London is truly a city of diverse experiences. From art, history, and culture to good food and great pubs, it has something for everyone. This is why the capital of England, London, is the most happening and lovable city in the world. Immersed in history, the packed urban high-rises and ancient architectural grandeur of London coexist harmoniously with creative innovators and leafy green landscapes. With so many places to visit when in London it’s always difficult to decide on what to see and what not to. Check out our pick of the top 22 places to see in London that’s sure to make things easy for you.
Best Places To Visit In London
Westminster Abbey
This imposing 1000-year-old Gothic abbey is a living part of British history. Famous kings, queens, statesmen, soldiers, poets, and priests can all be found buried here. From Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Isaac Newton, William Shakespeare, and Charles Darwin, hundreds of famous people are either buried or have memorials here. In recent times this masterpiece has also become famous as the preferred location for Royal Weddings. Westminster Abbey is perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions and one of the must places to visit in London.
The Big Ben
The most iconic building in London, Big Ben is probably the world’s most famous clock. Standing at around 320 feet tall (as tall as a 16-story building) and weighing around 15.1 tons, the Tower of Big Ben is the pride of London. Being one of the most Instagram-med landmarks, tourists come here from all around the world for that one click. Be prepared to climb up the 334 steps as there are no elevators or lifts inside the tower. Generally, there are free tours of Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower; however, tours have been suspended until the summer 2022 for restoration work. Do check before planning your itinerary.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of London’s most iconic neighborhoods with vibrant pastel-colored houses and thriving markets. This famous area is known for its busy markets, centered on Portobello Road, that sells vintage clothes and antiques. From world-famous events to cutting-edge theaters and restaurants, one can find everything in Notting Hill. Grab a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes that line the streets. The annual Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road Market make it one of the top places to visit in London.
Tower of London
This 900-year-old castle is a typical example of Norman military architecture. This historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078. It was later expanded upon; cells and torture chambers were added too. It has also served as the Royal Mint and is known for housing many famous prisoners throughout history. Despite its reputation as a place of torture and death, the Tower of London today is one of the country’s most iconic structures and one of the must places to visit when in London.
Buckingham Palace
The iconic Buckingham Palace has been home to British monarchs since 1837, it was actually bought from the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name). Today it is the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It’s also the administrative headquarters of the monarchy, making it one of the world’s few remaining working royal palaces. Visitors can tour the State Rooms between July and October. 19 State Rooms, The Grand Staircase, an Audio tour with Prince Charles, The Throne Room, and different flags and clocks are the highlights of this place.
London Eye
Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, this massive observation wheel gives some stunning views of London. It opened to the public in 2000 and is also known as the Millennium Wheel. Until 2006 The London Eye was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel with an overall height of 443 feet. It has the capacity to carry 800 people at a time and takes 30 minutes to complete one full rotation. It’s open between 11 am to 6 pm on all days except during the annual maintenance period and Christmas Day. With over 3.5 million visitors annually this is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in London.
Parks
London is full of grassy green parks; in fact, there are over 3,000 of them. It’s so green that London falls under the UN’s definition of a forest. Even if every Londoner decides to hug a tree at the same time, there’d be a tree each for them to hug. So, no trip to this city is complete without a visit to at least one of the famous parks, such as Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, Holland Park, Kew Gardens, Victoria Park, Hampstead Heath, or Hyde Park. All of them have wonderful walkways, wooded areas, lakes, ponds, and much more. Go out and explore these beautiful parks in London, a perfect place to unwind and enjoy your weekends.
