Travel

From Turner to Hockney: Europe’s must-see art exhibitions for 2025 and beyond


The beginning of the year, when many of us make travel plans for the upcoming months, is a perfect moment to think of European destinations in terms of art-related experiences. Let’s have a look at the list of the most appealing museum exhibitions we are looking forward to in 2025. Our choice here is guided by the idea to curate a list of popular destinations that can be enhanced by temporary, not-to-be-missed opportunities to see outstanding art exhibitions.

From long-awaited retrospectives to cutting-edge installations, here are some of the top exhibitions to check out across Europe in 2025:

Cézanne at Musée Granet

Aix-en-Provence, France , 28 June to 12 October

This year Aix-en-Provence is celebrating one of its most prominent residents, the post-impressionist Paul Cézanne. Opening early summer at Musée Granet, the exhibition will offer a comprehensive look at Cézanne’s evolution as an artist, allowing us to appreciate his genius within the very region that inspired much of his work.

The exhibition will feature around 100 pieces, some of them loaned by world renowned museums in Paris, New York, Tokyo and London. These include iconic works, such as “The Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,” “Bather and the Rocks,” “Self-Portrait in Front of a Pink Background” and “The Card Players.”

To complete the experience, the exhibition can be accompanied by a visit to Cezanne’s studio in Les Lauves and The Bibémus Quarries that inspired a lot of artists’ work. See more details here. And you can get tickets here.

American Photography at the Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam, 7 February to 9 June

Over the past decades The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has been building up a photography collection. Part of it, alongside loaned works, will be shown at the first ever photography exhibition in the history of the institution.

American Photography, an exhibition exploring the rich history and diverse styles of American photographers from the 19th century to the present day, is on show from February. Featuring more than 200 works by some of the most influential figures in the medium including Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Richard Avedon and Cindy Sherman, the show will delve into the way American photographers have documented the nation’s culture, history, and identity.

You can book your visit here.

In Situ: Refik Anadol

Guggenheim Bilbao. 7 March to 19 October

For those seeking an immersive, futuristic experience (and a must for those who haven’t been to the Basque Country), the Guggenheim Bilbao is the place to be. The Turkish American digital artist Refik Anadol’s in situ will transform the iconic museum’s architecture with an impressive display of data-driven installations and AI-powered projections. Anadol is known for his ability to blend technology with art, creating large-scale works that challenge our perception of space and time.

At the Guggenheim, his installation will blend into the museum’s curvilinear architecture, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital realms. This exhibition promises to be an awe-inspiring experience that pushes the limits of what we think of as art.

You can get your tickets here.

David Hockney 25

Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris, 4 April to 1 September

David Hockney, one of the most iconic and versatile British artists of our time, is planning a major exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. David Hockney 25, the largest exhibition in the artist’s long career, will take over the whole building to celebrate 25 years of the artist’s work with the foundation, showcasing his ongoing experimentation with new techniques and mediums.

Hockney, who “has been personally involved in every aspect of the exhibition” wanted to highlight key periods and approaches, including renowned landscape paintings, celebrated portraits, and the most recent works created through digital platforms.

The most impressive exhibition space within the building, Gallery 10, will be devoted to Hockney’s set designs and provide an immersive experience combining musical and visual pieces.

You can get tickets here, but this is going to be a very popular exhibition.

Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão: Between Your Teeth

Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian, Lisbon, 11 April to 15 September

In 2025, Lisbon is still one of the hottest travel destinations in Europe. If you happen to be there, don’t hesitate to visit the city’s new architectural gem, Gulbenkian Modern Art Centre (CAM), reopened last year after a profound reformulation by the renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. From April, CAM will host a fascinating exhibition, “Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão: Between Your Teeth.”

This show will juxtapose the works of two powerful women artists from different cultural backgrounds—Rego from Portugal and Varejão from Brazil.

Rego’s iconic figurative style and Varejão’s provocative use of symbolism will create a compelling dialogue that delves into the complex intersection of culture, mythology, and the human body. The surrounding garden with its shadowy lanes and running streams guarantees a calming post-exhibition moment.

Looking ahead:

Turner and Constable

Tate Britain in London, 27 November to 12 April 2026

In November, Tate Britain will open “Turner and Constable,” a major exhibition that will compare the works of two of Britain’s most famous landscape painters. J.M.W. Turner and John Constable are often seen as polar opposites in British art history – Turner’s dramatic, atmospheric works contrasting with Constable’s more serene and idealized rural scenes. And as you might expect, they were rivals who loathed one another.

Yet, this exhibition aims to demonstrate how both artists explored the natural world in deeply personal ways, each seeking to capture its fleeting beauty and raw power. The show will explore their shared fascination with light, weather, and the effects of the changing British landscape, giving visitors an opportunity to appreciate the similarities and differences in their respective artistic approaches.

Whether you are interested in classic masterpieces, contemporary digital art, or powerful cross-cultural dialogues, Europe’s leading museums are sure to offer something for every taste.

Tickets aren’t yet available.

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See more about art exhibitions here in Dispatches’ archives.

Read more from Nina here.

Website |  + posts

Nina Danilova is an art writer and contemporary art curator. She is about to finish her PhD
in Culture Studies. She grew up in Russia and lived in Germany, Estonia, Italy and
Portugal, where she is currently based. She is passionate about history, languages, food,
and dancing.

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