Best art galleries in London – top galleries to visit for great art

How we chose the best art galleries in London

Our selection is based on a mix of:

• First-hand insight from the Visit London team
• Galleries with global significance and standout exhibitions
• High visitor appeal and consistent public enthusiasm
• A great overall visitor experience

Find London’s best art galleries on the map

Major art museums

Explore London’s major art museums, where you’ll find some of the world’s most celebrated collections and exhibitions. These landmark spaces showcase everything from historic masterpieces to groundbreaking contemporary works.

The National Gallery – Best for world-renowned masterpieces

Venture into a treasure trove of European art, where every room reveals a new masterpiece. With more than 2,000 paintings, the National Gallery offers an extraordinary journey from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century.

See iconic works by Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Turner, and don’t miss our favourites such as Sunflowers, The Hay Wain and Botticelli’s Venus and Mars. Alongside the free collection, the gallery hosts paid exhibitions that spotlight major artists and themes in European art, with past showcases ranging from Caravaggio to Monet and Constable.

When you’re ready for a break, choose from five eateries offering everything from quick coffee stops to refined dining at Ochre Brasserie and Locatelli.

Best for: Masterpiece seekers, first-time art museum visitors, classic art fans
Good to know: Enhance your visit by downloading the National Gallery Podcast, packed with stories and insights behind the paintings. If you’d like a curated introduction to the collection, join the National Gallery Highlights Tour, led by an expert Blue Badge Guide.

Tate Britain – Best for British art

Experience some of the finest British art from 1500 to today at Tate Britain, home to the world’s largest collection of art from across Britain and the most extensive holdings of works by J.M.W. Turner. Follow the walk-through rooms, arranged chronologically, to explore everything from Pre-Raphaelites and 20th-century art to pop art, sculpture and historic artefacts. 

We recommend seeking out masterpieces by Turner, Constable and Millais – best known for Ophelia, one of Tate’s most famous and most-visited paintings – along with standout modern and contemporary works by Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and David Hockney. Keep an eye out for the Turner Prize exhibition, typically held here every other year.

Best for: Turner enthusiasts, classical gallery fans
Good to know: For the full Tate experience, take the Tate Boat to travel between Tate Britain and Tate Modern. You can also join a Tate to Tate tour, which includes a guided morning at Tate Britain, a river journey linking the two galleries and an afternoon tour of Tate Modern.

Tate Modern – Best for modern and contemporary art

Discover one of London’s most dynamic art spaces, where a former power station now showcases cutting‑edge modern and contemporary art from around the world. Visitors come for its bold Turbine Hall commissions, vibrant collections and standout solo shows.

Tate Modern’s permanent displays span major movements and artists, arranged thematically by idea, colour or medium. As you move through sculpture, photography, interactive displays and paintings, you’ll encounter pieces by Picasso, Dalí, Warhol, Matisse and Kusama. Look out for our highlights, including Dalí’s Lobster Telephone and Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych.

We recommend exploring the gallery’s changing exhibition programme, which delves into influential movements and artists, such as Tracey Emin’s landmark retrospective.

Best for: Modern art fans, anyone who enjoys bold, immersive experiences
Good to know: Take the lift to Level 9 in the Blavatnik Building, where the cafe leads to an open‑air terrace with impressive, free‑to‑access views across London.

National Portrait Gallery – Best for striking portraits of famous figures 

Explore one of the world’s greatest portrait collections at the National Portrait Gallery. Since 1856, the gallery has told Britain’s story through art, celebrating global icons and unsung figures across six centuries. Its paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and prints bring history to life through the people who shaped it.

We love spotting artists, actors, musicians, scientists and public figures from the 1900s to today, including self-portraits by Hogarth and Reynolds and the famous Chandos portrait of Shakespeare – the gallery’s first and most famous acquisition. Make sure to also time your visit for major ticketed exhibitions, with past highlights featuring Henry VIII’s Queens, Francis Bacon and Paul McCartney.

Best for: Portraiture fans, people-spotters
Good to know: Join a free Daily Highlights Tour at 12pm or 3pm – each lasts around 45 minutes. You can also drop into a Portrait of the Day talk at 11am or 2pm, which runs for about 30 minutes.

Royal Academy of Arts – Best for creative inspiration

Wander through free displays and standout exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts, founded in 1768 and dedicated to championing creativity in all its forms. The RA presents an impressive mix of temporary and touring shows, ranging from ancient sculpture to bold contemporary work.

