british museum free guided tour

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Out-of-hours tours

View of the Enlightenment gallery (Room 1).

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Tour information

Daily: 08.50–10.00 

Meeting point

Main entrance – Great Russell Street (WC1B 3DG) Please bring your email confirmation.

Ticket information

Advance booking only £33 (Adults) £30 (Members) £30 (Concessions: students, jobseekers, disabled visitors) £16.50 (Ages 5–15 years) Free for under 5s and disabled visitors' assistant (no booking required)

For any queries on booking please email:  [email protected]

Experience the highlights of the collection in private with our volunteer-led out-of-hours tours.

Whether you want to navigate the history of the ancient Greeks or walk in the footsteps of pharaohs, immerse yourself in humanity's greatest civilisations without the crowds.

Choose from:  An introduction to the British Museum An introduction to ancient Egypt Life and death in ancient Egypt An introduction to China An introduction to the ancient Greek world

In line with current government and NHS guidance, face masks are not mandatory but guests are welcome to wear them if they wish. The Museum maintains a robust cleaning schedule and hand sanitiser stations are available across the site.  Further information can be found in our FAQs section .

An introduction to the British Museum

Explore the oldest room in the Museum in this special guided tour before the galleries open to the public.

Uncover the origins of an extraordinary collection as you learn about the beginnings of the British Museum in 1753 and its subsequent development. The Enlightenment gallery ( Room 1 ) focuses on the 18th century, an era of new knowledge, scientific discovery and European colonialism. The Collecting the world gallery ( Room 2 ) focuses on the growth of the collection from the 18th century to the present day.

This tour provides a thought-provoking introduction to the Museum, which you're free to explore afterwards.

Galleries on this tour:

• Room 1: Enlightenment gallery
• Room 2: Collecting the world

An introduction to ancient Egypt

Enjoy exploring one of the most iconic spaces in the Museum and discover the fascinating history of ancient Egypt in this special guided tour, before the galleries open to the public.

In the Egyptian sculpture gallery ( Room 4 ), you can see impressive statues of kings and gods, monumental tomb architecture and ancient tomb reliefs spanning 3,000 years. These include the imposing colossal bust of Ramesses II and the Gayer-Anderson Cat. You can learn the importance of large-scale sculpture in ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, and get the perfect introduction to this unmissable collection. 

Gallery on this tour: 

• Room 4: Egyptian sculpture (Opens in new window)

Life and death in ancient Egypt

Discover how people lived and died in ancient Egypt, and explore their hopes and aspirations for the afterlife.    From painted coffins, statues and models of daily life to spectacular wall paintings from the tomb-chapel of the high official Nebamun, investigate what tombs and burial goods tell us about the lives of ancient Egyptian people. The tour will explore the preparation of the deceased for burial, including mummification, and the use of magic to help and protect people on their perilous journey to the afterlife. 

This tour visits displays that include human remains. The British Museum is committed to curating human remains with care, respect and dignity. Find out more about our principles governing the holding, display and study of  human remains .

• Room 61: Egyptian life and death: the tomb chapel of Nebamun (The Michael Cohen Gallery)
• Rooms 62–63: Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies (The Roxie Walker Galleries)
• Room 64: Early Egypt (The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery)

An introduction to China

Journey through the extraordinary cultures of China in this special guided tour before the Museum opens to the public.

In the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China ( Room 33 ), you will gain an insight into the development of Chinese history and culture from 5000 BC to the present day.

In a beautifully refurbished space which has recently re-opened, this introductory tour will give you a deep appreciation for the magnificent objects on display. Featuring spectacular Tang dynasty tomb figures buried around AD 728 and beautiful Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain.

Gallery on this tour:

• Room 33: China ( Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery )

An introduction to the ancient Greek world

Embark on a guided journey through the ancient Greek world; from the rise of the Greek city states to the empire of Alexander the Great.

Enjoy some of the highlights of the Museum's exceptional collection, including sculptures from the Parthenon and Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Galleries on this tour:  

• Room 12b: Greece: Mycenaeans  (The Arthur I Fleischman Gallery)
• Room 15: Athens and Lycia
• Room 18: Greece: Parthenon
• Room 21: Mausoleum of Halikarnassos
• Room 22: The World of Alexander

How many places are available on each tour?

Tours are limited to a maximum of 20 places per session (14 for Life and death in ancient Egypt). If you would like to bring a group of 10 or more people or arrange a special out-of-hours tour, please email [email protected] to discuss your options.

Can I bring wheeled cases and large items of luggage with me?

Wheeled cases and large items of luggage are not allowed on British Museum premises.

Will the cloakroom be open?

Cloakroom facilities are not available on these tours.

When does the tour start?

Each tour starts at 09.00 and lasts for one hour, including time at the end for you to take photographs.

Can I continue my Museum visit after the tour?

Once the tour ends your tour ticket enables access to the permanent collection.

Can groups now visit the Museum?

If you wish to bring a group of eight or more people or arrange a special out-of-hours tour, please email [email protected] to discuss your options.

You may also be interested in

Tours and talks

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Plan your visit

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• Places to Visit
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• Practical Tips
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Top Tips for Visiting the British Museum

The British Museum, one of the most important museum of antiquities in the world, is a fascinating collection. However, there’s so much to see, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

If you want to see as much as possible or only the highlights, there are several ways to get the most out of your visit.

The British Museum run a 90-minute guided tour of the museum’s highlights runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11.30am and 2pm.

£14 per person. The tour is not recommended for children under 12.

Buy tickets from the information desk in the Great Court or book online

British Museum Tour – London Walks tour

London Walks, the walking tour company, has a 2-hour tour of the museum on Monday , Wednesday* and Saturday at 2.30pm. *Not 25 December or 1 January

£10 for adults, £8 for seniors and full-time students. Children under 15 accompanied by parents go free.

No need to book, just meet the guide outside Russell Square tube station.

Do a self-guided tour

1 or 3 hour self-guided tour.

Their website suggests two tour routes:

• See a selection of the museum’s highlights in 1 hour
• The 3 hour itinerary shows the variety of objects held at the museum

Pick up a museum map (£2 suggested donation). It lists some of the most important things to see in 1 hour or 2-3 hours.

Buy a guide book

The British Museum shop sells visitor guides and souvenir guides in various languages from £5. They post worldwide and offer free postage in the UK for British Museum Publications.

Audio guide

The audio guide gives you a detailed insight into over 200 objects in 61 galleries.

£7 adult £6 concessions, under-19’s

Commentary is in English, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.

Available from the Audio Guide desk in the Great Court – 10am – 4pm (7.30pm on Friday)

Free gallery talks and tours

Eyeopener gallery tours.

Listen to a free 30-40 minute eyeOpener gallery tour – daily talks inspired by themes from the collection. Tours run between 11am–3.45pm. No need to book. Just meet at the room/gallery.

Lunchtime gallery talks

Free 45-minute gallery talks with a guest speaker or curator. Tuesday–Saturday 1.15pm. No need to book. Meet at the relevant gallery/room.

Visit in the evening

The British Museum is open until 8.30pm on Fridays . Take one of the free 20-minute Spotlight Tours.

• The Parthenon – 5pm and 5.30pm
• The Enlightement – 6.30pm and 7pm
• The Rosetta Stone – 5pm and 5.30pm
• Death in Egypt – 5pm and 5.30pm

Visit the British Museum website for details of all tours and talks.

Luggage Storage at the British Museum

The British Museum has a cloakroom where you can leave cabin-sized bags and handbags while visiting. They are very strict on the size and weight of luggage that can be stored. Suitcases with wheels, of any size, are not allowed inside.

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG Open: Daily 10am–5.30pm (open 8.30pm on Fridays) Transport: Tottenham Court Rd, Holborn or Russell Square tube

• Cheap lunch near the British Museum

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The Ultimate Guide to visiting the British Museum

British museum ultimate guide.

Visiting museums and taking free tours are two of the must-do experiences in London available for every budget! But if you only have time to visit one museum in London, then make it the British Museum. Not only is it one of the oldest museums in the world, it’s also one of the largest museums in England, and attracts more than 6 million visitors each year,

The museum was officially opened to the public on January 15th, 1759, (although it was first housed in the 17th century Montagu House before moving to its present location in Bloomsbury). The museum was founded thanks to the personal collections of Sir Hans Sloane (a famous physician, naturalist and collector), who collected more than 71,000 different objects during his lifetime.

Originally, the British Museum’s collection consisted of manuscripts, books, ethnographic material and various natural specimens and antiques (like coins, medals, prints and drawings); but over time, the museum expanded, and today it contains more than seven million objects which cover over two million years of history and culture.

Its departmental library has been around since 1860 and consists of 24,000 different items (with the oldest item dating all the way back to 1636); and its Assyrian collections even helped researchers decipher the Cuneiform script (an ancient script from the Middle East).

Visiting British Museum

The museum is separated into different galleries which are organized by periods of time in history or specific locations or countries in the world (such as Roman Britain, Ancient Iran and Greece, just to name a few).

