To keep things breezy, reserve your (free) timed-entry ticket online in advance. While walk-ups are technically allowed, they may require queuing—especially if you're arriving on a busy day. The Gallery opens daily at 10 a.m., and stays open until 6 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays. It remains closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

Timing is everything: mid-week mornings—especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays—are the quietest, and a Friday evening visit after 5 p.m. can feel surprisingly peaceful. The Gallery gets particularly crowded between 3 and 6 p.m., with weekends being much busier.

Once inside, skip the crowds by heading straight to popular highlights like the Impressionist rooms (Rooms 43–46), home to Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Cézanne. Other much-admired works, like Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, Raphael’s Madonna of the Pinks, and Leonardo’s Virgin of the Rocks, also draw crowds—so see them early or save them for a quieter finale.

You’ll want to budget at least 2 to 3 hours, though a full four-hour visit brings added depth—especially if you take a moment at the upstairs café with rooftop views over Nelson’s Column to refresh before or after browsing.

Navigating is easier if you start at the Sainsbury Wing—ideal for following the artistic timeline—or the Portico entrance directly on Trafalgar Square for quick access to the main collection. Audio guides and the Smartify app enhance your experience with insightful commentary, especially if you’re targeting certain themes or artists.

A neat insider tip: attend one of the free guided highlights tours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays around 3 p.m.—they're short but rich in context.

In short, the best National Gallery visits are quiet but considered—reserve ahead, visit mid-week or Friday evening, strike early or late to avoid crowds, explore with audio or tours, and your stroll from Titian to Turner will feel uniquely yours.