# The National Gallery — London, United Kingdom

> The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Fridays until 9:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free standard admission
- Free entry: Always free — permanent collection entirely free · Temporary exhibitions ticketed
- Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- The Arnolfini Portrait — Jan van Eyck · 1434
- The Virgin of the Rocks — Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1491–1508
- Sunflowers — Vincent van Gogh · 1888
- The Hay Wain — John Constable · 1821

## Famous works covered
- The Hay Wain (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/the-hay-wain/)
- The Fighting Temeraire (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/the-fighting-temeraire/)
- Sunflowers (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/sunflowers/)
- The Ambassadors (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/the-ambassadors/)

## FAQ
**Is the National Gallery London free?**
Yes — admission to the National Gallery's permanent collection is entirely free. It is one of the finest free art museums in the world. Special temporary exhibitions carry a ticket price (typically £20–£25). The museum is open daily and no booking is required for free entry.

**What are the most famous paintings at the National Gallery London?**
The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck — one of the earliest and most technically sophisticated oil paintings; The Fighting Temeraire (1839) by J.M.W. Turner — voted the greatest painting in Britain; Sunflowers (1888) by van Gogh; The Hay Wain (1821) by Constable; Bathers at Asnières (1884) by Seurat; and Velázquez's The Rokeby Venus — one of the most celebrated female nudes in Western art.

**Does the National Gallery have the Van Gogh Sunflowers?**
Yes — the National Gallery holds one of several versions of Van Gogh's Sunflowers series. Van Gogh painted five versions of his iconic sunflowers series in 1888 in Arles. The National Gallery's version (August 1888) is generally considered the finest and most famous of the group. It hangs in Room 43 of the West Wing.

**How long does a visit to the National Gallery take?**
The National Gallery has over 2,300 paintings in 66 rooms arranged broadly chronologically from the 13th to the 19th century. A highlights tour of the most famous works takes 1.5–2 hours. A thorough visit through all rooms takes 3–4 hours. Audio guides and free floor plans are available at the main entrance.

**What are the opening hours of the National Gallery?**
The National Gallery is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Fridays, the museum stays open until 9:00 PM. The gallery is closed on 24–26 December and 1 January. Located on Trafalgar Square, it is one of the most central and accessible major museums in London.

**How long should I spend at The National Gallery?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-gallery-london/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.