Some of the many must-see items that shouldn’t be missed by any first-time visitor to the British Museum include:

• The Rosetta Stone (an item which helped decipher various Egyptian hieroglyphics after they were discovered in 1799).
• The Parthenon Sculptures (taken from the Parthenon in Athens).
• Egyptian mummies and coffins (which are said to be one of the most comprehensive collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world).
• The Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo ship burial relics (which date back to the 6th and early 7th centuries, and are considered to be some of the most important discoveries in British archaeology).
• A human-headed winged bull monument (which was taken from a gateway in the citadel wall at Khorsabad).
• Lindow Man (the preserved body of a man from the Iron Age or Romano-British period which was discovered in a bog near Cheshire in 1984).
• The Lewis chessmen (a group of 12th century chess pieces which were made from walrus ivory).
• Figures from The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.

Special Tips

Getting There

Recommended visiting time is at least three to four hours, but if you’re interested in joining some of the many different talks and tours at the museum, then be prepared to spend the entire day wandering around. However, if you’re short on time, you can pick up an audio guide at the Audio Guide Desk in the Great Court, and go on your own self-guided tour within two hours.

If you’re visiting with children, you can take part in the “Free Open Future Family Trails” exhibition, which leads families on a “journey of discovery” to find some of the many treasures scattered all throughout the museum. (The activity takes around 30 to 40 minutes to complete).

Photography with flash and video recording is allowed in the majority of the galleries, but must be for private purposes only.

There is a main cloakroom located to the west of the main entrance, where you can leave some of your personal belongings so you don’t have to carry them around with you during your visit. Items over a certain weight and size will not be allowed into the museum, and will have to be kept at the luggage facilities at major rail stations like King’s Cross, Charing Cross and Euston.

There are toilet facilities on every floor of the museum, as well as in The Gallery Cafe and Court Cafes on the ground floor, and The Court Restaurant on the upper floor.

For those with mobility issues, there are benches and stools located in the Great Court, and there is some seating available in selected galleries as well.

Ticket Costs

The British Museum is free to enter, and is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day (but closes at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays).

If you’re interested in touching or holding some of the artefacts in the museum, there are object handling sessions which take place at the Hands-On Desks between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

There are a variety of 30 to 40-minute tours which take place throughout the day, and meet at the relevant gallery. The tours range in topic from Ancient Greece, South Asia and the Art of the Middle East, and usually take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, be sure to check out the British Museum’s official website before you visit, as the dates, subjects and times fluctuate throughout the year.

There are also different spotlight tours and lunchtime gallery talks with guest speakers which take place throughout the week, and tend to focus on specific themes such as The Rosetta Stone or The Enlightenment. For more information or to get more details about any tour or talk, check the official website before you visit.

If you want to go on your own self-guided tour, there are also multimedia iPad tours available (£5 for adults and £3.50 for children).

If you want to take part in the Free Open Future Family Trails, you can collect your free trail guide from the Families Desk in the Great Court, but only on the weekends or any day during Camden school holidays between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

If you are visiting the British Museum, you might want to check out the list of free tours in London that run daily.

Free Tours in Your Language

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How Much Does It Cost to Visit the British Museum?

The British Museum is free – mostly.

This post is a guide to visiting the museum and explains which exhibits are free and which require a paid ticket.

As a local walking tour guide with Free Tours by Foot London, I get asked this question a lot.

I'm also known as the Museum Guide, so this is kind of my thing.

And, in the video below, I take you on a virtual tour of the highlights of the British Museum.

• Free Permanent Exhibits
• Paid Temporary Exhibits
• Public Tours
• Ways to Save

Tips From Locals and Travelers

• 42 Free London Museums

How to Get There

To reach the British Museum on Great Russell Street in Central London, you can use the Tube and get off at Tottenham Court Road station. 

From Tottenham Court Road station, it's a short 5-minute walk to the museum's main entrance. 

You can also take public transport, such as bus routes 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, or 390 to get closer to the location.

If you're driving, there are paid parking spots nearby.

British Museum Opening Hours

• Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat, Sun: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM

Last entry is at 4:00 PM, and on Fridays, it's 7:30 PM.

If you want to see everything, consider spending 2-3 hours inside the British Museum. 

WHAT CAN YOU SEE FOR FREE?

This section will go into detail about all of the exhibitions and galleries you can see for free at the British Museum.

We have a separate post on the highlights of these galleries .

You won’t need to pay admission for any of these exhibits, but you can make a donation if you want to support the museum’s mission.

To visit the museum, it's best to book your free ticket in advance if you want to guarantee your free entry.

Or you can take a tour with us.

Walk-up entry doesn't guarantee you will be admitted as the museum is currently limiting the number of visitors to allow for social distancing.

That will likely change at some date, but for now, it's best to book in advance.

  Book your free tickets here . Simply pick the date and time you'd like to visit. 

• You can book up to a maximum of eight people.
• Once you book your tickets, they will be emailed to you. You must show your ticket at the museum so either print it or be able to show it on a device.
• Arrive at the time stated on your ticket, as the museum can't guarantee admission before or after your allotted time slot.

Permanent Galleries

Every permanent gallery at the British Museum is entirely free to visit.

This includes exhibition areas covering art, culture, and other subjects from Africa, the Americas, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece/Rome, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

If you want to make sure the galleries of interest to you are open (they close periodically for maintenance) check here .

There are also a few areas dedicated to specific themes such as money, the Enlightenment, life and death, notable collections from around the world, and more.

These galleries are open daily from 10.00 to 17.00 (10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an extended closing on Fridays when it stays open until 20:30 (8:30 pm).

Learn about Late Fridays at this and other London museums from our post Things to do in London at Night .

The Great Court

This is the main court of the museum, and it is where you will find things like the visitor information desk and the collections shop.

The Great Court also has a cafe that you can visit if you get thirsty or hungry during your visit to the museum.

Although there are restrooms in other areas of the building, this is probably the easiest place to find if you need to use a bathroom.

The Great Court is open daily from 10.00–17.00 (10 am - 5 pm) with extended closing on Friday nights at 20:30 (8:30 pm).

Free Limited Exhibitions/Displays

Some of the limited exhibits and displays offered at the British Museum are actually free for all visitors.

These attractions change from one year to the next, so it will be important to check what’s on at the British Museum for more details.

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• Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors, and Heroes (until Feb 24, 2024)
• Pharaoh: King of Egypt (until Oct 6, 2024)
• Egyptian Hieroglyphs: Unlock the Mystery (until Feb 18, 2024)
• Feminine power: The Fivine to the Femonic (until Aug 10, 2025)
• Botanical Drawings by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues (until Jan 28, 2024)
• Gesture and Line Four post-war German and Austrian artists (until Apr 1, 2024)

TEMPORARY EXHIBITS

Temporary exhibitions at the British Museum change every few months, so it’s best to check their website for the most up-to-date list of what’s on .

These special exhibitions require tickets.

If ever there was a historic structure synonymous with London, it's Stonehenge. This exhibit has new finds as well as other objects that are on loan for the first time!

You'll see stunning gold jewelry, the Nebra Sky Disc, the world's oldest surviving map of the stars, and a well-preserved 4,000-year-old timber circle dubbed Seahenge.

An exhibit not to be missed. It runs until 17 July 2022.

Ticket Prices:

Monday - Friday

• Adults £20/ Seniors (60+) £20/
• Students and 16–18 years £18 (2-for-1 tickets on Fridays)/
• Under 16 free when accompanied by an adult
• Disabled visitors £18 (Assistant free, booking required)

Saturday and Sunday

• Adults £22/ Seniors (60+) £22
• Students and 16–18 years £20
• Disabled visitors £20 (Assistant free, booking required)

Purchase tickets or learn more .

Feminine power: the divine to the demonic

Explore the role that goddesses, witches, and saints have played in forming our understanding of the world.

You'll see sculptures, sacred objects and art from the ancient world to today.

• Adults £15/ Seniors (60+) £15
• Students and 16–18 years £13 (2-for-1 tickets on Fridays)
• Disabled visitors £13 (Assistant free, booking required)
• Adults £17/ Seniors (60+) £17
• Students and 16–18 years £15
• Disabled visitors £15 (Assistant free, booking required)

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

In addition to all the fantastic artwork on display at the British Museum, there are also some pretty fun things to do with your family.

This section will cover the kid-friendly activities available at this museum.

Samsung Digital Discovery Centre

This area of the museum includes a lot of digital equipment provided by Samsung which breathes new life into the world’s history and cultures.

Visitors can enjoy fun games on tablets, get a full 360-degree digital view of notable historic artifacts, and use technology to create a variety of art.

Although each of these activities are free, some may require a passport, national ID or driver’s license as a deposit.

Learn more about the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre .

Daily Activities

The British Museum provides a number of family-friendly activities for their fun that are available every day.

Parents who are looking for something fun to do with their kids might want to consider an activity trail, gallery backpacks, art materials (crayons, pencils, pads), or a family guide to the museum.

For more information about these activities, make sure to visit the Families Desk in the Great Court .

There are also special museum exclusive events aimed at families. Check the British Museum family event schedule for more details.

PUBLIC TOURS OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Below are the regular tours offered by the museum. We also offer our own tour on Fridays .

Daily Eye-Opener Tour

These tours run every 15 minutes between 11:00-15:45 (3:45 pm) from different areas of the museum.

