London, England, pulses with an irresistible energy that weaves together centuries of history with bold modernity. From the moment you emerge from the Underground into the bustling streets, you will be wowed by the mix of medieval churches standing next to gleaming skyscrapers, and red double-decker buses navigating roads that have seen everything from Roman legions to royal processions.
The Thames curves through it all, connecting neighborhoods that each tell their own distinct story—from the cobblestoned charm of Covent Garden to the artistic rebellion of Shoreditch.
Surprises wait around every corner. You might stumble upon a Victorian pub tucked behind a modern shopping complex, or find yourself in a centuries-old market selling everything from vintage vinyl to artisanal cheese.
Many tourists come to London to visit iconic sights like Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London. Others come for the numerous museums, squares, cathedrals and traditional English pubs.
The extensive underground system (known as the Tube) makes it easy to get around to all the famous sights. However, you can also explore the city by tourist bus, which allows you to hop on and off at numerous stops.
The list of things to see and do in London is extensive, but here is a look at some of the musts in England’s capital.
1. Experience the Best of London’s Attractions
The London Eye is one of the top attractions in London. From 135 meters (442 feet) high, you will have a fantastic view of the city. The ride in the glass capsule takes about 30 minutes, and if the weather is nice, the view reaches up to 40 kilometers (almost 25 miles) away.
Big Ben is one of the most recognizable symbols of London. This clock tower was built in the 19th century. It is a part of the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster.
This giant clock, famous for its accuracy, is 96 meters (314 feet) high, and it’s among the tallest clock towers in the world.
Tower Bridge is the most famous of the five London bridges. It is a bascule and suspension bridge, built in the late 19th century on the River Thames.
It consists of two towers in the Victorian Gothic style, which are connected by a pedestrian passage above the road. Boats wishing to pass must be announced 24 hours in advance. Then the road traffic stops and the bridge is raised to enable the passage of vessels.
The Shard is the tallest building in London and the United Kingdom. It was built in 2013 as a “vertical city” with offices, restaurants, hotel rooms, apartments and an observation deck with a 360-degree panoramic view. You will be fascinated to see the city from this height.
Guided Tour of London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham
2. Visit the Famous Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is located in the heart of London, surrounded by two royal parks and is the residence of the royal family.
It was initially built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and in 1837 it became a royal palace after the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria. You can watch the changing of the guard ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace and you can purchase a ticket to visit the halls inside the palace.
3. Explore London’s Castles and Cathedrals
If you want to explore the history of this city, then you have to visit the Tower of London, a special place for history lovers. This castle was founded in the 11th century, and today the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With the admission ticket, you can go on a walking tour guided by one of the tower’s famous Beefeaters. The tour is sure to be both informative and fun, and the guides are very knowledgeable and also humorous.
You can continue your history tour with Westminster Abbey. It was built in the 11th century but was remodeled in the Gothic style a few centuries later. It is located next to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Along with Oxford and Cambridge, Westminster Abbey was the third-best school in England until the 19th century. It is still the traditional place of coronation of British monarchs.
St. Paul’s Cathedral is also located in the City of London. It is 111 meters (364 feet) high, and its architect was Sir Christopher Wren. It is a significant cathedral for English people because it hosted the funeral of Winston Churchill and several lords and dukes, as well as the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
4. Enjoy Exhibitions of Top Museums and Art Galleries
London is the perfect city for those who enjoy visiting museums and galleries. There are so many that it will take careful planning to see them all. A bonus is that many of the museum’s regular exhibits are free to enter.
In the National Gallery, on Trafalgar Square, you can see famous works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and other great European artists.
The Natural History Museum is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in London. There are impressive exhibits about dinosaurs, whales and the incredible flora and fauna of our planet.
The British Museum was founded in the 18th century and is visited by up to 6 million people every year. The most attractive objects are the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
If you are curious about space exploration, you will love the Science Museum. Here you can see, among other things, the Apollo 10 command capsule, and also experience a part of the Apollo space mission atmosphere on a 3D and 4D simulator.
You can see numerous works of art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, especially from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among the most prominent items is the Queen Victoria jewelry collection.
Southbank Center is also worth a visit. Numerous exhibitions and festivals are held here throughout the year, attracting several million visitors.
There is also the Royal Greenwich Museum and the Somerset House cultural hub, as well as exhibitions organized at the Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly.
5. Admire Modern Art
The Tate Modern is in the former Bankside Power Station along the River Thames. It is Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art. You can see the works of Picasso, Warhol, Rothko and Matisse free of charge.
The Modern Art Gallery is also worth visiting. During its 20 years of existence, it changed several locations in Central and East London, until it was finally located in the Clerkenwell area.
6. See Where Harry Potter was Filmed
Image by petekarici from Getty Images Signature via Canva
If you are coming to London with kids, surprise them by visiting the Warner Bros. Studio, where the Harry Potter movies were shot. You will see the costumes and props used, and you can also buy interesting souvenirs.
Your kids will probably enjoy visiting Madame Tussauds as well. You can stand side by side with wax figures of famous athletes, musicians, actors and superheroes. Among more than 300 characters, David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Johnny Depp and Marvel superheroes are waiting for you.
7. Visit Exciting Markets
An antique market is held every Saturday on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. Here you can find used clothes, household items and antiques. Borough Market is the place to go for all things edible, with an array of local and international food.
Brick Lane Market is another popular spot full of fun collectibles, antiques, fabrics and more.
Covent Garden, located in the West End, is always lively with tourists and locals and promises an assortment of shops, cafes, restaurants and street performances.
Camden Market is a quirky place visited by more than 200,000 people every week. There you can find vintage clothing, shoe stores, handmade and retro items.
8. Enjoy London’s Nightlife
Soho district, in central London, is a favorite spot for enjoying London’s vibrant nightlife. Soho is bordered by Leicester Square, Charing Cross Road, Oxford Street and Regent Street. In addition to numerous bars and restaurants, Soho also has excellent shops and theaters.
9. Relax at Beautiful London Parks
London also has amazing parks, including the Royal Parks of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St. James Park, and Green Park.
Kensington Gardens were once the private gardens of Kensington Palace, and are now particularly interesting because of the Serpentine Gallery, the Prince Albert Memorial and other attractions.
Hyde Park is the largest of the four Royal Parks in London. Henry VIII established it in the 16th century as a hunting ground. One hundred years later, Hyde Park was opened to the public.
However, these are not the only green spaces in London where you can unwind and enjoy their surroundings. There are plenty of parks throughout the city offering many things to do, from listening to live music concerts to admiring roaming deer.
10. Take a Day Trip From London
You can see some interesting places just an hour or two from the city. The best day trips from London include Stonehenge, Oxford, Windsor Castle and the Cotswolds.
It will take you a few days or maybe a week to visit the most significant London sights. Plan your route, buy museum tickets online and check which London Underground lines can get you the quickest to the place you want to visit.
Be sure to spice up your visit to London with a traditional afternoon tea or go to a pub for a pint of good beer.
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Author Bio: Based in Serbia in Europe, Marija Stojanovic Petkovski worked as a journalist but realized writing about the most beautiful places in the world is something that inspires her. She is sure that a pint of good craft beer perfectly accompanies a tasty homemade lasagna. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her children and spending time outdoors with her family.
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