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The entrance of the National Portrait Gallery, London

No. 47 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 1,523,447 visitors in 2025

National Portrait Gallery

London, United Kingdom · City guide: London

Five centuries of famous British faces, from the Tudors to today, with free entry near Trafalgar Square.

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Photo: Wei-Te Wong from Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The National Portrait Gallery is No. 47 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 1,523,447 visitors in 2025, down 3% on 2024. Founded in 1856, it was the first national portrait gallery in the world.

Its collection covers the people who shaped British history and culture, from the Tudors to the present. The gallery reopened in June 2023 after a three-year renovation, with a new entrance and rehung galleries. Entry is free.

Portrait busts on display in the National Portrait Gallery, London
Portrait busts on display in the National Portrait Gallery, London. Photo: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings are the quietest. Check the official website for hours and exhibitions.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    The Chandos portrait

    Thought to show William Shakespeare, it was the gallery's first acquisition.

  • 2

    The Tudors

    Portraits of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and their courts.

  • 3

    The Brontë sisters

    Branwell Brontë's portrait of his sisters Anne, Emily and Charlotte.

  • 4

    20th and 21st centuries

    Portraits of writers, scientists, musicians and sports stars, in painting and photography.

  • 5

    Rooftop restaurant

    Views over Trafalgar Square to Whitehall.

Getting there

The gallery is on St Martin's Place, beside the National Gallery off Trafalgar Square. The nearest stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Entry is free; some exhibitions charge. Check the official website for hours.
Time needed
One to two hours.
Currency
Pound sterling (GBP). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Visa & entry
Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and EU countries, now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. Check gov.uk for the current rules.

Official information: National Portrait Gallery (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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