The tours are completely free to follow, are held within one of the free galleries, and typically last 30-40 minutes each.

Currently, tours are limited to eight people, based on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity will be increasing gradually over time.

Find out more information here .

Because there are so many offered throughout the day these brief, faster tours are perfect to take if you’re short on time and keen on learning more about the artifacts in a specific room.

• Length of tour: 30-40 minutes
• Time of tour: Several times, daily

Spotlight Tours

These tours take place every Friday evening as an accompaniment to the late night open hours.

They last 20 minutes each and run on the hour and half hour between 17:00 and 19:00.

The topics change every Friday, but each focuses on a particular time period or theme. Click here for the weekly schedule of Spotlight Tours.

• Length of tour: 20 minutes
• Time of tour: Friday evenings

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Around the World in 70 Minutes

This is the only paid tour and you must book in advance. It's well worth it!

This signature tour covers several highlights from each of the free galleries.

Learn about the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon frieze, and the Lewis Chessmen, amongst many other things.

The tour aims to educate guests on important artifacts from various cultures around the world.  

• Cost: £14 per person
• Length of tour: 70 minutes
• Tours take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30 and 14.00.
• Each tour has a capacity of 8 people.
• Recommended for adults and children aged 12+.
• Book your place in advance online .

Desire, love, identity: an LGBTQ tour

This tour is an exploration of objects in the collection that are related to themes of desire, love and identity.

Note that this unique tour frequently books up.

Currently, the tour schedule is every day 14.30–15.40 (2:30 pm-3:40 pm) from 29 Apr 2022 - 27 May 2022.

• Each tour lasts for around 70 minutes.
• Tours are free but booking is strongly recommended.
• Check the website for dates and to book your post.

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Out-of-hours tours

These volunteer-led tours take place before the museum is open to the public. Groups are currently limited to 12 people.

This is a wonderful way to experience the highlights of the collection with the museum all to yourself!

Tours include introductions to British Museum, ancient Egypt, China, the ancient Greek world and Life and death in ancient Egypt.

Tours run daily from 08.50–10.00. You must book in advance.

• £30 Concessions: students, disabled visitors
• £16.50 ages 5–15 years
• Free for under 5s and disabled visitors' assistant (no booking required)
• Book your tickets here .

Audio Guide

The British Museum also offers an audio a p p you can download onto your iPhone or Android to use at your own pace, even before or after your visit to the museum.

The audio app offers several self-guided tours with each exploring a theme such as Top Ten objects to ancient Egypt. Each themed tour is between £1.99 - £2.99.

The audio app covers 250 objects in the permanent galleries and is available in several different languages.

The app also features an interactive map of the museum, making it easy to navigate the many different galleries.

For a free audio tour alternative, check out the excellent Rick Steves audio guide .

Ways to Save on Admission

If you want to save money on the paid exhibits at the British Museum, there are a few different options to consider.

This section will provide details about each of the deals available on special and limited exhibits.

2 For 1 Deal

This is one of the best ways to save money on limited exhibitions that require tickets at the British Museum.

The 2 for 1 program allows visitors who use National Rail to purchase two tickets for the price of one.

All you have to do is use the rail for transportation to the museum and you’ll be eligible for the deal.

Since tickets cost between £20-£22, that is what you can expect to save on general admission using this method.

For more information, read our post covering the 2 for 1 deal in London .

National Art Pass

If you live in the UK, you might want to consider getting the National Art Pass for access to special limited exhibits.

Each of the paid exhibitions at the British Museum are included at half the cost with this museum pass.

The National Art Pass is valid for an entire year and is valid at more than 240 museums.

Prices start at £73 for adults, £45 for people under 30, £110 total for two adults at the same address and just £10 to add a child to your pass.

Become a Museum Member

Visitors who plan on going to the British Museum more than once over the course of a year may want to think about becoming a museum member. Prices start at £69 per year.

Membership is valid for an entire year, and it includes admission to all limited and special exhibits for free.

Members also receive access to exclusive lectures, tours, parties, and out-of-hours visits.

Visit on Event Days

Every now and then, the British Museum will offer deals on their paid exhibits, but only on specific dates and times.

If you want to take advantage of this deal, make sure to check what’s on at the British Museum for details about the attraction you want to see.

Use a Tourist Pass

Every now and then, some London tourist passes offer deals on temporary exhibits at the British Museum.

These services allow you to pay one flat price for a variety of different activities. If you plan on going to a lot of popular attractions, this is a great way to save money.

You can also get skip-the-line privileges at some locations, making it both faster and easier to get inside.

For more details about this opportunity, make sure to read our post covering London tourist attraction passes .

Although we do our best to provide as much information as possible about the British Museum, there's always a chance that we might have missed something important to your decision making process.

Thankfully, we have a Facebook Group known as London Travel Tips with over 150,000 users, and they often answer questions about this and other museums in the city.

Here are a few of the more helpful comments:

This is a common question, and the reality is that it was a lot easier to do this back before the pandemic, but it's still entirely possible if you're visiting on a weekday.

The only time you'll probably have to wait in a queue for a while is during weekends. That said, many members of our group insist it's still easy to get inside on the day of your visit.

Also, while we obviously hope you'll choose to support our website, it is true that some websites will try to upsell you on things you don't want or need. All the more reason to seek the opinion of less biased travelers and locals!

If you're looking for a place to eat, it seems pretty clear that most members of our group highly recommend the restaurant inside the British Museum.

Given how much walking you'll be doing while you're here, it does make sense to save some energy and just grab a bite to eat while you're here.

Caroline offers some excellent advice, insisting that it's easier to get into the museum on busy days by using the entrance at the back.

Most people don't even realize there is another entrance, so you can usually save a lot of time by using the back entrance.

If you're visiting with kids, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• There's so much to see at the British Museum that you could spend an entire day there alone and still miss out on a lot of excellent exhibits.
• This museum is very large, and it's not as big of a hit with children as the Natural History Museum.
• Most people spend at least 3-4 hours wandering around this massive building, so it's unlikely you'll have the energy to see another big museum on the same day, especially with children in tow.

For more advice, make sure to check our London Travel Tips group on Facebook and consider asking a question if you still need help planning out your day at the British Museum.

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The British Museum travel guide

Everything you need to know before visiting this incredible Museum in London

Are you planning a trip to the world-famous British Museum in London? If so, you're in for an unforgettable experience! This British Museum travel guide will help you make the most of your visit.

Here, we'll provide important information and interesting facts about the British Museum, as well as a brief history of the museum.

We'll also provide tips on how to get the most out of your trip. With this guide, you'll be able to plan an amazing visit to the British Museum. So let's get started!

About the British Museum

The British Museum in London is one of the world’s most famous museums. Founded in 1753, it was the first national public museum in the world. With a permanent collection of 8 million works, it is now one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in existence.

The British Museum began as a ‘cabinet of curiosities’. It was founded by a group of British citizens who wanted to create a collection that would provide knowledge and enjoyment to all members of society. Initially, they collected objects from across the world and displayed them in a private house. However, as the collection grew, it became clear that a larger space was needed.

In 1759, Montagu House was selected for the purpose of housing the growing collection. This building later became known as the Old British Museum. It remained the home of the British Museum until its move to Bloomsbury in 1850s, when Sir Robert Smirke's neo-classical building finally opened to the public.

Today, the British Museum houses some of the world’s most impressive works, spanning thousands of years and numerous cultures. The Great Court, completed in 2000, is one of London’s most popular attractions. It has become a destination for art lovers, history buffs and curious travelers alike. Visitors can explore hundreds of galleries, ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies to modern art.

Location and Getting There

The British Museum is located in the heart of London, and is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the city. Situated in Bloomsbury, the museum is easily accessible from many public transport options. The nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road, which is just a few minutes away from the museum. Alternatively, visitors can take a bus from many stops across the city, including Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square. The museum is also close to some of London’s other top attractions, such as Oxford Street and the West End.

The British Museum has been welcoming visitors since 1753 and is now one of the most popular museums in London. As part of the iconic London skyline, the British Museum is easily recognised by its distinctive columns and grand entrance. Once inside, visitors can explore its vast collections and fascinating exhibitions.

Opening Hours and Admission Prices

The British Museum in London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and an absolute must-see for any traveler. The museum is open seven days a week and has varying opening hours depending on the time of year. Generally, it is open from 10am to 5:30pm on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 8:30pm on Fridays.

Admission to the British Museum is free, making it a great option if you’re looking for budget-friendly activities to enjoy while in London. For special exhibitions, there may be an additional charge; however, all other displays within the museum are completely free.

What to See

The British Museum in London is a must-see for any visitor to the city. This world-famous museum houses more than 8 million artifacts from all over the world, including ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The collections are so vast that it would take days to explore them all.

When visiting the British Museum, start your journey by exploring the Great Court. Here you can marvel at the Reading Room, originally used by the British Library, and take in stunning views of the surrounding area. Don’t miss the East Wing, which contains many of the museum’s most famous artifacts, such as the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures.