Its permanent collection spans 250 years of British art, featuring figures such as Constable, Turner and Hockney. Don’t miss the annual Summer Exhibition, the world’s oldest open‑submission art show. Open to artists of all backgrounds, it offers a vibrant snapshot of creative talent each year and remains one of the Academy’s most anticipated events.

Best for: Aspiring artists, anyone drawn to both classic and contemporary art
Good to know: Stop by the Royal Academy’s Annenberg Courtyard, where bold sculptural centrepieces create a striking welcome to the galleries. While you’re there, visit The Keeper’s House, tucked behind the main rooms, for coffee and pastries by day or a more refined bar and restaurant experience in the evening.

Contemporary art galleries

Saatchi Gallery – Best for dramatic installations

Saatchi Gallery is the place to dive into bold contemporary art and striking immersive installations. Founded in 1985 by collector Charles Saatchi, it focuses on curated temporary exhibitions that spotlight fresh talent from London and around the world.

Expect high‑impact, sensory experiences, with recent shows such as The Long Now reimagining Allan Kaprow’s climb‑inside tyre installation Yard by pairing it with Conrad Shawcross’s suspended, spinning Lotus car – a blend of performance and kinetic sculpture. Other exhibitions explore everything from inner worlds to digital futures through atmospheric environments. We recommend seeking out the “walk‑into” artworks that invite you to step inside, wander through, or stand beneath large‑scale pieces.

Best for: Contemporary art fans and people who love big, bold moments
Good to know: Duke of York Square is right on the gallery’s doorstep and a great spot in Chelsea to unwind. It’s full of cafes, shops and open spaces, making it a great stop before or after your visit.

Hayward Gallery – Best for contemporary hits by big names

Housed within the Brutalist architecture of the Southbank Centre, the Hayward Gallery is one of London’s leading spaces for contemporary art. Hosting three to four major exhibitions each year, it showcases boundary-pushing, thought-provoking work from some of the world’s most adventurous artists.

Over the years, the gallery has presented landmark shows by Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Bridget Riley, Louise Bourgeois and Ed Ruscha, cementing its reputation for bold, ambitious programming. Don’t miss the artworks beyond the gallery walls, you’ll find newly commissioned outdoor pieces and interactive installations dotted across the Southbank Centre site – all free to explore and perfect for extending your visit along the river.

Best for: Design and photography enthusiasts, immersive experience fans
Good to know: Sitting at the heart of the Southbank Centre, the gallery is surrounded by riverside cafes, pop-ups, street performers and the lively Southbank Centre Food Market. It’s the perfect base for exploring the South Bank.

South London Gallery – Best for boundary-pushing shows

Discover the cutting‑edge South London Gallery in Peckham, spread across two sites – the main gallery and the beautifully restored Fire Station. A launchpad for rising talent, it has showcased early work by artists such as Gilbert & George and Tracey Emin.

Celebrated for its commitment to contemporary art, the gallery champions new voices through bold exhibitions, lively talks and community programmes. Recent highlights range from Alberta Whittle’s powerful Create Dangerously to multi-artist show Lagos, Peckham, Repeat: Pilgrimage to the Lakes, exploring connections between London and Lagos. Free entry keeps it as an accessible art space, and before you go, wander through its two permanent gardens – the Orozco Garden and the Fox Garden.

Best for: Aspiring artists, those looking for creative days out
Good to know: The gallery runs a great mix of family workshops and artist-led events focused on creativity, play and hands-on making. We love Family Space, a free drop-in session on the last Saturday of every month, along with special themed workshops throughout the year.

Whitechapel Gallery – Best for landmark exhibitions

Championing contemporary art since 1901, Whitechapel Gallery was founded to bring culture to east London and is now internationally acclaimed for its exhibitions, education and events. It’s a compact, focused space with free displays and one major ticketed show each season.

Step through its Edwardian entrance to discover short, standout exhibitions – the gallery has premiered artists from Frida Kahlo to Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. It famously showed Picasso’s Guernica in 1939, introduced British Pop Art with This is Tomorrow in 1956, and continues its bold streak with recent hits including Action, Gesture, Paint and Zineb Sedira’s Dreams Have No Titles.

Best for: Culture seekers, design lovers
Good to know: The Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop is a small but brilliantly curated spot packed with contemporary art books, photobooks, magazines and limited-edition zines. We love browsing here and almost always leave with something unexpected.

