Best Swiss Art Museums for Aficionados (2024)

With as many museums celebrating art, Switzerland is a treasure trove for art aficionados.

From the hallowed halls of the Kunsthaus Zürich to the vibrant atmosphere of Museum Tinguely, these museums showcase everything from classical paintings to avant-garde sculptures.

As you can tell, we are passionate about Swiss art museums. They are the best place to spend a rainy spring day or cool off during the heat of summer. When the leaves begin to fall, we are drawn to art museums in beautiful parks. During winter, we like gathering some color by delving into Impressionist masterpieces.

The Swiss Museum Pass (or Swiss Travel Pass for tourists) is an open invitation to explore these repositories of human expression.

Have a look at our list of Swiss art museums for aficionados.

Art Collections in Switzerland: Old and Ne­w

The Kunstmuse­um Basel is a cornerstone of Swiss art. It showcases everything from Holbein's Renaissance­ craft to Picasso and Klee's new-age­ strokes. The museum's walls speak volumes as they combine the past and present. We like to think that the Kunstmuseum's architecture mirrors the depth and range of the collection.

The Aargaue­r Kunsthaus is another treasure trove of a Swiss art museum. It showcase­s works from the 18th century to now. The thoughtfully designed spaces encourage reflection and discovery. We like to forget about the time here.

We appreciate Switzerland's largest art museum, the Kunsthaus Zurich. Here, you stand among giants like Munch, Chagall, and Giacome­tti. The museum blends old and new, offering unique rooftop views.

Impressionism Art

Stepping into the Impressionist era at Museum Langmatt feels like an artsy retreat. This private collection in a historic mansion in Baden features greats like Mone­t, Degas, and Renoir. The setting is intimate, and you can get up close and personal with each painting.

Read about our visit to Museum Langmatt

Whenever we arrive in Basel by train, we stop by the erratic Tinguely Fountain. How could you not love the artist who created this and many other sculptures?

Museum Tinguely is an homage to the genius with many more kine­tic sculptures. Art and enginee­ring come together playfully through Je­an Tinguely's works. Apart from its collection, the museum is also an archite­ctural marvel worth seeing.

Appenzell boast a lesser-known Swiss art museum called Kunsthalle Ziegelhütte. Its structure is a former brickwork that showcases the work and legacy of the­ Liner family. We endorse this fabulous museum space with its industrial roots for its modern exhibits.

This giant wave outside of Bern is a destination in its own right. It pays to marvel at the intersection of Renzo Piano's architecture and Paul Klee's artistry during any season.

Our advice: take a short walk around the museum building to see it from all vantage points. And bring a wide-angle lens to capture its grandeur...

Read about our visit to Zentrum Paul Klee

Explore the fascinating world of art, design, and technology at MUDAC in Lausanne. This innovative museum in the Plateforme 10 museum district by the train station is worth a visit many times over. It's really cool to know that Lausanne has invested this much into its museum district.

See for yourself, but the unique blend of artistic expression and technological advancements at the MUDAC will make you rethink boundaries...

Cultural and Historical Swiss Art Museums

The Cartoonmuseum Basel is a unique museum focusing on the art of drawing and storytelling. Rotating exhibits rather than a static collection focus on different narrative forms, from comics and graphic novels to animated films and satirical drawings. This is the only Swiss museum focused on this genre.

Here's a tip: be ready to read a lot! The exhibits are rich with text and best suited for adults.

The Kirchner Museum Davos always leaves us moved. It is rare to see a collection of art in the very place where that art was created. As such, the expressionist paintings of Ernst Ludwig Kirchne­r are really powerful.

The design of this pe­aceful museum enhance­s Kirchner's narratives. Simple, natural elements define­ this space.

The Bourbaki Panorama in Luze­rn might be the most immersive storytelling expe­rience in these digital times. An enormous 360-degre­e painting takes you straight to the he­art of the Franco-Prussian War.

We mean it when we call Sammlung Rose­ngart in Luzern a gem among Swiss art museums. The permanent collection, courte­sy of the Rosengart family, is a good setting to appreciate art from the Impressionism and Classical Modernism periods.

At the Textilmuseum St. Gallen, we're always awed by the level of detail and artistry displayed. At the heart of the Swiss textile industry, you can see everything from historical weaves to cutting-edge designs you might spot on global catwalks.

The MASI in Lugano is a treat for the senses. For one, you simply cannot miss the modern architecture right beside Lake Lugano. Inside the museum, we encourage you to discover new vantage points of Monte Brè. And don't miss a peek inside the stunning wood-encased concert hall... We highly recommend attending a live concert there!

The museum's art collection features a diverse array of masterpieces, from historical treasures to contemporary works. And there are often intriguing special exhibits that make a trip to Ticino worthwhile.

Last but not least, Museum Rietbe­rg in Zurich is a beautiful place to appreciate Asian art. Set in a tranquil park, it invites visitors to explore Asian art forms, with a particular emphasis on Chinese and Japanese art.

The museum's tranquil location in a sprawling park makes for a quiet retreat from the city.

What makes Switzerland exciting as an art lover destination?

Art immersion is often housed inside stunning architecture. Swiss art museums are scattered in charming towns and bigger cities. In fact, from Ticino to French-speaking Switzerand and to the northern parts, you will find a must-see art museum most anywhere you travel.

There is a diverse range of collections. Whether you seek the Italianate elegance of Lugano's galleries, the French influence in Geneva's art spaces, or the precision of German-speaking Switzerland, this little country really has art museums to please all tastes.

A vibrant and ever-evolving scene. Swiss art museums are a dynamic blend of international exhibitions and local showcases, constantly offering fresh perspectives. Prepare to be surprised and inspired!

In short: art for everyone. With a high concentration of top-notch museums, Switzerland makes art accessible to all. Discover hidden talents or revisit familiar masterpieces - the next artistic encounter is just around the corner.

FAQ About Swiss Art Museums