Other must-see attractions include the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery, which holds one of the finest collections of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo; the Middle Eastern Galleries, which display an array of ancient artifacts from Iran, Iraq, Turkey and other parts of the Middle East; and the Prints & Drawings Gallery, which houses a remarkable collection of prints, drawings, and photographs.

Beyond these galleries and collections, you can also take part in educational activities such as lectures and workshops or explore the museum's digital resources. If you are looking for more things to do while in London, the British Museum is part of a larger network of museums in the capital and is within easy reach of some of the city's other famous attractions.

British Museum guided tours

One of the best ways to get a fresh angle on all of the amazing exhibits at the British Museum is with a guided tour . In the hands of a capable expert, you’ll see the most important artefacts and hear stories, background info and dive into historic moments. Book a guided tour if you want to go further than the commentary cards or audio guides will ever stretch.

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Must-see exhibits at the British Museum

Parthenon Marbles

You can't visit the British Museum and not see the Parthenon Marbles.

Originally affixed to the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens between 447 and 438 B.C., these breathtaking friezes and sculptures are now in private collections around the world.

As a symbol of Athens's glory days, the Parthenon was built to inspire awe and admiration. Phidias, the greatest ancient sculptor, carved these sculptures that shed light on ancient Athens.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The tomb of King Maussollos and Queen Maussolene at Halicarnassus is widely considered to be one of the greatest architectural achievements of all time. Bodrum, Turkey is now home to its ruined remains.

The word "mausoleum," meaning "above-ground structure for burial or entombment," originated from this famous tomb.

In antiquity, the Mausoleum was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A total of 139 feet in height, the building was adorned lavishly with sculpture carved both in the round and in relief.

Sutton Hoo ship burial

Amazing royal treasures were unearthed in an Anglo-Saxon ship from the sixth century, discovered in 1937. Gold jewellery, Byzantine silverware, a magnificent casket, and an iron helmet were just some of the artefacts that were found on board the 88.5-foot-long ship, an archaeologist's dream. Perhaps an Anglo-Saxon king was buried there.

Hoa Hakananai’a

The massive statue is a crowd-pleaser at the museum. This comes all the way from Chile's off-the-beaten-path Easter Island.

The Rapa Nui people gave the name Hoa Hakanani'a to this person. It's meaning is "secret pal." These statues, known as moai, were built with their backs to the ocean.

A human head and torso are depicted in the statue, but the arms appear to have been disproportionately reduced in size. Intricate carvings depicting the island's Birdman cult adorn its back.

Rosetta Stones

The Rosetta Stone is a must-see for any visitor to the British Museum. It is one of the most well-known rocks in the world and one of the museum's most prized possessions.

Its importance in unlocking the secrets of ancient Egyptian has made it famous around the globe. As a result, it altered how scholars view the ancient world.

A group of soldiers were laying the groundwork for a new fort in the town of Rosetta on 15 July 1799 when they came across the stone. There was no doubt that this ancient artefact was priceless.

Busts Of Roman Emperors

The sculptures of ancient Greece are not limited to the Parthenon sculptures.

An impressive collection of busts of Roman emperors can be found in the museum. Contrasted with the Capitoline Museums in Rome, it holds its own.

The busts are an amazing insight into what the Romans actually looked like, and the detail and effort that went into capturing their likeness.

Egyptian Mummies

The Egyptian Collection at the British Museum spans the ancient civilization from the Neolithic period to the early Christian era.

The ancient Egyptians placed a high value on the concepts of afterlife and death.

There are many Egyptian mummies, coffins, and funerary masks on display at the museum.

The Egyptians mummified their dead to ensure they would have a prosperous afterlife. The bandages were applied tightly, and internal organs were removed.

Tips for Visiting

Plan your visit in advance. Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's floor plans and exhibitions to make the most of your time there

Consider a British Museum guided tour to get insights from an expert tour guide

Bring a camera or phone to capture some memorable photos of the museum and its artefacts.

Consider investing in a guidebook about the British Museum. You can find plenty of books about the museum’s history, exhibits, and important facts.

Get there early as the British Museum can get quite crowded during peak times.

Visit one of the museums many cafes for lunch or dinner. It's a great way to experience more of the museum atmosphere and refuel.

Don't forget to explore some of the other amazing museums in London while you're there. The Science Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern are all nearby and great places to spend an afternoon.

If you'd rather save some money, you can visit the British Museum for free. Many of the permanent collections are open to the public without admission fees.

More things to do near the British Museum

No trip to London is complete without a visit to the British Museum! But, after exploring the vast collection of historical artifacts and ancient cultures, there’s plenty more to see and do in the area.

If you’re looking for other museums in London, the nearby Wellcome Collection is a must-see. Located on Euston Road, just a few minutes from the British Museum, the Wellcome Collection focuses on medical science and history. Visitors can explore topics such as anatomy, mental health and medical ethics through interactive exhibits.

For something entirely different, check out the Cartoon Museum . Founded in 2006 and located in central London, it celebrates British cartoons, caricatures and comic strips. It’s just a short walk from the British Museum, making it an ideal place to stop off afterwards.

Finally, if you have time, make sure to pay a visit to Russell Square Gardens. This beautiful park is just a stone’s throw from the British Museum, and is perfect for a sunny day stroll. It boasts a large fountain, flowerbeds and plenty of benches for picnicking or people-watching.

The British Museum may be one of London’s biggest attractions but there are plenty of other great sights nearby. With a little bit of exploring, you’re sure to find something else to keep you entertained.

Is the British Museum free to enter?

Entry to the British Museum is completely free, but visitors can make a donation to help with the preservation and upkeep of the museum and its treasures and artefacts.

The British Museum is not the only free museum in London – there are several other renowned museums that are also free to enter, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These museums contain vast collections of artifacts from around the world and offer visitors interesting insights into different cultures and time periods.

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British Museum Guided Tour

Officially licensed guides, guided walking tour, flexible rescheduling, private tour of british museum.

Visit one of the most renowned museums of the world with a private guide and view famous artifacts such as the Rossetta’s Stone, the controversial Parthenon marbles, and much more. 

Enjoy a brief stroll around the famous area of Bloomsbury and hear how the British Museum came to be before entering this magnificent institution.

Highlights of Our British Museum Guided Tour:

• Meet your professional  Blue Badge Guide  
• Visit one of the most important museums in the world
• Be shown incredible artifacts such as  The Rosetta Stone , the  Parthenon Marbles , and much, much more
• Skip the line access
• Free consultation with your guide to determine what exhibitions you want to spend the most time with

British Museum Tour Itinerary

The British Museum was the world’s free public museum and was first opened to the public in 1753. 

Sir Hans Sloane donated his extensive collection of 20, 000 pieces and the museum has grown ever since. And after visiting you will feel like you’ve traveled around the globe and seen so much along the way. 

Your guide will be sure to show you the museum’s highlights and believe us there are many. They include:

• The famous Rosetta Stone : the key to unlocking the hieroglyphic language
• The Parthenon Marbles : intricate statues from the Acropolis carved 2500 years ago in Athens
• The Sutton Hoo Hoard : the contents of a Saxon ship burial and the subject of the recent film, ‘The Dig’. 
• Ancient Egyptian Mummies
• The  Easter Island statue  called Hoakananaia 

*Please note that the British Museum may close off sections of the museum to the public without prior notice.

Interested in combining a tour of the British Museum with one of our other private guided tours of London, or as part of a larger multi-day tour of the UK?  Get in tou ch with our expert tour planners today and they will create a custom tour itinerary for you completely free of charge . 

Why Choose Us For Your Tour of The British Museum?

• See the British Museum the way you would like to see it – focus on the exhibits that are most important to you
• No following a guide with an umbrella. Your private guide will show you all the big exhibits and also some of the smaller ones that you would never learn about on a big group tour
• Customize your tour itinerary to suit you and your group

Tour Duration:  2-3 hours

Meeting point:  At your centrally located London accommodation OR at the Holborn Station station entrance

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Contact Us About Your Own British Museum Guided Tour

At London by Luxe we understand that no two private tours will be the same, and we endeavor to tailor every tour exactly to the tastes and requirements of our guests. So if there is anything we can do to customize your tour, just let our friendly planners know in the form below.

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The 5 Best British Museum Tours [2024 Reviews]

As the first national public museum of the world, the British Museum brings all kinds of cultures together with countless artifacts and historical accounts.

While there are plenty of incredible art museums in London, but if you’re a history buff like me, this is a can’t-miss! There’s a ton to see, however, so I highly recommend taking a proper tour to guide you through the most notable pieces.

I’ve carefully curated a guide to the 5 top tours of the British Museum out there, so you don’t have to worry about which ones are actually worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Thames Dinner Cruises , Windsor Castle Tours and Buckingham Palace Tours .

Best British Museum Guided Tours

Quick answer: the 5 best british museum private & guided tours for 2024.

• The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
• Private Guided Tour of the British Museum
• Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London
• The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour
• British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

British Museum Tour Reviews

1. the british museum london guided museum tour – semi-private 8ppl max.

• Duration: 2.5 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 & 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Semi-private museum tour, no more than 8 participants, professional tour guide

London’s cultural landscape is like some type of treasure trove filled with intense history, art, and fascinating artifacts. The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max  experience is one of those top-tier tours that I wish I’d found out about earlier.

