I have been to London for work several times now and I absolutely love Tate Modern! I'm never disappointed with their temporary exhibitions or their permanent collection. I typically pay to see the featured exhibition, but I'm amazed and so grateful that general admission is free. I donate when I visit as well because this museum is beautiful and inspiring. It's clean, the placement of the art collections being paired makes sense and I can't imagine ever visiting London without going to Tate! Be sure to check out the four large works by Gerhard Richter. They are incredible! read more

The Tate modern is an amazing place - even better if you visit midweek. I had my first chance to go and experience the Members area. If you are in London enough it makes sense to join, but also to go chill out in the Member's cafe, and to enjoy the amazing rooftop patio which on a sunny day is a real treat. My friend went to the restaurant in the new building which he said had great views but was mostly OK. I think the bar on the first floor is also worth going to check out. Oh, and then the art! Great collection and amazing exhibitions. Again, best to go on off days to avoid the chaos of long lines and selfies! read more

I am an art gallery person in the most phony way. You've met people like me. I go on and on about loving art galleries, but the truth is I've sat on an AGO membership for years and make it annually at best. However, when I'm visiting other cities I mobilize like an adult and am always sure to check out the big boys. The Louvre, The Uffizi, etc. Of all of these bad boys, my favourite is the Tate Modern. Situated right on the river bank, near so many other exciting tourist stops (Shakespeare's Globe, anyone?), and it's free. Freeeeeeee. In terms of the actual modern art, I'm no expert. I will say Water-Lilies is so much larger and more impressive than I ever imagined. If you only pop your head in for one moment, this piece will make it worth it for even the most daft art gallery goers. Thank you, Queen Elizabeth. Museums should be free. Tut tut. Pip pip. read more

An incredible and imposing place. Lots of stuff there but should have more given the space available. Worth a visit even if you're not arty. Lots of places to eat around and about too. Free with the exception of some exhibitions. read more

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Massive space! Good use of a building that's ugly on the outside and of substance on the inside. Would that we judge people the same. I could've done without the DJ playing what they called 'music', but it made for a good scene. Lots of interactive children and people. Good times. I only saw the free exhibits because, pounds. #brexitblows I came. Was told Living Cities was not to be missed but go ahead and skip that. I saw Picasso and Matisse. I did the roof, tremendous views. I left. read more

This museum is so cool and large that we could only see slightly over half of it in one morning. Until this September, there's a special exhibition of Picasso's works during the year 1932 - if is worth the £22 separate entrance fee. The audio guide (£4.50) is informative, but only covers selected items on display. The WiFi is better than those at many Smithonian museums in Washington, DC. It is free - but unless you're homeless you should give the suggested donation of £5, and don't be like those selfish cheapskates who put foreign currencies into the donation box! read more

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Tate Modern has always been a MUST-SEE for *any* visitor even remotely interested in fine arts (And those who aren't will surely go to hell!) - and with its brand-new extension it's even better. Frankly, the architecture of said extension may be more stimulating than some of the "arts objects" it houses, but it's welcome all the same. As usual, entry is free, photography in the permanent collection allowed, and there are a couple of nice cafés and bookshops inside to while away the day (Real ales even, I was shocked!). Expect to spend no less than 4 hours here upon a first visit. In nice weather, you should walk there along the banks of the Thames from Embankment underground station. read more

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Think MoMA in New York or The Broad in Los Angeles. Like the latter, admission to most of these exhibitions are completely free of charge. Downstairs, you'll find an enormous room filled with blankets (really fuzzy throws, by the way) and a dark room with some random noises occasionally and large screens projecting some black and white images. Some people might think of this as modern art, I think of it as a great room where I was able to take a nap on the South Bank away from my hotel. All jokes aside, though, the upper levels have some great exhibits that really showcase some modern art from British artists from a variety of media. Be sure to go outside and look at the rest of the South Bank near here, as it is situated near some other great tourist attractions, like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre next door or the Millennium Bridge (the bridge that was destroyed in a Harry Potter film). read more

