Thirty-four nominees are eyeing this year’s European Museum of the Year Award - from Portugal and Estonia to Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Here are some of the museums competing for the right to be called Europe's best museum of 2026.
When was the last time you visited a museum? What exhibitions or experiences left a lasting impression on you? The answers to these questions will possibly determine who wins this year's prestigious European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA).
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Established in 1997, the EMYAs celebrate excellence, innovation, humanitarianism and sustainability. Last year’s winner, Manchester Museum, currently holds the torch, ready to be passed to the next best European museum.
There are different criteria that help the judges determine which museum excels in its practice. However, one thing that unites the assessment criteria is the alignment with the framework of the Council of Europe. The judging committee looks for creativity in knowledge production, interpretation, presentation, and social responsibility.
All these elements have to adhere with the core principles of democracy, sustainability, social responsibility and inclusion.
"Ongoing conflicts and growing polarisation shape public debate and expectations. In this climate, trust in institutions and public discourse has become increasingly fragile, placing new demands on museums and their role in society," says Amina Krvavac, the chair of the European Museum Forum.
A total of 34 nominees have been shortlisted for the prize and here are our top picks among the museums competing:
Museum St John's Hospital, Belgium
What used to be a hospital is now a museum telling the stories of those who were treated and cared for there. The gorgeous gothic building from the 12th century, located in the Bruges Museum Quarter has been preserved to this day.
The historical and contemporary art exhibitions are conveyed through unique audiovisual experiences which allow visitors to immerse themselves in the stories and art the building has to tell.
Mude – Design Museum, Portugal
The public municipal museum located in central Lisbon invites visitors to dive into the world of design. The design of such items as clothes, furniture, flooring and more awaits art lovers to come and explore the dedicated spaces and exhibitions.
Mude’s building itself is a testament to meticulous restoration. The mosaics, wooden panels and marble counters in the spaces were carefully restored to preserve the history of what used to be the bank’s headquarters.
The exhibitions of the museum focus on socio-cultural and ideological issues, while addressing environmental problems. The museum also invites the public to reflect upon the significance of design in daily life.
Museum of Play, Finland
Those who want to return to their childhood can go to the Museum of Play in Espoo. The Finnish museum explores the history of toys, games and Finnish childhood.
According to the panel, the museum assumes three roles: that of a storyteller, an educator and a community builder.
One of the main focuses of the institution is to bring people together - from all ages, walks of life and communities. All that, while educating people and providing exploration opportunities. The museum also puts emphasis on sustainability, making it even more appealing to local and international audiences.
Obersalzberg Documentation Centre, Germany
Known as the place where Adolf Hitler spent more than a quarter of his time, the museum, located in Berchtesgaden, tells the stories of the horrors of the Nazi era.
Obersalzberg, being the power centre of the regime, was a place where important decisions that shaped the world were made.
"The exhibition links the local context with places throughout Europe where atrocities were committed and where millions were killed as a result of the heinous policies orchestrated at the alpine residence," says the committee in their document.
Despite its dark past, the museum is now a welcoming place where visitors are encouraged to learn about history, politics and remember those who were victims of the brutal regime.
Sensoria – The House of Fragrances and Flavours, Germany
For lovers of scents, Sensoria provides an opportunity to browse through its selection of 300 fragrances and then create their own unique perfume.
Established in 2024 in Holzminden, the museum has quickly helped reinforce Holzminden's reputation as the "city of scents and flavours". The exhibitions aim to tell the history and science of scents through sensory experiences.
The museum challenges visitors to re-imagine how different scents and flavours influence the world and society around us. The House of Fragrances and Flavours welcomes people of all ages while providing visitors with its forward-looking museum model, live events and interactive exhibitions.
National Museum of Resistance and Human Rights, Luxembourg
Based in Esch-Sur-Alzette, the museum explores resistance, oppression, collaboration, the Holocaust and human rights in three languages.
It is also the only museum in the country with a collection covering the experiences of the Nazi regime between 1940 and 1945.
The museum seeks to provide the public with information on important topics through guided tours, workshops and educational programmes. According to the official document, the museum works closely with associations, interest groups and researchers in an attempt to bridge the gap between academia and the public and establish itself as a vital cultural and educational resource in Luxembourg.
CERN Science Gateway, Switzerland
CERN bridges the gap between the general public and complex science. The largest physics laboratory in the world, located in Meyrin, welcomes everyone curious about science.
The Science Gateway is comprised of five buildings that are connected by a six-metre-high bridge that spans the road in front of the complex.
CERN is more than a museum - it is an immersive scientific playground where visitors can attend workshops, explore accelerators and laboratories, and visit numerous exhibitions. Regardless of age, everyone finds the experience exciting and interesting.
Young V&A, United Kingdom
Museums are not only for adults - they are also created for young people to connect with art from an early age. The well-known Victoria and Albert Museum in London, considered this need and reopened its doors for children, teens, families and teachers.
The spaces encourage young visitors to imagine, play and design through the use of almost 2,000 objects, toys and artworks.
The museum aims to be accessible and inclusive. Civic participation is one of its key features, and a good example of that is that the space was developed through a collaboration between V&A, children and families. The immersive exhibitions allow the public to explore the topics of sustainability, empathy and a sense of belonging.
The award ceremony will take place in Bilbao, Spain, on 13 June 2026 at Euskararen Etxea (the House of the Basque Language), the 2025 winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize.
