Opened in 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts was Britain's first art school and today features regular displays of works by artists as revered as Rembrandt, Rubens and Monet as well as paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, plaster casts and architecture from living artists. Each year the exhibitions attract more than a million people, so be prepared to queue!
Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1
020 7300 8000
Admission charge: Ring for details
Nearest tube: Green Park (Jubilee or Piccadilly or Victoria)