Museums and other exhibition venues are usually more of an autumn or winter pursuit. This summer, however, many parts of Europe are so hot that travelers may well appreciate a few hours in air-conditioned comfort. Gold enthusiasts could combine a trip to a European city with a visit to an interesting exhibition or event centered on gold. Below, we present a few ideas for combining city breaks with gold-themed outings.
Exhibitions in German-speaking countries: from Berlin to Basel
Berlin may not be Germany's most beautiful city, but it is certainly one of its most dazzling. Gold enthusiasts visiting the capital should check out the Deutsches Technikmuseum, where the year-round exhibition "Manufakturelle Schmuckproduktion – Mensch, Maschine, Meisterstück" offers fascinating insights into traditional jewelry-making. Afterward, it's worth taking a look at the 3,000-year-old "Berliner Goldhut" (Berlin Gold Hat), a masterpiece of prehistoric goldsmithing on display on Berlin's Museum Island. At the Museum der Kulturen in Basel, Switzerland, the exhibition "Gold – von Glanz- und Schattenseiten," which examines both the shine and the shadow side of the precious metal, opens in November 2026 and promises an approach that is as poetic as it is critical.
Exhibitions in international cities: from London to Paris
One of the most exciting historical gold exhibitions in Europe is likely "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs," which combines 180 artifacts from Egyptian museums in Cairo with virtual elements. The exhibition, currently on view at NEON in Battersea Power Station in London, UK, has, according to the museum, already drawn more than 2 million visitors worldwide. Gold fans planning a trip to the city of love can look forward to the reopening of the Galerie d'Apollon at the Louvre in Paris, France. The gallery had been closed following the spectacular break-in at the Louvre. It can now be visited again as a purely ceremonial hall, since the jewels were either stolen or moved to secure storage. Afterward, the exhibition "Silla: Gold and the Sacred" at the Musée Guimet, on view through the end of August 2026 and showcasing gold jewelry from the Korean kingdom that lasted from 57 BC to 935 AD, could well be worth a visit.