Free Museum Entry and Discounts
Plan visits around free entry opportunities. Covers 55 museums with free standard admission for all visitors and 69 with free or reduced entry under specific conditions.
Quick answer
This World Museum Guide reference covers free or reduced entry at 124 museums: 55 with free standard admission for everyone and 69 with rules based on dates, residency, age, or discounts. Each row links a full guide; confirm current eligibility with the museum.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
| Museum | Country | Free or reduced access | Standard admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes | Argentina | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Art Gallery of New South Wales | Australia | Always free | ✓ Free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed) |
| National Gallery of Australia | Australia | Always free | ✓ Free admission to the permanent collection |
| National Gallery of Victoria | Australia | Always free | ✓ Free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed) |
| Natural History Museum Vienna | Austria | Free on the first Sunday of each month | €15 standard adult admission; free on the first Sunday of each month |
| Museu de Arte de São Paulo | Brazil | Free on Tuesdays and Fridays 6–9 PM; reserve a free ticket online. Children under 10 free | R$85 standard adult admission; free on Tuesdays and Fridays 6–9 PM with advance reservation |
| Art Gallery of Ontario | Canada | Free Wednesday evenings 6–9 PM · Under 25 free · Indigenous peoples free | From CA$25 standard admission |
| Canadian Museum of History | Canada | Free Thursday evenings 5–8 PM · Under 3 free | From CA$25 standard admission |
| National Gallery of Canada | Canada | Free Thursday evenings 5–8 PM · Under 18 free · Indigenous peoples free | From CA$22 standard admission |
| Capital Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Guangdong Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Hubei Provincial Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Liaoning Provincial Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Nanjing Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| National Art Museum of China | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| National Museum of China | China | Always free | ✓ Free admission with valid ID |
| Shaanxi History Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Shanghai Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Suzhou Museum | China | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Hong Kong Museum of Art | China | Free on Wednesdays · Under 4 free | HK$30 standard admission |
| Botero Museum | Colombia | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Museo del Oro | Colombia | Free on Sundays; confirm current rules on the official website. | Ticket prices vary by visitor category; free on Sundays. Confirm current rates on the official website. |
| Louisiana Museum of Modern Art | Denmark | Free admission for visitors under 18. | Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free |
| Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek | Denmark | Free on Sundays | DKK 125 standard adult admission (approx. €17); free on Sundays |
| Grand Egyptian Museum | Egypt | Reduced prices for Egyptian residents | EGP 1,200 for non-residents |
| National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) | Egypt | Reduced prices for Egyptian residents | EGP 600 for non-residents |
| Musée Carnavalet | France | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Petit Palais | France | Always free | ✓ Free permanent collection (special exhibitions ticketed) |
| Musée d'Orsay | France | Under 18 free · EU/EEA citizens and long-term EU residents aged 18–25 free · First Sunday of each month free for all (time-slot booking required) · Disabled visitors + 1 companion free | €16 online; €14 at the museum; Thursday late entry from 6 PM €12 online |
| Musée Guimet | France | Free first Sunday of each month · Under 18 EU free | €14 standard admission |
| The Louvre | France | Under 18 free (all nationalities) · EEA citizens and residents under 26 free · Everyone free on the first Friday of the month after 6 PM (not July or August) · Bastille Day (14 July) free · Disabled visitors + 1 companion free | €22 for EEA visitors; €32 for non-EEA visitors (since 14 January 2026) |
| Alte Pinakothek | Germany | €1 admission every Sunday · Under 18 free | €7 standard admission (€1 on Sundays) |
| Acropolis Museum | Greece | Under 18 free · 6 March (Melina Mercouri Day) free · 18 April (International Monuments Day) free · First Sunday of November–March free | €15 standard admission (April–October), €10 (November–March) |
| National Archaeological Museum | Greece | First Sunday of month free (November–March) · Under 18 EU free | €12 standard admission (November–March €6) |
| Museum MACAN | Indonesia | Free for children under 3 · Free for MACAN members (time-slot booking required) · Students and seniors 65+: Rp77,000 weekdays, Rp100,000 weekends · Children 3–12: Rp66,000 weekdays, Rp90,000 weekends | Rp88,000 for adults Tuesday–Friday; Rp110,000 Saturday–Sunday |
