Tate Modern in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see Tate Modern's essentials: start in the Turbine Hall, move through the Picasso and Matisse rooms, Rothko, Warhol and pop art, and finish at the Blavatnik Building's Viewing Level for views of London. Check the floor plan, as rooms change often.
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The route: 6 stops in 2 hours
Tate reorganises its rooms often: what is on show depends on the collection rotation. This route follows artists and movements; confirm the rooms on the plan at the entrance. Timings are approximate.
- 1
0:00 · Turbine Hall · Level 0
The Turbine Hall
Start in the great hall of the former power station. Each year it hosts a different monumental installation.
- 2
0:15 · Collection · Natalie Bell Building
Picasso, Matisse and Dalí
A tour through the 20th-century avant-gardes: Cubism, Fauvism and Surrealism in the rooms dedicated to these masters.
- 3
0:40 · Collection · Natalie Bell Building
Rothko
Look for Mark Rothko's large canvases. It is best to sit and look at them in silence for a few minutes.
- 4
1:00 · Collection · Natalie Bell Building
Warhol and pop art
Screen prints, everyday objects and mass culture turned into art.
- 5
1:20 · Collection · Blavatnik Building
Contemporary art: Kusama, Bourgeois and more
The Blavatnik Building holds installations and recent large-scale work; the AnyArt app tells their story when you point the camera.
- 6
1:45 · Blavatnik Building · Viewing Level
London views
End at the free viewing platform of the Blavatnik Building, with views of St Paul's and the Thames.
Tips to make the most of it
- Arrive at 10am: it's the quietest hour.
- On Fridays and Saturdays the museum is open until 9pm, ideal for sunset views.
- Pick up the plan at the entrance and mark the artists you care about most.
- With the AnyArt camera you can identify any artwork and hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Tate Modern in 2 hours?
Yes, if you choose which artists to see. This route covers the essentials of the avant-gardes, pop art and contemporary work.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise the Turbine Hall, a Picasso or Rothko room and the Viewing Level.
Which entrance should I use?
The Turbine Hall ramp, or the South Entrance of the Blavatnik Building.
Is it worth visiting in the evening?
Yes: it's open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays and the London views are excellent.