Tate Modern

The basics

Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station, a historic industrial site on the south bank of the Thames River. The building underwent a transformation into a contemporary art museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and completed in 2000. The museum is famous for its vast Iconic Turbine Hall, which once housed the power station's turbines and now displays large-scale art installations.

Tate Modern features two main buildings: the Blavatnik Building and the Natalie Bell Building, and houses the renowned Tate Collection, one of the world’s leading collections of modern and contemporary art. For those looking to explore further, you can combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Tate Britain, accessible via the Tate Boat which runs between the two sites every 40 minutes during gallery hours.

Things to know before you go

• Entrance to the museum is free, but special exhibitions may require Tate Modern tickets, with prices varying by event.

• Visitor facilities include restrooms, a coat check, gift shops, a café, and a restaurant.

• Consider taking one of the expert-led Tate Modern tours for deeper insights into the art on display and the museum's iconic architecture.

• Combine your tour with a visit to the nearby Tate Britain museum by hopping on the scenic Tate Boat, which runs between the two sites every 40 minutes during gallery opening times.

• Tate Modern is wheelchair-accessible, with lifts and ramps available on all floors.

How to get there

Tate Modern sits on the Thames River’s southern bank, opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral. The museum is easy to reach on foot, either by crossing the Millennium Bridge from the north bank or strolling along the riverfront from the Southbank entertainment district.

The closest tube stations are Southwark, Mansion House, and Blackfriars. Visitors to the nearby Tate Britain museum can reach Tate Modern by cruising across the Thames River on the Tate Boat, which departs from Bankside Pier near the museum, or by taking a short walk from London Bridge, one of the main transport hubs in the area.

When to get there

Tate Modern is open year-round from 10am to 6pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. The museum can get busy in summer, so plan to arrive early or opt for a weekday visit during this time. Don’t miss the spring and autumn Museums at Night festival, when the museum hosts a range of special events and parties after dark.

Modern Masterpieces at Tate Modern

The museum’s vast permanent collection includes works by iconic artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol, and Bourgeois. The grand centerpiece of Tate Modern is the enormous Turbine Hall, where specially commissioned art installations have included headline-grabbing works such as Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds and Olafur Eliasson’s The Weather Project.

Ways to explore

Tate Modern features two main buildings: the Blavatnik Building and the Natalie Bell Building, which house permanent exhibits by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and David Hockney. You can combine your visit to the museum with a trip to the nearby Tate Britain, accessible via the Tate Boat, which runs between the two sites every 40 minutes during gallery hours. You can also enhance your experience of the collection on a tour with an art historian, who can provide context you won’t get from the information panels.

Accessibility

There’s step-free access from the Turbine Hall and the Blavatnik Building from Park Street, and elevators to all museum floors; additional facilities, tours, and forms of assistance are available to suit different needs.

Age limits

None. For ticketed exhibitions, up to four children under 11 go free per paying adult.

What to pack

Sketching is encouraged in the galleries with permitted materials, so bring paper and pencils if you’re artistically inclined.

What to wear

The Tate’s cavernous interior means it can feel cool in the winter, so bring extra layers.

Not allowed

Food or drink in the galleries, smoking, using charcoal or pastels to sketch

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, gift shop, restaurant, café

Address

The Tate Modern boasts a prime spot on the banks of London’s main river, so it’s within easy reach of other top attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, and is just across the Millennium Bridge from St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Driving

The Tate Modern doesn’t have any parking facilities, and the streets surrounding it are prone to heavy traffic. It’s best to take advantage of the wealth of public transit options in the area.

Public transportation

The nearest tube stations to the Tate Modern are Southwark on the Jubilee line and Blackfriars on the District and Circle lines. Both are around 15 minutes away.

Best times to visit

For the least crowded atmosphere, try to arrive as soon after the museum’s 10am opening as you can.

Best days to visit

Weekdays from Tuesday through Thursday tend to be less busy, except during the school holidays.

Best months to visit

London’s off-peak season is from November through March. That’s when there’s a higher chance of rain, making indoor attractions such as the Tate Modern a top choice.

Special events

In the summer, the museum hosts Tate Modern Lates, when guest DJs and performers bring the Turbine Hall to life late into the evening.