| National Museum of Indonesia | Indonesia | Free for children aged 0–3 · Free for seniors over 60 and visitors with disabilities (plus one companion) · Free for KIP and KIP Kuliah card holders · ARAMSA: free entry for all on the second Wednesday of each month, 4:00–8:00 PM · Indonesian students (PAUD to high school): Rp30,000 | Rp50,000 for Indonesian adults; Rp150,000 for foreign visitors (Rp50,000 for KITAS holders) |
| Jakarta History Museum | Indonesia | Children, school and university students: Rp5,000 · Free Tuesday–Friday for seniors, visitors with disabilities and KJP student-card holders (ID required) | Rp10,000 for adults on weekdays and Rp15,000 on weekends; Rp50,000 for foreign visitors |
| Wayang Museum | Indonesia | Children, school and university students: Rp5,000 · Free Tuesday–Friday for seniors, visitors with disabilities and KJP student-card holders (ID required) | Rp10,000 for adults on weekdays and Rp15,000 on weekends; Rp50,000 for foreign visitors |
| Geology Museum Bandung | Indonesia | School and undergraduate students: Rp3,000 · Free for seniors aged 60+ (with ID) and visitors with disabilities · Free for social-care institutions (by prior letter) and ESDM training participants | Rp5,000 general admission; Rp25,000 for foreign visitors |
| Sonobudoyo Museum | Indonesia | Children: Rp5,000 | Rp10,000 for adults; Rp5,000 for children; Rp20,000 for foreign visitors |
| Affandi Museum | Indonesia | Discounts for students and seniors aged 60+ with valid ID · Group rates for up to 100 people, with free entry for accompanying guides, teachers or lecturers | Rp50,000 for domestic visitors; Rp100,000 for international visitors (includes a soft drink and souvenir) |
| Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) | Indonesia | Children under 6: free | Rp150,000 for adults; free for children under 6 |
| Museum Puri Lukisan | Indonesia | Children under 15 accompanied by an adult: free (not valid for group visits) | Rp95,000 per adult; children under 15 free when accompanied by an adult |
| Neka Art Museum | Indonesia | Children under 6: free · Students with ID and children aged 6–12: Rp75,000 · Temporary exhibitions: no ticket required | Rp150,000 for adults; Rp75,000 for students (with ID) and children aged 6–12; free for children under 6 |
| National Gallery of Ireland | Ireland | Always free | ✓ Free admission to permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket |
| National Museum of Ireland | Ireland | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Yad Vashem | Israel | Always free | ✓ Free admission; advance online registration required during peak periods |
| Uffizi Gallery | Italy | First Sunday of each month free (no reservations) · Under 18 free (any nationality) · Disabled visitors + 1 companion free · EU citizens aged 18–25: €2 reduced ticket | €25 on the day; €29 booked in advance (includes reservation); €16 for entry from 4 PM |
| Tokyo National Museum | Japan | Under 18 free on weekends · Museum Day (late September) free · Permanent collection free some dates — check website | 1000 JPY standard admission |
| National Art Gallery Malaysia | Malaysia | Always free | ✓ Free admission for all visitors |
| Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia | Malaysia | Children under 6 free · Students RM10 with valid ID · Malaysian senior citizens RM10 (non-Malaysian seniors RM20) · Last entry 5:30 PM · Ramadan hours 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM | RM20 for adults (same price for Malaysian and foreign visitors); RM10 for students and Malaysian seniors; free for children under 6 |
| National Museum of Malaysia | Malaysia | Malaysian children 12 and under free · Malaysian secondary students in school uniform free · Foreign children under 5 free; foreign children 6–12 RM2 · Malaysian seniors and OKU RM1 · ICOM members free · Last entry 4:30 PM | RM2 for Malaysian adults; RM5 for foreign adults |
| National Textile Museum | Malaysia | Malaysian children 12 and under free · Malaysian secondary students in school uniform free · Foreign children under 6 free; foreign children 6–12 RM2 · Malaysian seniors and OKU RM1 · ICOM members free · Last ticket sale 4:30 PM | RM2 for Malaysian adults; RM5 for foreign adults |
| Petrosains, The Discovery Centre | Malaysia | Infants (under 3) free · Children 3–12 and seniors 61+ from RM13 (MyKad) / RM28 (general) on weekdays · MyKad/MyKid holders pay Malaysian rates · Energy Capsule ride RM12 extra · Last admission 4:00 PM weekdays, 6:00 PM weekends | Weekdays: RM28 for Malaysian adults (MyKad), RM49 for other adults. Weekends and holidays: RM32 (MyKad) / RM56 (general admission) |
| Pinang Peranakan Mansion | Malaysia | Children under 6 free | RM30 for adults; RM18 for children aged 6–12 |
| Borneo Cultures Museum | Malaysia | Malaysian children 12 and under free · Registered persons with disabilities free (all nationalities) · Seniors 61+ RM5 Sarawakian, RM10 other Malaysian, RM25 foreign · Ages 13–17 and students RM5 Malaysian, RM25 foreign | RM10 for Sarawakian adults; RM20 for other Malaysian adults; RM50 for foreign adults |
| Sabah Museum | Malaysia | Malaysian children under 12 free · Malaysian students in uniform free · Malaysian senior citizens free · Malaysian visitors with disabilities free | RM2 for Malaysian visitors; RM15 for non-Malaysian visitors |
| Museo Soumaya | Mexico | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Museo Jumex | Mexico | Free on Sundays · Under 12 free | From MX$80 standard admission |
