European Museum Day: where to go for free or at a discount

Do you dream of experiencing art without breaking the bank? International Museum Day offers you just that opportunity! In mid-May, hundreds of European galleries reduce ticket prices or waive admission fees altogether, so that everyone can enjoy world-class masterpieces. Find out which venues are open for free

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Every year on 18 May, the whole world celebrates a major cultural event — International Museum Day. This year, the event is taking place under a profound and inspiring slogan: “Museums uniting a divided world”.

Although 18 May is the official date, many European countries and cultural capitals extend the celebrations. Special events, curator-led tours and open days often begin as early as 17 May and continue in the days leading up to the date, turning the event into a veritable museum week or weekend.

Planning a trip abroad?

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Which museums can you visit for free or at a discount?

To mark the occasion, hundreds of exhibition halls, galleries and historic sites across Europe are making art more accessible by offering visitors free entry or significant discounts on tickets. It’s the perfect time to discover world-class masterpieces without breaking the bank.

It is worth bearing in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all rule — the terms of the promotion depend on the policy of each individual institution. Some venues waive admission fees entirely for all their exhibitions, whilst others offer free access only to permanent collections, maintaining standard prices for temporary exhibitions. That is why it is strongly recommended that you check the venue’s current information before planning your visit.

When planning a packed cultural itinerary abroad, it’s important to sort out your travel arrangements in advance so that fatigue doesn’t spoil your enjoyment of the art.

For those looking for a reliable way to reach major European capitals, transfers from Visit Ukraine are an excellent solution. Convenient booking, safety on the road and a high standard of service will allow you to start your holiday whilst still on the move. Leave the logistics to the professionals and focus on what matters most — the anticipation of encountering world-class masterpieces.

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Where can I view a list of all museums with free entry?

To plan your cultural itinerary effectively and not miss out on the best deals in your city, it is best to consult the original sources.

You can find all the galleries, exhibitions and cultural centres taking part in the campaign, as well as explore their festive programmes in detail, on the official interactive platform of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

The full list of participants and their offers is available via the link: t.ly/bBsfi

A reminder! Every year on 18 May, Ukraine commemorates the victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people — a tragedy that began with the deportation of 1944. Find out about the history of this crime, its scale, and how the repression against the Crimean Tatars continues today in occupied Crimea.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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