If you want an in-depth yet intriguing way to see the over 6,000 years of history under one roof, look no further!

The tour starts off by meeting the guide right outside the museum gates, where we instantly hit it off and were able to ask them any questions we had along the way.

They asked us about any specific interests we had, and as our group was limited to just 8 participants, it felt very intimate and fun. We then received a briefing of what to expect and the history of the museum, which really set the tone for a fascinating next few hours.

Our whole group was open to seeing pretty much anything and everything, so we started off by following our educated guide through the different rooms to see a wide array of impressive ancient and medieval exhibits.

The Rosetta Stone was so fascinating to me, especially because it essentially unlocked the ancient Egyptian world, from the language to their afterlife beliefs.

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I’m a huge fan of ancient Greek sculptures, so being able to see the Parthenon sculptures was something of a dream – we even learned how a massive gold and ivory image of Athena used to stand inside the Parthenon!

What was really cool was that we easily had the best guide in the place, who spoke to us more like longtime friends and relayed information about each artifact in a way that was easy to comprehend.

They never made us feel like we should have a certain level of knowledge, and while our group varied in education about certain subjects he spoke to all of us in a way that made sense.

Overall, this was a great tour that I’d recommend to anyone of any age or background who’d like to explore the British Museum in an effective way.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other london experiences you may enjoy:, 2. private guided tour of the british museum.

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Departure: Great Russell Street, London, UK
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 2:00 & 5:00 PM
• Includes: Licensed and insured guide, entrance ticket

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely taken some boring museum tours throughout my life and don’t always look forward to them. Many times, I’ve just wandered through museums and hoped for the best by reading up beforehand on some of the sites I’m most interested in.

However, with tours like the Private Guided Tour of the British Museum , my mind was changed and I discovered that with the right guide the entire experience can be elevated.

Upon meeting our guide, I was instantly captivated by both her knowledge and skilled way of speaking while showcasing the best the museum has to offer.

Sometimes it just feels like you’re wandering around or the guide is making things up as they go, but that was not the case here. She was a true leader and clearly knew exactly what she was talking about and where to go, taking a seamless route that tied everything together, effortlessly.

Even though the artifacts from room to room vary wildly, she somehow weaved each piece of history together, relating the different civilizations and discoveries to the other.

It was a super cool way to see the museum and learn, especially as I am a big fan of world history!

I learned a ton of fun facts and larger concepts that I admittedly didn’t even know about prior to this tour, and I loved how she included plenty of lesser-known artifacts, too.

The museum is so massive, that it will not only save you time but frustration by going on a curated experience such as this tour, with a guide who has a ton of in-depth knowledge.

While the tour lasts only a few hours, it flew by even faster than expected thanks to the captivating stories regaled to our little group. While it is a bit more expensive, this is a small-group experience maxing out at 6 people, so it’s well worth it!

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3. kid-friendly private british museum highlights and walk to covent garden london.

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
• Includes: Local guide, Professional Blue Badge guide, Private Tour

While the British Museum may not be the first sight that pops into your head when planning a trip with kids in tow, it’s actually perfect for curious young minds.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, the Kid-Friendly Private British Museum Highlights and Walk to Covent Garden London Tour  is just the ticket!

Lead by expert guides who clearly have a knack for teaching and keeping younger people intrigued, this interactive tour is tailored specifically for children aged 6 to 12 years old. However, that’s not to say that it’s not for people older than that, or the information isn’t accurate.

In fact, I had a fantastic time and felt like this was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a museum tour – as a child or as an adult!

The tour starts out with a warm welcome from your guide, who right off the bat created a space that made everyone feel comfortable enough to learn and ask any questions.

From Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures to decoding hieroglyphics, this hands-on experience made these artifacts come to life.

As this is a private tour, you don’t have to worry about big groups and your guide will even help personalize the experience.

I know that moving through museums with kids can be a delicate manner, but our tour guide kept everyone so entertained that there wasn’t even a moment for them to think about “accidentally” touching something they weren’t supposed to or playing tag next to ancient artifacts.

They gave us a shortlist to the most popular sites, narrating each one with fascinating historical accounts in a way that younger kids can easily digest. If you’re looking to bring children to the British Museum, look no further, because this is the best tour of them all.

4. The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:30 and 5:00 PM
• Includes:  Guided museum tour, tour guide

The British Museum holds around 8 million items – needless to say, you can spend quite a bit of time there if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

With The British Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour , you can rest easy knowing that your guide will create a custom itinerary designed around what you’re most interested in seeing!

These are the experts who know the museum like the back of their hand, maximizing your time in this absolute gem of an attraction.

Another huge pull for me with this tour was just how affordable it was for the sheer value received, making it one of those “biggest bang for your buck” experiences!

Lasting 2.5 hours, I wasn’t prepared for just how much I was able to see and learn about, at a pace that went smoothly and just made sense. This definitely isn’t one of those run-of-the-mill museum tours where the guide is just rattling off commonly known information!

We started out by meeting our guide right outside the museum gates, where they gave us a briefing on the history of the museum building and some of the most notable artifacts. We then got to head right inside, wasting no time to get to the best parts!

While the Rosetta Stone, mummies, and sculptures are absolute musts, I was surprised at the amount of amazing art!

Do not miss the drawings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, the Assyrian reliefs, the Lewis Chessmen, and much more! The tour consisting of carefully selected items was phenomenal, with our guide sharing tons of valuable, entertaining stories.

Our guide tailored our tour to lean a bit towards art as that’s one of my main interests, and I do recommend stopping by these exhibits! If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of what humans are capable of, let’s go!

5. British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour

• Departure: 49 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3BA
• Departure Time:  Varies
• Includes:  Private expert guide, customizable tour

Are you looking for a tour that’s just a couple of hours long to try and fill your itinerary with a fun, entertaining tour experience?

If so, then check out the British Museum In-Depth Private Guided Tour  is completely customizable, so there’s no more dealing with monotonous tours that you didn’t sign up for!

Known as the “World’s Museum”, expect to see lots of big tourist attractions, along with plenty of “hidden” gems that most don’t get to see.

I met up with my guide right outside the museum, and while I chose to do a morning tour, there are tons of different start times available for added convenience. As it’s just a few hours long, I’d say it’s super easy to fit into even the busiest of itineraries!

Before we got started, he did ask me if I had any specific interests or preferences as to what we explore inside the museum, creating a customized schedule based on that.

I couldn’t believe how affordable this tour was when I realized that it was completely private, which ended up literally just being me and my guide.

It was like I had a best friend local to the area taking me around to all the sites I want to see while giving me a fun, intriguing narrative on each one. I was able to ask plenty of questions, and he answered each one with confidence which only enriched my experience further.

I felt that this tour was very comfortable with a pace that wasn’t too fast nor too slow, even taking breaks intermittently to rest and go for a coffee/pastry!

I can say with confidence that this guide knew just about everything in the museum, and on the private tour I felt comfortable asking anything that came to mind. I highly recommend this tour for anyone!

Tour Guides

The The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max is our Editors Choice for the best British Museum tour

Robert Baker

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Discover 8 Million Works of Art & History With These British Museum Tours in London

Things to do in London London Attractions Museums in London British Museum London Tours

It is commonly said that when you are in London, you are never too far away from a museum. With over 150 museums, galleries and exhibitions spread across the city, one can see why this statement holds true. London has a museum for literally everything - a science museum, a war museum, a natural history museum, a museum dedicated to The Beatles, a zoology museum, even a Freud museum! Looking at this vast list, it is safe to say that Londoners love their museums and all the history and traditions associated with it. However, out of this list, there is one museum in particular - the British Museum, which overshadows and outshines all the rest.

Here's a detailed guide to the British Museum in London, tickets to the best British Museum Tours, the must see exhibits at British Museum, the British Museum restaurants and a few insider tips that will help you plan your British Museum visit effortlessly.

British Museum In London

The British Museum in London is one of England’s largest, oldest and most comprehensive museums, with its permanent collections housing over 8 million works and articles. Through its exhibits and collections, this museum takes you back to the birth of mankind and civilization. The British Museum is dedicated to documenting and showcasing the evolution and culture of humankind, with exhibits from all over the world.

If you find yourself in London, visiting this museum should definitely be on the top of your list (after the London Eye, of course).

British Museum History and Architecture

British museum history.

The British Museum in London is the world’s first national public museum, established in the year 1753. The exhibits and items on display at the museum are largely based on the collections of Sir Hans Sloane , an Irish physician and scientist. Although the museum didn’t start out with much (71,000 objects), over the course of the last two and half centuries, it has undergone several changes, including widespread renovations and expansions, in order to accommodate the ever-growing collection.

Today, the British Museum, London is home to one of the most extensive and comprehensive collections of artefacts, sculptures, paintings, statues, manuscripts and other antiquities, all collected from around the globe and all dedicated to showcasing the leaps and bounds of human history.

British Museum Architecture

The British Museum was designed in the Greek Revival style, emulating the classical Greek architecture, with columns, a decorative pediment at the south entrance and a main quadrangle and 4 wings. The core of the building was designed by Sir Robert Smirke , at the time an eminent and established neoclassical architect. Smirke began the project with the construction of the east wing meant for the King’s Library, (today, considered one of the greatest examples of neoclassical interiors in London) and consequently moved onto the other wings.