If you're reading this, I'm going to go out on the limb and assume you're an American tourist debating if you want to visit the museum and I would say you should definitely go. You should start your experience by walking over, the pedestrian only, millennium bridge and take in the breath taking sights. If you're lucky enough to be visiting during Christmas, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the Christmas village right in front of the Tate Modern. Browse some handmade goods by local artisans, eat some churros, or buy yourself a Christmas ornament. Then make your way into the Tate. The Tate Modern is a converted power plant transformed into a beautiful modern contemporary museum. When you first walk in you'll be taken away by the height of the ceilings coupled up with a dark eerie low lit environment. Existing inside the building alone makes it a worthwhile visit in London. Make your way to the bottom floor and check your coats in so you can enjoy exploring the museum in comfort. I won't comment on the art or exhibit itself as this is a ever rotating revolving door but I will say the venue itself is the perfect environment conducive to viewing contemporary art. It also has the height and ability to display dramatic tall pieces and definitely the width to provide a spacious enjoyable experience. Once you are done with the museum take a short walk to Borough Market, a convivial marketplace filled with artisan food and local gourmet eateries. The Tate, much like the taint, is the middle centerpiece of a fun filled day in a possibly quite hairy adventure. read more

Probably one of my favorite modern art museums. First of all, it's free! Thank you, United Kingdom government! Awesome! The exhibits are very approachable and organized really well. I appreciated that almost each room had a plaque that you could read so that you can figure out what the theme of the room is. The descriptions were very helpful for understanding the context of the art. The collection itself is extensive and contains pieces by Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, and many others. I visited the museum at about 3PM on a Monday and it was not crowded at all. It was a perfect time to visit. If possible, I would suggest visiting on a week day! Unfortunately, I did not have time to see everything in the gallery because it closes at 6PM. Overall, it is an awesome modern art gallery and I would highly recommend paying it a visit! Bonus: you get an awesome view of the city of London near Tate Modern! If I have time these next couple of days while I am visiting, I will definitely try to finish seeing all the pieces! read more

I DONT REALLY GET WHAT ALL THE 4's are about? I LOVE THE TATE. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE GIVING OUT 4's? ART CURATORS? CAN THEY REALLY BE JUDGING MODERN ART? Bahahah, probably not. Sometimes when I look at the art here it makes me feel high.... OH WAIT... its a modern art museum I get it! No but really this place is pretty great. Parts of it are free and the set up is fanatastic. I really love art museums and feel that this place is deffinately one I would come back to again since they also have revolving exhibts. Both my Mum and Dad (who I came here with) loved it as well. AND SHHHHH.... I took some pictures of the art while no one was looking. DON'T WORRY, DONT WORRY the flash was off so as not to damage the art.... but I felt so rebellious... hehe read more

Modern art lovers, this is the place for you. Surrealism and expressionism are just words, but paintings here give them a definition. Dreams, nightmares, fantasies and phantoms decorate Tate Modern's walls. Some people probably won't enjoy the exhibitions that much, but even if you don't feel attracted by modern art, you sure will laugh at the uncommon creations. I recommend comming here when the weather is warm. Don't worry about tickets, entrance is free. read more

Modern art. My eternal love, I cannot resist you once again. Tate Modern stands on my list of favorite places along with Pompidou, MoMA and MMoMA. I came for Miró. I loved it, of course... Crazy Catalan genius. And after Miró, I stayed for hours wondering around post-modernism, surrealism, Russian cubism and constructivism... (there is something intriguing in those "isms", you must admit) Tate filled with treasures to be seen. Every turn, every exhibition brings something new, something to admire, ponder, think about, or just look at and enjoy. Explore and see for yourself. read more

One of my fave museums in the UK and Europe. Had the distinct pleasure of wandering the area around the Tate Modern and seeing an incredible Francis Bacon exhibit. This is a must visit in London for any art lover! read more

