Tate Modern

Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station on the South Bank, and has been one of the world's most visited modern art museums since opening in 2000. Its cavernous Turbine Hall hosts a changing large-scale installation, while the galleries above cover Picasso, Warhol, Dalí and Monet alongside contemporary and international work.

Tickets & Hours

The permanent collection is free, with no timed-entry booking needed to walk in. Opening hours are 10:00am–6:00pm Sunday to Thursday, extending to 9:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays — the late weekend opening is a good option if you want a calmer visit outside museum hours. Major temporary exhibitions are ticketed separately and can sell out on popular dates; visitors aged 16–25 get discounted £5 exhibition tickets through Tate Collective.

What to See

Free guided tours run most days around midday and early afternoon, covering the main collection highlights in about an hour. The 10th-floor viewing terrace gives a free panoramic view over the Thames and St Paul's — worth the lift ride even if you're short on time for the galleries themselves.

Getting There

Southwark station is about an 8-minute walk, Blackfriars about 12 minutes. It sits directly on the South Bank walking route, making it an easy add-on to a day that includes Borough Market or Shakespeare's Globe.

Tips for Visiting

• The permanent collection is free and doesn't need advance booking — walk straight in.
• Friday and Saturday evenings (open until 9pm) are a good option to avoid daytime crowds.
• The 10th-floor terrace has one of the best free views in London.
• Combine with a South Bank walk — Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern all sit within a 15-minute walk of each other.

Hours and exhibitions are correct as of publication but change — check the official Tate Modern site before visiting.