Tate Modern is a modern and contemporary art gallery on Bankside, beside the River Thames. It occupies the former Bankside Power Station, whose industrial interiors include the vast Turbine Hall, used for large-scale installations. The free collection includes works by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, alongside changing displays. Head to the viewing level for views over the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. Temporary exhibitions may require a ticket, so check what’s on before you go.
A power station turned gallery
Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames. The power station closed in the 1980s, and the building was converted into a gallery by architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. Tate Modern opened to the public in 2000.
The building’s industrial character remains part of the visit. Exposed steel, brick walls and tall windows give the galleries a different feel from a traditional museum. The gallery expanded with the Blavatnik Building, which opened in 2016.
Art from 1900 onwards
Tate Modern is devoted to modern and contemporary art, with works from Britain and around the world. The collection includes painting, sculpture and installation, with work by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol. Displays are arranged in themed galleries, so you can move between different artists and approaches as you explore.
Some works may be familiar; others invite a slower look or a conversation about what you are seeing. You do not need to understand every piece to spend time with it. The range makes the galleries approachable for both art enthusiasts and people who are new to modern art.
The Turbine Hall
The Turbine Hall is the immense central space that once housed the power station’s machinery. It runs between the building’s Boiler House and Switch House and is used for large-scale art commissions. Installations have included work by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwei and Olafur Eliasson.
The displays change, so the hall can feel different from one visit to the next. Leave room in your route to walk through it and see how the current work uses the scale of the space.
The viewing level and the river
The gallery’s upper levels look out over the Thames and central London. From the viewing area, you can see St Paul’s Cathedral across the river, as well as the Millennium Bridge. It is a useful pause between galleries and a way to get your bearings on Bankside.
The position beside the river also makes Tate Modern easy to combine with a walk along the South Bank. Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market are nearby, so you can build a longer day around the gallery without travelling far.
Planning your visit
The main galleries are free to enter, while some temporary exhibitions require a separate ticket. Check Tate Modern’s website for current exhibitions and book ahead if you plan to see a ticketed show. Allow several hours if you want to explore the galleries at an unhurried pace, including the Turbine Hall and upper viewing areas.
The gallery is wheelchair accessible, with accessible entrances, lifts, seating and restrooms. It is also suitable for families, and the Turbine Hall offers space to explore large-scale installations. A visit can fit around other Bankside sights, or stand on its own if you want time for the collection.
Perguntas frequentes
Is Tate Modern free to visit?
Entry to the main galleries is free. Some temporary exhibitions require a ticket.
How long should you spend at Tate Modern?
Allow a few hours to explore the galleries, the Turbine Hall and the viewing areas.
What can you see at Tate Modern?
The gallery displays modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Dalí, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol. The Turbine Hall hosts large-scale installations.
Can you see St Paul’s Cathedral from Tate Modern?
Yes. The viewing level looks across the Thames towards St Paul’s Cathedral.