Barbican Art Gallery – Best for bold contemporary exhibitions

Explore the Barbican Art Gallery, where major exhibitions spotlight leading international artists, architects and designers. Past highlights include Basquiat’s landmark Boom for Real and Lee Krasner’s celebrated retrospective, reflecting the gallery’s reputation for bold, era‑defining shows. 

Set within the iconic Barbican Centre, the gallery’s striking Brutalist architecture adds to the drama of every exhibition. We recommend The Curve, a sweeping space for immersive, site-specific installations – famously home to Rain Room, where visitors walked through rain without getting wet. Throughout the year, talks, tours and creative events offer even more ways to dive into each season.

Best for: Art explorers, design lovers, installation-seekers
Good to know: Make the most of your visit by exploring the Barbican’s wider programme, from theatre and dance to world-class concerts. We always take the chance to wander through the Barbican Conservatory and enjoy a drink among the tropical plants when it’s open on selected days.

Moco Museum – Best for immersive digital installations

Discover vibrant modern and contemporary art at Moco Museum London, moments from Marble Arch. Its permanent collection spans icons such as Warhol, Basquiat, Kusama, Hirst, Banksy and Don Diablo, bringing together modern masters, today’s cultural voices and immersive digital works.

Alongside this, Moco hosts regularly changing exhibitions that spotlight influential contemporary figures and fresh takes on modern culture. Past highlights include Robbie Williams’ Radical Honesty, a revealing showcase of sculptures and emotionally charged installations. We’re especially drawn to the immersive gallery downstairs, where shifting light, colour and sound create one of the museum’s most memorable experiences.

Best for: Street art fans, immersive‑experience lovers
Good to know: Keep an eye out for Moco Museum’s short‑run, exclusive exhibitions that often feature rare artist collaborations. We recommend booking ahead, as these limited‑time shows can be especially popular.

Classical art galleries

London’s classical art galleries offer an intimate look into centuries of artistic tradition. They pair historic settings with exceptional collections, creating a calm, reflective space within the city.

Dulwich Picture Gallery – Best for classic art in a peaceful setting

Step inside Dulwich Picture Gallery, the world’s first purpose‑built public art gallery, and admire Sir John Soane’s elegant architecture alongside more than 600 masterpieces. Its outstanding Old Masters collection features icons such as Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Rubens and Canaletto.

Don’t miss our highlights including Rembrandt’s Girl at a Window, Sebastiano del Piombo’s The Raising of Lazarus and Canaletto’s luminous Venetian scenes. The gallery also hosts an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, from major international shows to photography and artist-focused displays. Before you leave, we recommend wandering through the free Sculpture Garden, where contemporary works by artists including Harold Offeh, Amy Stephens and Rob and Nick Carter sit beautifully within landscaped grounds.

Best for: Culture seekers, outdoor explorers, curious kids 
Good to know: Little ones can dive into imaginative play at the ArtPlay Pavilion, an immersive space where they explore sunlight, water, wind and earth through sensory activities. The gallery also runs family‑friendly workshops, including Mini Masterpieces and Art Sundays.

The Courtauld Gallery – Best for masterpieces in an intimate setting

The Courtauld Gallery houses one of London’s great art collections, set within the magnificent surroundings of Somerset House, with its grand staircases, high ceilings and beautifully restored rooms. Inside, you’ll find an exceptional collection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts spanning the Renaissance to the 20th century.

Discover world‑famous Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist masterpieces, including Manet’s A Bar at the Folies‑Bergère and Van Gogh’s Self‑Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Alongside its celebrated permanent collection, the gallery also presents special displays, from Monet’s atmospheric London views to striking contemporary works by artists such as Peter Doig.

Best for: Fans of Impressionism and Post‑Impressionism, culture seekers
Good to know: The grand courtyard and cafe at Somerset House are lovely spots to unwind after exploring the gallery, offering coffee, light bites and a relaxed place to soak up the building’s historic atmosphere.

Guildhall Art Gallery – Best for dramatic 19th-century art

Discover Guildhall Art Gallery, a treasure trove of five centuries of art, home to world‑famous masterpieces and standout Victorian works. We recommend starting with the Victorian highlights – begin in the main hall to see pieces such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s La Ghirlandata and W.S. Burton’s The Wounded Cavalier.

Then, uncover the gallery’s most extraordinary secret, the remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre. Lost for centuries and rediscovered during redevelopment in the 1980s, this atmospheric space once hosted gladiatorial combats, wild animal displays and public spectacles. Today, you can walk through the ancient ruins beneath the modern gallery, a striking contrast of London’s past and present.

