The best art galleries in London
Our choice of the galleries to visit, with what each one shows and whether it is free.
London's best art galleries range from the National Gallery's Old Masters to the contemporary shows at Tate Modern and the commercial galleries of Mayfair. Here is where to go, what you will see and whether you need a ticket.
Our pick of London's art galleries
| Gallery | Location | Type of art | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Gallery | Trafalgar Square | European painting to the early 20th century | Free |
| Tate Modern | Bankside | Modern and contemporary | Free, some shows ticketed |
| Tate Britain | Millbank | British art from 1500 | Free, some shows ticketed |
| National Portrait Gallery | St Martin's Place | British portraits | Free, some shows ticketed |
| Wallace Collection | Manchester Square | Old Masters and French 18th-century art | Free, some shows ticketed |
| Courtauld Gallery | Somerset House, Strand | Impressionist and Post-Impressionist | Ticketed |
| Royal Academy of Arts | Burlington House, Piccadilly | Major loan exhibitions | Mostly ticketed |
| Dulwich Picture Gallery | Gallery Road, Dulwich | Old Masters | Ticketed |
| Whitechapel Gallery | Whitechapel High Street | Contemporary | Free, one ticketed show each season |
| Serpentine | Kensington Gardens | Contemporary | Free |
| Hayward Gallery | Southbank Centre | Contemporary | Ticketed |
| The Photographers' Gallery | Ramillies Street, Soho | Photography | Varies by show |
| Saatchi Gallery | King's Road, Chelsea | Contemporary | Varies by show |
We checked these in November 2026, but check with the gallery before you travel.
The best galleries by type of art
- Old Masters: National Gallery, Wallace Collection, Dulwich Picture Gallery
- British art: Tate Britain, for J. M. W. Turner above all, and the National Portrait Gallery
- Impressionists: Courtauld Gallery, for Édouard Manet and Van Gogh, and the National Gallery
- Modern and contemporary: Tate Modern, Whitechapel Gallery, Serpentine, Hayward Gallery
- Photography: The Photographers' Gallery
- Art you can buy: the Mayfair art galleries, and our own artworks
- All free: see our list of free art galleries in London
The best commercial galleries in London
Commercial galleries sell the work they show, and most are free to walk into. The biggest names are in Mayfair: Hauser & Wirth on Savile Row, David Zwirner on Grafton Street, Gagosian on Davies Street and Grosvenor Hill, Thaddaeus Ropac on Dover Street and Pace on Hanover Square. Our list of Mayfair art galleries has more than 40, with what each one shows. White Cube is in Bermondsey Street and Mason's Yard.
Quick answers
What is the best art gallery in London? For most visitors it is the National Gallery, for the depth of its European painting. Tate Modern is the first choice for modern and contemporary art.
Which London gallery is best for the Impressionists? The Courtauld Gallery and the National Gallery. The Courtauld has Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère and Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.
Where are the best commercial galleries in London? Mayfair has the greatest concentration, including Hauser & Wirth, Gagosian, David Zwirner and Thaddaeus Ropac. Our Mayfair list has more than 40.
Can a gallery value a work I own? Public galleries do not normally value works for the public. We give free valuations from photographs, with no obligation to sell.
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