2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for cultural tourism. After years of delays due to the pandemic and architectural complexities, monumental museum projects are finally opening their doors. From the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the Giza pyramids to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi, and George Lucas’s Lucas Museum in Los Angeles, these new temples of culture are redefining how we experience art and history. Here is our selection of the 10 must-see museums to discover this year.
1. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) – Giza, Egypt
The world’s largest archaeological museum
This is the most anticipated opening of the century. Located just 2 km from the Giza pyramids, the GEM is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. Officially inaugurated on November 1, 2025, with a grand ceremony attended by European and Arab royalty, 2026 will be the year of its full operation.
For the first time in history, the entire treasure of Tutankhamun (over 5,000 objects) is gathered in one place. According to National Geographic, the museum houses more than 100,000 artifacts, including 20,000 never exhibited before.
Highlights
- The colossal statue of Ramesses II (11 meters, 3,200 years old) in the atrium
- Tutankhamun’s golden death mask
- Khufu’s solar boat (42 meters, 4,600 years old)
- Panoramic views of the pyramids from the terraces
2. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
The world’s largest Guggenheim
After nearly 20 years of waiting since its announcement in 2006, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will finally open its doors in 2026. Designed by Frank Gehry (creator of the Guggenheim Bilbao), it will be the largest Guggenheim museum in the world. According to ArchDaily, the building is a masterpiece of deconstructivism with its giant cones inspired by the region’s traditional wind towers.
The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art post-1960, with a particular focus on artists from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, challenging the Euro-centric view of art history. The collection includes works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and artists like Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian.
Highlights
- Iconic Frank Gehry architecture
- Global contemporary art collection
- Proximity to Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab
- Complete Saadiyat Cultural Island
3. teamLab Phenomena – Abu Dhabi
Immersive digital art at its peak
The Japanese collective teamLab, world-famous for its immersive installations in Tokyo, opens its most ambitious permanent project on Saadiyat Island: teamLab Phenomena. Unlike traditional museums where you look at objects, here you « live » the art. According to teamLab, the monumental space houses installations based on the concept of « environmental phenomena ».
The white, organic architecture (« Home for Infinite Curiosity ») was specifically designed so that art changes based on the presence and movements of visitors. There is no map, no guide — the experience is purely sensory and interactive.
Highlights
- Monumental interactive digital installations
- Unique immersive experience in the world
- Perfect for photos (Instagram-friendly)
- Ideal for families and children
4. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art – Los Angeles
The temple of narrative art by George Lucas
Founded by George Lucas (creator of Star Wars) and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art looks like a spaceship landed in Exposition Park. According to Galerie Magazine, it’s not a Star Wars museum, but a temple dedicated to the art of visual storytelling: illustration, comics, painting, cinema, and digital art.
The collection ranges from Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo to concept art from iconic films, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones memorabilia. According to Museums Association, the 11-acre campus also includes the Lucas Archives with models, costumes, and props from Lucas’s filmmaking career.
Highlights
- Futuristic MAD Architects architecture
- Collections ranging from Renoir to comics
- Rooftop park with LA views
- Star Wars and Indiana Jones archives
5. LACMA David Geffen Galleries – Los Angeles
The new LACMA by Peter Zumthor
After two decades of transformation, the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA will open in April 2026. Designed by Peter Zumthor, Pritzker Prize laureate, the building adopts an organic horizontal form (« amoeba-shaped ») allowing art from all eras and cultures to be displayed on a single exhibition level.
According to Galerie Magazine, the new galleries will include outdoor sculptures by Tony Smith and Alexander Calder, as well as the famous « Split-Rocker » by Jeff Koons. The plaza will also host an outdoor theater with panoramic city views.
Highlights
- Peter Zumthor (Pritzker) architecture
- Encyclopedic collection on one level
- Monumental outdoor sculptures
- Panoramic view of Los Angeles
6. V&A East Museum – London, United Kingdom
The V&A moves to East London
The legendary Victoria and Albert Museum opens a new branch in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, this five-story space will celebrate global contemporary culture and the creative heritage of East London.
According to Galerie Magazine, the inaugural exhibition « The Music Is Black: A British Story » (from April 18, 2026) will explore 125 years of Black British music. The museum is part of the new East Bank cultural quarter alongside Sadler’s Wells and the BBC.
Highlights
- Free entry (permanent collections)
- Dynamic East Bank cultural quarter
- Focus on contemporary culture
- Excellent accessibility (Stratford tube)
7. KANAL – Centre Pompidou – Brussels, Belgium
The Brussels Centre Pompidou
Housed in an iconic former Citroën garage (a modernist Art Deco building of glass and steel), KANAL is the result of a partnership with the Centre Pompidou in Paris. According to Museums Association, with a budget of 150 million euros, it will be one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in Europe.