What is most striking about the building is its exterior, built decoratively and beautifully so as to convey to its onlookers about the treasures and wondrous objects stored inside. Considering that the museum went through several expansions and restorations, a number of other architects worked on some of the newer areas and wings, including Sydney Smirke, Sir John Taylor and John Russell Pope, all adding to the allure and beauty of the museum we see today.

Tickets To The Best British Museum Tours

The british museum guided tour.

Explore the British Museum in London, one of the largest museums in the world with an expert tour guide by your side. On this British Museum Tour, take in 6,000 years worth of knowledge and walk through the history of mankind. Your guide will help you experience the museum in a lineage order i.e, your tour will progress in the same order as the date of the events that took place on earth. In this way, you will be able to make sense of everything you see and also witness step by step how mankind progressed from small, scattered tribes to modern, interconnected civilizations we see today.

This British Museum Tour is highly recommended for those who are interested in delving into the history of the artefacts and installations on display rather than just ambling about the museum. Note that tickets to this British Museum Tour grants access to all the exhibitions that are running in the museum.

British Museum Tour Timings - This tour begins every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 2:00 PM and goes on for 2 to 2.5 hours.

British Museum Guided Tour

• Enjoy a 2-2.5 hour guided tour of one of the oldest museums in the world
• Trace the history of mankind and see the tremendous progress made by our species in this short time on Earth
• Discover some of the world’s most famous artefacts, antiquities and items like the Rosetta Stone or the Egyptian Mummies.

Semi Private & Private Guided Tour of The British Museum

The British Museum in London has over 70 galleries and 8 million articles on display. Suffice to say, if you’re entering the museum for the first time, you are bound to get overwhelmed. On this semi private or private British Museum tour, you will be able to enjoy all that this wonderful museum has to offer, along with the services of a professional historian guide, who will not only curate your experience but also provide all the necessary and relevant information you need to know about the museum and its many contents. On this British Museum Tour, you get a chance to witness all the exhibits like the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Portland Vase etc. while learning about their history and significance. Get a truly enriching and insightful experience, and don’t be afraid to ask your guide any questions you may have.

This Semi Private/ Private British Museum Tour is recommended for those who are prefer small group intimate tours that allows personal attention from the historian guide. Note that tickets to this British Museum Tour grants access to all the exhibitions that are running in the museum.

British Museum Semi Private Guided Tour Timings Semi Private Tour Timings

• Mon - Thu & Sat - Sun: 10 AM
• Fri : 10 AM & 5 PM

Private Tour Timings

• Mon - Thu - 10 AM & 1 PM
• Fri - 10 AM, 1 PM & 5 PM
• Sat - Sun : 10 AM

Semi Private & Private Guided Tours

• Make the most out of your experience as you are led through the massive museum by a professional guide
• Choose to go on a small-group (8 people) tour or a private tour exclusively with your guide
• Once the tour is complete, explore the museum at your own pace and go back to the exhibits you fancy

Must See British Museum - Top 10 Artefacts & Exhibits

1. rosetta stone.

When visiting the British Museum, the Rosetta Stone should be on the top of your list of ‘must-see items’. It is essentially a stone of black granodiorite (part of a bigger block) with inscriptions in 3 languages, and was found in Rosetta, Egypt. This stone is key in understanding and deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and has been used by scholars to understand and study early human language. It is the most popular exhibit at the museum. Location - Ground Floor, Room 4

2. Egyptian Mummies

The British Museum has a very fine collection of Egyptian mummies and coffins, and in fact, holds the largest collection of Egyptian objects and artefacts outside Egypt. Among the mummies, the most notable sarcophagus is that of Pharaoh Nubkheperre Intef , an Egyptian King of the 17th dynasty. Location - Upper Floor, Rooms 62-63

3. Hoa Hakananai'a (The Easter Island Statue)

Hoa Hakananai'a is an original Easter Island statue, made of Basalt. It has often been described as a “masterpiece” and “the finest example of Easter Island sculpture. The statue was taken by the crew of a British ship from Orongo, Rapa Nui and was subsequently presented to Queen Victoria, who then passed it onto the museum. Location - Ground Floor, Room 24

4. The Sutton Hoo Mask and Ship Burial Collection

Considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries made in Britain, the Sutton Hoo helmet is a decorated Anglo-Saxon artefact that was found, along with a whole host of other items, during the excavation of the Sutton Hoo ship burial. This helmet is believed to be that of King Raedwald of East Anglia, given its elaborate and ornate decoration. Location - Ground Floor, Room 2

5. The Lewis Chessmen

Made out of Walrus ivory and whalebone, these are not your ordinary chess pieces. The Lewis Chessmen are a group of 12th century chess pieces, probably made in Norway or Iceland, and make up the largest collection of objects for leisure use from that period ever found. Currently, 82 of the 93 pieces found are on display the British Museum, while the remaining 11 are at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Location - Upper Floor, Room 40

6. Parthenon Marbles

Perhaps the most controversial item on display at the British Museum, the Elgin or Parthenon Marbles . These are a collection of beautiful classical Greek marble sculptures that were a part of the Temple of Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens. They are a subject of controversy as Greece claims that these statues were removed illegally from their country, while the UK maintains that Lord Elgin purchased them legally. Location - Ground Floor, Room 18

7. Colossal Red Granite Statue of Amenhotep III

This massive statue or bust is the head of Pharaoh Amenhotep III , the King of the 18th dynasty in Egypt. It was found at the Temple of Mut, in Karnak in 1817. Made completely of red granite, this bust stands at 2.90 meters, and is one of the most popular exhibits at the museum. Location - Ground Floor, Room 4

8. Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs

In ancient Assyria, lion hunting was done for sport, where captured Asian lions were released from cages for kings to kill using swords, spears or arrows. This activity has been showcased, quite brilliantly, on alabaster panels, and they are widely regarded as “supreme masterpieces of Assyrian art’. Location - Ground Floor, Room 10A

9. Double-headed Serpent

The double-headed serpent is an Aztec sculpture made out of wood and covered with turquoise mosaics. It came from Aztec Mexico and most scholars believe that it was used as ornamental piece during religious ceremonies. This sculpture is one of nine Mexican turquoise mosaics displayed at the British Museum. Location - Ground Floor, Room 27

10. The Portland Vase

Part of the Roman Empire exhibit, the Portland Vase is a cameo glass vessel, dated somewhere between AD 1 and AD 25. It is assumed to be a wedding gift, because of the depictions and pictures on it of love, sex and marriage, but no one knows for sure. Interestingly enough, the vase was destroyed in the 19th century and it was restored several times based on a copy made of the vase by Wedgwood, which in turn was also a masterpiece! Location - Upper Floor, Room 70

British Museum Restaurants

Walking through this colossal museum can definitely work up a solid appetite. If you catch yourself hungry and craving a bite, head to any of the 3 restaurants at British Museum and grab yourself a good meal. All the 3 British Museum restaurants are well reputated for their palatable edibles - from fish and chips to tea cakes and pizzas; so choose any and have a bite while you ponder over all that you discovered while exploring the musuem.

With an open kitchen and large, wide spaces, this restaurant provides a good escape from the crowded museum galleries. Enjoy a warm cup of tea or gorge on some delicious fish & chips here at the Great Court.

Located on the ground floor, the Court Cafe is perfect for a quick refuel as you work up an appetite walking through the museum. The cafe is known for its freshly made sandwiches, salads and cakes.

Also located on the ground floor, pizzeria, is perhaps the most popular of the 3 eateries (no surprise there). Serving up hand-tossed pizzas, refreshing salads and sinful desserts, Pizzeria makes for the perfect place to satisfy those hunger pangs!

British Museum Information

British museum opening times.

The British Museum, London is open daily 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM On Fridays it has longer operating hours and is open from 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM The British Museum remains closed on 1st January, Good Friday and from 24th to 26th December.

British Museum Directions

Get British Museum Directions on Google Maps

The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road (500 meters), Holborn (500 meters), Russell Square (800 meters), Goodge Street (800 meters)

The following buses stop near the museum:

• 1, 8, 19, 25 38, 55, 98, 242 - Stop on New Oxford Street
• 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 - Stop northbound on Tottenham Court Road/southbound on Gower Street
• 59, 68, X68, 91, 168, 188 - Stop on Southampton Row

The British Museum is easily accessible by car and the nearest car parking is located at Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2RJ

Know Before You Visit British Museum London

• Entry to the British Museum is free for all visitors. However, if you are looking for a guided tour (recommended), you will be charged a nominal fee. Tickets for a British Museum Guided Tour can be purchased at a discount online.
• There are cloakroom facilities at the museum, with the main cloakroom located west of the main entrance. There is a minimal charge, depending upon the item you check in (umbrella £1, coat £2 and bags £2.5)
• There are male and female washrooms located on each floor of the museum. The accessible toilets are located in the Great Court and the Ford Centre for Young Visitors.
• Free WiFi is provided for all visitors of British Museum
• Flash photography and video recording is permitted (for personal use only) in all areas of the museum.
• There are multilingual audio guides available for visitors to use. These can be purchased at the museum itself and cost about £7 per adult.