Disappointed. We specifically came here for the Yayoi Kusama (one of my all-time faves) exhibit and it was wonderful, especially the Infinity room. Your time was limited in the exhibit as well as the group size. The museum, as with most London museums , was free' but most of the really good exhibits had to be pre-booked for a fee. Much of the art here is multi media , object and sculpture with little in the form of paintings, etc. We had opted for this instead of the Tate Britain because of the Kusama exhibit and were severely disappointed in the collections. The set up was odd in that this used to be a power-station so they use the space that was here. I found the space to be cold and un-inviting. We should have left after seeing the Kusama exhibit and gone to one of the local areas such as Tate Britain, National Gallery, St. Paul's, British Museum (which are all close). Instead we left early and went to nearby Borough Hall (more in that review later- Ugh!) read more

Between Tate Britain and Tate Modern, not to mention satellites in Liverpool & St. Ives, they have the major draw for art lovers. Tate is like America's Getty or bigger, and selected works of the famous, the not-so-famous and the flamers (artists that spark a scene for an instant, then burn themselves out in ambiguity) all get some attention here. Over 70,000 pieces of art from over 3000 artists, you're bound to get bored after a while and you can tarry over at the cafe and refresh yourself before entering the breech yet again. I was getting a bit tired of seeing so much Joseph Turner, a British favorite, that even Roy Lichtenstein became interesting to me beyond the typical "It looks like a big cartoon" and I appreciated his work all the more. As an USAF retiree, I especially liked "Wham" for reasons that are obvious. From Picasso's Weeping Woman to Duchamp's urinal (I mean "fountain"), Warhol, Matisse, Dali, Pollock and Rodin, even some Hokusai, all your favorites can be found at the Tate. While Tate Modern hosts all the stuff that makes one wonder what "art" is, an appreciation for both categories will widen your perspective, just as they planned. Though Tate Modern is London's version of the MOMA in NYC, don't expect to be blown away, but see it. read more

I'm probably the last person who you would want to talk about art with. I have no formal training and I'm highly opinionated. Sometimes I'm able to speak at (some) length about a piece and other times I go, "meh." I appreciate the Tate Modern because it's a visually beautiful space, it's free and it's a collection of pieces that I would never otherwise see. Monet's Water Lillies and Pollock's Summertime were my highlights. I was very intrigued by the anti-nazi photo-montage works as well. Some of the pieces on the other hand were wasted on me and I'm quite sure I'll never understand them. It wasn't too crowded and I was able to snap a few photos quickly. I can see myself heading back to check out the 5th floor at some point soon. Maybe I'll even learn something. read more

TATE ROCKS! This is by far, the all-time best art museum I have ever been to in my entire life, ever! And I've seen my fair share of art museums. The Tate is a wonderful old power station with an iconic chimney rising over the Thames. Walking into the massive space gives a great vibe, like you're about to experience something powerful. And you do! You do not have to be an artist or know anything about art to enjoy the Tate. Each art movement represented is described in away that is easy to understand. Each piece of art also has an easy to understand description that gives you some insight. While I think the gift shop is a wonderful place to find little gems, another great part of the museum is the bar on the top level. In the evenings it is a fantastic place to grab a glass of wine, or your drink of choice, grab a seat along the window, and enjoy the gorgeous view of the river, Millennium Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral! Stunning! read more

Imagine my excitement as i realised that now I live in the same suburb as Picasso, Warhol & Monet. Actually, I didn't expect to run in to Claude while I was there, so there was maybe a little tear rolling down my face as I'm standing there, face to face with Water Lilies. With 4 free public galleries split over 2 levels, and a level of paid exhibitions inbetween the Tate Modern is exemplary in its set out. Each of the public galleries have several rooms. It follows the trend (which I LOVE) of galleries being set up by theme, with related works next to them not so much chronologically or by artist - that can get boring, but it still holds true to collections being shown in rooms together. The mix of sculpture, installation, video and painting in each gallery is a tribute to the curator - Also the way in which even with closed off rooms and gallery spaces, the place still has a great flow. What does often go unmentioned is the fantastic views down the Thames and across to St Pauls you get from the upper levels cafe spaces. The fact I had to ask how to find the gift shop - situated on the basement level- speaks volumes about the TATE modern's set up - all about the art, I'll probably become a member next time I visit. Im very excited to see what the new building brings when it opens and TATE Modern can show off its whole collection. read more