| Museo Nacional de Antropología | Mexico | Sundays free for Mexican nationals and foreign residents of Mexico (with ID) · Under 13 free · Seniors 60+ with INAPAM card free · Visitors with disabilities free | MX$210 for foreign visitors; MX$105 for Mexican nationals and residents |
| Rijksmuseum | Netherlands | Ages 18 and under free · Museumkaart holders free (start-time booking still required) · I amsterdam City Card holders free | €25 for adults; ages 18 and under free |
| Van Gogh Museum | Netherlands | Under 18 free · Museumkaart holders free · Free visitors must still book a timed ticket | €25 for adults; timed tickets sold online only |
| Te Papa Tongarewa | New Zealand | Always free | ✓ Free admission to permanent collections; special exhibitions may require a ticket |
| Munch Museum | Norway | Free admission for visitors 17 and under; reserve a free ticket. | Adults from NOK 200; visitors 17 and under enter free |
| National Museum of Norway | Norway | Free admission for visitors under 18; check the official site for current conditions. | Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free |
| Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum | Poland | Always free | ✓ Free admission; guided tours are paid (individual self-guided entry requires advance reservation) |
| National Museum in Warsaw | Poland | Free on Sundays | PLN 25 standard adult admission (approx. €6); free on Sundays |
| Museu Calouste Gulbenkian | Portugal | Free on Sundays after 2:00 PM | €10 standard adult admission; free on Sundays after 2:00 PM |
| Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art | Qatar | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Museum of Islamic Art | Qatar | Free for Qatar residents · Under 16 free | 50 QAR for non-residents; free for Qatar residents |
| National Museum of Qatar | Qatar | Free or reduced entry for Qatar residents | 50 QAR for non-residents |
| Kazan Kremlin Museums | Russia | Kremlin grounds free to walk · Individual museums ticketed separately | Kremlin grounds free; individual museums from 200 RUB |
| State Hermitage Museum | Russia | Under-14s always free (any nationality) · Thursdays free for Russian students, pensioners and ages 14–18 · Free for everyone on 7 Jan, 23 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Apr, 18 May, 5 Oct, 4 Nov and 7 Dec | 1,200 RUB (700 RUB from 4 PM; 500 RUB from 6 PM on late days) |
| Asian Civilisations Museum | Singapore | Singapore citizens and permanent residents: permanent galleries free; special exhibitions may cost extra | S$25 tourist adult admission; permanent galleries free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents |
| National Gallery Singapore | Singapore | Free for Singapore citizens and PRs | S$20 standard adult admission; free for Singapore citizens and PRs |
| Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa | South Africa | Free for African residents on the first Friday of each month · Wednesday evenings from 5 PM free for South African citizens | R250 for international visitors |
| National Museum of Korea | South Korea | Always free | ✓ Free admission to permanent galleries |
| War Memorial of Korea | South Korea | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia | Spain | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Guggenheim Museum Bilbao | Spain | Under 12 free always · Residents of Bilbao and Bizkaia free on specific dates | €13 standard admission |
| Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla | Spain | Free for EU citizens | €1.50 standard admission (free for EU citizens) |
| Museo del Prado | Spain | Free last 2 hours daily for the permanent collection (Mon–Sat 6–8 PM, Sun and holidays 5–7 PM; ticket office only, subject to capacity) · Under 18 free · Students aged 18–25 free (with proof) | €15 general; €7.50 reduced |
| Museo Reina Sofía | Spain | Monday and Wednesday–Saturday 7–9 PM; Sunday 12:30–2:30 PM; a free ticket is still required | €12 standard admission; free during late afternoons |
| National Palace Museum | Taiwan | Under 18 (Republic of China residents) free · National holidays may offer free admission — check website | NT$350 standard admission |
| Sharjah Art Museum | United Arab Emirates | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | Under 18 free always · First 8 days of each month free for UAE residents | 63 AED standard admission |
| Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Imperial War Museum | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Manchester Art Gallery | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| National Galleries of Scotland | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| National Museum of Scotland | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free admission to permanent galleries |
| National Portrait Gallery | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Natural History Museum | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Science Museum | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Tate Britain | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Tate Liverpool | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Tate Modern | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission; charges for special exhibitions |