Insider Tips for Visiting the British Museum in London

• Although entry to the British Museum is free , it is highly recommended to take a guided tour of the collections. As mentioned earlier, there is just so much to see and explore and it can get pretty overwhelming. Having a guide will help you skip through all the noise and focus on the important exhibitions.
• Avoid going to the British Museum on school and public holidays. During these days, the museum gets horribly crowded and the lines to enter can stretch on forever. Save yourself the trouble and visit on weekdays.
• Once you enter the British Museum, tackle the popular attractions first. We'd recommend you head to the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles first as these exhibits will take up most of your time.
• Have an action plan. Make a list of all the items and artefacts you want to see beforehand. This will not only help you save time but also a ton of energy.
• If you’re not sure what you want to see, take the Around the World in 90 Minutes Tour , which takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For £12 you will be able to see all the important sites in the museum in 90 minutes!
• If you don’t want to rush and take your time to see everything the museum has to offer, take multiple visits of the museum. Since it has free entry, you can go a bunch of times.

More London Guides

Looking to explore more of London ? Here are a few detailed guides on other star attractions in London. Check them out and plan your London vacation with tips and hacks from our seasoned travelers!

FAQs: British Museum in London

How long does it take to tour the british museum.

Recommended visiting time is  at least three to four hours , but if you're interested in joining some of the many different talks and tours at the museum, then be prepared to spend the entire day wandering around.

Is the British Museum worth seeing?

Look at the many TripAdvisor reviews for this great institution, and check out the website to find out what's on when you are there. Free entry means you could always return later in the same day or on another day. It is absolutely, definitely worth a visit.

Is the British Museum London Free?

The British Museum is free to enter and includes access to its permanent galleries. Special exhibitions usually require a fee. Although this attraction is free to visit, you must book a timed entry ticket in advance.

How much are tickets to the British Museum?

Do i need to book to visit the british museum.

You're advised to book a timed slot in advance (Opens in new window) to guarantee entry and help control the numbers of individuals who can visit. Walk-up visits are available each day for those who arrive at the Museum without advance bookings.

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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British Museum Tour

Take a private guided tour of the British Museum – the world’s oldest national museum since it opened to the public in 1759.

Your private guided tour of the British Museum starts in the museum’s Great Hall – one of London’s finest public spaces and Europe’s largest covered piazza.

Inside this building is the story of human civilisation. See the Rosetta Stone – the inscriptions that decoded the hieroglyphs – discover the stories behind the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo, including a fabulous gallery full of mummies. Journey to the classical world to see ancient Greek marbles from the Parthenon temple in Athens, to ancient Assyria to enjoy a frieze depicting royal lion-hunts, and to marvel at giant carvings of winged bulls, then come back to these shores to follow the story of the Romans in Britain.

Complete your private tour of the British Museum with a selection of great treasures from the Anglo-Saxon world including the Sutton Hoo longship burial. You could even indulge in a Harry Potter moment as you contemplate the beautiful 12th century Lewis Chess Set.

If you require a guide with a private car to conduct your tour please tick above. This will send your request to one of our driver guides who are UK licensed, registered and insured.

If you like this tour, you may also like:

Jack the ripper tour, london’s christmas lights, downton abbey tour, tour privato del british museum.

FATE UN TOUR GUIDATO PRIVATO DEL BRITISH MUSEUM – IL MUSEO NAZIONALE PIÙ ANTICO AL MONDO, APERTO AL PUBBLICO NEL 1759.

Il vostro tour privato del British Museum inizia nella Great Court – uno dei più begli spazi pubblici a Londra e la piazza coperta più grande d’Europa.

L’edificio racchiude la storia della civiltà umana. Vedrete la Stele di Rosetta – le cui iscrizioni permisero di decifrare i geroglifici -, scoprirete le storie relative alla più grande collezione di antichità egizie fuori dal Cairo, compresa una favolosa galleria piena di mummie. Viaggerete nel mondo classico per vedere gli antichi marmi del Partenone di Atene, in Assiria per dilettarvi con un fregio rappresentante la caccia reale ai leoni e per stupirvi delle gigantesche sculture dei tori alati. Poi tornerete su questa terra per seguire la storia dei Romani in Gran Bretagna.

Tour Privato Abbazia di Westminster

Tour di harry potter.

Tate Britain Free Guided Tours

Learn about the art in Tate Britain with a guided tour around part of the gallery

Each tour is different and packed with fascinating insights, information and stories. Our Guides come from a wide range of backgrounds and their tours reflect their passions and interests.

All tours last around 45 minutes and start at the meeting point at the top of the Rotunda stairs and entrance to the Duveens.

Our tours are delivered by volunteers and are sometimes subject to cancellation and change, please call the ticket desk on the day for confirmation of our daily tour times.

Accessibility

Tate Britain's Manton Entrance is on Atterbury Street. It has automatic sliding doors and there is a ramp down to the entrance with central handrails.

Accessible and standard toilets are located on the lower floor. Changing Places toilets are currently not available at Tate Britain.

To help plan your visit to Tate Britain, have a look at our visual story . It includes photographs and information of what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

Download Tate Britain map PDF [739.73 Kb]

For more information before your visit:

Email [email protected]

Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 – option 1 (daily 10.00–17.00)

Tate Britain

Meet at the top of the Rotunda Staircase, Main Floor

Tours run most days at 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00

Check if tours are running on the day:

• Call us on +44 (0)20 7887 8888, option 1: 10.00–17.00 daily
• Check signage in the galleries

Related events

Tate britain family tours.

Family Tours at Tate Britain

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Join us for an African Heritage Tour at Tate Britain

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Join us for LGBTQIA+ tours at Tate Britain

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2,5 absolutely FREE DAILY walking tour in Moscow. We're TOP-rated company according to TA reviews! Book now and get meeting points details!

TOURS / SERVICES

Testimonial

"A very enjoybale day in Moscow. We had a very nice and knowledgeable guide Anastasia.(Nastia) She was very passionate about the City and we learnt so much in our brief four hours walk with her! Certainly this walking tour added a lot of value to our Moscow Holiday. A great idea to educate visitors about Russia and Moscow. The group was intimate enough to ask questions and stop for snacks etc..we thoriughly enjoyed it and would highly reccomend it.Carry on doing a great job!"

"I really enjoyed the tour, it was a great experience, very informative and fun. I will definitely tell everybody about that tour, keep it it is a fantastic idea!"

"Sorry I do not remember the names :( ... They were very talkative and very into everything. I think they both really love the city, and they made me feel like this to. They knew much about History, which was very informative! Great guides!!!"

"We partook of the fantastic Petersburg Free Tour. Due to our timing during the low season (shockingly not everyone is flocking to Moscow while the average temperature is 15F), it ended up being just us and Sonia, the afore-mentioned super-guide. She quickly ascertained the limited scope of our wanderings.."

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Moscow – Ancient history surrounded by the cosmopolitan

Moscow is a truly enchanting cityscape of old & new, with splashes of colour & cosmopolitan elegance creating a wonderful arena in which to explore the art, culture, heritage & history of a very exciting city.

You can wander the old, church-filled Varvarka Street to Red Square, surrounded by the Kremlin, Vasilij Cathedral and Lenin's mausoleum before marveling at the delightful colours of the beautiful cupolas of St. Basil's Cathedral & copper domes of Saviour Cathedral while learning about Moscow's enthralling history, from 12th Century to Ivan the Terrible, Tsars, Soviet era & recent history, and get to grips with present day Moscow, gaining insightful local hints & tips from friendly, authentic local Moscow guides on freetour.com recommended free walking tours.

The city is a treasure chest of fantastic ways to spend your time – incredible museums, galleries & theaters, such as the Gulag museum, Tretiakov Gallery and the famous Bolshoi Theater, await your arrival while a journey through the remarkably beautiful Metro stations is an experience in its own right. You can also indulge in tasty local cuisine, peruse the Izmaylovo Market for interesting Russian souvenirs, walk the Moskva river in Gorky Park, & sample local Vodka while embracing the vibrant nightlife. However you spend your time among the towering skyscrapers of Moscow, you're sure to have an unforgettable visit.

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Moscow’s best free city tour

I love Moscow – this charming metropolis, its people, its history and its unique cityscape. I would like to share my passion for this city with you. It is my job to show you the most exciting corners of this fascinating metropolis. That’s why, as a travel specialist and your private tour guide Moscow in Russia, I organize a guided free city tour Moscow – so that everyone, regardless of their budget, would be able to enjoy the insider’s view of Moscow.

You get to see what only Moscow residents know and what other tourist guides keep from you. I am a licensed travel specialist in Russia and would like you to enjoy all facets of the capital of the largest country in the world, without demanding any money from you. I’ll show you the city on my free Moscow walking tour for 1.5-hours on foot.

Everything you need to know:

• My tours take place daily by arrangement, I am the only English-speaking licensed tourist guide Moscow, who offers a free city tour.
• My 1.5-hour free tours Moscow do not cost you a cent, I also offer other great paid tours as well.
• I am an experienced local, I make the tours informative, but at the same time relaxed and not off the plane.