Also Read: You Have To See These 6 London Palaces
Museums
Just like its parks, London is full of fascinating museums. Some of the most famous is the Natural History Museum, where you can see dinosaurs, blue whales, monkeys, volcanoes, and precious stones. The British Museum houses the largest permanent collection of art and artifacts in the world, with over 8 million pieces. Head to the Victoria and Albert Museum opposite, a design museum, with the largest collection of decorative arts in the world, or visit the National Gallery, which houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, with over 2,300 works. Like most museums in London, they’re all free to enter.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
This angelic masterpiece, the Mother Church of the Diocese of London is located within the central City of London. When the old cathedral on this site was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, it was famously rebuilt in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. St Paul’s Cathedral is home to an enormous array of art with theological messages behind each of them. Check out the interiors that are decorated with mosaics, and the stunning views from its domed roof (one of the highest in the world). Don’t miss the Whispering Gallery, where even the quietest whispers are transmitted across the dome. This iconic landmark in London deserves a top spot on your London bucket list and places to visit when in London.
Oxford Street
Have you heard ‘Shop till You Drop’? London’s Oxford Street 1.5 miles of unparalleled shopping experience will let you shop until you drop. Running from Marble Arch Station to Tottenham Court Road Station, this popular street is the world’s biggest high street with over 300 branded stores. Oxford Street, and the nearby Regent Street, are some of the most well-known shopping destinations in London. Spend an evening exploring the many shops, restaurants, and bars that line it, and if you happen to visit around Christmas, don’t miss the stunning lights illuminating Oxford Street and the theatrical window displays at the famous department store Harrods.
Also Read: 25 Unusual Things To Do In London
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
One of the top places to visit when in London if you’re an avid Harry Potter fan! Just outside London lies Warner Brothers Studio where you can experience the magic of filmmaking. The Studio Tour takes you through the incredible British talent, imagination, and artistry that went into making the great Harry Potter film. It features real props, sets, special effects, and costumes used in the Harry Potter films to bring JK Rowling’s books to life. Experience the magic of filmmaking right here with Warner Brothers
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge, built between 1886 and 1894 is another iconic landmark that takes a top spot in the list of places to visit when in London. Designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry, this bridge is popular for its Neo-Gothic architecture and lifting central sections. The bridge is 800 feet (240 m) in length and has two bridge towers (213 feet) that connect the upper level by two horizontal walkways. These glass-covered walkways are very popular among tourists. The central pair of bascules provides an opening 76 meters (250 feet) wide to allow shipping. Tower Bridge is one of five London bridges that is owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates charitable trust.
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is a waxwork museum founded by the famous wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. This museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions and the best place to visit when in London. Pose with over 400 wax figures or life-like replicas of popular personalities from all over the globe. From historical figures to politicians, scientists to actors, this is the place to rub shoulders with the stars. One can also learn about the process of making a figure with wax in the interactive area. Now that you know it all, head to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to spend some quality time with your favorite celebrities.
Sea Life Aquarium
Home to over 5,000 creatures, the sea life London Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The glass ocean tunnels take you through the marvelous underwater marine life. One is sure to spot piranhas, crocodiles, sharks, penguins, clownfish, anemones, rays, jellyfish, starfish, and many more. You will also get to witness the live feeding and learn more about the various species here. Sea Life London Aquarium is open seven days a week between 10:00 am to 3:45 pm. Come dive into this magical world for an amazing underwater experience.
Shrek’s Adventure
Your kids are going to love this unique experience. Shrek’s Adventure brings your favorite Shrek characters to life with live actors in live shows. Merlin Entertainments along with DreamWorks Animation has come up with this interactive and immersive walkthrough experience which can be enjoyed by the whole family. There are ten fairytale-themed live shows where you can see, hear, touch, and smell the adventure. The classic sets, captivating storytelling, magical 4D rides, dramatic special effects and extraordinary animation makes this place one of the top places to visit when in London.
