The National Gallery sits on Trafalgar Square in central London and holds over 2,300 Western European paintings spanning from the mid-13th to the early 20th century, all free to view in the permanent collection. Its central location makes it one of the easiest world-class museums to fold into a day of sightseeing.
The collection moves chronologically through the history of European painting, giving visitors a clear thread to follow whether they’re spending an hour or a full day. Special temporary exhibitions, which sometimes carry a paid ticket, rotate through alongside the free permanent galleries.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Thursday, with extended hours to 9 p.m. on Fridays, closed only around Christmas and New Year’s Day. Arriving right at opening, or visiting during Friday evening hours, offers the quietest experience; most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours here.
