When LEGO designers base their sets on real landmarks, the results can be uncanny. Whether it's the silhouette of a contemporary skyline, or an idealized depiction of an Ancient Wonder, the best LEGO architecture sets celebrate their real-life inspirations, and they capture the feel, artistry, and dimensions of the genuine article.
Modern times limit artistic expression. When a big building goes up today, practical concerns often eclipse aesthetic concerns. It becomes more about creating an efficient building—to make utilitarian use of the space—than to make the most beautiful building possible.
The best architecture, both new and old, is interactive art on the biggest scale possible —massive installations that are meant to be lived in and explored, rather than simply admired.
Here are the Top 10 LEGO Architecture sets, available now.
10. London Skyline
The LEGO London skyline is a study in contrast. On one hand, it has the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, Big Ben, and the Tower Bridge—all steeped in history and tradition. And then, in the backdrop of all, we see the London Eye, a massive ferris wheel that gives this set a bit of light whimsy.
9. Statue of Liberty
A gift to America from France, Lady Liberty welcomes immigrants to New York's shores. She's an American icon, and this set has all her key details—even the shackle and chain at her feet, symbolizing new freedom.
8. New York City
The skyline of the City That Doesn't Sleep is as iconic as ever. The New York City set showcases a mixture of old and new: the Statue of Liberty, the Flatiron, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center.
7. The White House
The People's House is nearly as old as the nation that built it. Every U.S. President, from John Adams onwards, has lived and worked at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This set depicts the entire complex, including the East Wing, the West Wing, and also the Rose Garden, where the President hosts important guests and fields questions from the press.
6. Paris
Is that romance in the air? Scaled proportionally, LEGO Paris depicts six landmarks in the City of Lights: the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Tour Montparnasse, Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. Like all the other skyline sets, Paris contains an information booklet with a brief history of the structures.
5. Taj Mahal
An outsized declaration of love and a pinnacle of Muslim architecture, the Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This LEGO set is as massive as it is detailed, and it includes the crypt and tombs of the emperor and empress.
4. Great Pyramid of Giza
Unlike many of the other builds on this list—which show these landmarks as they exist today—the LEGO Great Pyramid of Giza takes us back to 26th century B.C., when the pyramids still had their white limestone covering. This set also comes with two smaller pyramids, a sphinx, and a facsimile of the Nile River. You can open the pyramid to reveal the passageways and royal chambers inside.
3. Himeji Castle
This set captures the architecture of Himeji Castle, a 700-year-old fort and one of the most popular landmarks in Japan.You can open the roof to reveal the interiors, and the decorative elements include the country's pink cherry trees.
2. Colosseum
The LEGO Colosseum is a painstaking recreation of an ancient Roman stadium's ruins, where gladiators once battled. We built this set back when it launched, and we concluded that the end result is worth the work that goes into it.
1. Eiffel Tower
The LEGO Eiffel Tower is, as of December 2023, the set with the highest piece count in LEGO history—over 10,000 pieces, which combine to form one of the most iconic structures in the world. The tower includes three observation decks and a set of elevators, and it stands close to five feet tall.
LEGO Architecture sets are some of the best LEGO sets for adults, because by design they're not really made in any way to appeal to average kids.
In a way, it's surprising that there aren't more of these sets. The Museum of Modern Art, for example, partners with LEGO and sells The Starry Night in their gift shop, and when I went there with my family a few months ago, they were completely sold out. Surely, most architectural tourist destinations could benefit from a replica set—an ultimate souvenir—for visitors to take home and remember their travels by.
For more, check out our picks for the best Nintendo LEGO sets, as well as the best LEGO Ninjago sets.
