senior high school students, ¥300 for elementary school students, free for children under 6 years · Limited wheelchair access · Heritage listed · Built 1601

• SeeHistoric siteNorthKyoto

  Kinkaku-ji Temple

  金閣寺

  The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as Rokuonji (鹿苑寺), is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950, by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. (The story became the basis for Yukio Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.) The beautiful landscaping and the reflection of the temple on the face of the water make for a striking sight, but keeping the mobs of visitors out of your photos will be a stern test for your framing abilities. Get there early if you can to beat the school groups. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding the pavilion, before emerging into a square crowded with gift shops. It's only a short walk from Ryōan-ji (below), making for an easy pairing (and study in contrasts).

  Daily 09:00-17:00 · Admission fee is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children · Built 1397 · Heritage listed

• SeeHistoric siteCentralKyoto

  Tō-ji

  東寺 Tō-ji; East Temple; Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji (教王護国寺)

  An impressive complex of Buddhist temple buildings, this site features the tallest pagoda in Japan. Bright colors decorate the interior of many buildings on the site, and Buddhist sculptures compliment the color choices. The grounds include a relaxing garden, and cherry blossoms. The Kōbō-san market fair is held here on the 21st of every month.

  Daily 08:30-17:30 (until 16:30 from mid-September to mid-March) · Admission to grounds free; Kondō & Treasure Hall ¥500; Pagoda ¥800 · Limited wheelchair access · Heritage listed

• SeeCastleArashiyamaKyoto

  Katsura Imperial Villa

  桂離宮, Katsura rikyū

  A real cultural treasure, renowned for its magnificent gardens and fine classical architecture. You can obtain permission to join a tour of the property either through the Imperial Household Agency's official website (which also contains a detailed list of instructions ) or by applying in person at the agency's Kyoto office (near the Imperial Palace). Be sure to apply well in advance of your visit: slots are extremely limited and the much sought-after online permits are rationed out through a lottery selection process.

  Entry 1000 JPY · Built 1616

• SeePublic artHanoi

  Hồ Chí Minh Museum

  This gleaming white museum and its gloriously ham-handed iconography is the perfect chaser to the solemnity of the mausoleum. The building, completed in 1990, is intended to evoke a white lotus. Some photos and old letters are on display on the second floor, but the main exhibition space is on the third floor. It includes cars crashing through walls to represent the chaos of post-war American capitalism, soldiers charging around with bombs that looked like electric plugs, a cave hideout re-imagined as the inside of Ho Chi Minh's brain, and several other postmodern confections integrated with the detailed main story of the man's life and his country's struggle. There are plenty of photographs, prison documents and newspaper cuttings tracing his life along the way. The tour ends with a burnt bridge signifying the separation of Vietnam, followed by a reconstructed bridge showing the unification of Vietnam after the war. One of the more informative museums in Vietnam. Free guides are available in English, French, Chinese and Russian. The displays are labelled in English and French.

  Daily 08:00-11:30, and Tue-Thu Sat Sun 14:00-16:00 · 40,000 dong · Wheelchair accessible · Entry 40000 VND

• SeeHistoric siteBaixaLisbon

  Santa Justa Lift

  Excellent vertical view of the Baixa streets, next to Igreja do Carmo. The line can be quite long, you may want to consider walking up and riding it down instead.

  08:30-20:30 (viewing platform) · €1.50 · Built 1902 · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible

• SeeArt museumHanoi

  Fine Arts Museum

  Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật

  Only party-approved art is shown here with information in English and Vietnamese. On three floors of a colonial building, with another three galleries in the west wing. Pieces include soldiers on boats depicted on prehistoric bronze drums, Buddhist art, and revolutionary art of the 20th century wars. Also some interesting lacquer and silk paintings.

  Daily 08:30-17:00 · Adult 40,000 dong · Entry 40000 VND