London has officially been named the best city in the world for art galleries in Time Out's latest guide to the planet's top cultural destinations. The survey of more than 24,000 people worldwide ranked London first, with an impressive 81.1 percent of surveyed Londoners saying the city does art galleries better than anything else. This placed London well ahead of second-placed Paris (67.9 percent) and third-placed New York (67.7 percent).
World-Class Institutions and New Openings
London's roster of museums and galleries is world-beating, with massive institutions like the National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the Barbican, and the Hayward Gallery. Smaller but equally treasured spaces include the Courtauld Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, ICA, Serpentine Galleries, and the Wallace Collection. Underrated venues such as South London Gallery, Camden Art Centre, and Autograph also contribute to the city's rich cultural landscape. Time Out's guide to London's finest art galleries stretches to 50, and could go even further.
This year has seen the opening of the V&A East, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, and the Museum of Youth Culture, while the new London Museum is set to open at Smithfield in November, further enhancing the city's cultural offerings.
Museums Also Rank Highly
London also scored well for museums, with 88.4 percent of residents backing the city's venues. This placed London third globally, behind only Paris and Madrid. The city's free entry to many major museums is a key factor in their popularity.
2026 marks a decade of Time Out's guides to the best cities in the world. London came fourth in the overall list but placed top when cities were filtered down to just their cultural offerings. The full lists are available on Time Out's website.
