Art has become one of the most compelling reasons to travel, turning cities, small towns, and even remote landscapes into destinations in their own right. These are not just places to look at art but places to linger, wander, and plan an entire trip around.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Artur Matosyan/Unsplash
From converted grain silos and sculpture gardens in South Africa to creative districts and world-class museums abroad, these galleries, studios and spaces reward travellers willing to follow their curiosity, writes Lee-Ann Steyn.
South Africa: Creative spaces that shape the journey
Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town
Housed in a former grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is a landmark not only for its collection but for its architecture. The cathedral-like atrium carved from concrete silos sets the tone before visitors even reach the galleries. Exhibitions foreground contemporary African and diasporic voices, making this a meaningful starting point for understanding the continent’s artistic pulse. A visit pairs naturally with Cape Town’s design hotels, food scene and waterfront walks, making it easy to build a long weekend around the museum alone.
Woodstock and the East City art corridor, Cape Town
Cape Town’s creative energy spills beyond formal institutions into neighbourhoods where galleries, studios and cafés cluster within walking distance. Woodstock and the East City precinct are home to heavyweight galleries such as Stevenson and Goodman alongside smaller experimental spaces and open studios. Wandering between exhibitions becomes part of the experience, with murals, industrial architecture and coffee stops adding texture to the route.
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Stellenbosch
Set in the folds of the Stellenbosch mountains, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden blends monumental bronze works with indigenous gardens and quiet walking paths. Art unfolds slowly here, encouraging visitors to spend hours rather than minutes. The Winelands location allows the experience to stretch into a full escape that includes farm stays, wine farms and hiking trails.
Small town studios and creative retreats
Creative travel in South Africa is not confined to major cities. Towns such as Hogsback in the Eastern Cape attract artists, writers and makers drawn to forests, mountains and slower rhythms. Studios double as galleries and cafés, offering travellers the chance to meet artists in their working environments. These destinations suit travellers seeking immersion rather than spectacle.
Timing travel around art events
Annual events such as the Cape Town Art Fair turn the city into a temporary creative capital, with satellite exhibitions, talks and pop-ups activating spaces across town. Planning travel around these moments adds access and energy while still allowing time to explore permanent collections and studios.
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Africa: Where contemporary art meets cultural capital
Art in Souk Medina, Marrakech/ELMOUJDI/Wikimedia Commons
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech’s appeal lies in its layering. Contemporary galleries sit alongside centuries-old riads, artisan workshops and architectural landmarks. Creative spaces in Gueliz and the medina reflect a dialogue between tradition and modernity, making the city a powerful destination for people interested in craft, design and fine art within a deeply rooted cultural context.
Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic art cities. Contemporary galleries, private collections, and street-level creativity thrive in a city defined by movement and scale. Travellers drawn to Lagos come for its raw energy, experimental exhibitions, and the chance to witness a fast-evolving cultural scene that feels urgent and alive.
Dakar and Accra as rising art hubs
West Africa continues to shape global conversations around contemporary African art. Dakar’s long-standing cultural institutions and biennales combine with Accra’s growing network of galleries, studios and creative collectives. These cities reward travellers who want depth, dialogue and direct engagement with artists.
Art fairs and photography festivals
Events such as the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair and regional photography festivals act as gateways to discovering galleries across the continent. Travel planned around these moments often reveals lesser-known spaces and emerging artists, turning a short visit into a broader exploration.
International: Art destinations that define cities
Tate Modern, London
Situated along the Thames in a former power station, Tate Modern remains one of the most influential modern art museums in the world. Its scale, free permanent collection and ever-changing exhibitions make it a repeat-visit destination. The surrounding South Bank and nearby neighbourhoods add bookshops, theatres and riverside walks that naturally extend the experience.
Saatchi Gallery, London
Focused on contemporary and often provocative work, the Saatchi Gallery offers a different lens on the global art scene. Its exhibitions frequently spotlight emerging artists and bold themes, appealing to travellers who want to see what is shaping current conversations.
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Brazil
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum/Donatas Dabravolskas/Wikimedia Commons
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum is as much about place as it is about art. Perched above Guanabara Bay, the building itself feels sculptural. Visiting the museum becomes an architectural pilgrimage that pairs seamlessly with Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and cultural districts.
M50 Creative Park, Shanghai
Converted warehouses and factories along Moganshan Road form one of China’s most significant contemporary art districts. Dozens of galleries and studios operate side by side, creating an environment that rewards slow exploration and spontaneous discovery. Travellers interested in grassroots creative scenes often find this more revealing than traditional museums.
Cité internationale des arts, Paris
Paris continues to attract artists from around the world, and the Cité internationale des arts sits at the heart of that tradition. This residency and studio complex offers a glimpse into the city’s living creative ecosystem rather than its historic past alone. Nearby galleries, bookshops and cafés complete the picture.
Hauser and Wirth destinations worldwide
Hauser and Wirth has redefined what a gallery can be by combining exhibitions with gardens, restaurants and community spaces in destinations from Somerset to Menorca. These locations encourage visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply, making them ideal anchors for slow, experience-driven travel.
How to travel with art as the main event
Art-led travel works best when the pace is adjusted. Fewer destinations allow more meaningful encounters, whether that means lingering in a sculpture garden or returning to the same gallery twice. Pairing major institutions with independent studios creates contrast and context. Timing trips around openings, fairs or residencies often unlocks access to talks and studio visits that casual tourists miss.
Art has become a compass rather than a sidebar, guiding travellers toward places where creativity shapes daily life. From South Africa’s evolving gallery landscape to Africa’s rising cultural capitals and the world’s most influential art cities, these are spaces that reward curiosity and justify the journey.
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