Top 10 Things to Do in London

Diving into Oxford Street’s shopping haven, breathing in a heady mix of street food in Camden Town and gazing up at Westminster’s architectural gems – these are just a few of our favorite things to do in London. But the city has an endless supply of iconic landmarks for you to discover.

Visiting the jewel in the UK’s crown is an experience you will never forget. The city is a place of constant discovery, with fascinating points of interest everywhere you look. From Shakespearean haunts to the King’s Road punks, this eccentric wonderland is a hotbed of history. But it’s never lost its newness.

Among the nostalgia-inducing red phone booths and throng of black cabs you’ll find forward-thinking galleries, museums piled high with jaw-dropping artifacts and an ever-expanding skyline of cloud-puncturing skyscrapers – from the Gherkin to the Shard.

Wherever you are in England’s feisty, funky and heritage-laden city, you’ll find a London sightseeing hotspot on every corner. To narrow it down, here’s our checklist of the top London attractions for your time in the UK capital.

Houses of Parliament

Snapping Instagram-worthy shots of this prestigious landmark’s grand exterior is a must-do, but many travelers aren’t aware you can actually set foot inside the incredible building.

Walk the route taken by the King at the State Opening of Parliament, observe great British democracy in action and step into the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, where they tried infamous plotter Guy Fawkes.

This 19th-century wonder is also home to one of the most recognizable London attractions, Big Ben. The iconic clock has chimed its way to fame since 1859 and holds a special place in the hearts of Londoners.

Tours of the parliamentary estate are available to book online, where you can find out more about the specific times and types of tours available.  

Tower of London

The voices of the traditionally attired Beefeaters boom out with anecdote-packed stories, while ravens caw and medieval intrigue fills the air around the Tower of London. It may be 950 years since William the Conqueror built the legendary Tower, but the London sightseeing spectacle remains one of the city’s most exciting experiences.

Inside, you’ll find the mesmerizing Crown Jewels and meet the “ghosts” of the Tower – including ill-fated princes Edward and Richard, as well as Anne Boleyn, number two in Henry VIII’s six-strong roll call of wives.

Westminster Abbey

Serene and majestic, this living pageant of British history should definitely be on your London attractions list. Everyone from kings and queens to poets and priests have walked within its 700-year-old walls.

There’s no red rope barrier on a tour of Westminster Abbey. Visitors can gaze upon the real Coronation Chair where monarchs receive their crown in a tradition almost seven centuries old. Then enjoy a wander round Poets’ Corner, the Cloisters and the Nave, and even explore the Royal Tombs.

London Eye

Built in 1998 in preparation for the new millennium, the London Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at nearly 443 feet.

Step into a spacious airtight capsule and find a seat in the center or a spot by the window for prime viewing. Each rotation allows you to take in iconic sights along the London skyline, including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, with a peek of Buckingham Palace tucked into trees as you rise. Photo opportunity level? Sky high. 

Buckingham Palace

Pay a visit to the King’s not-so-humble-abode with a trip to Buckingham Palace. An almost obligatory tourist ritual is to snap a selfie outside the palace, which, unlike many royal residences, you can actually get quite close to.

Watch the comings and goings of palace life from the gates and time your visit right to witness the Changing of the Guard – a ceremonial march from St. James’s Palace to Buckingham Palace’s forecourt, which takes place every other day from August to May or daily in June and July.

If you want to step inside the Palace, you can join a tour of some of the State Rooms, the Palace’s gilded halls and exclusive exhibitions in The Queen’s Gallery. Needless to say, this perfect slice of pageantry is high on any British bucket list.

Tower Bridge

You’ll never forget the first time you see London’s Tower Bridge. Rooted high and mighty in the middle of the Thames, the landmark is a London sightseeing must.

Built well over a century ago, the iconic structure continues to wow, with a glass-floor walkway offering a unique birds-eye view of London’s roads and the River Thames below. Adding to the engineering marvel is the bridge’s giant moveable roadways that rise to give way to passing ships – check out the lift times to see them in action.

Natural History Museum

London’s world-renowned museums don’t get much better than the Natural History Museum. With 80 million items included in an outrageously diverse collection, you’ll discover mighty dinosaurs, the first humans and realms of natural wonder as you wander through the beautiful Gothic Revival building.

Madame Tussauds

Here’s your chance to get up close to some of the world’s most famous names – all immortalized as wax models. Head to Marylebone to hang out with supermodels, Hollywood icons and legends from the worlds of sport and music.

Join the UK Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street, then step inside the Oval Office for your appointment with the President. Come face to face with your favorite Marvel superheroes before an audience with King Charles III and the rest of the British Royal Family.

There are a host of fully immersive experiences too, including a trip through London’s past and the chance to explore a galaxy of Star Wars locations alongside your favorite characters  from the movies.

It can get busy, especially during the summer vacation period, so make sure to book ahead and try to go early.

Harrods

Welcome to London's most luxurious playground. With five floors, more than 300 departments and almost 200,000 square meters stuffed full of everything from Gucci dresses to Steiff teddy bears, it’s easy to spend the day getting lost in the Harrods magic.

Foodies will fall in love with the famous dining spots – sample fresh seafood in an oyster bar, savor classic English fare to the sweet sound of a live pianist or simply wander the food halls in search of the perfect, glittering macaroon.

Hyde Park

Once you've ticked off the essential London attractions and found retail bliss in Harrods, round off your city getaway amid the serenity of Hyde Park. The 350-acre natural delight is a perfect antidote to the bustling metropolis.

Glide over The Serpentine lake on your very own pedal boat, pay your respects at the peaceful Diana Memorial Fountain in honor of the much-loved princess and get those pinkies out for traditional English high tea at The Orangery in Kensington Gardens.

For something a little different, veer towards the north-east corner of the park to Speakers' Corner. Ever since Victorian times, inspiring orators have had their say on an array of subjects here. You can even give your own speech – just so long as you keep it clean.

No matter how many times you visit England’s capital, its old-meets-new energy and effortlessly cool attractions will never fail to leave you starstruck.

From the historic squares and movie-star monuments to the incredible wealth of museums, galleries and stages, the British capital has something for everyone – the only problem is squeezing it all into one visit.

For more inspiration, check out our guide for tips and tricks on how to spend 24 hours in London.