With its colossal collection of more than 2,300 masterpieces, visiting London’s National Gallery can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Ensure you see the best of the gallery’s magnificent works on this 2 to 2.5-hour guided tour, led by an art enthusiast. Admire iconic pieces by legends such as Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Rembrandt, and appreciate minor details invisible to the untrained eye. This small-group tour is limited to eight people to maintain an intimate atmosphere.

See the highlights of the National Gallery's 2,300-strong art collection
Admire Van Gogh's iconic 'Sunflowers' and Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Virgin on the Rocks'
Appreciate technical details invisible to the untrained eye
Small-group tour limited to only eight people

What's Included

Semi-Private Museum Tour
Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum
Professional Tour Guide
Duration 2.5 Hours

Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Temporary exhibitions NOT included

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK
Meet your guide outside the Sainsbury wing entrance by the red telephone booth situated on the sidewalk of Pall Mall E across the street from the Canada House.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Greet your guide at the Sainsbury entrance of the National Gallery, which reigns supreme over London’s iconic Trafalgar Square. Receive a brief overview of the centuries spanned by the National Gallery’s 2,300-strong collection and then head inside to explore.

Your guide takes you to the museum’s highlights, which include masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, and Boticelli, and reveals the history and inspiration behind each one.

Train your eye to appreciate minute details such as brushstrokes and materials used, and marvel at iconic works such as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virgin on the Rocks and Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait.

After your tour concludes, feel free to stay and browse works recommended by your guide.

National Gallery

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level

It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed
Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Notes: National Gallery and other attractions or museums in London may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

89 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 89 reviews

Focused overview of key elements in the National Gallery's collection

Douglas_H, Sept 2023

Our guide Luis provided a wonderful overview of the art in the museum. He was extremely knowledgeable about all items that we saw and pointed out aspects of some of the masterpieces that we could have easily missed if we were touring the museum on our own. He was an attentive listener to our questions and provided thoughtful answers. We would recommend this tour, especially if you have a limited time in London.

Great evening at the Gallery

Armando_B, Sept 2023

Becky was very knowledgeable and professional. She provide us a great overview of the main works of the Gallery.

Perfect guide for an incredible gallery

Yvonne_H, Aug 2023

Jake was the perfect art gallery guide. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly, thorough, and inspiring to listen to. He was on time at the start and end, and very responsive to our questions and comments on ents. I would absolutely recommend and request him again.

Jake let us touch the Rosetta stone

Heather_H, July 2023

Jake was an incredible guide. I was so excited to see the Rosetta Stone. Jake really showed us the breadth of the museum without getting overwhelmed.

Made the gallery worthwhile

JenAnderson, July 2023

Steph was great! So passionate about art. She created a tour with a story to highlight the paintings throughout the Renaissance to Impressionism. She also made sure to incorporate our favorite artists or paintings.

Wonderful selection of Art!

Catherine_K, July 2023

Excellent guide , best art curation and beautiful museum architecture. Good size gallery, lots of activities for members

Guide excellent

sally_c, June 2023

Guide Becky was wonderful and very informative. We learned a lot and were very glad we took the tour.

Focused on the groups and her feelings not historical information

William_B, June 2023

Unfortunately not our favorite tour. The guide was quiet and in our opinion didnt focus ad much on facts as other guides. Example on Venus and Mars by Sandro which is why I booked the tour she focused on if venus looked satisfied and asked everyones opinions and it turned out to be just sarcasm over not being sexually please. I listened to other guides on some others. We left we about 30 minutes to go to see Picasso and Monet ourselves since we only spent time in the same errors. If you want a tour about the groups feelings and the guides feelings on art its for you. If you want variety and more history of the pieces than this is not the tour in our opinion.

Fun Times At The Museum

Thomas_H, May 2023

Jake was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about art and shared his insights with great energy. He guided us through a myriad of artwork and stopped in front of key exhibits and gave detailed stories relating to the history and style of the paintings. I would especially recommend this tour for people who enjoy a trip to the museum and for people who never consider doing such an activity. The experience was great.

Great guide - Informative and lively

Chris_L, Apr 2023

Ellie was great - a bundle of energy from start to finish. Informative and another great guide from this provider. Hoping to get one more tour with them before I leave London. Thanks!

Fantastic Tour Guide

Kelli_A, Apr 2023

Our tour guide Jake was fantastic & so knowledgeable about the art & buildings. We both know a lot about art history & Jake was able to tailor the tour to our level of knowledge.

Becky was an amazing guide!

Charla_W, Apr 2023

Becky was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about art history. She took direction from us as we expressed interest in certain genres and artists

Interesting, fun and friendly!

Liz_O, Nov 2022

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing and learning about different artworks from different periods. Luis was a knowledgeable and engaging guide and kept us interested for the full 2.5 hours.

Interesting and enjoyable experience

Jackie_B, Nov 2022

The interesting and informative knowledge imparted by our guide with regard to the history of the artists and their techniques.

Best tour

Gilbert_C, Sept 2022

Our guide was very knowledgeable and cheerful.She gave more information than what you would read on the museum post.

Highly recommend to truly appreciate the Master Artworks at the London Gallery

Bridget_F, July 2022

Our tour guide Luis was amazing. His knowledge of art, history of the period, and the museum was exceptional and we all appreciated his kind personality and always willing to answer any question.

Touring with Tony

Mark_S, May 2022

We took an afternoon tour of the London Gallery with Tony. Tony was amazing, he brough life to the paintings. His knowledge of the painters, the era, the style and the history brought so much more depth to the tour. The placards besides the paintings provide the bare essentials, Tony provided the story behind the painting, and it make all the difference. Thanks Tony!

Classic tour. Loved it

June_J, Apr 2022

Tony was a super guide. Knowledgeable and entertaining. Really enjoyed it. He pointed out things I'd never have noticed

Great experience.

slancas199, May 2019

Really enjoyed it. Our guide took us through the evolution of civilization. He was very knowledgeable. Gave us a much needed break to sit for a few minutes.

We had our guide to ourselves which...

Anthony_C, Oct 2017

We had our guide to ourselves which is always an added bonus. he was a most informative young man and we had a great afternoon in his company. The selection he chose to show us was really thought provoking and great to see in such a wonderful setting. I would recommend this tour.