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London’s art scene is like no other. There are an estimated 1,500 permanent exhibition spaces in the capital, and what makes the Big Smoke’s scene so special is that most of them are free, even the mega museums where you can see your Picassos, Botticellis and the like.
But the art world can be a confounding place to the uninitiated. That’s why we’ve just released a new ranking of the best art galleries in the city, which includes huge world-famous institutions like the National Gallery and Tates, and exciting commercial spaces where you can see some of the most cutting-edge contemporary art.
Time Out’s number one art gallery for 2026 is the Royal Academy of Arts. For 250 years, Britain’s first art school has been a hotbed of artistic talent, and can be credited for teaching the likes of JMW Turner, John Constable and William Blake everything they knew.
But this esteemed art college does more than train up the next generation of YBAs. As well as a sizeable free permanent collection display, which includes Michelangelo’s ‘Taddei Tondo’ and a 16th-century copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, the RA’s also got serious pedigree when it comes to putting on big shows. Its temporary exhibitions are ultra-well researched, ambitious things, that are always worth visiting, like 2016’s totally incredible ‘Abstract Expressionism’ show and 2022’s magnificent Francis Bacon retrospective. The annual Summer Exhibition is also always a treat, because where else can you see a Tracey Emin next to a Joe Lycett?
If you fancy paying a visit to the RA yourself, the gallery is currently showing the excellent Richard Dadd exhibition, which Time Out gave four stars. Future shows to look forward to include Painting the French Riviera, which opens on October 2, and Peggy Guggenheim in London, which will run from November 21 until March 14 2027.
🎨 The 35 best art galleries in London.
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