Best for
Art lovers of any level, first-time London visitors
Time needed
1.5–3 hours
Worth it?
Yes — a world-class collection, entirely free, in the heart of the city
Skip if
Fine art painting genuinely isn't your interest
About National Gallery
The National Gallery was founded in 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings from the estate of a bankrupt banker, on the principle — unusual for the time — that great art should belong to the nation and be free for anyone to see, not restricted to a royal or aristocratic collection. It moved into its current purpose-built home on Trafalgar Square in 1838, designed by William Wilkins.
The collection now runs from Duccio and Van Eyck in the 13th–15th century rooms through to Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Sunflowers-era Post-Impressionism in the modern wing, taking in Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Turner, Constable and Monet along the way. Unlike many national collections built around a single country's art, the National Gallery deliberately spans the whole of Western European painting, which is part of why it rewards repeat visits rather than a single sweep.
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The Sainsbury Wing, added in 1991 specifically to house the early Renaissance collection, is itself an architecturally significant building, while the main galleries retain their grand 19th-century character. As with the British Museum, the sheer scale means most visitors do better picking a era or a handful of named works to focus on rather than attempting the whole building.
General admission is free year-round; ticketed temporary exhibitions (major loan shows of a single artist or movement) are the gallery's only paid content.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Van Gogh's Sunflowers
- 2Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks
- 3Vermeer, Rembrandt and Dutch Golden Age masterpieces
- 4Turner and Constable's British landscape rooms
- 5The Sainsbury Wing's early Renaissance collection
- 6Free entry to over 2,300 Western European paintings
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Insider Tips
Pick 2–3 rooms or artists to focus on — the collection is too large to see properly in one visit
Free 1-hour guided highlight tours run daily — check the schedule at the information desk
Friday evenings (until 21:00) are quieter than daytime hours
The Sainsbury Wing entrance is separate from the main Trafalgar Square entrance
Combine with the adjoining National Portrait Gallery, entered from the same square
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
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Getting There
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Open in Google Maps →- 1Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern lines) — directly opposite. Leicester Square (Northern, Piccadilly) is also a 5-minute walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to see Van Gogh, Vermeer, Leonardo and Turner in one building
- You appreciate Western European art history from medieval to Impressionist
- You're already in Trafalgar Square and have an hour to spare
- You want a free, central activity that works in any weather
Skip if...
- Painting and fine art hold little interest for you
- You've already toured major European art museums recently and want variety
- You have under 30 minutes — better to skip than rush a partial visit
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
British Museum
The world's oldest national public museum — eight million objects spanning two million years of human history, free to enter, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon Marbles.
National Portrait Gallery
Over 250,000 portraits of the people who shaped British history, from Tudor monarchs to contemporary celebrities, in a building reopened after a major 2023 refurbishment.
Trafalgar Square
London's grand ceremonial square, watched over by Nelson's Column and four bronze lions, fronted by the National Gallery — free, open 24/7, and the geographic heart of the city.