The National Gallery London in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the National Gallery's 10 key works: start in the Sainsbury Wing with Van Eyck (room 63), Uccello and Leonardo, continue with Holbein, Velázquez and Titian, and finish with Turner, Constable, Monet and Van Gogh (rooms 34 and 43–44).
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The route: 10 stops in 2 hours
Room numbers reflect the current layout; if a work is on loan or being restored, the floor plan will say so. Timings are approximate and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Room 63 · Sainsbury Wing
The Arnolfini Portrait (Jan van Eyck)
Start with this 1434 portrait, famous for the convex mirror at the back and a signature that seems to say "Jan van Eyck was here".
- 2
0:12 · Room 55
The Battle of San Romano (Paolo Uccello)
An early experiment in perspective: broken lances on the ground converging on a vanishing point.
- 3
0:25 · Room 66
The Virgin of the Rocks (Leonardo)
The London version of this work, with soft light and a rocky landscape.
- 4
0:40 · Room 29
Bacchus and Ariadne (Titian)
An explosion of colour and mythological movement; the lapis-lazuli sky is famous.
- 5
0:50 · Room 4
The Ambassadors (Holbein)
A double portrait with a riddle: the distorted shape on the floor is an anamorphic skull.
- 6
1:05 · Room 30
The Rokeby Venus (Velázquez)
Velázquez's only surviving female nude. Notice the blurred face reflected in the mirror.
- 7
1:15 · Room 32
Supper at Emmaus (Caravaggio)
Theatre, light and shadow at the moment Christ is recognised.
- 8
1:30 · Room 34
The Hay Wain (Constable) and The Fighting Temeraire (Turner)
Two of Britain's best-loved images, face to face in the same room.
- 9
1:45 · Rooms 43–44
Sunflowers (Van Gogh) and Monet
Finish with Van Gogh and Monet's water lilies. If you have time, look for Seurat's Bathers at Asnières.
Tips to make the most of it
- Arrive at 10am: Van Gogh, Monet and Constable fill up by midday.
- On Fridays the gallery is open until 9pm, with fewer people late in the day.
- Leave large bags in the cloakroom.
- With the AnyArt camera you can identify any painting, on this list or not, and hear its story.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the National Gallery in 2 hours?
Yes, if you focus on the masterpieces. This route runs from Van Eyck to Van Gogh.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise The Ambassadors, the Rokeby Venus, Constable and Turner, and Van Gogh.
Which entrance should I use?
The Sainsbury Wing, the main entrance since May 2025.
Is Friday evening worth it?
Yes: the gallery is open until 9pm and is usually quieter.