Top 3 Cultural Cities to Visit Outside of the US in 2025

Mexico City

Art trips are a great source of inspiration, to shake up the practice and motivate the creation of a new body of work. Sometimes artists just need a break, to get out of a rut and step into a different culture to see the world with fresh eyes. In this list I have put together my favorite cultural cities that have bustling art scenes and are brimming with unique cultural experiences.

Take a look at the post Established Art Cities Outside of the US – to live, to study, to build a career if you need a much longer game plan.

#1 Mexico City

Flying into Mexico City is a spectacle in itself especially upon passing the mighty (and active) Popocatépetl volcano. The sprawling city looks so colorful and huge from above – this is only magnified when you land.

I love to see powerful, impressive and creative women celebrated. Frida Kahlo is a much-loved cultural icon, widely celebrated in the city. Her home, Casa Azul (Museo Frida Kahlo), is definitely worth a visit to see her artist studio where she worked and pondered. Look out for her dramatic filing system! 

For a relaxing day strolling around greenery, art and museums, head to El Bosque de Chapultepec. This is the biggest park in Mexico City and it is huge. Museo de Arte Moderno is easy to spot as there are dramatic sculptures and installations around the building. Museo de Sitio exhibits contemporary art too. Also, within the park you will find the Museo Nacional de Antropología which has an enormous two story fountain inside and the famous Aztec sun stone on display. The Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo is another contemporary art space with incredible architecture. The castle overlooking the park, Castillo de Chapultepec, is worth the climb with fantastic views. For those that make it out of the park (it’s possible to stay there for days) there are so many more museums and art spaces spread across the city.

The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is a marvel – even without seeing a show, it’s essential to stand in awe of it for a while. There are too many contemporary art spaces to list here (not to mention the pop-up events). Don’t miss these ones: Galería OMR, Lago Algo, Kurimanzutto, MAIA Contemporary, and Museo Jumex.

#2 Berlin 

In the 1990’s artists flooded into Berlin. The magnetism of the city was due to its cheap rent for both living and studio spaces, strong program of public arts funding, large industrial studio spaces and in general a center for the creative start-up scene. There is a certain freedom of spirit that makes it very attractive for artists. This trend still continues although rent has gone up and funding isn’t quite as easy to come by (not to mention there is a lot of competition!).

Arts and culture are integral to Berlin’s identity. There are hundreds of museums and contemporary art galleries in the city and there is a never-ending choice of art events and exhibitions to visit.

Here are some of the art venues not to miss: Boros Collection, where a vast collection of art is housed in a striking (and intimidating) former Nazi-era bunker; KW (Kunst-Werke) Institute; Berlinische Galerie; and KINDL Centre for Contemporary Art.

It’s great to arrange a trip to Berlin to coincide with one of its big art events such as Gallery Weekend Berlinwhich is an annual fair for contemporary art. Berlin Art Week is another steady feature which pulls together around 50 partners that range from museums to private collections, project spaces, and art galleries. Finally, The Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art is an attraction to all the top art world professionals.

#3 Montreal

Known as ‘the city of festivals’, Montreal has over 100 happening every year. Place des Festivals is a plaza at the heart of the arts district Quartier des Spectacles, which is a dedicated space to cater for this huge number of cultural events. This district, which was once the red-light district, is now home to 85 institutional and cultural partners, including museums, performance venues, contemporary art galleries, cinemas, and cultural centers.

In recent times the city has been working hard to promote the inclusive representation of Aboriginal diversity. Wandering around the arts quarter you will see art from local Indigenous artists especially in the murals.

In terms of art venues: Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MACM), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), DHC/ART, Pierre-François Ouellette Art Contemporain (PFOAC), Art Mûr, Optica, Dazibao, Galerie de L’UQAM, Centre Clark, Occurrence, COA Contemporary Art Gallery and Bello Building which is an enclave of galleries, are all worth adding to the gallery hopping list.

What is your favorite art city to visit – leave your suggestions below!