Have you ever seen a massive concrete slab with a crack the length of a football field running down the middle? No? Well you obviously missed the Shibboleth exhibit at Tate Modern. That type of in-your-face modernism is what awaits you as you walk through the hallowed (?) halls of this British institution of modern art. As an avid art lover and student of the history of art, I both love and hate this place. It's a complicated relationship, much like that between a golfer and the ancient game. Sometimes I see a piece at the Tate and think "wow a 2 year old could have made that mess" but then I turn around and achieve visual nirvana. One of my favorites: a small, out of the way peephole in a wall that I dared to look through- only to discover an inside of the wall display with a film being screened within. Amazing! Splashes of colour abound, sculptures ranging from the erotic to the mundane (toilets, anyone?), and East London art students roam free at this institution dedicated to the promotion of new(ish) artists. If you like your button pushed (or sometimes to simply push a button), go to the Tate Modern. Be advised: it can be tricky to get to especially if you are heading there from the more tourist-friendly West London shops, sights and parks. Don't forget your map! read more

One of the bonuses of being a Londoner is the amazing selection of museums on your doorstep all year round and the Tate Modern is one of them. The mister and me were having a stroll along the river after work and made a snap decision to drop in. I was interested by the exhibition 'Dream and Poetry' which happened to be a free exhibition about surrealism. I wasn't expecting amazing things but that's what I got. Picasso, Miro, Dali, Giacometti all there along with many more heavy weights of the art world and not just one piece but numerous pieces. I was bowled over by the Dali paintings and the way he plays with perspective, multiple meanings and the sheer skill of his paintings is phenomenal and the scale and guts of the Picasso's to name a few. I wouldnt have seen them if we hadn't of dropped in and I'd have happily paid to see it but its such an attribute to our galleries to have so much talent so easily accessible and FREE!? The rest of the standard collection is also fab and you can't get round without recognising at least one or two of the pieces if not more. Surrealist fans should not miss the exhibition but everyone should make their way to the impressive space of the Tate modern at least once! read more

The concept of modernism always intrigues me, but I think that's the problem. I get my hopes up way too high, and am usually disappointed by the reality of it. We had one day left in London and I asked a friend of a friend, "If you had one day to spend in this city, what would you do?" He told me that the Tate Modern would be at the top of his list. Granted, it was free so I feel bad complaining but seriously? It was nothing spectacular. And to the person who says we can't be judging modern art unless we're art curators... um, hello? Yelp was created for normal people to critique businesses (restaurants, bars, lounges, museums included!) and just because this museum was not my cup of tea does not mean I should feel obligated to give this place 5 stars. And I am completely aware that this last comment may piss off the British even more, but go to MOMA in New York instead. there, I said it. hah! read more

One of my favorite museums in London, the Tate Modern is Britain's gallery of modern art. Located on the banks of the Thames River, this museum was once a power station. The combination of brick exterior with a huge interior of wood, steel and concrete make this the perfect setting for modern art. If you're a tourist, I recommend combining a visit with St. Paul's Cathedral and walking across the Millennium Bridge. Admission is free to the Tate, but special exhibits charge for entry. If you're lucky, you'll see an amazing display in the Turbine Hall, which is the massive open space that once housed the generators of the power station. My favorite painting at the Tate is Summertime: Number 9A by Jackson Pollock. In the past, it's been displayed in one of the free areas, but currently it's being featured in a special exhibition called "A Bigger Splash" with a £10 entry fee. Strolling through the halls, you'll find artwork from just about any of the great modern artists. Even if you aren't a big fan of the arts, you'll be amused at some of the original displays. 5 stars for fantastic art, free entry and an amazing reuse of an old structure. read more

beautiful museum with endless things to look at. well organized and right on the water took read more

