The National Portrait Gallery and The National Gallery sit right next to each other off Trafalgar Square, and share a similar name, so it's easy to mix them up. Here's how they differ, and Audioguide.London offers a free audio guide at both.
| The National Gallery | The National Portrait Gallery | |
|---|---|---|
| Collection focus | European painting, about 1250-1900, landscapes, religious and mythological scenes | Portraits of notable British figures, Tudor monarchs to today |
| Location | Trafalgar Square | St Martin's Place, next door to The National Gallery |
| Admission | Free (permanent collection) | Free (permanent collection) |
| Free audio guide | Yes, via Audioguide.London | Yes, via Audioguide.London |
If you want to see world-famous paintings by artists like Van Gogh, Vermeer or Botticelli, head to The National Gallery. If you're more interested in the faces behind British history, from Tudor queens to modern politicians and pop stars, The National Portrait Gallery is next door. Both are free, and since they share a wall, most visitors comfortably see both in one day.
Audioguide.London is a single free audio guide that works at both The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery, and four more London museums. See the free National Gallery audio guide or the free National Portrait Gallery audio guide for details.
Not sure where to begin? See the National Gallery highlights or the National Portrait Gallery highlights.
No, they're two separate museums that happen to sit next to each other off Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery holds paintings of all subjects; The National Portrait Gallery specialises in portraits of notable people.
Yes, easily. They share a wall, so it's a two-minute walk between them. Both offer free general admission to their permanent collections.
Yes. Audioguide.London provides a free audio guide at both The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery, and four other London museums.