Peggy Guggenheim Collection: an icon of contemporary art in Venice

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice: a milestone stop for 20th century art

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice is located in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a beautiful residence overlooking the picturesque Grand Canal, this palace was the private home of Peggy Guggenheim from 1949 to 1979, later becoming a museum in the 1980s. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice today represents one of the most important museums in Italy for 20th century European and American art. Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, René Magritte, Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, Henry Moore are just some of the artists who find a home within the beautiful spaces. 

The collection consists of works by leading artists from the art movements of the first half of the 20th century, such as Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, American Abstract Expressionism, Metaphysical painting, avant-garde sculpture, European abstraction, as well as African, pre-Columbian and Oceanic works of art. The exhibition space is spread over a single floor where we find, on one side, the permanent collection of Peggy Guggenheim and, on the other, the temporary exhibitions that are set up regularly. The exhibition space is enriched by the splendid garden overlooking the Grand Canal where some important works are located. The purpose of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice is to spread the knowledge of contemporary art to anyone who wishes to admire it or learn more about it. 

Useful tips for visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice

Opening hours: the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, the ticket office closes at 17:00. Tuesday is the closing day. 

Accessibility: The museum is also accessible to people with walking difficulties and in wheelchairs. It is not possible to access the museum with bags, backpacks, suitcases or objects of potentially dangerous dimensions for the protection of the works on display, there is a cloakroom where you can leave your things. It is recommended to wear appropriate clothing during the visit and entry is not permitted to those who are bare-chested, in a bathing suit or barefoot. During the visit it is advisable to follow the instructions of the staff. The museum does not accept aggressive, offensive, discriminatory or intimidating behavior, even verbal, and behavior that puts the works of art at risk. Animals are not allowed with the exception of guide dogs for the blind. 

Tickets and costs: The entrance ticket to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection has various price ranges, free for children up to 10 years of age, there is a discount for students up to 26 years of age and for over 70s. It is highly recommended to rely on a guided tour with the help of trained companions who will be able to convey the importance of each work, it is possible to book guided tours in various foreign languages, alternatively there is the possibility of purchasing audio guides in French, English, Spanish, German and Italian. 

Reservations: To avoid queues and choose the most suitable time it is always recommended to book online and in advance. Alternatively, it is also possible to purchase tickets at the museum based on availability. 

How to get to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is located along the Grand Canal between the Accademia Bridge and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, and precisely at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Dorsoduro 701.

Vaporetto: From the Piazzale Roma train station, take the vaporetto Line 1 or 2 towards Lido and get off at the Accademia or Salute stop. From Piazzale San Marco, take Line 1 or 2 towards Piazzale Roma and get off at the Accademia or Salute Stop

On foot: If you prefer to walk, you can get to the Guggenheim Collection with a pleasant walk from the Venice Piazzale Roma train station in about 30 minutes, while from Piazza San Marco it takes just 13 minutes. 

Water taxi: if you have special needs for your travels, consider that there is also the option of taking a private taxi. 

Faqs about visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice

How long does the visit last?
Guided tours of the permanent and temporary collections last approximately a couple of hours. It is advisable to then take your time to review the works and walk through both the internal and external spaces. Plan on at least 3 hours.

Can I take photos inside the museum?
It is permitted to take photos, but without the use of flash and for personal use. 

Can I bring material to make live sketches?
It is permitted to bring pencils, pads and notebooks for sketching; easels, inks and colours are not permitted. 

Is there a refreshment area at the museum?
Inside the Peggy Guggenheim Collection there is the Museum café, which offers a wide choice of menus for lunches and snacks during the museum's opening hours.

Is there a bookshop inside the Museum?
Yes, there are 2 bookshops, one inside the museum and one outside. Both offer a wide range of items dedicated to Peggy Guggenheim and 20th-century art, including catalogues, books and objects. 

Who was Peggy Guggenheim?

Peggy Guggenheim was one of the most famous art collectors of the twentieth century, patron and wife of the famous artist Max Ernst. Peggy was the daughter of Benjamin Guggenheim who sank aboard the Titanic in 1912 and granddaughter of Solomon Guggenheim, owner of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Upon Peggy's death, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and the entire collection were donated to the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation, after the proposed donation to the Municipality of Venice was rejected. The ashes of the famous collector rest in a corner of the garden. Peggy also buried her many and beloved dogs in the garden: Hong Kong, Baby, Gypsy, Emily, Cappuccino.