From Renaissance masterpieces and modernist icons to deeply personal contemporary works, this year’s exhibition calendar offers compelling reasons to book a flight. Whether you are drawn to the emotional intensity of Tracey Emin, the colour-soaked brilliance of Henri Matisse, or the extraordinary precision of Jan van Eyck, these are the exhibitions making headlines across the art world.

Tracey Emin: A Major Retrospective

Tate Modern, London

Few contemporary artists have shaped British art quite like Tracey Emin. Raw, autobiographical and emotionally charged, her work has consistently challenged perceptions of intimacy, vulnerability and identity.

This landmark retrospective at Tate Modern brings together paintings, neon works, sculptures, installations and some of her most celebrated pieces, offering visitors an unprecedented look at the evolution of one of Britain’s most influential living artists.

For those who only know Emin through her iconic installation My Bed, this exhibition reveals the breadth of a career that has continuously pushed artistic boundaries while remaining intensely personal.

Find out more:

Why it’s worth travelling for

This is likely to be one of the defining contemporary art exhibitions of the year and a rare opportunity to experience decades of Emin’s work in a single setting.

Matisse at the Grand Palais

Grand Palais, Paris

Henri Matisse transformed modern art through his fearless use of colour, shape and composition. This major exhibition at the newly reopened Grand Palais celebrates the artist’s enduring legacy and explores how his work continues to influence contemporary design, fashion and visual culture.

Expect vibrant interiors, bold still lifes and the joyful colour palettes that made Matisse one of the most recognisable artists of the twentieth century.

Set beneath the spectacular glass roof of the Grand Palais, the exhibition combines two cultural icons in one unforgettable experience.

Find out more:

Why it’s worth travelling for

Paris and Matisse are a natural pairing. Few exhibitions this year offer such a beautiful combination of art, architecture and cultural atmosphere.

Jan van Eyck: The Portraits

The National Gallery, London

Widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Northern Renaissance, Jan van Eyck revolutionised portraiture through extraordinary realism and technical precision.

This exhibition reunites many of the artist’s surviving portraits, an achievement rarely seen due to the fragility and significance of these works.

Visitors will encounter paintings that continue to astonish art historians nearly six centuries after they were created. Every detail, from jewellery and fabrics to facial expressions and reflections, demonstrates Van Eyck’s unrivalled mastery.

Find out more:

Why it’s worth travelling for

Many of these works rarely leave their home institutions, making this a genuine once-in-a-generation exhibition.

Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon

Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Frida Kahlo remains one of the most influential artists and cultural figures of the modern era. Yet this exhibition goes beyond her paintings to explore how she became a global symbol of resilience, creativity and self-expression.

Featuring original works alongside photography, archival materials and pieces by artists inspired by her legacy, the exhibition examines the evolution of Kahlo’s image and enduring impact on popular culture.

Find out more:

Why it’s worth travelling for

Few artists bridge the worlds of art, fashion and culture quite like Frida Kahlo. This exhibition offers a deeper understanding of the woman behind the icon.

African Heritage Tours at Tate Modern

Tate Modern, London

Art tells stories. The African Heritage Tours at Tate Modern provide a unique perspective on the museum’s collection by highlighting artists, movements and works connected to African histories, cultures and creative influence.

These curator-led experiences encourage visitors to engage with art through new lenses, uncovering narratives that have helped shape global contemporary art.

The tours showcase how African artists and diasporic communities have influenced some of the most significant artistic developments of the past century.

Find out more:

Why it’s worth travelling for

This is more than an exhibition. It is an opportunity to experience one of the world’s leading museums through a richer and more expansive cultural perspective.

The Modafirma Edit

Art travel is no longer simply about ticking famous museums off a list. The most memorable cultural experiences are those that offer new perspectives, challenge assumptions and create lasting emotional connections.

Whether you find yourself standing in front of a centuries-old Van Eyck portrait, immersed in Matisse’s vibrant world of colour or exploring the deeply personal work of Tracey Emin, these exhibitions remind us why art remains one of the most rewarding reasons to travel.

If you’re planning a cultural city break this year, London and Paris offer an exceptional combination of exhibitions that can easily be experienced over a long weekend, making them our top destinations for art lovers in 2026.