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Museum · Londres, Inglaterra
National Gallery
The museum of European painting on Trafalgar Square, with works by Van Eyck, Leonardo, Titian, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Turner, Monet and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Entry to the permanent collection is usually free; check beforehand.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About National Gallery
The National Gallery has occupied the north side of Trafalgar Square since 1838 and houses around 2,300 European paintings, from the 13th century to the early 20th. The collection began in 1824, when the government bought 38 paintings from banker John Julius Angerstein's collection, and it grew without major royal gifts, which explains the range of schools.
Among the most sought-after works are The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck; The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci; Venus at her Mirror by Velázquez; Rembrandt's self-portraits; The Fighting Temeraire by Turner; The Hay Wain by Constable; Monet's Water Lilies; and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. The rooms follow a chronological order, with the Sainsbury Wing devoted to early Renaissance painting.
Entry to the permanent collection is usually free; major temporary exhibitions require a ticket. The gallery provides maps in several languages and an app with highlights.
Outside, Trafalgar Square features Nelson's Column with its four bronze lions, the fountains and the fourth plinth, which hosts temporary contemporary sculptures. Beside the gallery is the National Portrait Gallery, with portraits of figures from British history, also free for the permanent collection.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow 2–3 hours for the highlights. A quick visit to the best-known paintings takes about 1 hour.
Best time
Right at opening or on Friday evenings, when the gallery often stays open later; check the times. Mid-afternoon at weekends the Impressionist rooms get crowded.
How to get there
Charing Cross station (Northern and Bakerloo lines and trains) or Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly), a 3–5 minute walk. It's on Trafalgar Square, a 10-minute walk from Covent Garden and 15 minutes from Parliament via Whitehall.
Tip
Enter via the Sainsbury Wing, on the left when facing the façade, and start with the Renaissance: the chronological route makes more sense. From the steps of the main entrance you get a view of Trafalgar Square with Big Ben in the background at the end of Whitehall.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about National Gallery
Does the National Gallery charge admission?
Admission to the permanent collection is usually free; temporary exhibitions have tickets. Check beforehand.
What are the most famous works in the National Gallery?
The Arnolfini Portrait by Van Eyck; The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo; Venus at her Mirror by Velázquez; Rembrandt's self-portraits; The Fighting Temeraire by Turner; and Sunflowers by Van Gogh.
What's in Trafalgar Square?
Nelson's Column with the four bronze lions, the fountains and the fourth plinth, which hosts contemporary sculptures that change from time to time.
Is the National Portrait Gallery the same place?
No. It's a neighboring museum of portraits of figures from British history, with its own entrance, beside the National Gallery.