The National Gallery

Visiting The National Gallery rewards both casual wanderers and passionate art lovers. Entry is free, but a bit of planning can help make the most of every moment. The galleries fill quickly on weekends, especially around special exhibits, so timing matters. Arrive early, or explore late on Fridays, when crowds thin and light spills dramatically through tall windows. The Gallery sits at Trafalgar Square’s northern edge—a five-minute stroll from Charing Cross station, or a quick ride on many bus lines. Wheelchairs, lifts, and family facilities make the landmark accessible for most, though busy hours can mean some areas get tight.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or Friday evenings (open late until 9pm Friday)
• How to get there: Tube to Charing Cross or Leicester Square; numerous bus options in central London
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly entrances, free wheelchairs, and family rest spaces available
• Average visit duration: 1–3 hours for highlights; half a day for art enthusiasts

Inside, sunlight brightens herringbone floors and high domed ceilings. Each room flows into the next, offering a visual timeline of Europe’s artistic triumphs and secrets. The Sainsbury Wing unfolds with the glow of Italian gold-leaf and the soft faces of Botticelli. Picasso and Monet, bold with their brushwork and vision, invite fresh looks in the main building. Quiet corners hide small Renoires, while the central hall often hosts musicians, their music curling up the marble stairway. Photographers crowd around Turner’s maritime masterpieces, and children lean close to Van Gogh’s sunflowers, hoping to spot a swirling fingerprint or secret brushstroke.

• Key sights: Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers," da Vinci’s "The Virgin of the Rocks," Turner’s "The Fighting Temeraire," Monet’s water lilies, and Rembrandt’s self-portraits
• Unique experiences: Free 10-minute talks by experts, family art trails with activity guides, peaceful pauses in Room 34’s benches under the glass dome
• Photo-worthy spots: Inside the Sainsbury Wing atrium, marble staircases with gallery views, and city scenes from the front portico
• Cultural facts: Home to over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900; the collection is free, thanks to both royal history and modern government policy