The world's best palace & royal museums

Palace and royal museums occupy former seats of power — castles, palaces, summer residences and imperial compounds turned into public museums. They offer a glimpse into the lives of monarchs, the mechanics of governance and the pinnacle of decorative arts.

4 museums across 4 countries and 4 cities, ranked by our editorial composite of TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice, AECOM/TEA attendance data and coverage in Condé Nast Traveler, Time Out, National Geographic and The Times.

About palace & royal museums

These institutions are as much about architecture and atmosphere as about their collections. Visitors walk through throne rooms, state apartments, private chambers and palace gardens that have been preserved or restored to their historical condition. The collections typically include royal furniture, tapestries, porcelain, paintings, arms and jewels accumulated over centuries. Our ranking considers the historical significance of the building, the quality and authenticity of the interiors and the richness of the collection on display.

The top-ranked palace & royal museum on our list is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing, China. Explore all 4 museums in this category above, or browse our full Top 50 ranking for a cross-category overview.