Peggy Guggenheim collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most visited Venice art museums. The only place with greater popularity is the Doge’s Palace. Each year, 400 000 visitors come to the museum to see an extensive collection of 20th-century art. The pieces by American and European artists contrast with the Renaissance artworks found in many Venice churches. Despite its popularity, the museum is very personal and intimate. 

Getting to the museum

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is easy to find with our interactive Venice map. It stands in the artsy Dorsoduro neighborhood, looking over the Grand Canal. You can walk here by crossing the Accademia Bridge from San Marco. Or you can take a vaporetto and get off at Accademia. From there, it’s only a few minutes to the museum. Since it is one of the best attractions in Venice, it’s best to book your ticket online beforehand. 

History of the museum

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed in the 18th-century Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. The designer, Lorenzo Boschetti, projected a four-story building. Yet, for financial reasons, it was never completed. That’s where the nickname “The Unfinished Palace” originates. In 1949, Peggy Guggenheim, an American millionaire, bought the palace and used it as her home. She was a vibrant woman, a prominent collector, and an art dealer. Venetian people loved her for her work and the wild parties she hosted at the palace. In 1951, Peggy began displaying her private art collection in the summer. Since she died in 1980, the museum has been in the hands of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. They made the collection available to the public year-round. They also expanded the gallery and made it one of the most impressive Venice museums. 

Why you should visit

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection hosts about 200 works featuring almost every movement in modern art. There are also 26 works on a long-term loan from the Gianni Mattioli Collection. Apart from the constant display, there are some temporary exhibitions. The palace’s dining room has notable cubist works, including Pablo Picasso. There is also an entire room dedicated to Jackson Pollock, discovered and promoted by the Guggenheims. Other artists represented include Miro, de Chirico, Magritte, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Duchamp, Chagall, Dalí, and Malevich. You can find the sculptures inside the house and in the Nasher Sculpture Garden outside. The museum has a restaurant, a café, a gift shop, and even a library. The latest is only open by appointment. 

Things to do in the area

The Venice map location of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is very convenient. Bordering San Marco with its famous St Mark’s Basilica, it’s very central. In this area, you can find other well-known Venice museums - the Accademia Gallery and Palazzo Cini. These are perfect for including in your Venice itinerary if you want to explore some art. If you walk a bit further, you’ll reach Santa Maria della Salute, one of the finest Venice churches. There you will also find Punta della Dogana, another must-see modern art museum.