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With over 200 institutions and counting, the sheer amount of museums in London may be staggering—but should it come as a shock? The city lays claim to an impressive history of nearly 2,000 years, and if its streets could speak, practically every cobblestone could rattle off fascinating stories. Whether you’ve come to the European capital to peep at Roman ruins marking the reigns of Cladius and Trajan, or you’re here to place yourself in the hands of the latest visionary taking over Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, the museums in London are as sundry as our minds are curious. While headliners like the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are certainly must-visits, many of our favorites aren’t afraid to take a ride on the niche side, like the Museum of Brands, which leads its visitors down fascinating rabbit holes on subjects like the evolution of cereal packaging. Here are our 28 favorite museums in London, starting with our picks that are totally free of charge.
Are all museums in London free?
Plenty of London museums offer free entry, but there are a handful that require visitors to purchase tickets. If you’re fretting about the cost, many of the city’s finest museums are free to attend, and you’ll be able to visit all the artifacts and curios your heart desires without spending a pence. To start, stop by the British Museum’s (London’s largest!) sprawling galleries, or lose yourself in Georgia O’Keeffe’s mesmerizing watercolors and Andy Warhol’s silkscreen triptychs at Tate Modern.
What is the most visited museum in London?
According to 2024 data, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum are the two most visited museums in London. You could easily spend a whole week dedicated to exploring either one’s impressive collections. If you’re inclined towards learning about the arts and humanities, the British Museum’s eight million-strong permanent collection spans continents and millennia. Traveling with kids or just an animal lover? South Kensington’s Natural History Museum has you covered, from the teeniest ant, to Hope, the skeleton of a blue whale which arcs over Hintze Hall.
Read our complete London travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best museums in London
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that museum. When choosing things to do, our editors consider institutions that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.