Free Tours Moscow – Daily

My free tours Moscow city starts on Slavonic Square (Kitay-Gorod Metro Station), passes the world-famous St. Basil’s Cathedral, which was built by Ivan the Terrible on the south side of Red Square in the 16th century and where the tsars were once crowned. Then it goes across the Red Square at the Lenin Mausoleum, the luxury department store GUM and with a view of the Kremlin towards the historical museum. Of course, you will also learn more about the stories that once happened behind the thick walls of the Kremlin – from the Tsars and Napoleon to Stalin. Then we continue through the idyllic Alexander Garden.

An advance booking is required!

Practical information:

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price: Free Language: English

«First acquaintance with Moscow» – a 2.5-hour city tour in the center of Moscow

This Moscow city tour starts on the Theater Square, past Lubyanka Square and the KGB-building, then through Kitay Gorod district and Varvarka Street, past the world-famous St. Basil’s Cathedral. Then it goes across Zarjadje Park, over Red Square at the Lenin Mausoleum, the GUM-department store and towards the Historical Museum. We walk through the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2.5 hours Price: 17 $ Students and children: 6 $ Language: English

A 3.5-hour car/bus tour of Moscow.

This is the best tour of Moscow city as all the important sights are visited. I am your Moscow city guide who will walk you through the city explaining the charming history of the city. This tour begins with picking you up from the hotel. 3 breaks are offered for photographing.

First, we will visit the most famous riverside streets and bridges in the center of the city with the most beautiful views of the Kremlin and the Moskva River (e.g. the Kremlin embankment and the Great Stone Bridge).

The first photo break is made at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We then pass by the district with numerous museums, Prechistinka Street and the district with numerous medical areas.

We again stop at the Novodevichy Convent, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the other bank of the Moskva River to click pictures.

Then we visit “Sparrow Hills” where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city of Moscow from the observation deck. Then there are the skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Kutuzov avenue, the New Arbat, Tverskaya Street, the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, the KGB building and Varvarka Street. Here there are ample spots to click pictures.

We then drive past the Kremlin again and finally reach Red Square. We take a short tour of Red Square and say goodbye in the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 3.5 hours Price for a group: 170-200 $ (depending on the number of travelers) Language: English

Metro tour – daily

Palaces for ordinary people – that was what Stalin promised to the people when the construction of the Moscow Metro began between the World Wars. The communist dictator hadn’t promised too much. No other underground system in the world can boast such spectacular architecture – chandeliers, decorations, stucco, paintings on the walls – each station is individually designed. No wonder that Moscow residents love their metro. I will guide you through the bustle of one of the busiest subways in the world and show you the most beautiful stations Moscow city has.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: Metro tickets / the guided tour

Tour of Communist Moscow – every day

After the Communist October Revolution in 1918, Moscow became the capital of the Soviet Empire and was the center of socialist orbit for more than 70 years. This left its mark on Moscow, even if the USSR disintegrated more than a quarter of a century ago. The city streets are full of remnants of the communist regime and the Cold War. This is a walking tour where I will show you the most exciting places in Soviet Moscow: from the notorious KGB headquarters, also known as Lubyanka to the Karl Marx Monument to small hidden remains from the time of hammer and sickle. You will also learn about Stalin’s Great Terror political campaign and the system of the GULAG and how the USSR, the communist Russian republic, became modern Russia.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour

Alternative Moscow Tour – daily

Explore the unseen Moscow with your Moscow private guide and discover a range of sights during this alternative walking tour.  Away from the main tourist spots (in the central district of Kitay-Gorod), just a short walk from Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral, you suddenly find yourself in one of the trendiest districts of Moscow. This place not only has trendy cafes and green squares, but here you can see the most beautiful spray works (according to Albrecht Dürer), hangout-places of the youth and hipsters, as well as learn what Moscow looked like in the 19th century. Here you will also learn exciting and even bloody stories about famous gangsters, eccentric business people and legends like the wandering preacher Rasputin, who is known in Russia either as the “holy devil” or the mad monk. To learn a little more about Moscow’s culture, this is the tour for you. On my alternative tour, you will get to know Moscow away from the tourist hotspots. This tour is of 2 hours duration and you will experience the following on the tour:

• St. John’s Hill, a quiet oasis right in the center, where time has stopped as it did in pre-Communist times
• Khokhlovka Art Center, where Russian hipsters and street artists hang out
• Samoskvorechye District where you can see beautiful streets and hear stories from old Moscow

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour / tram ticket

Kremlin tour – daily (closed on Thursday)

With its 20 towers and high walls, the Kremlin rises imposingly over Red Square. This world-famous fortress with its area of ​​28 hectares is home to over 800 years of Russian history. Described as the eighth wonder of the world, this historic fortress complex is the principal symbol of Russia that sits on the banks of the Moscow River. Today the Kremlin still harbors numerous secrets and has palaces and cathedrals, surrounded by Kremlin Wall. The current wall was constructed between the 15 th  and 16 th  centuries, but the original wall was made of wood around the year 1147. The Kremlin Wall became an important symbol of Moscow’s importance in the Russian Empire. This top tourist destination attracts millions of people every year and there are various sights to see. With my Kremlin tour, you will see the oldest square in the city in the heart of the Kremlin, the once largest cannon in the world and the scene of numerous dramas – from Ivan the Terrible and Napoleon to Stalin. You cannot miss this unique experience.

An advance booking and prepayment for tickets are required.

Time: by arrangement, daily (closed on Thursday) Duration: 2 hours Price on request Students and children: on request Language: English Included in the price: Kremlin tickets / the guided tour

Moscow pub crawl – Friday / Saturday

Experience the real nightlife of Moscow with my Moscow Pub Crawl and enjoy 4 pubs/bars plus 4 welcome shot drinks. Move from one bar to another and get to know travelers from around the world as well as the locals. Play fun adventure games and contests in addition to getting perks in the bars. Between the bars, move from one place to another on foot. The routes are organized as such that you will walk no more than 10 minutes between the bars. Visit the most exciting events, parties, concerts, and dance in the bars. Moscow Pub Crawl is a tour that you will never forget.

This tour runs every Friday and Saturday evening at 8 PM and you need to bring along your passport or an ID card, comfortable shoes, and wear smart casual clothes.

An advance booking and a small prepayment are required!

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 4 hours Price on request Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour, 4 shot drinks

1.5-hour boat trip on the Moskva River.

Taking a boat tour in Moscow on the Moskva River is a very pleasant experience. It allows you to know the city from a totally different perspective and admire the beautiful bridges. In this 1.5-hour river trip, you will sail past many beautiful sites in Moscow, so you can take the best photos to commemorate this day. The ship makes several stops on the way. The trip starts from the Ustinskiy Bridge near Sarjadje Park and ends at the Kiev train station.

On this Boat Trip, you can see sights such as: the former Imperial Education House, Sarjadje Park, the “flowing”, “floating” bridge, the most beautiful view of the Kremlin, the Great Stone Bridge, the legendary House on the Quay, the Christ the Savior Cathedral , the monument to Peter the Great on the ship, the central sports arena Luzhniki, the Sparrow Hills, 240 meters high Lomonosov University, the numerous architecturally spectacular skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Novodevichy Convent, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price on request Language: English

A military tour – riding on tanks in Stupino (Moscow region)

Russian Military is one of the largest military forces in the world formed in 1992. With my Military Tour experience what it likes to be in the Russian military, shooting guns, ride the Tank T-34 and various models of German tanks from the Second World War, as well as armored personnel carriers and vehicles. You will also shoot from the AK-47 and another combat weapon.

The tour will begin with your private tour guide Moscow in a Soviet army van accompanied with some tasty snacks and tea for a tasty start. Upon arriving, you will have to put on the army safety clothing and climb the Russian armored vehicles. The tour will take you on the noisy, smoky tank, driving through mud roads. All participants will get the chance to drive the tank which is coordinated by the Russian military.

Time: by arrangement, daily Price on request Language: English

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

Gorky Park and Sparrow Hills: Green Lungs, place to relax and meet

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Best things to see and do in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It’s rich and complex history is a constant reminder of its strategic position between Europe and Asia and makes it one of the cities you should visit once in your life. In terms of the many iconic landmarks, the delicious cuisine, and the characteristic, colorful architecture it has, Moscow is full of surprises for first-timers and seasoned travelers. Apart from the main attractions, it has like the Kremlin or Red Square, Moscow has many hidden gems for you to discover on your free walking tour with your local guide. 

On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow , you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all Moscow’s hidden gems is a great idea. This way you get to learn as much as possible about the local culture and way of life. A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without visiting iconic places like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, or the State Historical Museum, before getting some fresh air at Gorky Park, the medieval church of Kolomenskoye, or shopping at Izmailovsky Market. Don’t miss visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Bolshoi Theater, or checking out the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve. 

Many travelers have left their r eviews and opinions about the local guides , gurus, and the routes they walked. If you have any questions about the routes or what is included in the tour, check out their opinions. 

Free walking tour near Moscow

Others cities to visit after moscow, where are you traveling to.