Plan your visit
The National Gallery is free to visit
Booking is recommended, some walk up tickets are available
Open daily 10am–6pm and Friday until 9pm (Closed 24–26 December and 1 January)
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
The National Gallery is free to visit
Booking is recommended, some walk up tickets are available
Open daily 10am–6pm and Friday until 9pm (Closed 24–26 December and 1 January)
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Free exhibitions are included with Gallery entry.
Join today to see all our exhibitions first.
And for free.
Plus enjoy a range of exclusive benefits.
Book your free Gallery entry ticket to see the collection and our free exhibitions.
Coming soon: Don’t miss this once in a century exhibition.
14 September 2024 - 19 January 2025
We are making some exciting changes to the building: providing a first-class welcome for you and millions of visitors each year, creating a dedicated space for our Members and supporters, and upgrading the Learning and Research facilities.
These changes will help more people get closer to the collection.
While the Sainsbury Wing is closed, many of the paintings have been redisplayed across the Gallery. We strongly recommend you book a ticket online ahead of your visit to the Gallery and please check the floorplan for up-to-date room closures and the painting pages for the current location of your paintings.
Thank you for bearing with us.
We have several entrances. Our main, free Gallery entrance is the Portico, with step-free access at the Getty Entrance. All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where we inspect bags and rucksacks.
Our main entrance, the Portico, is at the centre of the Gallery overlooking Trafalgar Square.
The Getty Entrance is on the east side of Trafalgar Square and is for visitors with an exhibition ticket; Members and Supporters priority; visitors with mobility access requirements; and pre-booked groups. It has step-free access.
Discover hidden stories, hear from expert speakers, and learn about our world-famous collection. Make the very most of your visit in our Bicentenary year with a self-guided tour of highlight paintings.
Explore the nation's collection online, before you visit, or download the free Smartify app for information on the go. You can use it to scan our paintings and discover more.
Step into a hidden world of art and magic with the Keeper of Paintings immersive experience. Available to share at the National Gallery, where you are and on Roblox.
Our beautiful restaurant Ochre offers a contemporary European menu ranging from weekend brunch to afternoon tea and dinner. There's also a lively cocktail bar, intimate private dining room, and special live music events.
Our café by Muriel's Kitchen offers seasonal salads and proteins, quiches and hot main meals, alongside cakes and patisseries, all prepared fresh every day.
The Espresso Bar by Muriel's serves artisan coffee and a selection of freshly prepared pre-packaged sandwiches, seasonal salads and baked goods.
Every single purchase you make from us supports the National Gallery. Visit our shops or shop online.
Complete your Gallery experience with a visit to our shop. You’ll find our exclusive gifts and souvenirs in our shop by the Portico Entrance.
Shop online for Gallery gifts and art books and have them delivered straight to your home or click and collect when you visit.
Customise an image of your favourite painting and choose a frame, size and material. Made bespoke to your order and delivered to your door.
We aim to make access to the paintings enjoyable and welcoming to the widest possible public.
For more detail on what you can expect from a visit, please see our visual story.
The cloakroom costs £2 per item to use (free for Members). We accept bags up to 56 x 25 x 45 cm. Wheeled luggage, including cabin bags, and suitcases are not allowed. You are welcome to bring baby buggies into the Gallery.
There are toilet and baby changing facilities inside the entrance.
Connect to our free WiFi - look for ‘National Gallery’. Read our terms of use.
Feel free to take photographs for personal, non-commercial use, unless a sign says you shouldn't.
We're here to inspire! You're welcome to sketch in the Gallery - please use a handheld pad of paper, pencil, graphite stick, or felt-tipped pens. You might also like to join our creative sessions.
[All links to TFL and Google Maps open in a new window]
There is a parking space on Orange Street for Blue Badge holders only. Please book in advance by calling 020 7747 2885.
There are designated parking bays on St Martin's Street. Please phone Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567 for more information.
Public car parks are available nearby in Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.
The nearest bike stands are on Orange Street, St Martin's Street, St Martin's Place, and Duncannon Street.
The nearest Santander Cycles docking stations are on St Martin's Street, Craven Street, Pall Mall East, William IV Street,
Charles II Street and Oxendon Street.
Please check TFL
for up-to-date information about nearby Santander Cycle docking stations.
To help us keep the Gallery a safe and enjoyable place for everyone, please follow the guidelines listed in our Visitor Admissions Policy.