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I have to be honest and admit that I am not a huge fan of modern art, but I have been meaning to visit the Tate for a while so I decided that I would do so this time I was in London. The first thing that I should mention is that it is free, which is a huge bonus, but the other thing is that the gallery is divided by themes as opposed to artists, or time periods. I guess that since it is modern art it is probably better if it to be thematic. As for the collection don't expect a huge range for the more famous artists such as Warhol or Pollock - in fact the only had a handful. Also not all of the exhibitions are free - you usually have to pay for the temporary exhibitions. You can also catch an elevator to the roof which does give a pretty cool view (though it is the roof to the building, not the old chimney stack - the Tate used to be a powerstation, and the sections of the gallery still reflect that history). Being free it is definitely worth it, but you do need to at least have some appreciation of modern art. read more

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Complete waste of time! It's basically one big multi level gift shop. The only redeeming point is the free view on the 10th floor. read more

The Tate was easily my favorite museum I visited while in London. Once more I must reiterate that admission to this fantastic museum, like most museums in London, is free. That may be common in the UK but I was always astounded after coming from a city where museum visits will be at least $10 admission. The collection was fantastic with artists like Matisse, Warhol, Picasso and various installation artists. Everything worked so well together and with the space itself (open, glass walls, flowing perfectly into everything else, and creating an exhibit of humanity as well as the art itself). The view of the Millennium Bridge and the skyline from the balcony is absolutely gorgeous, and the grounds of the Tate are extremely amenable on a sunny afternoon. Also, the Body in Motion exhibit (aka, adult sized playground) was fantastic and so much fun to both observe and act within. Although some of the rooms were closed because they were installing new exhibits (to open the next week... damn) the Tate was still a very enjoyable experience, still my favorite museum in London and still something I'd do all over again. read more

I have a confession that I'm not a fan of modern art but the Tate is in a great position for a stroll, especially when the weather isn't as freezing as it is at the moment! It's located on the south bank riverside walk and straight across from St Paul's Cathedral via the no longer wobbly Millennium Bridge. I have found some of the outside sculptures (like the giant spider) and the ground floor exhibits (like the crack) the most interesting. Entry into the musem is free but for me, there are too many exhibits which require an extra fee. As I'm not a big modern art fan, I'm not usually willing to part with cash for an exhibit I may not enjoy. read more

Fantastic museum and a way to spend a day in London. The art was interesting and thought provoking. The building is grand and feels vast and airy, amazing views from the top. We had fun on the swings in the courtyard too. And the gift shop was lovely. We will come back. read more

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Compared to the V& A museum, I'd have to give the Tate modern 3.5 stars. I love the sheer size and space of the museum. It felt like an airport terminal to a certain degree. And then I thought we had walked into a flash mob and they were going to break into a GLEE song but alas, it was just a mobile exhibit of bodies walking in sync back and forth. It was interesting but not really. BTW, if it's your virginal visit to the Tate, you have to walk from St. Paul's via the Millenium Bridge to get to the Tate. It's a lovely stroll with nice vistas. read more

This was our least favorite museum during our trip to London and France. My brain was not able to appreciate what I was looking at. I don't know, maybe it was the particular exhibits that were showcased that week/ month or I am just not a fan of modern art? I didn't like the building/layout, it was dreary to me. As most museums in London, admission is free (donations are suggested and it is a pleasure to give). Even though I am giving this museum 2.5 stars (it pains me to do so), I would highly suggest that you check out this museum and form your own opinion. It may be your cup of tea. read more

The building that houses the Tate Modern is amazing. It is a renovated power station with a rather imposing entry way. Seriously, the entry way could make your jaw drop, it is stunning. I also loved the fact that the museum is pretty much free although they do ask you to pay for certain exhibits. My only gripe about the museum is that I found it a bit cumbersome to navigate through. Yes, the numbering of the floors and rooms makes it easy to find certain pieces that you are looking for but all the small rooms that have one or two small entrances made it a bit tricky to find the best path from one place to the next. It was quite crowded on the day I was there and I had very limited time so I got a bit cranky at one point trying to find my way from one piece that I wanted to check out over to the next way. That being said, I did love the museum. There are countless beautiful/interesting pieces in the Tate Modern. I am not even a fan of Modern art and I found myself in awe of the collection. They have pieces by Warhol, Pollock, Picasso, Matisse, Lichtenstein, Dali, Chagall, and so very many others. Definitely take time to just soak in the atmosphere, especially views of Turbine Hall as you wander around the upper floors. Really amazing. Just make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to spend in there so that you don't have to rush around like I did. This is one museum that it certainly worth your time. read more