Best for: Victorian art fans, history buffs, architecture enthusiasts
Good to know: Free introductory tours run Tuesday to Sunday at 12.15pm and 1.15pm. Led by expert guides and lasting around 30 to 45 minutes, they’re a brilliant way to get extra insight and context during your visit.

The Wallace Collection – Best for European art

The Wallace Collection brings together Old Master paintings, stunning decorative arts, furniture and world‑class armouries across 28 rooms styled with exquisite 18th‑century French interiors. Set within Hertford House, it feels like a grand private home rather than a traditional museum. Built from the Hertford and Wallace family acquisitions, it remains a rare “closed” collection where nothing can be added or removed.

You can explore works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Velázquez, Titian and Canaletto throughout the atmospheric galleries, with standout pieces including Rubens’ The Rainbow Landscape, Hals’ The Laughing Cavalier and Rembrandt’s tender portrait of his son, Titus. We also love the exceptional French art, furniture and Sèvres porcelain, plus the dramatic Arms and Armour galleries.

Best for: Fine art enthusiasts, history lovers
Good to know: Take a break in the Wallace Collection’s beautiful glazed‑roof courtyard restaurant. Run by Peyton and Byrne, this French‑style brasserie is one of London’s prettiest gallery cafes, and it’s an especially lovely spot for afternoon tea.

The King’s Gallery – Best for royal treasures

Visit The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, where changing exhibitions bring the Royal Collection to life. This elegant space offers an intimate look at masterpieces, historic treasures and personal objects that reveal the stories behind the monarchy.

Alongside the smaller Nash Cabinet displays, showcasing exquisite jewellery, furniture and decorative arts, you’ll encounter major exhibitions throughout the year. Expect everything from Old Masters’ paintings and rare craftsmanship to remarkable photographs and never-before-seen royal belongings. Past and present highlights have ranged from explorations of Edwardian style to the landmark exhibition celebrating the late Queen’s fashion in the centenary year of her birth.

Best for: Fans of royal history, fashion and design enthusiasts 
Good to know: Look out for curator introductions, hands‑on creative courses and special activities inspired by the gallery’s standout temporary exhibitions.

Fashion and design galleries

V&A South Kensington – Best for global art and design

V&A South Kensington is a dazzling journey through global creativity, home to the world’s largest collection of decorative arts and design. Spanning 5,000 years of human history, its galleries are full with everything from couture and ceramics to sculpture, architecture and exquisite jewellery.

With so much to explore, we recommend picking a few spaces to anchor your visit. Highlights include elegant 18th and 19th century fashion, the towering Great Bed of Ware, thousands of glittering pieces in the Jewellery Gallery and the dramatic Cast Courts.

We suggest you don’t miss the Theatre and Performance galleries for stage designs, costumes and standout memorabilia, along with major temporary exhibitions – often among the most significant exhibitions in London on the cultural calendar.

Best for: Culture seekers, art and design lovers
Good to know: The museum’s free daily tours are a brilliant way to get your bearings. You’re also right in the heart of South Kensington’s Museum Quarter, meaning the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are just a short stroll away – and both offer free entry.

Fashion and Textile Museum – Best for bold contemporary fashion

Founded by British design icon Zandra Rhodes, the Fashion and Textile Museum is a vibrant hub for contemporary style, textiles and jewellery. Its ever‑changing exhibitions dive into the history of fashion and today’s most exciting trends, offering fresh perspectives with every visit.

We always love to seek out striking looks from designers such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Biba, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood, all showcased through thoughtfully curated temporary shows. Keep an eye out for films and interviews tucked between displays – they bring the designers’ stories to life. We love to get hands-on with one of the museum’s creative workshops held throughout the year, perfect for sparking your own design inspiration.

Best for: Fashion lovers, textile and craft enthusiasts
Good to know: You can join guided tours led by volunteers or curators, who walk you through the key pieces of the current exhibition and delve into the research, design stories and behind‑the‑scenes decisions that shaped the show.

Design Museum – Best for everyday objects reimagined

Discover the designs that have shaped our cultural landscape at the Design Museum. This leading space celebrates creativity in every form, from architecture and fashion to graphics and product design. We can’t get enough of Designer Maker User, the free permanent display featuring around 1,000 objects that reveal how designers think, how things are made and how design influences our everyday lives.