| The British Museum | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| The National Gallery | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| The Wallace Collection | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Victoria and Albert Museum | United Kingdom | Always free | ✓ Free standard admission |
| Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art | United States | Always free | ✓ Free permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket |
| Dallas Museum of Art | United States | Always free | ✓ Free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed) |
| National Gallery of Art | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| National Museum of African American History and Culture | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission (timed entry pass required) |
| Smithsonian American Art Museum | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission (timed-entry passes recommended for peak times) |
| Smithsonian National Museum of American History | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission |
| Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | United States | Always free | Free admission — no tickets required |
| The Broad | United States | Always free | ✓ Free general admission (timed entry required) |
| The J. Paul Getty Museum | United States | Always free | ✓ Free admission, parking is $20 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | United States | Always free | ✓ Free (timed-entry passes required for the permanent exhibition; book well in advance during peak season) |
| American Museum of Natural History | United States | Pay-what-you-wish general admission for NY State residents with ID · Free entry in the last hour of the day · Children under 3 free · IDNYC members free · Free tickets still need to be reserved | $37 for adults from outside NY State; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents (suggested $25) |
| Art Institute of Chicago | United States | Under 14 free always · Chicago residents under 21 free · Illinois residents free on certain dates — check website | $32 for adults (Illinois residents discount available; free for children under 14) |
| de Young Museum | United States | Free first Tuesday of each month · Bay Area residents free on select Saturdays | From $15 standard admission |
| Denver Art Museum | United States | Free for Colorado residents on certain dates | US$19 standard adult admission; free for Colorado residents on certain dates |
| Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | United States | Free Thursday evenings, 5–9 pm; visitors named Isabella and children 17 and under are also free. Advance tickets may be required. | US$25 adult admission; visitors named Isabella and children 17 and under enter free |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | United States | Free general admission on Thursdays | US$19 standard adult admission; free on Thursdays for general admission |
| Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | United States | UNIQLO Friday Nights: free for New York State residents every Friday, 5:30–8:30 PM (reserve ahead, proof of residency) · Children 16 and under free · SNAP/WIC recipients free plus up to 4 guests | $30 for adults; children 16 and under free |
| San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | United States | Free for visitors 18 and under. First Thursday free admission is for eligible Bay Area residents; check current booking rules. | US$30 standard adult admission; visitors 18 and under enter free |
| Seattle Art Museum | United States | Free first Thursday of each month · Under 15 free | From $22 standard admission |
| Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum | United States | Pay-what-you-wish Tuesdays and Sundays, 4:00–5:30 PM (reservation strongly recommended) · Children under 12 free · SNAP/EBT recipients free (up to 4 tickets) | $30 for adults; children under 12 free |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | United States | Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and NY, NJ & CT students (NJ/CT students in person with ID) · Children 12 and under free | $30 for adults; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and NY, NJ & CT students |
| Vatican Museums | Vatican City | Last Sunday of each month free, 9 AM – 2 PM (except when it falls on Easter, 29 June or 25/26/31 December) · Children under 7 free · Disabled visitors + companion free (tickets on site) | €20 at the ticket office; €25 booked online (includes €5 booking fee) |
Visitor details last reviewed from 2026-06-30. Always confirm current rules with the official museum website.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find free museum days near me?
Browse this table by country or museum. Each entry describes free or reduced admission rules; dates and eligibility should be confirmed with the museum.
Which museums are always free?
55 museums in World Museum Guide offer free standard admission for every visitor — including the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern in London and the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC. Special exhibitions can still be ticketed.
Are free museum days busier?
Yes. Free first-Sunday and free-evening slots draw the biggest crowds of the month. Arrive at opening time, book a free timed slot where the museum offers one, and expect queues at blockbuster institutions.