The Tate Modern is a free museum with a quite large collection of contemporary paintings and various three-dimensional art exhibits. In full disclosure, I'm normally not a modern art fan, so I could be biased. But even trying to account for my biases, I didn't find the collection here particularly impressive. There were many pieces of art from various contemporary art movements, but very few of them really struck me or made me think. The more interactive art exhibits were probably my favorite, so I'd recommend prioritizing those, if I were you. Since it's free, I still think the museum's worth a visit, if you have the time. But if you're only in London for a short while, there are many better ways (including many other free museums!) with which you could spend your time, in my opinion. read more

I'll be honest, I've really tried to enjoy modern art, but I just can't seem to appreciate it as much. Some things you look at and say, "A five year old could have done that." So I'm coming from a place of not really knowing how to appreciate all that the Tate Modern has to offer. Apart from that, the design of the museum is a bit odd. It doesn't have the best lobby, exterior, or general flow through the museum. The museum is free, which is a bonus. However, quite a handful of exhibits are for members only, so I wasn't able to check out those exhibits. As a tourist, I would say this was an average experience and I think I could have afforded not coming to visit the Tate Modern in my short amount of time in London. I'd give it a 3 stars, but bumping it up to 4 because I do know they have some really valuable pieces. If you're a local resident of London, it's definitely worth going to if you're looking for something to do on a budget. read more

I was really looking forward to visiting Tate Modern. I have an art degree and I've always loved anything different. The Tate was different... and crowded, under construction and a little autistic frankly. The art itself is interesting. Roy L. has some lovely work on display. Poke around in the level four area and you'll see some neat things. I just don't have much to say except I didn't really "get" it. Maybe I was trying too hard but the concepts seemed pretty far out in most cases. In others I recognized a name and a style and was able to put some pieces together. The building is fantastic except they have managed to set it up in a way that visitors tend to clog the escalator entrance and exit areas and you're having to second guess those first and last steps. All in all nothing terribly memorable for me except for the man drawing chalk art on the sidewalk outside. read more

I used to live a block from the Tate Modern and I regret that I didn't frequent the museum as often as I should have. The Tate is housed in an old industrial brick edifice and when you step inside, the spaciousness takes you in. On a sunny afternoon, the sunlight pours through the large windows and the shadows that play on the interiors of the museum itself is natural art. Voila! The Tate has some lovely exhibits and offers an eclectic source of contemporary and modern art. Don't forget to visit the room with the grand piano hanging upside down from the ceiling nor the pill room. The Matisse and Monet collections are definitely not to be ignored! There is the Tate cafe for a respite and the store for souvenirs. After a visit to the Tate Modern, a walk on the bank of the Thames in lovely weather is highly recommendable -- it only adds to your memories of London! read more

Interesting....great building...where do I start...stinky room crammed with unwashed people...my kids would love that...my kids will never be allowed to see that...clever...disgusting....disturbing...cool view of St. Paul's...are there Pokémon lurking about? All this went through my mind as I wandered around. I am normally an advocate of getting headphones for a guided tour. Not today. Just want to wander aimlessly by myself. read more

Even if you aren't a fan of modern art, go for the gift shop. Once I got the coolest Rothko inspired journal from there, where the pages form a little color field when you look at the binding. And it even had pockets in it! Strangely, it looks like there is a Rothko exhibit occurring right now! What a coincidence. Anyone want to take me? read more

A haiku for the Tate Modern: In the Rothko room Red, black, rectangle and square Life began again. Seriously, that Rothko room changed my life. It is a treat to see such beauty in one museum: Chagall, Miro, Cindy Sherman, Dali... I could go on. The Carsten Holler exhibit in the Turbine hall was amazing, too. I love the variety of artists that display in that hall. read more

I won't waste too much time reiterating what has been said already. The Tate Modern is brilliant. I have almost zero appreciation for museums and even I thought it was incredible. Literally, it has been the highlight of my travels so far. read more