The museum also looks firmly to the future, with bold temporary exhibitions exploring everything from Wes Anderson’s world‑building to Barbie’s cultural impact and the imagination of Tim Burton. We suggest keeping an eye on their regular talks, workshops and tours, which bring design thinking to life in fresh and inspiring ways.

Best for: Culture seekers, creatives looking for inspiration
Good to know: The museum has three dedicated shops: the High Street Shop just outside the main building, plus the Atrium Shop and Exhibition Shop on the ground floor – each offering a curated mix of design-led gifts, books and contemporary objects inspired by the museum’s exhibitions.

The Photographers’ Gallery – Best for discovering emerging photographers

Explore one of London’s top spots for contemporary photography at The Photographers’ Gallery. Across three dynamic exhibition spaces, you’ll find an ever‑changing mix of bold solo shows, fresh talent and thought‑provoking group exhibitions.

Step into the Print Sales Gallery to browse collectable works from rising and renowned photographers. If you’re visiting in spring or summer, look out for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize, a highlight of the cultural calendar. We advise that, before you go, you wander through the Soho Photography Quarter just outside – a free outdoor gallery showcasing striking large-scale installations that are often tied to indoor exhibitions.

Best for: Photography enthusiasts, those who like discovering new artists
Good to know: The gallery has a bright, relaxed Café Bar where you can pause between exhibitions. Make sure to also check out The Bookshop – one of London’s standout photography bookshops, packed with everything from new photobooks and limited editions to zines and small-press gems.

Unique art galleries

London’s unique galleries offer intimate, unconventional art experiences, from curious collections to contemporary installations. They’re perfect for visitors looking beyond the big museums for something surprising and more distinct to London.

Serpentine Galleries – Best for contemporary art surrounded by greenery

Discover the Serpentine Galleries, two striking contemporary art spaces – Serpentine South and Serpentine North – set on either side of the Serpentine in Kensington Gardens. Known for showcasing boundary-pushing artists, past highlights span David Hockney’s digital landscapes, Marina Abramović’s performance works, Wolfgang Tillmans’ photography and Faith Ringgold’s vibrant quilts. We’re always excited to see what they unveil next.

Alongside its seasonal exhibitions, the Serpentine hosts the celebrated Serpentine Pavilion each summer, a landmark architecture commission that draws global attention. Make sure to check out the wider programme, complemented by outdoor sculptures, special artist projects, digital commissions and an active public programme.

Best for: Architecture and design fans, park strollers
Good to know: The two galleries are only around a five‑minute walk apart, so you can easily visit Serpentine South and Serpentine North in one trip. The Pavilion is also outdoors, so visiting earlier in the day or in good weather makes for a more enjoyable experience.

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities – Best for eccentric taxidermy and rare objects

Take a trip to east London to uncover The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History, where every inch of space is filled with treasures gathered from Viktor Wynd’s travels. Wander through a mesmerising mix of mummified creatures, shrunken heads, rare birds and mysterious specimens.

We always stumble across new weird and wonderful sights on each visit – from unicorns and mermaids to two-headed lambs, magical soaps and even skeleton fairies. We recommend reading the labels, as their wit is part of the charm. The museum also showcases rotating exhibitions celebrating surrealist painters, neo-romantic visionaries and otherworldly sculptors.

Best for: Natural history enthusiasts, lovers of the bizarre
Good to know: After your visit, head upstairs to The Last Tuesday Society bar, where you’ll find a unique selection of spirits and an extraordinary absinthe collection. Try one of the creative cocktails on the menu while your bartender shares tales of London’s mischievous history.

Sir John Soane’s Museum – Best for atmospheric gallery rooms

Step inside the extraordinary home of Sir John Soane, the visionary architect whose radical ideas, drawings and buildings continue to inspire 300 years on. Sir John Soane’s Museum has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1837, creating an atmospheric maze of skylit rooms filled with antiquities, sculptures, architectural models, furniture and paintings.

Wander through this remarkable house beside Lincoln’s Inn Fields and uncover the imaginative world Soane designed for himself. Make sure not to miss extraordinary objects and must-see features – our highlights include Canaletto’s paintings and the ingenious Picture Room with its unfolding walls, where you can only see Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress at set times each day.

Best for: History buffs, fans of non‑traditional gallery spaces
Good to know: The museum regularly hosts talks, creative workshops and after‑hours Soane Lates that make the most of its atmospheric setting.