Churchill War Rooms
Churchill War Rooms give you an insight into Churchill’s life and legacy. These historic Cabinet War rooms were the underground nerve center where Winston Churchill and his staff directed the Second World War. These historic rooms that once buzzed with strategies, planning, and plotting now remain exactly where they were left on the day the lights were switched off in 1945. The wartime bunker, a vast collection of war objects, and flag used to drape Churchill’s coffin at his State funeral are things that you just cannot miss when here. Churchill War Rooms, part of the Imperial War Museums (IWM) is one of the must-see places to visit when in London.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square in Westminster is named after Britain’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It was designed by the famous architect John Nash. Being right in the center of the city, it gives easy access to many other tourist attractions like Chinatown, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, galleries, statues, and great historic monuments. From multicultural festivals and religious celebrations to protests and demonstrations, this place plays host to a range of events throughout the year. Do not miss out on this vibrant and bustling space in London while you are here.
London Zoo
The world’s oldest scientific zoo, London Zoo or ZSL London Zoo is situated on the northern edge of Regent’s Park. The 36-acre park with over 650 species of animals has been entertaining visitors of all ages for years. Watch out for the tiger territory, the monkeys in a recreated Bolivian rainforest. Get face-to-face with gorillas, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, pygmy hippos, and more. An amazing collection of reptiles and amphibians will leave you speechless. A magical immersive walk through the butterfly paradise is something that the kids will enjoy. The main highlight of the zoo is the three walkways that allow you to get close to the Lion, the King of the Jungle. Daily events include a safari and feeding times.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle stands majestically above the banks of the river Thames. No trip to London could possibly be complete without a visit to the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world. The breathtaking beautiful 13 acres have been home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years. The Queen spends most of her weekends at Windsor Castle. Apart from Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Windsor Castle is open to the public on all the remaining five days throughout the year. Book your tickets and take a tour of Windsor Castle to admire the Royal Collection, magnificent artworks, and magnificent changing of the Guard ritual.
Camden Market
Wind up your trip by shopping at London’s favorite market, the Camden Market. Set along Regent’s Canal, Camden Market has something to offer for everyone. Be it hunting for vintage treasures, handmade jewelry, unusual gifts, or eye-catching arts and crafts items, all are available here. You can explore the many pubs and restaurants around Camden or can even go check out the many stores and food markets. Be ready for a shopping experience like never before.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is one of the busiest junctions in London. This popular tourist destination is famous for its neon signs, iconic Piccadilly screens, and the grand Eros fountain. Located in London’s West End, in the city of Westminster, Piccadilly Circus offers a variety of cinemas, theaters, shops, restaurants, and traditional English pubs. It is one of the liveliest areas in London and hence a heaven for party freaks. There are plenty of bars and clubs in Piccadilly Circus that offer discounts on drinks. Here’s your chance to double up your fun at one of the top places to visit when in London.
Princess Of Wales Memorial Playground
Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is a memorial dedicated to Princess Diana. After her death in the year 2000, the memorial playground was built on top of the already existing Peter Pan playground. This memorial is located in Kensington Gardens and has free access, hence this place is frequently visited by locals and visitors alike. An estimated 1,000,000 visitors come here every year to enjoy the free playground and to enjoy time with kids.
Also Read: 12 of The Best Day Trips From London
Apart from the listed attractions, there are plenty of other places to visit when in London. If there is something interesting that we have missed about this magical place, please do share them in the comment box below.
The best area to stay in London is Covent Garden walking, from here London’s major hotspots are within walkable distance.
The best way to commute within London is by bus or underground train.
The palace is open to the general public only during summer months with an admission charge.
Watching the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the number one attraction in London.
Summers are generally short and partly cloudy, while the winters are long and very cold.
From January to April and then again from September to November is the best time to visit London.
With public places well-lit and many CCTV cameras installed, London is considered a very safe place even at night.
London Pass allows you to visit more than 90 attractions, however, there are a few top attractions that are not included in the pass like, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, London Aquarium, Tours of the Houses of Parliament and London Dungeon.
Some of the most iconic landmarks in the world are in London, hence you will never regret paying a visit to London.
The weather in London changes quite quickly, hence pack a rain jacket/umbrella to protect from rain and warm coats/jumpers to protect from cold.
