London is a global capital of culture, and remarkably, its finest museums are free to enter. This accessibility is why London’s major institutions consistently rank as the most-visited attractions in the entire United Kingdom.
Based on the latest available visitor figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) for 2024, here are the most popular museums and galleries in London, ranked by annual attendance.
The Top 5 Most Visited Museums in London
These institutions dominate the visitor lists, offering world-class collections that span human history, art, and the natural world.
| Rank (2024) | Museum | Focus | 2024 Visitors | Why It’s a Must-See |
| 1 | The British Museum | Human History & Culture | 6,479,952 | Home to the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures, and the largest collection of artifacts documenting the story of human culture. |
| 2 | Natural History Museum | Natural World & Life on Earth | 6,301,972 | Famous for its magnificent Romanesque architecture and colossal exhibits, including Hope the Blue Whale skeleton and the popular Dinosaurs gallery. |
| 3 | Tate Modern | Modern & Contemporary Art | 4,603,025 | Located in a stunning converted power station, known for its massive Turbine Hall installations and works by Picasso, Warhol, and Rothko. |
| 4 | V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) | Art, Design & Performance | 3,525,700 | The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, spanning 5,000 years of creativity (Don’t miss the Fashion and Cast Courts). |
| 5 | The National Gallery | Western European Painting | 3,203,451 | Located in Trafalgar Square, this gallery houses masterpieces from the 13th to the 20th centuries, including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. |
The Next Essentials (The Interactive & Historic)
These museums also rank in the UK’s top 10 attractions and offer incredible, yet distinct, experiences.
6. Science Museum
-
2024 Visitors: 2,827,242
-
Why It Ranks High: Highly interactive and fantastic for families. It celebrates scientific breakthroughs, from the exploration of space to the invention of modern computing. The Launchpad and Flight Gallery are perennial favourites.
-
Location: South Kensington (part of the ‘Museum Quarter’ alongside the Natural History Museum and V&A).
7. Tower of London
-
2024 Visitors: 2,902,385 (The most visited paid attraction in London)
-
Why It Ranks High: While technically a historic castle and palace, its collections (especially the Crown Jewels) and Beefeater tours make it an unmissable historical museum experience.
8. National Portrait Gallery
-
2024 Visitors: 1,578,065
-
Why It Ranks High: The gallery chronicles British history through its most famous faces—from royalty and historical figures to contemporary pop icons. Its huge jump in visitors was partly due to its highly anticipated reopening in 2023.
Key Takeaway for Visitors
The reason London’s museums are so highly ranked globally is that the Top 6 Museums and Galleries on this list are all FREE to enter for their permanent collections.
-
Go Early: Since they are free, they attract huge crowds. Arrive 15 minutes before opening to beat the worst of the rush, especially at the British Museum and Natural History Museum.
-
Book Timed Tickets: While entry is free, most museums now strongly recommend (or sometimes require) booking a free timed entry ticket online in advance to guarantee entry and skip the queue.
-
Cluster Your Visit: Spend an entire day in South Kensington, where the Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are all within a five-minute walk of each other.