The Travel Guide to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, located in the elegant Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on Venice’s Grand Canal, is Italy’s most important museum of 20th-century European and American art. Once the home of the renowned art collector Peggy Guggenheim, it now stands as one of only four Guggenheim museums worldwide.

The palazzo, found at Dorsoduro 701, sits between the Accademia Bridge and the Church of Santa Maria della Salute. Dating back to the 18th century, this striking building is famously unfinished,its incomplete facade adding to its intrigue. For visitors exploring Things to do in Venice, this museum is an unmissable stop for art lovers.

Planning Your Visit

The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Tuesdays and December 25. The ticket office closes at 5 pm, with final admission at the same time.

Admission Fees

• Adults: Around €16 (approximately $21–22).
• Students under 26: €9 ($11.50).
• Seniors over 70: €14.
• Children under 10: Free.
• Members: Free.

Tickets should be booked online in advance, particularly during high season, as the museum limits visitor numbers.

Free and Discounted Access

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection also promotes inclusivity with free entry for:

• Visitors with disabilities and their care partners.
• Blind or visually impaired visitors and their companions.
• Venetian citizens during the Madonna della Salute celebrations (November 19–23).
• Venice residents, those born in Venice, and university students on Thursdays from 2–6 pm.

Getting There

The museum is easy to reach via Venice’s ACTV vaporetto (water bus) network.
From Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia Station, take Line 1 or 2 toward Lido and get off at Accademia or Salute.
From St. Mark’s Square, take Line 1 or 2 toward Piazzale Roma and exit at the same stops.

The museum is only a short walk from the Accademia Bridge, nestled in the charming Dorsoduro district.

Exploring the Collections

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

This permanent display highlights the groundbreaking art movements of the 20th century, including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism, and Abstract Expressionism.

Visitors can admire masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, and Wassily Kandinsky.

Notable highlights include:

• The Angel of the City (1948) by Marino Marini, greeting guests in the courtyard.
• Alchemy (1947) by Jackson Pollock, showcasing his signature drip painting technique.
• The Empire of Light (1950) by René Magritte, blending day and night into a single surreal vision.
• Upward (1929) by Kandinsky, a composition of vivid geometric forms.

The museum also houses a collection of African, Oceanic, and Pre-Columbian artworks.

The Schulhof Collection

Located in the museum’s barchessa, this section focuses on post-war art through the 1980s. It features works by Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Cy Twombly, and Donald Judd, covering movements such as Minimalism and Pop Art.

The Nasher Sculpture Garden

The museum’s serene garden blends art and nature. It showcases sculptures by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, and Jean Arp, as well as the Nasher Foundation’s contributions. Here, visitors will also find Peggy Guggenheim’s final resting place, alongside her fourteen beloved Lhasa Apso dogs.

Exhibitions and Events

The museum regularly features temporary exhibitions in addition to its permanent displays.

• Current: Manu-Facture: The Ceramics of Lucio Fontana (October 11, 2025 – March 2, 2026).
• Upcoming: Peggy Guggenheim in London: The Making of a Collector (April 25 – October 19, 2026).

Accessibility and Inclusion

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection strives to make art accessible to all.

• Wheelchairs and baby strollers are available free of charge.
• Platform lifts provide access to different levels, including the garden and café.
• Service animals are welcome.

Tactile Programs

The innovative Double Meaning: A Tactile Journey allows blind or visually impaired visitors to explore reproductions of selected artworks through touch. Free tactile tours can be reserved by email at doppiosenso@guggenheim-venice.it.

Tours, Workshops, and Services

Visitors can join guided tours on weekends at 11 am or request private tours outside public hours.
Daily free Art Talks introduce visitors to Peggy’s life and collection.
Audioguides are available for €7 in several languages.

The museum also offers educational workshops for children, families, and schools, such as Kids Day and themed art sessions inspired by major artists.

Dining and Shopping

The Museum Café, managed by the Venetian restaurant Ai Gondolieri, overlooks the Grand Canal and serves light lunches and snacks.
Two museum shops, one inside and one outside the entrance, sell art-inspired gifts and books.

Visitor Guidelines

• Large bags and luggage must be stored in the cloakroom.
• Appropriate attire is required.
• Food and drink are not permitted inside.
• Photography is allowed without flash; tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.
• Sketching with pencils is allowed; pens and paints are not.

Contact Information

• General Information: +39 041 2405 411 | info@guggenheim-venice.it
• Visitor Services: +39 041 2405 440 | visitorinfo@guggenheim-venice.it
• Tactile Tours: +39 041 2405 444 | doppiosenso@guggenheim-venice.it
• Guided Tours: booking@guggenheim-venice.it

Beyond the Grand Canal: The Stories Behind the Museum

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is more than a museum; it’s a living reflection of Peggy’s extraordinary life. The palazzo, once home to eccentric socialites like Marchesa Luisa Casati and Doris Castlerosse, became the stage for Peggy’s transformation of Venice’s art scene.

The Woman Behind the Collection

Peggy Guggenheim was a visionary who defied convention. She lost her father on the Titanic, endured tragic family losses, and immersed herself in the avant-garde world of Paris and New York. Her relationships with artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Max Ernst shaped modern art history.

The Unfinished Palace

The Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, nicknamed the “Unfinished Palace,” was meant to be a grand Venetian residence but was never completed. Its single-story design makes it unique on the Grand Canal.

Scandal and Sculpture

One of the museum’s most famous sculptures, The Angel of the City, once had a detachable bronze penis that Peggy humorously used to signal her presence to guests—a story that perfectly captures her irreverent wit.

Wartime Heroism

During World War II, Peggy risked her life to save hundreds of modernist artworks, many deemed “degenerate” by the Nazis, shipping them safely to New York. The Louvre even refused to protect them, claiming they weren’t “worth saving.”

A Legacy of Controversy

Even after her death in 1979, Peggy’s legacy stirred family disputes over how her collection should be managed. Yet her vision endured, and the museum remains one of Venice’s most beloved cultural landmarks.

Conclusion

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is more than an art museum; it’s a window into a daring, unconventional life that shaped modern art. From Pollock’s explosive canvases to the tranquil garden where Peggy rests, every corner tells a story of rebellion, creativity, and resilience.

For travelers seeking culture and inspiration, this museum is a must-see stop on any journey through Venice’s artistic heart.