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Tate Modern in the former Bankside Power Station on the Thames

No. 9 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 4,514,266 visitors in 2025

Tate Modern

London, United Kingdom · City guide: London

Britain's national gallery of modern and contemporary art, in a former power station on the Thames, free to visit.

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Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Tate Modern is No. 9 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 4,514,266 visitors in 2025, down 2% on 2024. It opened in 2000 in the former Bankside Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, which the architects Herzog & de Meuron converted into a gallery.

It shows Tate's collection of international modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. The Blavatnik Building, a twisting brick extension opened in 2016, added galleries and a free viewing level with views across London. Admission to the collection displays is free.

The vast Turbine Hall inside Tate Modern
The vast Turbine Hall inside Tate Modern. Photo: kp-snaps, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings are the quietest. Major exhibitions charge for entry and are worth booking ahead. Check the official website for hours.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    The Turbine Hall

    The vast former turbine hall hosts a large new commission by a leading artist each year.

  • 2

    The collection

    Free displays include works by Picasso, Matisse, Dalí, Warhol and many contemporary artists.

  • 3

    Rothko's Seagram murals

    A room of Mark Rothko's dark, glowing paintings, part of the series he made for the Seagram Building in New York.

  • 4

    The Tanks

    Former oil tanks beneath the building, now used for performance, film and installation art.

  • 5

    Viewing level

    The 10th floor of the Blavatnik Building has a 360-degree view over London.

  • 6

    Millennium Bridge

    The footbridge links the gallery to St Paul's Cathedral across the river.

Getting there

Tate Modern is on Bankside, on the south bank of the Thames. The nearest stations are Southwark (Jubilee line) and Blackfriars (Circle and District lines and Thameslink trains), whose south exit is a short walk away. From St Paul's, cross the Millennium Bridge.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
The collection displays are free. Exhibitions charge. Check the official website for hours and prices.
Time needed
Two to three hours.
Currency
Pound sterling (GBP). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Safety
London is generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded areas. Dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.
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: Tate Modern (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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