Travel & Leisure

Art in the broad sense can be a huge draw when it comes to choosing locations for city breaks, together with history and culture.

1. London, England

Even though it seems obvious (a bit like including Florence in this list, which I was tempted to, but resisted), London needs a mention, if only for the large amount of free art you can enjoy here. Whereas street art is free everywhere, and Brick Lane and Leake Tunnel are must-sees, it’s the excellent museums and galleries, such as Tate Britain and Tate Modern — which can easily be connected by a lovely walk — that stand out. ese simply superb galleries have free entry, as does the British Museum, where you can catch some ancient art, and that is pretty special in a city like London.

For something out of the ordinary, head to e Bower, a former public toilet block turned gallery and café. Tiny, but impressive.

2. Paris, France

Paris is one of those destinations that seems to have it all; it is a beautiful, historic city with artful architecture — old and new — evident everywhere. And, of course, it has the world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, which covers the best examples of ancient and simply old art, from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo. en there are museums of speci c artists, such as the sculptures by Rodin, Monet’s waterlilies, or indeed Dali’s works.

Some museums/galleries are destinations in their own right, such as the Musee d’ Orsay, Fondation Louis Vuitton, or the Centre Pompidou. ere is superb street art, from gigantic murals along Boulevard 13 to the tiny mosaics on street corners by Parisian artist ‘Invader’. In Paris, you stumble across art everywhere, making it a perfect art lover’s destination. e Pinault Collection has only recently opened, adding another great gallery in a superb setting.

3. Doha, Qatar

e small desert country of Qatar has over the last decade or so turned itself into a veritable art hub, with not only striking architecture by heavyweights such as I.M. Pei, Jean Nouvel, and Zaha Hadid Architects, but also world-class museums, galleries, and art installations in and around the capital Doha.

Add superb galleries, street art (but without the gra ti), and public sculptures throughout the city as well as in the international airport, and you have a place that is a must-see for art lovers.

Wandering through the Katara Cultural Village, you can scratch the art itch, full of sculptures, murals, and galleries and with great architecture and cafes and restaurants, right by the beach.

Best cities to visit for their Art

4. Cape Town, South Africa

Sometimes a destination needs just one thing, one place they have done so well, that it puts the entire city on the map. For me, that is the Zeitz Mocaa, the Zeitz Museum for Contemporary Art Africa. e entire place just blew me away and was one of the main reasons for wanting to visit Cape Town, although, of course, the city and its surroundings o er so much more than just one museum.

But the Zeitz Mocaa is no ordinary museum. is is a former grain silo, an ugly concrete building, which with enormous vision and engineering skill has been transformed into one of the most amazing buildings ever. Defying logic and against all common sense, the rooms that were created now hold the best of African modern art, and the result is worth ying out to Cape Town for.

Luckily, part of the building is a superb luxury hotel, aptly called e Silo, and from its rooftop bar, you get stunning views across gorgeous Cape Town and beyond.

5. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi is included because apart from people who have lived there or visited, most travellers do not appreciate quite how special this capital of the United Arab Emirates is when it comes to art. ere is, of course, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the second Louvre Museum outside of Paris (the other is in Lens near Lille in France). e Abu Dhabi one wows not only with its art, but also with its setting on its own island, and its Jean Nouvel architecture. en there is the Yas Bay Waterfront, the walkway of which is studded with superb larger-than-life sculptures and art installations, with artists ranging from Takashi Murakami, KAWS, and many others. ere is even a gigantic astronaut who seems to be waiting for his space rocket. Add the combination of traditional and modern architecture ranging from the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Zaha Hadiddesigned Sheikh Zayed bridge, and you have something for everybody. e Abu Dhabi Guggenheim by Frank Gehry is still a work in progress and should be open by 2026.

Mercato Testaccio

“Roman markets epitomise what we strive to achieve when building our experiences: connecting curious travellers to local food and people in a way that helps local culture thrive,” says Lauren Aloise, co-founder of Devour Tours, part of City Experiences. e company o ers tours led by locals that mesh food and drink with history and storytelling, and, according to Aloise, include “a mix of unique mom-and-pop places that are o the beaten path and give you a true taste of life in Rome.”

Located in the heart of the relatively quiet, unpretentious neighbourhood, Aloise calls Mercato Testaccio “the goto-market when you’re in the mood for tasting.” (It’s also the epicenter of Devour’s Testaccio Food & Market tour.) ere’s predictably excellent fruits, vegetables, meat, and sh among the market’s roughly 100 stalls, but the prepared foods are the real draw. “From some of the city’s best pizza al taglio, to Rome’s most famous sandwiches -- this is a place to come on an empty stomach,” she says. For rst-timers to Rome, it’s a wonderful place to sample the city’s culinary range, all in one place!” After wandering the stalls, nd a table near Max Ca è Piazzetta (box 102) and order a €5 Aperol spritz to pair with your feast.

Check out: Casa Manco for innovative and delicious pizza, Enzo and Lina for cured meats and cheeses, Mordi e Vai (box 15) for famous Roman sandwiches (such as the stewed tripe)

Mercato Trionfale

Rome’s Prati neighbourhood, which borders Vatican City just west of the Tiber River, is home to Mercato Trionfale — the city’s largest food market with over 270 stalls. “Unlike more touristy Roman markets, Mercado Trionfale is exclusively devoted to fresh food and produce, with selections ranging from fruits and vegetables to eggs, cheese, and homemade pasta,” says Aloise. “Some stands in the market have been open since 1924, spanning three generations.” She suggests visiting before or after a trip to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, especially if you’re staying in an Airbnb and plan to cook. Check out: Da Peppino for honey, eggs, and jams, Da Gustavino for truly local bulk wine, and Box 102 where Arsenio and Ivo sell some of the best porchetta.

Mercato di Campagna Amica al Circo Massimo

e outdoor, weekend-only Mercato di Campagna Amica al Circo Massimo is a “0 KM” farmers market, meaning all its vendors are selling items grown or made within 100 kilometres. “ e products come from Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, and the local farmers and producers are happy to tell you all about them,” says Aloise.

Check out: ey change depending on the season, but bring your shopping bags to take home treats like organic honey, fresh mozzarella, local wine, and fragrant olive oil.

Mercato Rionale Piazza San Giovanni di Dio Best For: A Truly Local Experience

Not far from Trastevere in the leafy Monteverde Nuevo neighborhood, “this buzzing market is the perfect place to go to people-watch,” says Aloise. “ e market has just about everything on o er, including quintessential Italian housewares, and there’s often not a tourist in sight.” It’s also a short walk to Villa Doria Pamphili, a 17th-century villa situated in Rome’s largest landscaped public park.

When in Rome, check out the markets...