The raw industrial space (« Cathedral of Light ») has been preserved. The museum will include a 400-seat auditorium, a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and spaces for architecture and urbanism. It’s a more « grunge » and spacious alternative to Parisian Beaubourg.
Highlights
- Preserved industrial Art Deco architecture
- Partnership with Centre Pompidou Paris
- Rooftop bar with Brussels views
- Reviving canal quarter
8. New Museum (Extension) – New York, USA
The New Museum doubles its space
The New Museum on Bowery, temple of New York contemporary art, is expanding with an extension designed by OMA (Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas). According to Galerie Magazine, exhibition space will be doubled with new galleries, a restaurant, an expanded bookstore, and a « Sky Room » offering city views.
The inaugural exhibition « New Humans: Memories of the Future » will feature over 150 international artists. The New Museum is known for presenting emerging artists and provocative exhibitions that define contemporary art trends.
Highlights
- Rem Koolhaas (OMA) architecture
- Sky Room with Manhattan views
- Focus on emerging contemporary art
- Dynamic Lower East Side quarter
9. Crystal Bridges (Extension) – Bentonville, USA
The expansion of Arkansas’s jewel
Founded by Alice Walton (Walmart heiress), the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is expanding by 50% with an extension by Safdie Architects. According to Galerie Magazine, the new galleries will house the Humphreys Collection (200+ works) and the Walton Collection with works by Yayoi Kusama and Alice Neel.
The museum is set in an exceptional natural setting with forest trails. Admission remains free, making Crystal Bridges one of the most accessible museums in the United States for discovering American art from the 18th century to today.
Highlights
- Permanently free admission
- Exceptional American art collection
- Natural setting with forest trails
- Digital art and ceramics studios
10. Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art – China
Bjarke Ingels’s architectural giant
In the city of Suzhou, west of Shanghai, the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art is the latest monumental project by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). According to research, this complex of 12 pavilions unified by a ribbon roof will span nearly 60,000 m², making it one of the largest contemporary art museums in Asia.
The architecture dialogues with Suzhou’s famous classical gardens (UNESCO World Heritage) while adopting a resolutely contemporary language. The museum complements the legendary Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei in 2006.
Highlights
- Spectacular BIG architecture
- Complementary to I.M. Pei’s Suzhou Museum
- UNESCO classical gardens nearby
- Accessible from Shanghai (30 min by high-speed rail)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book tickets in advance for these new museums?
Absolutely. For the Grand Egyptian Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and teamLab Phenomena, online booking several weeks (or even months) in advance will be essential in 2026. The « novelty » effect will attract visitors from around the world. For American museums like the Lucas Museum and LACMA, book at least 2 weeks ahead, especially for weekends.
Are these museums suitable for children?
teamLab Phenomena (Abu Dhabi) and the Lucas Museum (Los Angeles) are particularly suitable for children thanks to their interactive and playful aspects. The Grand Egyptian Museum also fascinates young visitors with its mummies and treasures. More traditional museums like V&A East or the New Museum require more patience from children.
Are there tourist passes including these new museums?
Abu Dhabi should offer a « Saadiyat Cultural District Pass » including the Guggenheim, teamLab, and the Louvre. In London, V&A East will be free (permanent collections). In New York, check if the New Museum is included in the CityPass. In Los Angeles, a pass combining the Lucas Museum and LACMA may be available after the openings.
Which museum is the most « Instagrammable »?
Without a doubt, teamLab Phenomena in Abu Dhabi for its immersive digital installations (wear white for better photos!). The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi by Frank Gehry and the Lucas Museum with its spaceship architecture will also be very photogenic. The GEM with pyramids in the background remains a timeless classic.
Are the opening dates guaranteed?
In the world of museum construction, delays are frequent. Always check official websites 2-3 months before your departure. The dates indicated are based on the latest official announcements from early 2026. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, for example, has already experienced many postponements since 2006.
What budget should I plan for museum gift shops?
These new museums are heavily investing in exclusive merchandise (art books, design objects, reproductions). Plan a « souvenir » budget of 50 to 100 EUR/USD if you’re a fan of beautiful books or design objects. The GEM and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi shops will offer unique pieces not found elsewhere.
Is the Grand Egyptian Museum safe for tourists?
Yes, the GEM area is ultra-secure and specifically designed for international tourism. The museum is connected to the pyramids and main highways, avoiding passage through Cairo’s dense urban areas. Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists in 2024 and is aiming for 30 million by 2028.
Sources
- Grand Egyptian Museum – Official Site — Official information and booking
- National Geographic — Complete GEM guide
- Al Jazeera — GEM inauguration
- Abu Dhabi Culture — Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- ArchDaily — Guggenheim Abu Dhabi architecture
- teamLab — teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
- Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — Official site
- Galerie Magazine — 11 must-visit museums in 2026
- Museums Association — International 2026 openings
- KANAL Brussels — Official site
- Elle Decor — New museums 2026
Research conducted on February 3, 2026
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